University of South Florida

Kevin A Young

Norma Arcelia Alcantar

Babu Joseph

Audrey Lynn Buttice

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been drawn to the issue of water contamination, particularly in developing countries, where an inexpensive, effective method of reducing waterborne pathogens and contaminants is needed. Experiments performed with mucilage extracted from the-cactus show that this mucilage is an effective tool for clearing contaminants from water supplies, including the removal ofandbacteria, and the reduction of arsenic concentrations with very low mucilage concentrations (5 mg/L and 10 mg/L). Results forandshow settling to be complete in approximately five to ten minutes with removal rates of up to 97%, when CaClis co-applied. Arsenic is removed at between 35% to 85% by increasing the contact time between the mucilage and the arsenic solutions depending on the pH and mucilage concentration.

Composition and method to reduce sediment and bacterial contamination from water

Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid which, because of its hydroscopic nature, is primarily transported through water. Most plant species, including the nopal cactus, produce a sticky substance called mucilage. Mucilage swells in water but is insoluble and can precipitate ions, bacteria and particles from aqueous solutions. The invention includes a method of separating particulates and heavy metals such as arsenic (As) from drinking water using natural flocculants obtained from cactus mucilage. The extraction techniques and the methodology for using the cactus mucilage obtain higher As removal than conventional methods, like aluminum sulfate precipitation.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Kevin A Young