LATUNDAN BANANA PEEL AS LEAD ADSORBENT

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The atomic number of lead is 82. It is soft, malleable poor metal; lead is a group

4A element in period 6. It has a bluish white color when freshly cut, but varnishes to a

dull grayish color when exposed to air. Lead has poor electrical conductivity) (Brady J.E

and Hoslum J. R: 1996). Lead has been commonly used for thousands of years and

even dates back to 6400 BC (Heskel D.K: 1983).

Metallic lead occurs in nature although it is very rare. It is usually found in ore

with zinc, silver and copper and is extracted together with these metals. The main lead

mineral is galena (PbS), which contains 86.6% lead. Other common varieties are

cenissite (PbCO3) and anglesite (PbSO4) (Brady J.E and Hoslum J. R: 1996)

Lead is used frequently in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which coats electrical

cords, also as projectiles for fire arms and fishing sinkers because of its density. It is

also used as a shield from radiation in x-ray rooms.

Lead is a major constituent of the lead-acid battery used as a car battery. It is used as

a coloring element in ceramic glazes, notably in the colors, red and yellow (Stellman J.

M : 1998).
 LATUNDAN BANANA PEEL AS LEAD ADSORBENT

Lead is highly resistant to corrosion and because of this property; it is used to

contain corrosive liquids like sulphuric acid.

Lead is very malleable and can be used widely in building construction e.g

external coverings of roofing joints.

Lead poisoning typically results from ingestion of food and water contaminated

with lead; but may occur after accidental ingestion of contaminated soil, dust or lead

based paint. Lead can damage nervous connections (especially in young children) and

cause blood and brain disorders (Needleman H. L et al : 1990).

Meanwhile, lead is a soil contaminant; its presence in natural deposits enters the

soil through gasoline (leaded) leaks from underground storage tanks or through a waste

stream of lead paint or lead grindings from industrial process or lead pipes.

Past research had shown that coconut fibers, peanut shells and other plant

materials could remove potentially toxic heavy metals such as lead and copper from

water. Mines, factories and farms can all generate such waste, with the potential to

harm one's health and the environment. And current methods for purifying water of

heavy metals are expensive, with some materials used in the process being poisonous

themselves.
 LATUNDAN BANANA PEEL AS LEAD ADSORBENT

Compounds in banana peels contains atoms of nitrogen, sulfur and organic

compounds such as carboxylic acids. These acids are charged such that their

negatively charged electron pairs are exposed, meaning they can bind with metals in

the water that usually have a positive charge. (Gustavo Castro, Sao Paulo State

University)

The researchers found that minced banana peel performed as well or better at

removing copper and lead than many other filtering materials, quickly removing both

from water in The Parana River in Brazil. (Gustavo Castro, Sao Paulo State University)

Researchers from the Bioscience Institute at Botucatu, Brazil, said that the skins

can outperform even conventional purifiers such as aluminum oxide, cellulose and

silica. These have potentially toxic side effects and are expensive.

The team’s method follows previous work that showed that plant parts, such as

apple and sugar cane wastes, coconut fibers and peanut shells, can remove toxins from

water.

These natural materials contain chemicals that have an affinity for metals.

“I was at home eating bananas when I had the idea: why not make something

with this?” Gustavo Rocha de Castro, a researcher at the institute and co-author of this

study, told SciDev.Net.

 LATUNDAN BANANA PEEL AS LEAD ADSORBENT

De Castro and colleagues dried the peels in the sun for a week, ground them and

added them to river water containing known concentrations of copper and lead. They

found that the peels absorbed 97 per cent of the metals after just one hour.

The peels were tested in the lab and worked perfectly. Eventually their efficiency

reduces, at which point the metals should be removed from the skins so they can be

disposed of safely.

Castro said that, although the peels were tested only on copper and lead, the

material could also work on cadmium, nickel and zinc.

Dimitris Kalderis, a wastewater treatment expert at the Department of

Environmental Engineering in the Technical University of Crete, Greece said: “The

results are very promising, and the banana peel process has proven to be a cost-

effective and quick alternative to conventional methods.

According to Liesl Clark, banana peels can also be natural alternative sources of

some polish, teeth whitener, and a tomato plant fertilizer. It also has compunds that can

be used as insecticides. (L. Clark, 2013) Banana peels are alsogood in depression,

sleeping better, lowering cholesterol, and being safe from cardiovascular diseases. (Dr.

Haider, 2013)

Studies have found that banana peels contain more tannin compared to the fruit

itself. Tannins are in great use for food preservation, and an element of an insecticide.

(H. M., 2013) Also, researchers found out that the fruit peels have collected all te

insecticidal residue when they are compared to the fruit inside it. (H, M., 2013)
 LATUNDAN BANANA PEEL AS LEAD ADSORBENT

A study once concluded that banana peels, a waste material, have good potential

as an adsorbent to remove toxic metals like co2+ and Ni2+. (Universal Journal of

Chemistry, 2013)

According to a study, bio-adsorbent made from banana peels and stems have

ability to absorb copper metal. (Hasanah et.al, 2012) Also, banana peels have the ability

to remove chromium in water. Chromium is toxic, corrosive and irritant. (J. Memon,

2008)