Application of Nanocellulose Biofilter from Pineapple Peel Waste for Water Microbes Removal

This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of nanocellulose biofilter (NCB) made from pineapple peel waste to reduce the number of microbes in water. Further processing of cellulose from nata de pina into nano size was proposed, then transformed into a filter membrane. Three types of NCB were developed: bacterial cellulose acetate membrane, bacterial cellulose acetate membrane with TiO₂ treatment, and bacterial cellulose acetate membrane with TiO₂ and graphite nanoplatelet treatment. These NCBs were used to filter microbes in several water sources in Padang City, West Sumatra Province. The filtering process was carried out using a filter holder where the NCB had been installed. The number of microbes contained in the water, including E. Coli, was determined before and after filtering. As a result, all NCBs reduced the total microbes in water by about 50%. Furthermore, when applied to water pollutant bacteria, E. Coli, all prepared NCBs reduced them by more than 90%. The effectiveness of all NCBs to remove microbes' contamination, especially bacteria, looks very promising with or without TiO₂ and graphene reinforcement. Although the efficacy of all NBC for microbial water purification was relatively similar, further experiments to clarify the superior of TiO₂ and graphite nanoplatelet on NCB need to be carried out, especially in reducing chemical contamination.