All food waste-based membranes for Chromium(VI) removal
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All food waste‑based membranes for Chromium(VI) removal Irene Vassalini1,2,3 · Marharyta Litvinava4 · Ivano Alessandri1,2,3,4 Received: 24 June 2020 / Revised: 13 September 2020 / Accepted: 17 September 2020 © Society for Environmental Sustainability 2020
Abstract In this work, we demonstrate that eggshell membranes (ESM) can be successfully functionalized with extracts from orange peel or broccoli leaves and stems, in order to create a completely food waste-based adsorbing material, ideal for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water. This approach represents a proof-of-concept example of simultaneous solution to a couple of major global challenges: assuring good quality water and recycling food waste. The working principle of the presented system is based on a synergistic interplay between the ESM functional groups (in particular, protonated amino and carboxylic acid groups) and the organic acids contained in vegetable extracts and it enables to obtain a device that works efficiently in real world conditions. Graphic abstract
Keywords Food-waste · Hexavalent chromium · Water purification · Eggshell membrane · Organic acids
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-020-00132-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Irene Vassalini [email protected] * Ivano Alessandri [email protected] 1
Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
2
INSTM-UdR of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
3
CNR-INO, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
4
Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Introduction Chromium (Cr) is widely used in various production processes, such as textile, leather, chemical and metallurgy industry or wood treatment. Consequently, it can be commonly present within industrial and commercial discharges which, in turn, can cause soil and water contamination. While Cr(III) is an essential nutrient for humans, as it is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and plays an important role for the activation of insulin, Cr(VI) is dangerous for human health. The exposure to Cr(VI) can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, immunological, haematological, reproductive, and developmental problems. In addition, dermal and ocular irritation may occur from direct contact and the International
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Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that Chromium(VI)-containing compounds are carcinogenic. Therefore, the limitation of human exposure to Cr(VI) is fundamental and in 2017 the World Health Organization (WHO) has set the concentration limit for total Cr in drinking and ground water at 50 μg/L (the Italian legislation further fixed the Cr(VI) limit at 10 μg/L). Among the removal techniques, adsorption methods are the most frequently used
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