Efficient removal of E. coli from wastewater by novel phytofabricated nano-zinc using antibacterial potential, kinetic studies, and response surface methodology

Abstract The present investigation explores the antibacterial potential of novel ZnO-NPs synthesized from Acacia nilotica pods extract and immobilized onto sodium alginate beads to control bacterial pollution in wastewater. Phenolics and flavonoids were major phytoconstituents acting as capping, reducing, and stabilizing agents. UV–Vis analysis showed strong absorption band at 340 nm. XRD and TEM revealed hexagonal crystalline structure for zincite of average particles diameter 33.87 and 32.74 nm, respectively. FTIR demonstrated several bands with functional groups (O–H, C-H, C = O, C = C, and C–O–C) involved in ZnO-NPs synthesis. SEM images showed NPs surface completely colonized by E.coli, while EDX spectrum showed signals for zinc (52.94%) and oxygen (26.58%) confirming NPs purity. Adhesion capacity studies revealed ZnO-NPs potential (0.5 g) to remove E.coli after 120 min. Kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich isotherm were best fit describing adhesion mechanism. Electrostatic attraction between negatively charged E.coli and positively charged ZnO-NPs was followed by generation of H2O2 leading to cell apoptosis. Adhesion optimization using Box–Behnken design under response surface methodology was 99.8% at disinfectant dose 30 g/L, contact time 6 h, and E.coli concentration 150 × 107 cfu/mL. For application, real wastewater was treated with removal 98.2%, 97.2%, and 96.5% for total coliform, fecal coliform, and E.coli, respectively, after 6 h. ZnO-NPs showed sustainable efficiency during four consecutive cycles of treatment. The study concluded the efficiency, eco-friendly and cost-effectiveness of phytofabricated ZnO-NPs as disinfectants for wastewater and recommended future studies on large scale for possible wastewater reuse in safe unrestricted irrigation.