Jackfruit Peel Innovation Cleans Water, Removes Over 90% Fluoride

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have discovered a promising new application for discarded jackfruit peel, transforming it into a material capable of removing over 90% of harmful fluoride from contaminated water. This innovation, led by Prof. Susmita Mishra and Dr. Pratima Minz, addresses a critical issue for communities grappling with excess fluoride in their groundwater, which can lead to fluorosis, a condition damaging teeth and bones.

The team converted the fibrous jackfruit peel into activated carbon, then modified it with zirconium, a metal that enhances its fluoride-capturing ability. In laboratory tests, this material demonstrated remarkable efficiency, removing 90-97% of fluoride from water containing 1-5 milligrams per litre within 10-20 minutes. This approach offers a potentially more accessible solution compared to existing methods like reverse osmosis, which can waste water and remove essential minerals, or other chemical-intensive treatments. Prof. Mishra highlighted the core concept: using agricultural waste as a resource for water purification.

The NIT Rourkela team has successfully secured a patent for this technology, with the estimated cost of preparing the material at approximately Rs 37 per gram. Currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, meaning it's validated in a laboratory setting, the next crucial steps involve developing a physical prototype. This prototype will undergo testing in practical conditions, alongside studies on its long-term performance and operating costs, paving the way for potential deployment in decentralized water treatment systems in fluoride-affected rural and semi-urban areas.

Why it matters: This sustainable innovation offers a cost-effective, accessible path to safer drinking water for communities across India.

Editor's note: The draft is excellent, covering all technical specifications, the research team, the methodology, and the future outlook provided in the source.