Tannins for wastewater treatment

Chelation of iron(II) ions by ellagitannins-Effects of hexahydroxydiphenoyl and nonahydroxytriphenoyl groups

Tannins represent secondary plant metabolites that are used to control bacterial populations by chelation of essential metal ions. Their presence in food also affects the bioavailability of iron. This study investigates the influence of ellagitannins (vescalin, castalin, vescalagin, castalagin) structure and pH on the stoichiometry and formation constants of ellagitannin-Fe(II) coordination compounds. We demonstrated that ellagitannins are stable for at least one hour at pH values lower than 7.25. The spectra of neutral compounds were measured and explained with the help of TDDFT calculations. Furthermore, the pH-dependence of the ellagitannins UV-Vis spectra was examined to obtain insight into their protolytic equilibrium. Using Job's method in the pH range 3.50-5.51, the stoichiometry of the formed ellagitannin-Fe(II) ions complexes was determined. A model explaining interactions between ellagitannins and Fe(II) ions, that took into account the protolytic equilibrium of ellagitannins, was fitted globally to all four Job plots, whereby the corresponding formation constants were obtained.

Silk adsorbent for green and efficient removal of methylene blue from wastewater

Silk, a naturally occurring proteinaceous biopolymer with remarkable adsorbent properties, has been employed in wastewater remediation. The sericin coating, functioning as a protective barrier and rendering fibres impervious to external chemical attacks and preventing their involvement in chemical reactions, was removed using a greener alternative to harness silk as an effective adsorbent. Subsequently, the silk fibres underwent intermittent microwave degumming to extract sericin, and the fibres were utilized for the adsorptive exclusion of the hazardous methylene blue (MB) dye. The comparative batch adsorption studies (kinetics and isotherm) between raw silk fibres and degummed fibres were performed to comprehend the role of degumming on fibre adsorption efficacy by varying operating conditions, including pH, time of contact, initial adsorbate and dosage of adsorbent. The paramount adsorption capacity of raw silk was observed to be 137.08 mg g-1 and 179.14 mg g-1 for degummed silk when adsorbate conc. was 100 ppm. The kinetics of adsorption obeyed pseudo-second order suggesting that the rate controlling step is chemisorptions, and data demonstrated greatest fit to Langmuir isotherm exhibiting mono-layer adsorption. Further, biodegradability was studied by mimicking natural environmental conditions where the raw and degummed silk fibres demonstrated 51% and 53% degradation, respectively, after 180 days. Overall, based on obtained results, this study highlights the suitability of silk as an effective as well as sustainable adsorbent for the exclusion of toxic methylene blue dye from wastewater.

PFAS: exploration of neurotoxicity and environmental impact

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants stemming from various industrial and consumer products, posing a grave threat to both human health and ecosystems. PFAS contamination arises from multiple sources, including industrial effluents, packaging, and product manufacturing, accumulating in plants and impacting the food chain. Elevated PFAS levels in water bodies pose significant risks to human consumption. This review focuses on PFAS-induced neurological effects, highlighting disrupted dopamine signalling and structural neuron changes in humans. Animal studies reveal apoptosis and hippocampus dysfunction, resulting in memory loss and spatial learning issues. The review introduces the BKMR model, a machine learning technique, to decipher intricate PFAS-neurotoxicity relationships. Epidemiological data underscores the vulnerability of young brains to PFAS exposure, necessitating further research. Stricter regulations, industry monitoring, and responsible waste management are crucial steps to reduce PFAS exposure.

