Drumstick activated charcoal tablets: Potential biosorbent material and its application to remove heavy metals via MATLAB assisted paper based sensor

Wastewater containing heavy metal ions is considered as the serious environmental problem in human society. Adsorption as the widely used method plays an important role in wastewater treatment, which is based on the physical interaction between metal ions and sorbents. Drumsticks are reported to have efficient adsorbing property. It has been found that Moringa causes alteration in testosterone levels, preventing testicular damage and hence is capable of protecting against the toxic effect of hazardous material. Based on this phenomenon of adsorption by Moringa species, we are trying to remove heavy metals from aqueous sample. The bio sorption of heavy metals by non-living biomass of plant origin is an innovative and alternative technology for the removal of the pollutants from aqueous solution and offers several advantages such as low-cost bio sorbents, high efficiency, minimization of chemical and/or biological sludge, and regeneration of the bio sorbent. Moringa oleifera (drumsticks) has a number of advantages including low cost, biodegradable sludge production and lower sludge volume, and also it does not affect the pH of the water. Apart from turbidity removal, Moringa oleifera seeds also possess antimicrobial properties. Amount of adsorption is considerably larger when activated charcoal is used. Thus, this work reports preparation of activated charcoal from drumsticks seeds and fibres. These are generally part of kitchen waste; thus, its preparation and utilisation for heavy metal toxicity not only controls water pollution but also help in reduction of kitchen waste. It will serve as an effective, cheap and robust and green tool for toxicity control. The paper reports the removal of heavy metal (Pb, Ni, Cd, As in this study) by application of prepared activated charcoal tablets via MATLAB assisted paper based sensors. These tablets will surely serve as point-of- care devices for removal of heavy metal toxicity.