BANANA (Musa sapientum) PEEL GRAIN-SODIUM ALGINATE COMPOSITE BEAD FOR HEAVY METAL REMEDIATION

Abstract

A composite bioadsorbent bead for heavy metal remediation in aquatic environments is disclosed. The composite bead comprises a calcium-crosslinked alginate hydrogel matrix incorporating a bioadsorbent filler of dried, pulverized banana (Musa sapientum) peel grain, the filler being uniformly dispersed within the hydrogel matrix at a dry mass ratio of 3:1 relative to sodium alginate. The bead has a spherical geometry with a diameter ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm. The hydrogel matrix presents carboxylate (−COO) and hydroxyl (−OH) functional groups on its surface. By immobilizing the biosorbent filler within the crosslinked polymer matrix, the composite bead resists particle disintegration and bed clogging under continuous fluid flow, rendering it suitable for decentralized, point-of-use remediation of heavy metals, such as divalent lead (Pb²+ ), from contaminated water.