Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Multimodal Analysis of Microplastics in Drinking Water using a Silicon Nanomembrane Analysis Pipeline
09:10

Multimodal Analysis of Microplastics in Drinking Water using a Silicon Nanomembrane Analysis Pipeline

Published on: June 13, 2025

1.5K

Removal of Microplastics from Drinking Water by Moringa oleifera Seed: Comparative Performance with Alum in Direct

Gabrielle S Batista1, Victoria A S Ferreira1, Luiz G R Godoy1

  • 1São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science and Technology, Environmental Engineering Department, São José dos Campos 12247-016, Brazil.

ACS Omega
|February 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Moringa oleifera seed extract effectively removes aged PVC microplastics from drinking water using in-line filtration. This sustainable method matches direct filtration performance, offering a promising alternative for water treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Water Treatment Technology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Microplastic pollution, specifically aged polyvinyl chloride (Aged-PVC MPs), poses a significant challenge in drinking water sources.
  • Conventional water treatment methods may not fully address the removal of microplastics.
  • Natural coagulants offer potential sustainable solutions for water purification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera seed saline extract (MOS-SE) and aluminum sulfate (alum) for removing Aged-PVC MPs from drinking water.
  • To compare the performance of direct filtration (coagulation-flocculation-filtration) and in-line filtration (coagulation-filtration) systems.
  • To evaluate removal efficiency across a range of pH conditions (5.0-8.0).

Main Methods:

  • Aged-PVC MPs and humic acid were spiked into synthetic low-turbidity water.
  • Experiments were conducted using direct filtration and in-line filtration systems with MOS-SE and alum.
  • Removal efficiencies were assessed via turbidity measurements and scanning electron microscopy particle counting.
  • Floc characteristics were analyzed using nonintrusive floc imaging.
  • Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) were measured to evaluate organic matter removal.

Main Results:

  • Both MOS-SE and alum achieved >98% turbidity removal and >98% Aged-PVC MP removal at optimal conditions (pH 6.0).
  • In-line filtration demonstrated equivalent microplastic removal efficiency to direct filtration, rendering the flocculation step unnecessary.
  • MOS-SE showed superior performance across a broader pH range (5.0-8.0) compared to alum (5.0-7.0).
  • MOS-SE effectively reduced aromatic natural organic matter, evidenced by an 88% decrease in SUVA, despite a slight increase in DOC.

Conclusions:

  • Moringa oleifera seed saline extract is a viable and sustainable alternative for microplastic removal in drinking water treatment.
  • In-line filtration is an efficient and simplified approach for microplastic removal, eliminating the need for a separate flocculation step.
  • The study highlights the potential of natural coagulants like MOS-SE for advanced water purification technologies.

More Related Videos

Sampling and Identification of Microplastics in Groundwater08:27

Sampling and Identification of Microplastics in Groundwater

Published on: November 7, 2025

1.2K
Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils14:10

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Comparative Excretory Systems02:24

Comparative Excretory Systems

Animals have evolved different strategies for excretion, the removal of waste from the body. Most waste must be dissolved in water to be excreted, so an animal’s excretory strategy directly affects its water balance.
26.7K
Filtration and Urine Formation01:32

Filtration and Urine Formation

The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
53.8K
Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure01:26

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

Glomerular filtration, a key process in the kidneys, is regulated by three main pressures: Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP), Capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP), and Blood colloid osmotic pressure (BCOP).
GBHP, with an average value of 55 mmHg, promotes filtration by pushing water and solutes through the filtration membrane. This is balanced by two opposing forces: CHP, a "back pressure" exerted against the filtration membrane by fluid already in the capsular space and renal...
8.3K
Filtration00:53

Filtration

Filtration is a physical separation process that involves passing a suspension through a porous medium to separate solids from fluids. During filtration, solids collect on the porous medium while liquids, also collectively known as the filtrate, pass through. The filtration medium is selected based on the filtration purpose, quantity, and nature of the precipitate. The general criteria for a suitable filtering medium are that it is inert, mechanically strong, nonabsorbent toward dissolved...
5.2K
Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte02:33

Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte

Seed structures are composed of a protective seed coat surrounding a plant embryo, and a food store for the developing embryo. The embryo contains the precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and roots. The endosperm and cotyledons—seed leaves—act as the food reserves for the growing embryo.
31.3K
Glomerular Filtration01:15

Glomerular Filtration

The filtration membrane in the renal system is a highly specialized structure essential for filtering blood. It consists of glomerular capillaries and podocytes, forming a selective barrier that permits the passage of water and small solutes while restricting most plasma proteins and blood cells.
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.
5.5K