Eco-friendly Adsorbents for Drug Pollution: Wheat Bran and Groundnut Shell Prove Effective for Diclofenac Sodium Removal

Introduction:

Pharmaceutical pollutants such as diclofenac sodiumone of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)pose growing threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Addressing this challenge, researchers explored a sustainable solution using low-cost agricultural by products as natural adsorbents. In this comparative study, wheat bran (Triticum aestivum) and groundnut shell powder (Arachis hypogaea) were evaluated for their ability to adsorb diclofenac sodium from aqueous solutions using both vertical and sequential bed columns.

This research highlights a significant step toward green chemistry and sustainable wastewater treatment, offering eco-friendly alternatives to expensive synthetic adsorbents.
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Mechanism and Key Findings

Understanding Diclofenac Contamination

Diclofenac sodium, commonly used for treating pain and inflammation, is frequently detected in surface and wastewater due to improper disposal and limited biodegradability. Traditional methods like biodegradation and advanced oxidation often generate harmful byproducts or are economically unfeasible, making adsorption a superior choice for its efficiency and simplicity.

Natural Adsorbents with Promising Potential

The study investigated wheat bran and groundnut shell powder as low-cost, renewable adsorbents. Both materials underwent characterization using XRD, SEM, BET, and FTIR analyses, confirming their porous structures and chemical affinity for diclofenac molecules.

• Wheat bran showed a surface area of 112 m²/g and a mean pore size of 5.14 nm.
• Groundnut shell powder had a surface area of 123 m²/g and a pore size of 6.17 nm.

These characteristics enable effective trapping and retention of diclofenac molecules, even at low concentrations.

Optimal Conditions and Efficiency

• Maximum adsorption: 84.3% for wheat bran and 82.4% for groundnut shell powder.
• Optimum pH: 6
• Contact time: 30 minutes
• Drug concentration: 1 mg/L
• Temperature: 298 K

Isotherm and kinetic analyses revealed that both Langmuir and Freundlich models provided a good fit, indicating favorable monolayer adsorption. The adsorption followed second-order kinetics, highlighting strong chemical interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate.

Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.aac.1001052

Column Studies and Real-world Application

To simulate industrial conditions, researchers designed vertical and sequential bed column systems. Both columns effectively removed diclofenac from aqueous solutions, with sequential bed setups offering slightly higher efficiency.

• Vertical bed adsorption capacity: 0.0067 mg/g (wheat bran), 0.0050 mg/g (groundnut shell).
• Sequential bed adsorption capacity: 0.0061 mg/g (wheat bran), 0.0060 mg/g (groundnut shell).

The study modeled adsorption data using Thomas and Yoon Nelson models, both aligning closely with experimental results. These outcomes demonstrate the potential of gravity-fed column systems as cost-effective treatment options for small-scale industries.

According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), sustainable chemistry approaches like biomass-based adsorbents are vital for mitigating environmental risks from pharmaceutical contaminants while promoting circular economy principles.

Implications for Sustainable Water Treatment

This research provides compelling evidence that agricultural waste products can serve as efficient and low-cost adsorbents in water purification systems. The simplicity and affordability of the process make it especially valuable for developing regions and small industries.
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