A Study on Bioadsorption of Synthetic Dye Using Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaves

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava, white Indian) is common fruit bearing plant found throughout the Indian peninsula. It is said to be native to Mexico and Southern America and now can be found in many of the Asian countries. It is grown in tropical and sub-tropical region around the world. Guava leaves have shown many properties like antibacterial, bioadsorbent, etc. The bioadsorbent property can be exploited to remove coloured residues from water bodies. Problems like water pollution have arisen due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Various harmful dyes like Coomassie brilliant blue, used in both textile industries and laboratories, are expelled into water bodies. To reduce the effects of such dye on ecology the research was carried out using guava leaves as bioadsorbent. That being the case the Coomassie brilliant blue solution at different pH was treated with guava leaf powder and the decrease in absorbance was noted at 625 nm. The Guava leaves were obtained from Mumbai suburban. The leaves were dried and powdered for further testing as bioadsorbent. All the chemicals have been used were of analytical grade. The study showed high absorption rate in acidic medium as the colour changed from dark blue to light blue. The optimum pH for bio-adsorption was found to be 3. As the amount of guava leaf powder increased, the rate of adsorption also increased. Guava leaf powder is effective as a bioadsorption as rate of adsorption increases with increase in guava leaf powder. With further optimization it can become potential source of adsorbent.