Moringa removes 98% of microplastics from water

Ancient Egyptians are thought to have used moringa to sterilize water. A millennia-old water purification technique could be the solution to Europe's drinking water filled with microplastics.

In one recent study (source in English), seeds from the “miracle” Moringa tree have been found to be as effective or better than their chemical counterpart at filtering out aged PVC microplastics – one of the most harmful types of plastic to human health. The findings could pave the way for a greener alternative for water treatment plants.

See more articles from iGuRu.gr when you search for news on Google.

iGuRu.gr preferred source

Tiny plastic particles released from car tires, paints, fabrics and degraded plastic packaging have been accumulating in the planet's water systems for decades, creating a silent but growing health risk.

In 2024, the EU strengthened monitoring protocols for microplastics in drinking water. But last year, researchers warned that very small particles, which are more likely to pass from the gut into the blood and organs, may be slipping through the cracks.

The use of moringa for cleaning is both old and innovative: it is thought to have been used by the ancient Egyptians to remove bacteria and reduce water turbidity.

Thanks to its fast growth, drought tolerance and low water requirements, this perennial crop not only needs minimal inputs – it acts as a carbon sink, thrives on dry, degraded soils and enhances biodiversity.

Moringa's wide range of uses, from treating malnutrition and diseases to water purification and anti-aging products, has earned it the nickname "miracle tree."

Why are microplastics and their filtration methods dangerous?

Beyond the direct health impacts of microplastics, which may be linked to cancer, heart attacks and reproductive problems, these tiny plastic particles – less than five millimeters long – can absorb and transport other dangerous pollutants throughout ecosystems and the food chain.

Currently, European countries use both physical and chemical methods to remove microplastics from urban wastewater.

Aluminum sulfate, also known as alum, is an inorganic salt widely used as a flocculant in water treatment, separating microplastics and other pollutants so they can be removed.

Although it is effective in cleaning, its incorrect use can lead to increased levels of aluminum in the water, which has been linked to possible neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.

Alum also produces large volumes of sludge during the flocculation process, which is difficult to manage and dispose of – it usually ends up in landfills, where it can release toxic substances into soil and water.

Alum production is also environmentally damaging, requiring open-pit mining of bauxite in tropical regions such as Australia, Brazil, Guinea, Guyana, and Jamaica, which can lead to deforestation and habitat loss. Refining and processing the raw materials into the final product requires significant thermal energy, resulting in the release of emissions that warm the planet.

The seed of the "miracle tree" can remove 98% of microplastics from water

The recent study, led by Gabriele Batista from the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) in Brazil and published in the scientific journal ACS Omega, highlights the potential of moringa, the so-called "miracle tree", as a plant-based, non-toxic alternative.

The study compared alum and a salt-based extract derived from moringa. Both flocculants work by neutralizing the negative electrical charge that causes microplastic particles to repel each other and escape filters. Once the charge is neutralized, the particles aggregate into larger complexes – called “flocs” – that can be trapped in a sand filter.

Both alum and the corresponding moringa preparation were able to successfully remove over 98% of PVC particles from water, with moringa proving to be more consistently reliable over a wider pH range.

The particles were around 15 micrometers in size – small enough to pass through standard filters.

Moringa was found to be equally effective for in-line filtration as for direct filtration, meaning it could make the costly and energy-intensive flocculation process, which binds the flocculated particles together, unnecessary.

One drawback that the researchers say needs further investigation is the leaching of dissolved organic carbon during the process, which could complicate subsequent processing steps. The effectiveness of moringa also needs to be tested on a larger scale.

newsbot

Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.