Abstract
Lead and Copper are inorganic pollutants that are non-biodegradable. When released into the environment, they have adverse effect on human beings and animals when ingested. <i>Allium cepa</i> (Onion) is a vegetable product largely consumed for its potential therapeutic importance. This study investigates the efficacy of <i>Allium cepa</i> in removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from human blood plasma <i>in-vitro</i>. The adsorption rate was studied at optimum values of pH 6 for Cu<sup>2+</sup>, and pH 4 for Pb<sup>2+</sup>, metal ion concentration (50mgL<sup>-1</sup>), and <i>Allium cepa</i> dose 0.60g for Cu<sup>2+</sup> and 0.40g for Pb<sup>2+</sup> at physiological temperature (38°C). SEM analysis revealed physical disintegration in the surface morphology of <i>Allium cepa</i> biomass after adsorption. Equilibrium sorption occurred at80 mins with 99.316% removal for Cu<sup>2+</sup> and 90minswith 99.8914% removal for Pb<sup>2+</sup>. The adsorption data obtained for Cu<sup>2+</sup> best fits Temkin isotherm with correlation value (R<sup>2</sup>)=0.901 with low binding energy (A<sub>T</sub>)=1.340 Lg<sup>-1</sup> while the adsorption data for Pb<sup>2+</sup> best fits Freundlich isotherm with correlation values (R<sup>2</sup>)=0.965 at Freundlich coefficient (k<sub>f</sub>)=3.169.27 Lmg<sup>-1</sup>. The result also revealedthat physiosorption and chemosorption occurred between the metal ions and binding site on the <i>Allium cepa</i> biomass as Intraparticle diffusion proved not to be the only rate controlling step.
Highlights
Chemicals have become an essential part of human life, sustaining activities and development, preventing and controlling many diseases and increasing agricultural yield [1]
When heavy metals enter the human system, they are transported to various part of the body through the blood plasma which is a medium for excretory product transportation [2]
For instance Sargassum seaweed as biosorbent for heavy metals [4]; A comparative study on heavy metals biosorption characteristics of some algae [5]; Adsorption of metals by biomaterials derived from the marine alga Ecklonia maxima[6]; Biosorption of cadmium by brown, green and Jibunor Victor Udoka et al.: Biosorption of Copper and Lead from Human Blood
Summary
Chemicals have become an essential part of human life, sustaining activities and development, preventing and controlling many diseases and increasing agricultural yield [1]. Despite their benefits, they can cause adverse effects on human health especially when misused or inappropriately disposed. Biosorption is a method that utilizes biological materials to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution. Several studies have reported the potential of biological material to bind heavy metals. Amongst these biomaterial is Allium cepathat is highly medicinal [3]. For instance Sargassum seaweed as biosorbent for heavy metals [4]; A comparative study on heavy metals biosorption characteristics of some algae [5]; Adsorption of metals by biomaterials derived from the marine alga Ecklonia maxima[6]; Biosorption of cadmium by brown, green and Jibunor Victor Udoka et al.: Biosorption of Copper and Lead from Human Blood
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