NIT Rourkela Researchers Develop Low-Cost Material From Jackfruit Peel To Remove Over 90 Fluoride From Water

Rourkela (Odisha): Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a low-cost material capable of removing more than 90 of fluoride from contaminated water in about 10 minutes, offering a promising solution to a major drinking water challenge.

The patented innovation uses activated carbon derived from discarded jackfruit peel, modified with zirconium to enhance its ability to capture fluoride. The technology converts agricultural waste into a potential water purification material for household and community-level applications.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excessive fluoride in drinking water can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis, affecting both children and adults. Fluoride contamination in groundwater has been reported in several parts of India, making affordable and sustainable treatment solutions essential.

Conventional methods, including reverse osmosis, ion exchange and activated alumina, have certain limitations. Reverse osmosis generates wastewater and removes beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium, while ion exchange and activated alumina may involve chemical requirements and environmental concerns.

Addressing these challenges, the NIT Rourkela team developed activated carbon from discarded jackfruit peel and modified it with zirconium to improve fluoride removal.

Explaining the technology, Prof. Susmita Mishra of the department of chemical engineering, NIT Rourkela, said the research focuses on using agricultural waste as a resource for water purification. Laboratory tests showed that the material could remove over 90 of fluoride within approximately 10 minutes under the tested conditions.

The research team, comprising Prof. Mishra and Dr. Pratima Minz, a research graduate at NIT Rourkela, has secured a patent for the innovation (Application No. 202531080242, dated August 25, 2025).

Laboratory experiments conducted at fluoride concentrations of around 1–5 milligrams per litre recorded removal efficiencies exceeding 90–97 within 10–20 minutes. The findings indicate potential applications in areas where groundwater fluoride levels are a concern.

The technology could particularly benefit rural and semi-urban communities with limited access to reliable water treatment infrastructure. Its use of an agricultural by-product also promotes waste utilisation and a more sustainable approach to water purification.

Prof. Mishra said the material could eventually support decentralised water treatment solutions in fluoride-affected regions, subject to further testing and validation.

The technology has reached Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4), indicating validation at the laboratory level. Based on laboratory tests, the researchers estimated the synthesis cost at approximately Rs. 37 per gram, considering the electricity and chemicals used.

The team plans to develop a physical prototype and evaluate its practical deployment, long-term performance and operational costs before wider application.