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    Analysis of the surfactant properties of Eichhornia crassipes for application in the remediation of environments impacted by hydrophobic pollutants

    Year: 2021

    Journal: Biocatal. Agric. Biotechnol., Volume 36, SEP

    Authors: Selva Filho, Alexandre Augusto P.; Almeida, Fabiola Carolina G.; Soares da Silva, Rita de Cassia F.; Sarubbo, Leonie A.

    Organizations: Foundation for the Support of Science and Technology of the State of Pernambuco (FACEPE); Research and Development Program from National Agency of Electrical Energy (ANEEL); Candeias Energy Company (CEC) from Global Group [PD-06961-0005/2016]; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Education Personnel (CAPES) [001]

    Keywords: Petroleum; Eichhornia crassipes; Plant residues; Macrophyte; Plant-derived surfactant

    The invasive aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes may enable the generation of novel compounds with aggregate value for use in bioremediation processes. Thus, the surfactant properties of the plant extract were investigated. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the extract was 1.4 +/- 0.1 g/L and the surface tension at this point was 25.84 +/- 0.7 mN/m. The extract proved to be stable and non-toxic to the bioindicators evaluated. The emulsification index was higher than 65.00 +/- 1.8% for motor oil. The chemical characterisation suggested that the structure of the extract was formed by an unsaturated fatty acid. The plant extract was capable of dispersing 100% of oil in seawater. The motor oil removal from sand with the plant extract at twice the CMC reached values around 68.04 +/- 0.7% both in the kinetic assay and in the static assay using packed columns. The removal of heavy metals reached rates of around 40.00 +/- 2.6%. The plant-derived surfactant clearly demonstrated viability regarding its use as a biotechnological additive for environmental remediation processes.
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