RIYADH: A research team from Abha’s King Khalid University has obtained a patent for an advanced method that uses peels of prickly pears for water purification.
Head of the research team from the university’s chemistry department, Prof. Fatimah Al-Zahrani, said that the idea behind the study was to make use of agricultural waste by converting it into an active material that can be used for treating industrial and chemical pollutants.
According to the professor, the developed technology is capable of removing 98 percent of pollutants and has economic and sustainable benefits as it allows the peels to be reused several times without notable loss of efficiency.
The distinguishing factor is an innovative mechanism that exposes the peels to ultrasonic waves and alcohol-based solutions to enhance porosity and absorption capacity in different environments.
Prickly pears are a plant native to the Kingdom and are especially abundant in the Baha region, with 26 farms producing between 40 and 70 tonnes annually.
Farmers have diversified their production to include prickly pear juice, ice cream, soap and other products.
Researchers and agricultural planners are also studying the plant’s health benefits, noting its vitamins, minerals, fiber and potential in skincare.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, director general of the Baha branch of the ministry of environment, water and agriculture, has previously hinted at the development of an integrated “prickly pear city,” in partnership with the region’s Prickly Pear Association.
Prof. Al-Zahrani said that the team was able to secure the patent from the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property thanks to a collaboration with Prof. Badriyah Al-Shehri from the College of Science, and Prof. Reda El-Sheshtawy from the department of chemistry.
The study reveals that powder from prickly pear peels was flagged as a possible cationic dye absorbent based on thermodynamic and kinetic data. Cationic dyes are positively charged synthetic dyes commonly used in textiles, paper, plastic and cosmetics.
Their strong bonds to negatively charged particles such as organic matter and sediments make them stubborn to remove.
Cationic dyes can be toxic to aquatic life and damaging to cell membranes. Many are carcinogenic or mutagenic, risking human health, and they also reduce water quality in aquatic ecosystems by blocking sunlight penetration.
Al-Zahrani said that in addition to contributing to water treatment processes, this energy-efficient technology also sets an example for recycling agricultural waste into high-value environmental solutions applicable for use in industrial and community settings.
