Page 126 - AJWEP-22-6

Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 6 (2025), pp. 120-133.
doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025110078

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Eco-friendly treatment of laboratory wastewater using
plantain pseudo-stem

Hemalatha Kuppusamy * and Ilangeswaran Dhanasamy 2
1
1 Department of Chemistry, Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Chemistry, Rajah Serfoji Government College, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: Hemalatha Kuppusamy (hemalatha.k@jbascollege.edu.in)

Received: March 16, 2025; 1st revised: June 12, 2025; 2nd revised: July 15, 2025; 3rd revised: August 4, 2025;
Accepted: July 25, 2025; Published online: August 28, 2025

Abstract: Chemical waste accumulates in the environment due to the improper disposal of laboratory wastewater.
Wastewater generated after inorganic analysis typically contains hardness-causing substances, resulting in
elevated oxygen demand. However, conventional wastewater treatment is often prohibitively expensive, especially
in resource-limited settings. An eco-friendly method is therefore essential for recycling laboratory wastewater
for washing purposes. In this study, laboratory wastewater was treated using a natural adsorbent—raw plantain
pseudo-stem (RPPS)—and its powdered form (PPPS). Post-treatment analysis showed significant improvement in
the physical and chemical parameters. Water quality indicators, such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity,
conductivity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and concentrations of heavy metals (lead,
cadmium, mercury, iron, and copper), were assessed before and after treatment using inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry. Results showed that both RPPS and PPPS were effective, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient for
laboratory wastewater treatment, with PPPS exhibiting superior adsorption performance.

Keywords: Plantain pseudo-stem; Natural adsorbent; Wastewater treatment; Total dissolved solids; Biological
oxygen demand; Chemical oxygen demand

1. Introduction widespread incidence of diarrhea and other waterborne
diseases. Researchers have explored the use of natural
4,5
Water is indispensable for all living organisms. With materials—including fruits, vegetables, seeds, leaves,
the increasing global population, water demand is roots, and stem peels of plants—for their potential in
rising daily, while groundwater and surface water water purification. 1,3,6-9 Various techniques have been
levels are diminishing due to excessive use. Water investigated for the removal of heavy metal ions from
1,2
treatment and reuse are widely recognized as effective water, including precipitation, membrane filtration,
solutions to address water supply challenges. As water ion exchange, coagulation and flocculation, magnetic
3
is continuously used, it becomes contaminated; thus, separation, biosorption, and adsorption. 10-20
purification at the end of use is essential and is typically Agricultural biomass is a readily available,
achieved through various treatment methods. It has inexpensive, easy-to-handle, and environmentally
been found that in developing countries, more than benign material, making it a viable option for biosorption
1.6 billion people use unhygienic water, resulting in and adsorption of heavy metal ions from water. 17,18,21-25

Volume 22 Issue 6 (2025) 120 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025110078