Moringa oleifera seed extract removes 98% of microplastics from water

Researchers at the São Paulo State University in Brazil have discovered that extracts from Moringa oleifera seeds can remove over 98% of microplastics from water. The study, published in the scientific journal ACS Omega, demonstrates that saline extracts from the seeds perform similarly to aluminum sulfate, a chemical commonly used in water treatment plants for coagulation.

In alkaline water environments, the Moringa extract showed even better results than traditional chemical treatments. The research specifically analyzed the ability of the extract to eliminate aged PVC particles, a type of plastic considered problematic for both environmental and human health.

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, have become a significant environmental and public health concern. These particles originate from the degradation of packaging, single-use items, fishing gear, synthetic textiles, and tire wear. They enter ecosystems through wastewater and urban runoff, eventually reaching lakes, seas, and oceans, where they can be ingested by aquatic life and potentially enter the human food chain.