Pesticides Removal by Filtration over Cactus Pear Leaves: A Cheap and Natural Method for Small‐Scale Water Purification in Semi‐Arid Regions

Abstract

This study aims to examine the efficiency of Opuntia ficus‐indica for removing organochlorine pesticides from surface waters. Adsorption properties such as size, dose, and time of O. ficus‐indica for aldrin, dieldrin, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were studied through stirring and column methods. Because of their high affinity and swelling characteristics, dried O. ficus‐indica was studied in stirring while fresh unpeeled O. ficus‐indica was applied in both stirring and column experiments and proved to be well‐suited to column application. Before removing pesticides, the column was flashed with distilled water eliminate the turbidity and smell from fresh unpeeled cactus. The removal of pesticides increased with an increasing adsorbent dose and decreased with adsorbent particle sizes. The optimum adsorbent dose is 10 g for dried and 15 g for fresh unpeeled O. ficus‐indica. The experimental results show that O. ficus‐indica possesses strong adsorption ability for aldrin, dieldrin, and DDT, and the adsorption isotherm data obeyed the Freundlich model. The results of our small‐scale experiments suggest a strong potential to develop local small‐scale water treatment units that can be used at the level of individual households or local communities, using a widely available adsorbent.

Proposed correlation of modern processing principles for Ayurvedic herbal drug manufacturing: A systematic review

“…In the initial phase when solvent is hot, volatile compounds could be removed from the solvent by evaporation and in the second phase when the solvent is cooled down, adsorption of various extracted compounds on the surface of the nonsoluble part of the herb could happen. The possibility of adsorption phenomenon can be understood by use of various plant product based matrices such as banana peel,[ 21 ] empty fruit bunches of oil-palm,[ 31 ] activated neem leaves,[ 32 ] cactus pear leaves,[ 33 ] sawdust[ 34 35 ] and used tea leaves[ 36 ] in literature for performing adsorption chromatography. The adsorption phenomenon may become more dominant with use of multiple herbs as different herbs can provide different solid phase matrix.…”

Potential of natural coagulants for bioremediation of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater in sub-Saharan Africa: A review

“…Cactus acts as a flocculant, settling bacteria and sediments, achieving a 98% contaminant removal rate (Rebah & Siddeeg, 2017). It offers a cost-effective water purification method (Gebrekidan et al, 2013). In wastewater treatment, cactus effectively reduces turbidity, COD, and BOD levels (Amari et al, 2019).…”

“…However, challenges such as the need for standardized processing methods, seed supply consistency, and public awareness about the benefits and use of Nirmali seeds remain. Further research is needed to optimize extraction techniques, determine appropriate dosages for different water qualities, and integrate Nirmali-based treatments with existing water management practices in the region (Gebrekidan et al, 2013). Continued collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and local communities will be crucial in scaling up the use of Nirmali seeds for sustainable water treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.…”

<i>Acacia etbaica</i> as a Potential Low-Cost Adsorbent for Removal of Organochlorine Pesticides from Water

“…The use of waste materials as low-cost adsorbents is attractive due to their contribution in the reduction of costs for waste disposal, therefore contributing to environmental protection. Some of the low-cost alternative adsorbents used include bamboo and coconut shell [40], cactus [41], rice husk [42], bamboo canes, peanut shells, olive stones, avocado stones, date stones, straw, wood sawdust [43], agave bagasse [44], rice bran, rice husk, bagasse fly ash of sugarcane, Moringa oleifera pods [45], sheep manure and spent coffee grounds [46], date and olives stones [47], oil palm shell [48], and coconut [49].…”