NAIROBI, Kenya- A naturally growing tree long used in traditional water purification may hold one of the most promising solutions yet to the global microplastics crisis.
Scientists have found that extracts from seeds of the moringa tree, often referred to as the “miracle tree”, can remove more than 98pc of microplastics from water in laboratory conditions, offering a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments.
Ancient tree, modern solution
The moringa tree has been used for centuries in water treatment practices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, reportedly used its seeds to clarify and purify drinking water due to their natural coagulating properties.
Modern research is now confirming what traditional knowledge long suggested.
According to a study led by researchers from Brazil and the United Kingdom, moringa seed extracts act as a natural coagulant, binding tiny plastic particles together so they can be easily filtered out of water systems.
How it works
Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments often invisible to the human eye—are increasingly found in rivers, oceans, and even tap water worldwide.
In the study, scientists focused on PVC microplastics, one of the most common and harmful types.
When moringa seed extract was added to contaminated water, it neutralised the electrical charge of the particles, causing them to clump together into larger masses that could be filtered out.
The result was striking: removal efficiency of up to 98.5pc in controlled tests.
The performance was comparable to that of aluminium sulfate, a widely used chemical in water treatment plants, and in some conditions, moringa performed even better.
A greener alternative
Unlike chemical coagulants, moringa is biodegradable and renewable. Researchers also noted that it produces less sludge and reduces concerns linked to toxic chemical residues in treated water.
However, scientists caution that the method is not without challenges.
Large-scale water treatment would require significant quantities of seeds, and the process may introduce additional organic compounds that need further treatment.
Why it matters
Microplastics have now been detected in tap water across the world, with studies estimating they are present in a large majority of samples globally.
They have also been found in human organs, raising growing concern about long-term health effects.
With conventional filtration systems struggling to fully address the issue, natural solutions like moringa could become part of a broader toolkit for cleaner water—especially in rural or low-resource settings.
Researchers stress that while the findings are promising, more testing is needed to determine how the technology could work in real-world water treatment plants and municipal systems.
Still, the discovery highlights a powerful idea: solutions to modern environmental problems may already exist in ancient plants.
