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Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY


Pablo Borbon Main II, Alangilan Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture & Fine Arts
www.batstate-u.edu.ph Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 loc. 118

Chemical and Food Engineering Department

PURIFICATION OF SURFACE WATER FROM ORANGE PEEL WASTES BY


ADSORPTION OF METAL IONS

Nicole Ysabelle S. Aguda


Jeanel L. Aldovino
John Bryan A. Aldovino

ChE 4102
I. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To analyze the effect of the presence of pectin in metal ion containing water

2. To determine the metal ions reacted with the pectin

3. To compare the composition of the surface water before and after pectin was

introduced

II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Only 2.5% of water on Earth is considered fresh and it is in no doubt that we are

already experiencing water crisis. The available amount of freshwater remains the same,

recycled to be reused, but the demands are increasing over time. At this very moment,

there are people who have no choice but to drink unsafe water for they have no access to

potable ones. Instead of being able to help them refuel themselves, drinking this kind of

water would even make them sick. This issue is very alarming because all living

organisms need water. We basically cannot live without water and everyone should have

access to safe ones.

Orange peels are oftentimes straight to garbage bins after eating the edible part of

the fruit. These fruits can be easily acquired and inexpensive. According to World Atlas,

the current annual orange production is estimated at 50 million tons. While most people

are not aware of the nutrients in orange peel wastes, many people tent to dispose them

easily. These small wastes when accumulated all together can cause serious

environmental problems especially when not disposed properly. This is another issue that

the research is trying to solve.


In order to make these peels useful, we shall make use of the pectin content of the

orange peels. This will lessen the damage for the environmental issue and be beneficial to

its users.

III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Pectin, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, has in recent years gained

increasingly in importance. The benefits of natural pectin are also more and more

appreciated by scientists and consumer due to its biodegradability. Pectin is the

methylated ester of polygalacturonic acid. It is commercially extracted from citrus peels

and apple pomace under mildly acidic conditions.

Pectin is one of those compounds which is widely found in plant cell walls. The

carboxylic groups of pectin can be applied to bind heavy metals by forming complex

compounds that are insoluble in water. Moreover, modification of pectin can be done by

crosslinking technique with certain cross-linker agent. In a series of researches the

recommendations for application of pectin or pectin-containing substances as efficient

adsorption remedies fixing heavy metal ions were suggested.

According to SF Gate, the majority of the pectin resides in the citrus peel, but the

pulp also contains some, oranges range from 0.25 to 0.76 percent.

IV. NOVELTY OF THE STUDY

In this study, the proponents are planning to make a surface water purifier in the

form of tea bags that would be easily used by people by simply putting the tea bag in the

water and let it absorb the metal ions. The proponents would like to use the orange peel

wastes as the raw materials for this water purifier by drying and powdering them, and
place them in a tea bag. The pectin content of the powdered orange peels is the one

responsible for the adsorption of the metal ions from the surface water. After the removal

of the metal ions from the surface water, it will become safe to drink, and cause less risk

of diseases.

Thus, the proponents will be able to provide a particular solution for a rising crisis

in available drinking water. People living in impoverished areas will greatly benefit from

this research for the raw materials are easily found and inexpensive.

V. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Budi Hastuti, Mudasi , Dwi Siswanta, and Triyono (2015). Preparation and Pb (II)

Adsorption properties of Crosslinked Pectin-carboxymethyl Chitosan Film

Mykola T. Kartel, Lidiya A. Kupchik, Batyr K Veisov (1998). Evaluation of Pectin

Binding of Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Solutions

Pornsak Sriamornsak (2003). Chemistry of Pectin and Its Pharmaceutical Uses: A

Review, Silpakorn University International Journal

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