The study, led by Gabrielle Batista at São Paulo State University in Brazil and published in ACS Omega, reveals the promise of moringa seeds as a potential greener alternative for treatment plants. Microplastics, less than five millimetres in length, have been building up in global water systems for decades from sources like car tyres and plastic packaging, creating a growing health risk. These particles can absorb and transport other hazardous pollutants throughout ecosystems.
In 2024, the EU ramped up monitoring protocols for microplastics in drinking water, after researchers warned that tiny particles could be slipping through the net. Moringa has a historical use in purification, thought to have been employed by Ancient Egyptians to remove bacteria and reduce water turbidity. Known as the 'miracle tree' for its wide range of uses, moringa offers environmental benefits such as fast growth and drought resistance.
Currently, European countries use chemical methods like aluminum sulfate (alum) to remove microplastics from wastewater. However, improper use of alum can lead to raised aluminium levels in water, linked to potential neurological disorders. Alum production also involves strip-mining for bauxite in tropical regions, which can cause deforestation, while its refining releases planet-heating emissions.
Additionally, alum produces large volumes of sludge that is difficult to manage. The study did not specify the exact efficiency rate of moringa seeds, and it remains unclear how the cost compares to traditional methods or what scalability challenges might arise.