2.3 Characterization for the self-flocculation of Z. mobilis
The culture (4 mL) was sampled and de-flocculated by cellulases following a previously established protocol for measuring OD600 using a Microplate Reader (Thermo Fisher, Multiskan GO, USA) (Xia et al., 2018), which was used as the basis (A) for quantifying the flocculation efficiency of Z. mobilis . The culture collected simultaneously was rested statically for 5 min, and then 400 μL supernatant was sampled, which was also treated with cellulases to de-flocculate any suspended small flocs and mixed vigorously to obtain a homogenous suspension to measure OD600 (B). The flocculation efficiency (F) of Z. mobilis was calculated using the following equation:
F = (1 – B/A) × 100%.