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Tapping into Microbial Polysaccharides for Water and Wastewater Purifications

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Polysaccharides as a Green and Sustainable Resources for Water and Wastewater Treatment

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Molecular Science ((BRIEFSBP))

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Abstract

The critical need for water and wastewater treatment has become more crucial in recent years as a large portion of the world’s population do not have access to safe potable water sources. Currently, half a billion people worldwide do not have access to improved water sources especially in developing countries where recycling and reuse of wastewater is at its lowest ebb. This Chapter addresses the role microbial polysaccharides play in water and wastewater purification. Microbial polysaccharides are biopolymers produced by microorganisms through the utilization of simple to complex substrates. Their applications in water and wastewater treatments have made the processes of purification, less cumbersome, economical, less time consuming and ecofriendly. Microbial polysaccharides are effectively used in water purification via processes like biosorption, bioaccumulation and bioaggregation. Future developments in water and wastewater treatments will be largely intertwined with developments in microbial polysaccharides such as polysaccharide-based nanoadsorbents.

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Acknowledgements

I appreciate Dr. O. Osuolale and my postgraduates students, Jeremiah Ogah and Ifeoluwa Gbala for their contributions. My appreciation also goes to the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, which provided a good working environment to carry out my research works.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo, Nigeria

    Nurudeen A. Oladoja Ph.D.

  2. Environmental and Chemical Processes Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Redeemer’s University, PMB 230, Ede, Osun, Nigeria

    Emmanuel I. Unuabonah Ph.D.

  3. Environmental Technology Research Laboratory, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola Univeristy, PMB 4000, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria

    Omotayo S. Amuda Ph.D.

  4. Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria

    Olatunji M. Kolawole Ph.D.

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  1. Nurudeen A. Oladoja Ph.D.
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  2. Emmanuel I. Unuabonah Ph.D.
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  3. Omotayo S. Amuda Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Nurudeen A. Oladoja Ph.D. .

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Oladoja, N.A., Unuabonah, E.I., Amuda, O.S., Kolawole, O.M. (2017). Tapping into Microbial Polysaccharides for Water and Wastewater Purifications. In: Polysaccharides as a Green and Sustainable Resources for Water and Wastewater Treatment. SpringerBriefs in Molecular Science(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56599-6_5

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