Novel Eco-Synthesized Zero-valent Nanocomposite for Effective E. coli removal from Water samples: Insights from Kinetic Analysis and Response Surface Methodology

This study investigates the bacteriological properties and overall quality of urban water supplies, particularly desalinated water used in households and at Al-Darb College. The water is derived from desalination facilities in Al-Shaqiq and delivered through pipelines across southern Saudi Arabia, covering regions such as Jazan, Ad Darb, and Abha. Novel nano zero-valent iron nanoparticles, MS-ZVI@PP, were synthesized with the extracts of Moringa oleifera seeds and pomegranate peels immobilized in sodium alginate beads in combating bacterial contamination. Characterization by X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed the successful formation of crystallites of nZVI with typical particle diameters between 18.34 to 22.4 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy detected the existence of several functional groups such as C = C, O–H, C–H, C = O, and C–O–C, related to the synthesis. Kinetic and isotherm studies showed that the pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich isotherm were the best fit that represents the adhesion mechanism. Optimization with response surface methods and Box-Behnken design resulted in a removal effectiveness of 99.8% at a disinfectant conc. of 30 g L ^− 1 , contact time of 6 hours, and E. coli concentration of 160 × 10 ⁶ CFU/mL. Real Al-Shaqiq Red Sea water samples have a removal efficacy, under the proposed conditions, regarding the levels of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli of about 98.2, 97.2%, and 96.5% at 6-hour treatment. Application MS-ZVI@PP worked similarly successfully through four tests in cycles of treatments. Results here support that the Phytofabricated MS-ZVI@PP ensures water disinfection efficiently, inexpensively, novelty and is environment-friendly.