Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati have developed an innovative, low-cost method to purify industrial wastewater using discarded fruit waste. Their breakthrough technique can eliminate toxic pollutants in just five minutes and is reusable, offering an eco-friendly and efficient solution for industrial wastewater treatment.
From Waste to Water Purifier
Led by Professor Gopal Das from the Department of Chemistry, the research team converted pineapple crowns and mosambi (sweet lime) fibers into biochar, a carbon-rich material that effectively absorbs harmful chemicals from wastewater. Their study, published in Chemical Engineering Science, focuses on removing nitroaromatic compounds, hazardous pollutants commonly found in wastewater from dye, pharmaceutical, pesticide, and cosmetic industries.
Why This Matters
Nitroaromatic compounds pose serious risks to both human health and the environment.
“These chemicals persist in water bodies, accumulating in aquatic systems and entering the food chain, leading to long-term health effects like cancer, genetic mutations, and organ toxicity,” explained Professor Das.
Existing purification methods often rely on expensive materials and complex processes, making them impractical for widespread use. The IIT-Guwahati team’s solution overcomes these challenges by using fruit waste-derived biochar, which is both cost-effective and sustainable.
How It Works
The researchers used pyrolysis (heating organic waste without oxygen) to create two types of biochar:
- ACBC (Ananas Comosus Biochar) – derived from pineapple crowns
- MFBC (Citrus Limetta Biochar) – derived from mosambi fibers
Tests showed that these biochars efficiently removed 4-nitrophenol, a dangerous nitroaromatic pollutant, from industrial wastewater.
Key Advantages
Fast & Efficient – Removes pollutants in just five minutes.
Reusable – Maintains high performance over multiple cycles.
Sustainable – Converts agricultural waste into a valuable resource.
Cost-Effective – Reduces reliance on expensive purification methods.
"This method not only improves wastewater treatment efficiency but also promotes a circular economy by repurposing waste," said Professor Das.
Beyond Industrial Use
The potential applications of this technology extend beyond factories. It could be used for:
- Rural drinking water purification
- Restoration of polluted lakes and rivers
- Soil remediation in industrial zones
“By transforming fruit waste into a tool for environmental protection, we’re addressing pollution and waste management simultaneously,” Das added.
This groundbreaking research highlights how sustainable innovations can turn everyday waste into powerful solutions for global challenges.
