Peptide-modified nanocellulose achieves high organic-load removal in laboratory dairy-wastewater study

A laboratory study reported that peptide-modified crystalline nanocellulose removed high proportions of organic-load indicators from industrial dairy wastewater under optimized test conditions. The Scientific Reports article abstract reports maximum removal efficiencies of 97.80% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 93.60% for five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) and 96.40% for total organic carbon (TOC) at a dosage of 300 mg L⁻¹, pH 6.5, a contact time of 35 minutes, a peptide-to-cellulose mass ratio of 3:1 and a temperature of 25 °C.

The researchers produced the bio-adsorbent from dairy sludge and crustacean waste. They optimized the tested operating variables—pH from 3 to 10, adsorbent dosage from 100 to 500 mg L⁻¹, contact time from 15 to 55 minutes, peptide-to-cellulose mass ratio from 0.5:1 to 3:1, and temperature from 15 to 55 °C—using response surface methodology based on a central composite design. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize peptide functionalization, mesoporous structure and thermal stability.

Analysis of variance identified pH and adsorbent dosage as the most significant factors, each with p-values below 0.0001. The fitted quadratic models had an R² of 0.9519, and experimental validation yielded a relative error below 0.50%. These are model-based optimization results for the laboratory experimental system. In separate reuse testing over five successive adsorption–desorption cycles, the material retained approximately 95% COD removal, 92% BOD₅ removal and 89% TOC removal.

The abstract provides evidence that peptide-modified nanocellulose may function as a bio-based adsorbent for organic-load removal under the reported conditions, while also linking the material to waste valorization. It does not report performance at pilot or full scale, comparisons with other treatment methods, detailed adsorption mechanisms, cost, energy use or the effects of co-occurring wastewater constituents. Consequently, the results should not be taken as proof of broad effectiveness in operating dairy-wastewater treatment facilities.

Subject of Research: Laboratory optimization of peptide-modified nanocellulose for organic-load removal from dairy wastewater

Article Title: Peptide-modified nanocellulose from dairy waste for organic compound removal in dairy wastewater

Article References: Rastgar, S., Hanachi, P., & Walker, T. R. (2026). Peptide-modified nanocellulose from dairy waste for organic compound removal in dairy wastewater. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-76352-9

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-76352-9

Keywords: dairy wastewater, nanocellulose, bio-adsorbent, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, response surface methodology, waste valorization, adsorption, circular economy, Peptide-modified, dairy