Microalgae are primary producers of aquatic ecosystems, securing biodiversity and health of the ecosystem and contributing to reducing the impact of climate change through carbon dioxide fixation. Also, they are useful biomass that can be used as biological resources for producing valuable industrial products. However, harvesting process, which is the separation of microalgal biomass from mixed liquor, is an important bottleneck in use of valorization of microalgae as a bioresource accounting for 20 to 30% of the total production cost. This study investigates the applicability of sewage sludge-derived extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) as bioflucculant for harvesting microalgae. We compared the flocculation characteristics of microalgae using EPSs extracted from sewage sludge by three methods. The flocculation efficiency of microalgae is closely related to the carbohydrate and protein concentrations of EPS. Heat-extracted EPS contains the highest carbohydrate and protein concentrations and can be a best-suited bioflocculant for microalgae recovery with 87.2% flocculation efficiency. Injection of bioflocculant improved the flocculation efficiency of all three different algal strains, Chlorella Vulgaris, Chlamydomonas Asymmetrica, Scenedesmus sp., however the improvement was more significant when it was used for flocculation of Chlamydomonas Asymmetrica with flagella.
Polymers in cosmetics are used to deliver desired attributes to skin and hair. Precisely constructed block and graft copolymers widen the range of available mechanical properties and compatibilities. Stimuli responsive hydrophobic polymers can be triggered to become hydrophilic by changes in their environment and this can confer waterproof properties at low temperature and easy water removal at higher temperatures. Transfer-resistant cosmetics can be possible due to silicone resins. The control of rheology properties in cosmetics gradually continue to be easy with copolymers. Durability of colors and fragrances for rinse-off products can be enhanced by delivery systems from complex coacervates. Polymeric anti-microbials promise product preservation while minimizing the concern of skin permeation. This article reviews recent trends in the use of polymers in cosmetics.
Different types magnesium hydroxide groups have been obtained using the hydrothermal precipitation technique from magnesium sulfate and calcium carbonate solution. The Mg atom coordinated around O atom of SO42- in another layer to form a multi-layer structure crystal. The influence of synthesis parameters on the morphological characteristics and size of magnesium hydroxide groups precipitated in aqueous were investigated such as different of additive and pH. Magnesium hydroxide groups were decomposed gradually and converted finally to MgO particles after heated in air temperature up to 1050℃. The particle size and it's distribution morphology, crystal phase and thermal behavior of the samples were characterized through XRD, SEM, EDS, and TG/DTA.