Efficient cationic dodecenyl succinic anhydride modified starch-based flocculant with a broad salinity tolerance: preparation, microalgae harvesting and flocculation mechanisms

Key Points

• Flocculant enhances microalgae harvesting efficiency by adapting to various salinity levels, improving recovery rates.
• In tests, the modified starch-based flocculant outperformed conventional methods, achieving up to 90% microalgae recovery.
• Analysis of flocculation mechanisms reveals effective binding characteristics at different salinity conditions, highlighting versatility.
• Potential applications extend to wastewater management, emphasizing sustainable practices for microalgae utilization.