Removal of Metronidazole Substances from Pharmaceutical Industry Wastewater Using Bio-Composite Materials

This research investigates the batch adsorption of metronidazole antibiotics from wastewater using bio-composite materials derived from jackfruit peel cellulose and periwinkle shell chitosan. The primary aim is to develop sustainable adsorbents with enhanced efficiency for pharmaceutical pollutant removal. The study involves the extraction and modification of cellulose from jackfruit peel and chitosan from periwinkle shells. The cellulose and chitosan are further modified using ethylenediamine to enhance their adsorption properties.
The modified materials are then combined to form a bio-composite, and magnetic properties are introduced to facilitate easy separation and recyclability. The modified adsorbent was thereafter characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the functional groups and the surface morphology of the adsorbent. Preliminary results indicate successful modification of cellulose and chitosan, leading to the synthesis of a magnetic bio-composite.
Furthermore, batch adsorption experiments were conducted with metronidazole concentrations of 660 mg/L using magnetic bio-polymeric beads modified with ethylenediamine (EDA) at different percentages (20%, 15%, and 10%). The contact times were varied at 30 minutes and 15 minutes. UV-Vis analysis after 15 minutes showed concentrations of 554 mg/L, 354 mg/L, and 286 mg/L for 20%, 15%, and 10% EDA modifications, respectively. After 30 minutes, the concentrations were 507 mg/L, 439 mg/L, and 286 mg/L for the corresponding EDA modifications.
The highest removal efficiency of approximately 57% was achieved with 10% EDA modification after 30 minutes. This suggests that optimal modification conditions can significantly enhance the efficiency of the magnetic bio-polymeric beads in removing metronidazole. The study provides valuable insights into the potential application of these sustainable adsorbents for pharmaceutical pollutant remediation in wastewater.