Caffeine adsorption in fixed-bed column using activated carbon modified with graphene oxide Jayana Freitas Resende, Caio Luiz Rodrigues de Souza, Gessica Wernke, Caroline Maria Bezerra de Araujo, Vitor Anthony Duarte, et al. Engenharia Sanitaria E Ambiental, 2026 Contaminants of emerging concern, which frequently come from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial waste, pose a significant risk to water quality. Among them, caffeine stands out for being widely used in numerous products in the beverage, food, and supplement industries, and for being frequently detected in surface waters. This work aims to evaluate caffeine adsorption in a fixed-bed column using activated carbon modified with graphene oxide (GO) as an adsorbent. Characterization analysis indicated slight caffeine deposition on the material’s surface after adsorption. The effect of changing caffeine inlet concentration, flow rate, and packed bed height was investigated throughout fixed-bed adsorption tests. The experimental breakthrough curves were modeled using the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models, exhibiting R2 > 0.96. Results with better removal efficiencies were obtained for a higher caffeine inlet concentration (45 mg L-1) and lower inlet flow rate (4 mL min-1). Overall, the adsorbent exhibited satisfactory results, with caffeine removal over 60% and a maximum experimental adsorption capacity of approximately 93 mg g-1, confirming that activated carbon modified with graphene oxide can be a prominent option for continuous water treatment processes.
Biosorption of Manganese Using Moringa oleifera Seed Pods: A Sustainable Approach to Water Treatment Laura Adriane de Moraes Pinto, Fernanda de Oliveira Tavares, Rosangela Bergamasco, Marcelo Fernandes Vieira, Angélica Marquetotti Salcedo Vieira Separations, 2025 Manganese (Mn) has emerged as a contaminant of concern due to its occurrence at concentrations exceeding regulatory limits in various environmental matrices, driven by both anthropogenic activities and natural geochemical processes. Although Mn is an essential micronutrient, excessive exposure poses risks to human health and ecosystems. This study investigates the potential application of Moringa oleifera seed pods, an agro-industrial byproduct, as low-cost biosorbents for Mn ion removal from aqueous solutions. Biosorbents were prepared from raw seed pods and chemically modified using NaOH and HCl. Surface characterization was performed using SEM, EDS, and FTIR techniques. Kinetic analysis indicated that Mn ion adsorption by all biosorbents followed a pseudo-second-order model, with equilibrium reached within 30 min. Among the tested materials, the alkali-treated biosorbent exhibited the highest removal efficiency (94%) under optimal conditions (288 K, pH 6.0, 60 min). Equilibrium data fitted both Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherms, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 7.64 mg g−1 for alkali-treated pods and 6.00 mg g−1 for the unmodified pods. Thermodynamic analysis revealed negative Gibbs free energy values, confirming the spontaneous nature of the biosorption process. Enthalpy values below 40 kJ mol−1 (PodNA: 11.88 kJ mol−1; PodAC: 1.08 kJ mol−1; PodBA: 8.94 kJ mol−1) suggest that physisorption is the predominant mechanism. These findings demonstrate the viability of Moringa oleifera pods as effective biosorbents for Mn ion remediation, supporting the valorization of agricultural waste within sustainable water treatment strategies.
Innovative Trends in Modified Membranes: A Mini Review of Applications and Challenges in the Food Sector Nicole Novelli do Nascimento, Carolina Moser Paraíso, Luiza C. A. Molina, Yuliya S. Dzyazko, Rosângela Bergamasco, et al. Membranes, 2024 Membrane technologies play a pivotal role in various industrial sectors, including food processing. Membranes act as barriers, selectively allowing the passage of one or other types of species. The separation processes that involve them offer advantages such as continuity, energy efficiency, compactness of devices, operational simplicity, and minimal consumption of chemical reagents. The efficiency of membrane separation depends on various factors, such as morphology, composition, and process parameters. Fouling, a significant limitation in membrane processes, leads to a decline in performance over time. Anti-fouling strategies involve adjustments to process parameters or direct modifications to the membrane, aiming to enhance efficiency. Recent research has focused on mitigating fouling, particularly in the food industry, where complex organic streams pose challenges. Membrane processes address consumer demands for natural and healthy products, contributing to new formulations with antioxidant properties. These trends align with environmental concerns, emphasizing sustainable practices. Despite numerous works on membrane modification, a research gap exists, especially with regard to the application of modified membranes in the food industry. This review aims to systematize information on modified membranes, providing insights into their practical application. This comprehensive overview covers membrane modification methods, fouling mechanisms, and distinct applications in the food sector. This study highlights the potential of modified membranes for specific tasks in the food industry and encourages further research in this promising field.
Magnetic hybrid nanomaterials for the removal of pesticides from water Ana Carolina Sestito Guerra, Yasmin Jaqueline Fachina, Murilo Barbosa de Andrade, Tássia Rhuna Tonial dos Santos, Angélica Marquetotti Salcedo Vieira, et al. Nano Bioremediation Fundamentals and Applications, 2021
Enumeration and isolation of facultative anaerobic bacteria in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating wastewater from a gelatine industry Acta Scientiarum Biological Sciences, 2003
