Project Focus
Key Protein Molecules Associated with the Unique Water Purifi cation Properties of Moringa Seeds Revealed
Researchers have used neutrons and X-rays to identify and characterise key proteins underlying the unique water purifi cation properties of Moringa seeds. This information may allow better exploitation of this abundant resource which has been used for centuries to help purify water in regions where clean water is not available.
Extracts from the seed could be promising alternatives to chemical water treatment, food preservatives, or antibacterial treatments – especially where the pathogen has become resistant to front-line antibiotics. The low cost and high availability of this seed material also represents an important opportunity in developing sustainable water purifi cation and could help provide clean water to small communities in developing countries where Moringa grows.
As part of an international collaboration between universities in Europe and Africa, researchers at the facilities Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL – the world’s fl agship centre for neutron science) and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) have shown how specifi c proteins from Moringa oleifera seed interact. The scientists have isolated one component of the crude extract for study. They used neutron and X-ray analytical techniques at the ILL and ESRF to establish the structure of the Moringa protein Mo- CBP3-4 and to understand the nature of the surface behaviour of various components related to this protein.
Moringa Olifi era Seeds
Seeds from the Moringa tree have unique water purifi cation properties. The seed extract can separate unwanted particulates from water sedimenting impurities. They also have potential as anti-microbial treatment – the unprocessed seed powder may sediment over 90% of the bacteria from raw water [1].
Clean water is critical to good health, yet according to the World Health Organisation, [2] in 3 people globally still do not have access to safe drinking water1. In new collaborative studies* researchers have identifi ed what happens at the molecular level during these processes, where contaminants clump together and are fi ltered out, or deposited at the bottom. This can help optimise the use of this valuable natural resource – which grows around the world, in Asia, Africa, South and Central America – to develop reliable and sustainable infrastructures for safe drinking water across the globe.
Moringa Olifi era tree Botswana Credit HM Kwaambwa
In previous studies at ILL [3,4] scientists have examined how the unprocessed seed extract can be used for purifi cation – discovering the application of a naturally occurring system. However, this extract contains many different components. By focusing on a particular protein, the researchers have been able to identify specifi c mechanisms underlying the water purifi cation properties of Moringa seeds – which will support the development of synthetic solutions for future applications, avoiding the need to add whole seed extract to water and minimise the presence of unnecessary organic matter that could encourage the growth of further micro-organisms.
“Neutrons and X-rays are valuable tools in these sorts of experiments, where a high level of detail is required. Neutron refl ectometry is specifi cally designed for characterising surfaces and solutions,” said Dr Martine Moulin, the lead author of the study.
“Individual proteins play a key role in the water purifi cation capabilities of the Moringa seed. By using neutrons at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) to explore the infl uence of proteins such as Mo-CBP3-4 at a molecular level, we can identify what these proteins are and then look to recreate them biosynthetically. The latter can help us to develop more effi cient water purifi cation systems in future.
Life Sciences Group at Institut Laue-Langevin – Credit: Martine Moulin
INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2020
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