This ‘miracle tree’ can filter more than 98% of microplastics from tap water

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🗞️ Driving the news: New research shows that extracts from the seeds of the moringa tree, often dubbed the “miracle tree”, can remove up to 98.5% of microplastics from drinking water, matching the effectiveness of conventional chemical treatments

🔭 The context: Scientists from Brazil and the UK tested moringa seed extracts as a natural “coagulant,” helping tiny plastic particles clump together for easy filtration
• Historically used for water purification since ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian times, moringa is now being revisited as concerns grow over widespread microplastic contamination in water, food, and even human organs

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Unlike aluminum-based coagulants, moringa seeds are biodegradable, renewable, and less toxic
• Their use could reduce reliance on environmentally harmful aluminum mining while offering a more sustainable, low-cost water treatment option, especially for underserved or rural communities

⏭️ What’s next: Researchers aim to test moringa’s effectiveness on other plastic types, including nanoplastics, and assess scalability for large water systems
• Challenges remain around seed supply, organic residue management, and long-term cost efficiency

💬 One quote: “Using a natural product… may offer a cheaper and more sustainable solution to removal of PVC microplastics.” — Matthew Campen

📈 One stat: A 2024 study found microplastics in 83% of global tap water samples

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