Efficient Removal of Methylparaben from an Aqueous Stream Using Waste Tamarind Fruit Shell as a Biosorbent

The tamarind pulp industry generates tamarind fruit shell as wastage. Tamarindus indica fruit shell is a calcium- and potassium-rich natural product that has been adopted as an inexpensive biosorbent for the removal of methylparaben from aquatic stream. Methylparaben is widely used in cosmetics, medicines, and food as a preservative. The main concern is their tendency to disturb the endocrine system. Adsorption parameters like pH, initial methylparaben concentration, biosorbent dosage, and contact time were investigated. The biosorbent was characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, and FTIR. At 10-ppm initial methylparaben concentration, 0.5-gm biosorbent dosage, 7 pH, and 60 min of contact time, the highest methylparaben removal capability of tamarind fruit shell was reported to be 87.47%. The economic evaluation of biosorbent was also carried out. According to the current study, the tamarind fruit shell may be an economically viable adsorbent for methylparaben removal from aquatic streams. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]