Okra could be the solution to remove microplastics from water sources

Compounds extracted from okra and some molluscs can remove dangerous microplastics from water sources, scientists say.

New research presented at the American Chemical Society spring meeting on March 22 offers an alternative to synthetic chemicals that can pose health risks being used in factories. wastewater treatment.

The slime from okra can absorb microplastics in water.

"To further remove microplastics or any other material, we should use non-toxic natural materials," said lead researcher Rajani Srinivasan of Tarleton State University.

Okra is used as a thickener in many dishes, such as Gumbo, a stew from Louisiana. It is also the main dish in South Asia called bhindi.

Srinivasan's previous research looked at how slime from okra and some other plants could remove textile contaminants from water and even microorganisms, and she wanted to see if this could help. Does the same apply to microplastics?

Microplastics - pieces of plastic less than or equal to 5 mm - have been shown to harm fish in a number of ways, from disrupting their reproductive systems to stunted growth and liver damage. .

It is estimated that around 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, but less than 10% of that is recycled. The rest is eventually broken down into microplastics and is today found in every corner of the world, from our oceans and waterways to our air and soil, as well as our food.

Microplastics when entering the human body can have health effects. Many are concerned that they increase the risk of cancer and DNA mutations, although further studies are needed to verify.

There may be more plastic waste than fish by 2050. (Video: CNN)

The traditional wastewater treatment process filters microplastics in two steps. First, remove the floating part from the water. However, these substances make up only a small part. The remainder is filtered using a flocculant, or adhesive chemical, to attract microplastics, forming larger clumps. These blocks sink to the bottom and then remove from the water.

The problem is that synthetic adhesives, such as polyacrylamide, can break down into harmful chemicals. So Srinivasan and colleagues set out to study how the natural adhesives from okra, aloe, cactus, fenugreek, tamarind, and supermarket-bought psyllium would work. any.

They tested chains of carbohydrates, called polysaccharides, from individual plants, as well as in combination, with different sources of water contaminated with microplastics, examining before and after microscopic images to see determine how many seeds are removed.

They found that okra polysaccharides combined with fenugreek polysaccharides could best remove microplastics from ocean water, while okra polysaccharides combined with tamarind performed best in freshwater samples.

In general, polysaccharides work well, some even better than polyacrylamide. Importantly, the plant-based compound is non-toxic and usable in existing treatment plants.

Srinivasan hopes to scale up and commercialize the process, giving more people access to safer and cleaner water.