Making Eco-Friendly Cleaners from Orange Peels to Purify Water

David Palenski
17th January, 2024

Making Eco-Friendly Cleaners from Orange Peels to Purify Water
Image Source: © Natural Science News. This image is an artistic rendition.
Industrial wastewater often contains dyes which are harmful to both the environment and human health. These dyes can be toxic, and some are even known to cause cancer. Removing these color-causing compounds is a major challenge for many industries, and current methods aren’t always effective. Researchers at Hindusthan College of Arts and Science have developed a new, environmentally friendly approach to tackle this problem[1]. Their work focuses on using iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) created from orange fruit peel to break down these dyes in water. The study introduces a straightforward method for producing these nanoparticles. Instead of relying on harsh chemicals, the researchers utilized orange peel – a readily available waste product – to help create the Fe2O3 NPs. This aligns with a growing trend in scientific research to find sustainable and less toxic ways to manufacture nanoparticles, as demonstrated in earlier work utilizing fruit waste for nanoparticle synthesis and antimicrobial applications[2]. The formation of the nanoparticles was confirmed by observing a color change in the solution and measuring how much ultraviolet (UV) light was absorbed. UV-Vis spectroscopy measures the absorption and transmission of UV and visible light through a sample, and changes in the spectrum can indicate the presence and characteristics of nanoparticles. To understand the size and shape of the created nanoparticles, the researchers used transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM uses a beam of electrons to create highly magnified images of materials. The images revealed that the Fe2O3 NPs were generally spherical, with sizes ranging from 25 to 80 nanometers, and tended to clump together. Further analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the nanoparticles contained both iron and oxygen, the elements that make up iron oxide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate how the orange peel extract contributed to the formation of the nanoparticles, specifically in reducing the iron salt, capping the nanoparticles (preventing them from growing too large), and aiding in their overall synthesis. The key finding of the study is the effectiveness of these orange peel-derived Fe2O3 NPs in removing methylene blue, a common dye pollutant, from water. When exposed to visible light, the nanoparticles were able to break down 97% of the dye. This process, known as photocatalysis, uses light energy to speed up a chemical reaction. Similar research has highlighted the potential of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a sunlight-active photocatalyst for dye degradation[3], but the current study offers a potentially more sustainable and cost-effective alternative using readily available fruit waste. Beyond dye removal, the researchers also investigated the nanoparticles’ ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria. They tested the Fe2O3 NPs against E. coli and S. aureus, two common bacteria that can cause infections. The nanoparticles showed a concentration-dependent effect, meaning that the higher the concentration of nanoparticles, the greater the inhibition of bacterial growth. This antimicrobial activity is consistent with findings from other studies demonstrating the antibacterial properties of metal oxide nanoparticles[4], and suggests that these Fe2O3 NPs could have applications in both water purification and infection control. The study highlights the reusability of the nanoparticles, adding to their practical appeal. The combination of strong dye-degrading activity, the ability to suppress pathogens, and the potential for reuse makes these orange peel-derived Fe2O3 NPs a promising solution for water purification and related environmental challenges.

EnvironmentSustainabilityBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using orange fruit peel extract for efficient remediation of dye pollutant in wastewater.

Published 16th January, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01781-8

Related Studies

2) The avenue of fruit wastes to worth for synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles and their antimicrobial application against foodborne pathogens: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129912

3) Recent advances and perspectives of g-C3N4-based materials for photocatalytic dyes degradation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133834

4) Synthesis and characterization of microbial mediated cadmium oxide nanoparticles.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.23553


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