26/04/2026
A new study suggests a “miracle plant” may help tackle one of the world’s growing environmental threats: microplastics in drinking water.
Researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology of São Paulo State University found that Moringa oleifera, known as the “tree of life,” can remove over 98% of microplastics from water under lab conditions.
The study showed that extracts from moringa seeds performed similarly to aluminum sulfate, a common chemical used in water treatment. In more alkaline water, it even performed better.
“The saline extract from the seeds performs similarly to aluminum sulfate,” said lead author Gabrielle Batista.
Moringa has long been used in traditional medicine and is known for its nutritional and anti-inflammatory properties. But scientists say its natural compounds may also act as an effective, low-cost water purifier.
“Plastic pollution is now globally recognized as a critical threat,” said researcher Adriano Gonçalves dos Reis, noting increasing concerns over chemical-based water treatments.
Microplastics have already been detected in oceans, food, drinking water, and even human blood and lungs. Researchers estimate people may ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles every year.
While results are promising, scientists caution that moringa-based filtration is still in early stages, and large-scale real-world testing is needed before it can be used in municipal water systems.
Still, the findings point to a potential eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical water treatment methods.
