Green and sustainable synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for synergetic removal of melanoidin from ethanol distillery simulated model wastewater

This study investigates a novel approach for removal of melanoidin using Fenton oxidation process. Melanoidins are the biproducts of Maillard's reaction involving polysaccharides and amino acids. Wastewater generated by ethanol distilleries utilize molasses, a common ingredient containing melanoidin, which is also toxic and imparts a dark color. Various wastewater treatments techniques are present, among which advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), particularly Fenton oxidation, have proven effective in eliminating melanoidins from wastewater. The novelty in this study is that green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) are used in replacement of ferric salts to enhance the Fenton oxidation process for efficient melanoidin removal. The green synthesis provides stability to FeO NPs. FeO NPs were extensively characterized using techniques like FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses. The analyses confirmed that the FeO NPs exhibited a crystalline structure, with an average size of 21.5 nm. The crucial element of this study is to deploy the FeO NPs to power the Fenton oxidation reaction for melanoidin removal.