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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Scientists create non-toxic activated carbon from tea and banana waste

Scientists create non-toxic activated carbon from tea and banana waste

Published Nov 5, 2021 12:00 pm

Eating bananas and drinking tea are both healthy and enjoyable. But afterwards, they can leave waste in the form of banana peels and used tea leaves. Even the process of making tea generates a lot of waste such as tea dust. 

Photo by Mareefe from Pexels

Luckily, a team of Indian scientists found a way to convert waste from tea and bananas into something useful. 

The structure of tea is ideal to convert into high-quality activated carbon. But this involves the use of strong acids and bases, making it toxic. The scientists then added bananas into the mix. 

Oxygenated potassium compounds in banana extracts help activate the carbon prepared from tea waste. The result is a non-toxic form of activated carbon that is also cheaper to produce. 

Activated carbon is used in many applications such as industrial pollution control, water purification, food and beverage processing, odor removal, and more. 

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Read more about farming and gardening on agriculture.com.ph.

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