Low-Cost, Biodegradable, and Magnetic Biocomposite of Luffa cylindrica Fruit and Natural Magnetite by Removal of Microplastics
Techniques such as adsorption have been widely adopted to remove residual microplastics (MPs) because they are efficient at removing contaminants from aqueous environments. In this study, we report a novel, low-cost, biodegradable, and scalable biocomposite (LCMAG NaOH) derived from Luffa cylindrica fruit (LC) and micrometric natural magnetite (MAG), prepared without organic solvents, for the removal of MPs. The performance of LCMAG NaOH was evaluated for the removal of polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs, with particle sizes ranging from 75 to 600 µm in three distinct aqueous media: drinking water, simulated seawater, and water collected from the eutrophic lake of Dourados, MS, Brazil. The material was also evaluated for capture capacity and for reutilization in drinking water over three cycles, using a neodymium magnet. The biocomposite exhibited maximum removal capacities of 163 mg g−1 and 158 mg g−1 for PS and PET, respectively, in drinking water. Additionally, it demonstrated high magnetic recovery efficiency (>90% of the initial mass) and good reusability after immersion (10 and 20 min) and a dry step during the first cycle.
Authors
- Diana Q. Lima
- Leila Cristina Konradt Moraes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7574-8978)
- Roberta Sorhaia Samayara Sousa Rocha de França (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6295-4278)
- Cláudia Andréa Lima Cardoso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4907-0056)
- Rozanna Marques Muzzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8491-5122)
- Daniel de Lima Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7992-8466)
- Rubens Lucas de Freitas Filho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2733-4831)
- Vinícius de Oliveira Ribeiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4373-1132)
- Guilherme Jorge Brigolini Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8444-9451)
- Ângela Leão Andrade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0888-5072)
- Rosangela Maria Ferreira da Costa e Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6792-2558)
- Guilherme Oliveira Siqueira
- José Agenor Carvalho
- Thiago Maturana Ribeiro
- Vinicius Veríssimo De Carvalho
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (BR)
- European Union of Medical Specialists (BE)
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (BR)
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (BR)
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso (BR)
- Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Itajubá (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Magnetochemistry
- Published
- 2026-08-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry12080086
- Primary Topic
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul