Microplastics are a new emerging contaminant that is becoming detrimental to aquatic environments globally. The purpose of the research conducted was to identify plant-derived polysaccharides that are effective in removing microplastics from aquatic environments. The current treatment of wastewater and freshwater uses the synthetic polymer, polyacrylamide, to remove microplastics. However, polyacrylamide is linked to health concerns. Food based plant derived polymers are non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, polyfunctional, and highly chemically reactive. They also have chelation and absorption capacities which allows them to better flocculate than synthetic polymers. In previous research in our laboratory, Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum graecum), Cactus mucilage (Opuntia Ficus -Indica), Aloe Vera (Barbadensis Miller) mucilage, Okra mucilage (Hibiscus esculentus) and Psyllium mucilage (Plantago psyllium) have been proven successful in the removal of various pollutants in the different water sources.These polysaccharide-based polymers contain chemical and biological properties that aid in the removal of contaminants using flocculation process. In the present research polysaccharide-based polymers were used to study their efficiency in removing microplastics in various sources of water like ocean, fresh water, ground water and estuaries. Different combinations were used to optimize the polymer concentration for maximum removal of microplastics from simulated and live water samples. The tested plant-derived polysaccharides yielded better removal of microplastics. The research conducted suggests that plant-derived polysaccharides will be better alternative to currently used synthetic water treatment agents

Plant derived food grade polysaccharides as treatment agents for removal of microplastics from various water sources

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.