
05/27/2025
A centuries-old Egyptian practice may hold the key to low-cost water purification in modern times.
These seeds could help provide clean drinking water to millions.
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have uncovered how seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree — used since ancient Egypt — can effectively purify dirty water.
Their study, published in Langmuir, reveals that a protein in the seeds works by fusing and disrupting bacterial membranes, causing the cells to clump together and die. This breakthrough provides new insight into a simple, natural method that could transform access to clean drinking water in rural and underdeveloped regions.
Researchers also identified the ideal time to harvest the seeds: during the rainy season, when they reach full maturity and maximum potency.
The Moringa tree, already valued as a food source, now shows promise as a dual-purpose crop that can both nourish and purify. With 769 million people globally lacking safe drinking water, and the majority living in rural areas, this discovery offers a sustainable and affordable tool for local communities. Further research is underway to enhance the purification process, bringing this ancient wisdom one step closer to modern deployment.
learn more https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023046285