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Enhancing the coagulation process for the removal of microplastics from water by anionic polyacrylamide and natural-based Moringa oleifera
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Scientists tested improved water treatment methods using aluminum sulfate combined with either a synthetic aid or natural Moringa oleifera seed extract to remove microplastics from water. Both combinations achieved over 80-93% removal for certain plastic types, and the natural plant-based approach cut the required chemical dose in half -- offering a more sustainable way to keep microplastics out of drinking water.
The existence of microplastics (MPs) in water is a significant global concern since they have the potential to pose a threat to human health. Therefore, there is a need to develop a sustainable treatment technology for MPs removal, as the conventional methods are inadequate to address this problem. Coagulation is a typical process in treatment plants that can capture MPs before releasing them into the environment. In this work, the removal behaviors of polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene (PE) MPs were systematically investigated through coagulation processes using aluminum sulfate (Al(SO)) and Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds extract. Subsequently, the coagulation performance of Al(SO) was improved by the separate addition of anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) and naturally derived MO. Results showed that Al(SO) in combination with APAM had better performance than Al(SO) or MO alone. In the Al(SO)+APAM system, the removal efficiencies were 93.47%, 81.25%, and 29.48% for PA, PS, and PE MPs, respectively. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the Al(SO) and MO blended system was approximately similar to the Al(SO)+APAM system. However, the required amount of Al(SO) was decreased to 50% in the Al(SO)+MO system compared to the optimal dosage in the Al(SO) system alone. The combination of 40 mg/L of Al(SO) and 60 mg/L of MO resulted in removal efficiencies of 92.99%, 80.48%, and 28.94% for PA, PS, and PE MPs, respectively. The high efficacy of these enhanced methods was due to the synergic effects of charge neutralization and agglomeration adsorption, which were validated through zeta potential assessments and visual analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. In the case of experimental conditions, initial pH had little impact on removal efficiency, while NaCl salinity and stirring speed directly affected MPs removal. Consequently, this research took a step toward finding a green strategy to remove MPs from water systems.
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Removal of Microplastics from Drinking Water by Moringa oleifera Seed: Comparative Performance with Alum in Direct and in-Line Filtration Systems
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A study compared Moringa oleifera seed extract—a natural, plant-based coagulant—to conventional aluminum sulfate for removing microplastics from low-turbidity drinking water, finding both achieved over 98% removal efficiency, but the natural extract worked effectively across a wider pH range (5–8 vs. 5–7 for alum). Moringa-based treatment could offer a sustainable, lower-chemical-impact alternative for drinking water treatment in regions where aluminum chemicals are costly or controversial. This is relevant to global efforts to remove microplastics from tap water before human consumption.
Removal of Pristine and UV-Weathered Microplastics from Water: Moringa oleifera Seed Protein as a Natural Coagulant
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Researchers tested a natural plant-based coagulant from Moringa oleifera seeds for removing microplastics from water, comparing it to conventional chemical treatments. The natural coagulant effectively removed both fresh and UV-weathered polyethylene microplastics, performing comparably to synthetic alternatives. This approach offers a more eco-friendly and less toxic option for cleaning microplastics from water systems.
Enhancing microplastic removal from natural water using coagulant aids
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Researchers tested different chemical treatments for removing microplastic beads from natural water and found that polyaluminium chloride combined with polyacrylamide achieved over 95% removal across six common plastic types. The treatment worked on particles ranging from 10 to 1,000 micrometers, and natural organic matter in the water actually improved performance. The findings suggest that optimizing standard water treatment processes could be a practical way to reduce microplastic contamination in drinking water sources.
Natural coagulants (Moringa oleifera and Benincasa hispida) based removal of microplastics
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Researchers tested two plant-based coagulants — from Moringa oleifera seeds and white gourd (Benincasa hispida) — for removing microplastics from water, finding they achieved roughly 84–87% removal rates comparable to the commonly used chemical coagulant alum. This is the first study showing that natural, plant-derived coagulants can serve as sustainable, non-toxic alternatives for filtering microplastics from water supplies.
Efficacy of Protein Extracts of Moringa oleifera and Benincasa hispida Seeds for the Treatment of Microplastics
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Researchers tested protein extracts from Moringa oleifera and Benincasa hispida seeds as natural coagulants for removing microplastics from water. Moringa extracts achieved 94% removal efficiency at a dosage of 30 mL/L, while Benincasa hispida reached 88% removal at 40 mL/L under neutral pH conditions. The study suggests these plant-based coagulants could serve as effective, sustainable, and affordable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for microplastic treatment in water systems.
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