Sustainable Tannin Gels for the Efficient Removal of Metal Ions and Organic Dyes

The usage of a highly efficient, low-cost, and sustainable adsorbent material as an industrial wastewater treatment technique is required. Herein, the usage of the novel, fully sustainable tannin-5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (TH) aerogels, generated via a water-based sol-gel process, as compatible biosorbent materials is presented. In particular, this study focusses on the surface modification of the tannin biosorbent with carboxyl or amino functional groups, which, hence, alters the accessible adsorption sites, resulting in increased adsorption capacity, as well as investigating the optimal pH conditions for the adsorption process. Precisely, highest adsorption capacities are acquired for the metal cations and cationic dye in an alkaline aqueous environment using a carboxyl-functionalized tannin biosorbent, whereas the anionic dye requires an acidic environment using an amino-functionalized tannin biosorbent. Under these determined optimal conditions, the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of the tannin biosorbent ensues in the following order: Cu2+ > RB > Zn2+ > MO, with 500, 244, 192, 131 mg g-1, respectively, indicating comparable or even superior adsorption capacities compared to conventional activated carbons or silica adsorbents. Thus, these functionalized, fully sustainable, inexpensive tannin biosorbent materials, that feature high porosity and high specific surface areas, are ideal industrial candidates for the versatile adsorption process from contaminated (heavy) metal or dye solutions.

A review on algal biosorbents for heavy metal remediation with different adsorption isotherm models

Biosorbent composites like chitin, alginate, moss, xanthene, and cotton can be derived from biotic species such as plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria which can be used for the exclusion of both organic and inorganic toxicants from sewage, industrial effluent, polluted soils, and many more. The use of composites in place of raw substrates like alginate and chitin increases the adsorption capacity as CS₄CPL₁ beads increase the adsorption capacity for copper and nickel from 66.7 mg/g and 15.3 mg/g in the case of alginate microsphere to 719.38 mg/g and 466.07 mg/g respectively. Biosorbent fabricated from algae Chlorella vulgaris having surface area of 12.1 m²/g and pore size of 13.7 nm owing to which it displayed a higher adsorption capacity for Pb 0.433 mmol/g indicating their potential as an efficient biosorbent material. This article contains detailed information related to heavy metals as well as biosorbent that includes different isotherms, kinetics, techniques to estimate heavy metal concentration, removal methods, and adverse health effects caused due to heavy metal pollution. Apart from the above recovery and reuse of biosorbent, correlation with the sustainable development goals has also been included.

Biopolymer - A sustainable and efficacious material system for effluent removal

Undesired discharge of various effluents directly into the aquatic ecosystem can adversely affect water quality, endangering aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Therefore, the conceptual design and fabrication of a sustainable system for alleviating the harmful toxins that are discharged into the atmosphere and water bodies using a green sustainable approach is a fundamental standpoint. Adsorptive removal of toxins (∼99% removal efficacy) is one of the most attractive and facile approaches for cleaner technologies that remediate the environmental impacts and provide a safe operating space. Recently, the introduction of biopolymers for the adsorptive abstraction of toxins from water has received considerable attention due to their eclectic accessibility, biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and enhanced removal efficacy (∼ 80-90% for electrospun fibers). This review summarizes the recent literature on the biosorption of various toxins by biopolymers and the possible interaction between the adsorbent and adsorbate, providing an in-depth perspective of the adsorption mechanism. Most of the observed results are explained in terms of (1) biopolymers classification and application, (2) toxicity of various effluents, (3) biopolymers in wastewater treatment and their removal mechanism, and (4) regeneration, reuse, and biodegradation of the adsorbent biopolymer.

Computational and Experimental Investigation of the Selective Adsorption of Indium/Iron Ions by the Epigallocatechin Gallate Monomer

Selective recovery of indium has been widely studied to improve the resource efficiency of critical metals. However, the interaction and selective adsorption mechanism of indium/iron ions with tannin-based adsorbents is still unclear and hinders further optimization of their selective adsorption performance. In this study, the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) monomer, which is the key functional unit of persimmon tannin, was chosen to explore the ability and mechanism of selective separation/extraction of indium from indium-iron mixture solutions. The density functional theory calculation results indicated that the deprotonated EGCG was easier to combine with indium/iron cations than those of un-deprotonated EGCG. Moreover, the interaction of the EGCG-Fe(III) complex was dominated by chelation and electrostatic interaction, while that of the EGCG-In(III) complex was controlled by electrostatic interactions and aromatic ring stacking effects. Furthermore, the calculation of binding energy verified that EGCG exhibited a stronger affinity for Fe(III) than that for In(III) and preferentially adsorbed iron ions in acidic or neutral solutions. Further experimental results were consistent with the theoretical study, which showed that the Freundlich equilibrium isotherm fit the In(III) and Fe(III) adsorption behavior very well, and the Fe(III) adsorption processes followed a pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamics data revealed that the adsorption of In(III) and Fe(III) onto EGCG was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The adsorption rate of the EGCG monomer for Fe(III) in neutral solution (1:1 mixed solution, pH = 3.0) was 45.7%, 4.3 times that of In(III) (10.7%). This study provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the structure of EGCG and the selective adsorption capacity at the molecular level and provides theoretical guidance for further optimization of the selective adsorption performance of structurally similar tannin-based adsorbents.

