V3I3P45

HYASORB: NaOH-Treated Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as a Biosorbent for Over-the-Counter Ibuprofen (Ibufen®) in Aqueous Solutions

Jemimah B. Rafael^1*, Henry F. Haranay¹, Nevia Sheena Maranan², Norilyn M. Rollon¹, Aljean L. Torreon¹, Kaye C. Umbay¹

Abstract

This study developed a sustainable solution to two issues in the Philippine waterways: the invasive water hyacinth and Ibuprofen pharmaceutical pollution. The researchers created a biosorbent from water hyacinth by treating it with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to absorb Ibuprofen from water. In the experiment, the team dried, blended, and soaked the water hyacinth in NaOH. They then tested different bio-sorbent masses (5g and 10g) and contact times (20 and 60 minutes) on an Ibuprofen solution. The findings indicated that the water hyacinth enhanced with NaOH was effective in removing Ibuprofen. The maximum removal rate was 52.59%, which was achieved with 10g of biosorbent after 60 minutes. The mass of the biosorbent was found to be more significant than the contact time. In conclusion, this study has been able to produce a sustainable biosorbent out of water hyacinth that will deal with the overpopulation of water hyacinth as well as the pharmaceutical pollution. This is a viable waste-to-wealth solution that provides the local communities with a clean environmental solution to their water quality issues and at the same time, take advantage of an invasive species to benefit themselves.

Keywords:

Ibuprofen, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), NaOH Pretreatment, Wastewater Treatment, Low-Cost Sorbent