The suppression effect and safety evaluation of poly-γ-glutamic acid, a novel biological dust suppressant

The dust suppression effect of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) was studied and its safety was evaluated. The dust suppression effects of γ-PGA at different molecular weight, concentration and coordinated-effects with various polysaccharides were investigated respectively by filter paper loading dust and periodic simulation of wind erosion. The effect of γ-PGA on dust removal was tested by smog simulating dust. The effects of γ-PGA on seed germination of Poa pratensis L. and corrosion of carbon steel were investigated separately. The results showed that the dust suppression rate of high molecular weight γ-PGA was higher and only decreased by 10.6% within 12 days. The dust suppression rate of 0.100%γ-PGA was higher than other groups at 1st, 3rd, 7nd and 12th day. When γ-PGA was mixed with hyaluronic acid or xanthan gum in a ratio of 2:1, the dust suppression rates were higher than γ-PGA was used alone. After spraying 0.100% γ-PGA, the sedimentation rate of particles was significantly faster than that of natural sedimentation rate, especially for particles with small particle size. γ-PGA could promote growth of seed. The corrosion rate of carbon steel treated with high concentration γ-PGA was the lowest.