UV-Cured Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Strengthened by Tannic Acid for the Removal of Copper Ions from Water

In this work, a new environmentally friendly material for the removal of heavy metal ions was developed to enhance the adsorption efficiency of photocurable chitosan-based hydrogels (CHg). The acknowledged affinity of tannic acid (TA) to metal ions was investigated to improve the properties of hydrogels obtained from natural and renewable sources (CHg-TA). The hydrogel preparation was performed via a simple two-step method consisting of the photocrosslinking of methacrylated chitosan and its subsequent swelling in the TA solution. The samples were characterized using ATR-FTIR, SEM, and Folin-Ciocalteu (F&C) assay. Moreover, the mechanical properties and the ζ potential of CHg and CHg-TA were tested. The copper ion was selected as a pollutant model. The adsorption capacity (Qe) of CHg and CHg-TA was assessed as a function of pH. Under acidic conditions, CHg-TA shows a higher Qe than CHg through the coordination of copper ions by TA. At an alkaline pH, the phenols convert into a quinone form, decreasing the Qe of CHg-TA, and the performance of CHg was found to be improved. A partial TA release can occur in the copper solution due to its high hydrophilicity and strong acidic pH conditions. Additionally, the reusability of hydrogels was assessed, and the high number of recycling cycles of CHg-TA was related to its high mechanical performance (compression tests). These findings suggest CHg-TA as a promising green candidate for heavy metal ion removal from acidic wastewater.

Saponins and Tannin Levels in Chayote, Mung Beans, and Biscuits from Chayote and Mung Beans

BACKGROUND: Saponins and tannins are active compounds of secondary metabolites which are known to have several health benefits, including antibacterial and antioxidant. Chayote and green beans are natural ingredients that contain saponins and tannins. Starch from these two ingredients is used as a basic ingredient for making biscuits. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of saponins and tannins in biscuits made from chayote and green beans. METHODS: Saponins and tannins in the samples were extracted and analyzed using the Gravimetric method. The tannin content of flour and biscuits based on chayote and green beans was analyzed spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The results of the saponin analysis of biscuits made from chayote, flour, and chayote were 5.693%, 2.813%, and 2.574%. Meanwhile, the tannin levels were 1.143%, 4.308%, and 1.922%, respectively. The saponin levels in biscuits made from mung bean, flour, and mung bean obtained were 6.742%, 4.593%, and 4.315%, respectively, while the tannin levels were 4.464%, 3.250%, and 3.893%, respectively. From the sample of chayote and green bean flour biscuit formulation (1:1), the saponin content was 1.558%, while the tannin content was 3.436%. CONCLUSION: In mung bean flour and mung bean biscuits, the saponin content was higher than that of chayote flour and chayote biscuits. The increase in tannin content in the formulation (1:1) was derived from mung bean flour, because the tannin content in mung bean was higher than that of chayote.

Nano-fluoro dispersion functionalized superhydrophobic degummed & waste silk fabric for sustained recovery of petroleum oils & organic solvents from wastewater

Superwettable and chemically stable waste silk fabric and degummed silk were used in this study for treatment of oily wastewater and oil/solvent recovery. Silk functionalized with a nano-fluoro dispersion showed a superhydrophobic and oleophilic nature. The functionalized silk demonstrated superoleophilicity towards petroleum oils and organic solvents, and exhibited filtration efficiencies of more than 95%, and up to 70% till 25 re-usable cycles. Furthermore, the functionalized silk materials demonstrated high permeation flux of 584 L.m^-2.h^-1 (for Diesel) for continuous oil-water separation operation. The pH based study in highly acidic and alkaline mediums (pH from 1 to 13) showed excellent stability of nano-fluoro coated silk. Thermogravimetric analysis showed thermal stability up to 250 °C, and 400 °C, for functionalized waste silk, and degummed silk, respectively. FE-SEM analysis revealed randomly oriented spindle shaped nano particles anchored on the silk surface exhibiting hierarchical patterns, as required for the superhydrophobic Cassie-Baxter state. The rate absorption study showed close curve fitting for pseudo second order kinetics (R² = 0.999), which indicated physical absorption process. BET analysis confirmed the porous nature, while the elemental XPS and EDX analysis confirmed strong bonding and uniform coating of fluoro nanoparticles on silk surface. The results demonstrated that nano-fluoro dispersion functionalized silk can be successfully employed for effective oil/solvent-water filtration, oil/solvent-spill cleanups, and treatment of oily wastewater for protection of water resources.

