Moringa oleifera seeds were investigated as a biosorbent for removing metal ions from aqueous effluents. The morphological characteristics as well as the chemical composition of M. oleifera seeds were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The FT-IR spectra showed the presence of lipids and protein components. Scanning electron micrographs showed that Moringa seeds have an adequate morphological profile for the retention of metal ions. The results suggest that M. oleifera seeds have potential application in Cd(II), Pb(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I) decontamination from aqueous effluents.

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We describe the analytical performance of a hybrid material composed of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 . It was prepared by a sol-gel process and can act as an adsorbent in the continuous-flow enrichment of copper. A minicolumn was packed with the material, copper ions are adsorbed at pH 9.13, then eluted with 1.0 mol L −1 nitric acid, and determined by FAAS. The material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron and energy dispersive spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis, powder Xray diffraction, and specific surface area analysis. No significant interference was observed for most ions in up to copper/ interferent ratios of 1:100 and of 1:500 in case of Ca(II), Ba (II), and Mg(II). The breakthrough capacity is 1.4 mg g −1 under dynamic conditions. The limits of detection and of quantification are 0.50 and 1.4 μg L −1 , respectively, and the calibration plot is linear in the range from 5.0 to 245.0 μg L −1 (r00.999). The relative standard deviation is 3.20 (for n07 and at a Cu(II) concentration of 10 μg L −1 ). The method was applied to the determination of trace copper ions in water, vegetable and alcohol fuel samples.