In Vitro Application of Biosorbent Sourced from Opuntia Fragalis Leaves for the Removal of Toxic Metal from Human Blood Plasma: Central Composite Design Approach

The efficiency of biosorbent sourced from Opuntia fragalis leaves in detoxification of Pb (II) ions from human plasma using a Central Composite Design was investigated. The effect of adsorption factors; adsorbent dose (A), adsorbate concentration of Pb (II) ions (B), pH of solution (C) and agitation contact time (D) was optimized. The percentage removal increased as the adsorption factors increased. The surface chemistry of the biosorbent was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope which revealed an appreciable level of porosity and ability of biosorbent to detoxify Pb (II) ions from human plasma. The FTIR results showed –C-Br, -C-N, -C-O, -C-C, -N-H and –OH were responsible for Pb (II) ions adsorption from human plasma. The lack of fit model have p-value greater than ۰.۰۵ with F-value of ۰.۲۷ implies non-significant lack of fit relatively due to the pure error and ۹۷% lack of fit is due to noise. The kinetics of the adsorption processes were investigated; where data were subjected to Pseudo first order, Pseudo second order and Elovich models. The adsorption process fits into Pseudo second order model with R۲ = ۰.۹۹۹۱. The equilibrium data was analyzed using isotherm models where Langmuir isotherm model with R۲ = ۰.۸۹۳۲ indicating Pb (II) ions uptake from human plasma occurred on the same pore space without having interactions amongst themselves thereby exhibiting monolayer adsorption.

Keywords:

Biosorption , Human plasma , Central composite design , Kinetics , Isotherm