Bioactive extracts of plant byproducts as sustainable solution of water contaminants reduction

Contamination by agro-waste materials after harvesting is a significant concern due to its negative environmental impacts. Similarly, it is rich in bioactive components that aid contaminant removal. The study aimed to formulate a membrane-loaded bioactive extract to reduce pesticide (PS) and aflatoxin (AFs) from simulated media. Bioactivity of Fenugreek (FE) and black cumin (CE) byproducts extracts were evaluated for antioxidants (DPPH and ABTS radicals), volatile content using the GC–MS, and phenolic compounds using the HPLC apparatus. A carboxy-methylcellulose/chitosan membrane, loaded with FE/CE (1:1 v/v), was utilized for PS and AFs removal from simulated media. The membrane was characterized by particle size, zeta-potential, viscosity, and stability—composite membrane ability for PS and AFs removal was evaluated. The results revealed a significant content of thymoquinone (30.05 %) and p-cymene (24.56 %) in black-cumin extract, while fenugreek significantly had β-pinene (18.14 %), neryl acetate (16.89 %), β-caryophyllene (15.81 %), and camphor (13.69 %). p-hydroxybenzoic and caffeic were valuable content in FE and CE, while gentisic (846.12 ± 1.41 µg/g) and methyl gallate (676.82 ± 1.88 µg/g) were dominant just in fenugreek. Active groups of the composite using FTIR showed that carbonyl, sulfhydryl, hydroxyl, and ester groups possess reaction functionality. The extracts were applied to form a composite with remarkable stability, as evidenced by its zeta potential (−28.8 ± 3.48) and particle size (51.78 ± 3.157 nm). The efficacy of composite emulsion in removing pesticides from simulated media was measured at 55.31 ± 1.62 % for chlorpyrifos and 61.54 ± 1.51 % for profenofos. The membrane reduced aflatoxin by more than 80 % compared to the crude extract, which reduced the content by more than 50 % of the total concentration. These results recommend the use of bioactive composites for contaminant removal. Further studies will be required for the mechanism illustrations.