Application of neural network in metal adsorption using biomaterials (BMs): a review

ANN models for predicting wastewater treatment efficacy of biomaterial adsorbents.

Effects of Metal Ions on the Precipitation of Penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose by Protein

In this study, the effects of metal ions (Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) on precipitation of a purified gallotannin 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose (PGG) by bovine serum albumin (BSA) were quantitatively analyzed. The stoichiometric ratios of the complexation of metal ions to PGG and methyl gallate (MeG) which can be defined as gallotannins monomer were also explored. The results showed that the addition of metal ions could reduce the solubility of PGG-protein complex and increase the PGG-protein precipitation. Precipitation studies showed that Al³⁺ and Fe²⁺ with a higher stoichiometric ratio to PGG and MeG had greater effects on PGG-protein precipitation than Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The results of this study suggested that metal ions could combine with PGG to form PGG-metal complex and interact with protein to form PGG-metal-protein ternary complexes, which resulted in the increase of PGG-protein precipitation. Consequently, a model of interaction between metal ions and PGG-protein precipitation was proposed.

Effect of microplastics in water and aquatic systems

Surging dismissal of plastics into water resources results in the splintered debris generating microscopic particles called microplastics. The reduced size of microplastic makes it easier for intake by aquatic organisms resulting in amassing of noxious wastes, thereby disturbing their physiological functions. Microplastics are abundantly available and exhibit high propensity for interrelating with the ecosystem thereby disrupting the biogenic flora and fauna. About 71% of the earth surface is occupied by oceans, which holds 97% of the earth's water. The remaining 3% is present as water in ponds, streams, glaciers, ice caps, and as water vapor in the atmosphere. Microplastics can accumulate harmful pollutants from the surroundings thereby acting as transport vectors; and simultaneously can leach out chemicals (additives). Plastics in marine undergo splintering and shriveling to form micro/nanoparticles owing to the mechanical and photochemical processes accelerated by waves and sunlight, respectively. Microplastics differ in color and density, considering the type of polymers, and are generally classified according to their origins, i.e., primary and secondary. About 54.5% of microplastics floating in the ocean are polyethylene, and 16.5% are polypropylene, and the rest includes polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyester, and polyamides. Polyethylene and polypropylene due to its lower density in comparison with marine water floats and affect the oceanic surfaces while materials having higher density sink affecting seafloor. The effects of plastic debris in the water and aquatic systems from various literature and on how COVID-19 has become a reason for microplastic pollution are reviewed in this paper.

Bayberry tannin directed assembly of a bifunctional graphene aerogel for simultaneous solar steam generation and marine uranium extraction

Solar steam generation and marine uranium extraction are promising methods for obtaining sufficient fresh water and nuclear fuel from the ocean, respectively, for overcoming water and energy crises. In this work, a bayberry tannin (BT) directed assembly of a bifunctional graphene aerogel (GA) has been designed for simultaneous solar steam generation (1.80 kg m-2 h-1 with a high solar efficiency of 95.5%) and marine uranium extraction (230.10 mg g-1 within 6 h). BT molecules are uniformly decorated inside the typical porous channels of GA, which integrates the excellent uranium binding of BT and the efficient light-to-heat conversion of GA. It is found that the hydrophilic nature of BT can improve fluid infiltration in the GA matrix for solar steam generation while the steam generation induced transpiration can accelerate the adsorption of uranium ions for marine uranium extraction. The unique bifunctional ability of the BT-GA composite paves a new way to utilize the abundant resources in the ocean.