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Volume 31
Issue 7
10.3390/molecules31071143
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Characterization and Performance of Non-Activated Apricot Stone Powder for the Remediation of Zn2+-Rich Galvanizing Effluents

by
Aleksandra Nesic
1,*,
Antonije Onjia
2,
Milan Momcilovic
3,
Jelena Maletaskic
1,
Hao Dong
4 and
Shuai Chen
4
1
Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences–National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovica Alasa 12-14, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
2
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
3
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, Serbia
4
School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Jinhai Road 2360, Pudong, Shanghai 201209, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2026, 31(7), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071143
Submission received: 4 January 2026 / Revised: 26 March 2026 / Accepted: 27 March 2026 / Published: 30 March 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study investigated the application of apricot stone, an agro-industrial by-product, as a sustainable biosorbent for the removal of Zn ions from aqueous solutions and industrial galvanic wastewater. The equilibrium data conformed well to the Sips isotherm model, indicating heterogeneous sorption behavior, and revealed a maximum sorption capacity of 58.2 mg/g. The biosorbent exhibited a high initial removal efficiency of 95% in aqueous Zn solutions, while its performance in real industrial wastewater was reduced to 55%, due to matrix interference. Ecotoxicological test using seed germination assays revealed no phytotoxic effects from the Zn-loaded sorbent. These findings demonstrate that apricot stone is an effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly sorbent with significant potential for application in Zn-contaminated water treatment systems, contributing to circular economy and waste valorization initiatives.
Keywords: industrial effluents; food waste; heavy metal adsorption; wastewater purification; batch sorption kinetics; germination index industrial effluents; food waste; heavy metal adsorption; wastewater purification; batch sorption kinetics; germination index

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MDPI and ACS Style

Nesic, A.; Onjia, A.; Momcilovic, M.; Maletaskic, J.; Dong, H.; Chen, S. Characterization and Performance of Non-Activated Apricot Stone Powder for the Remediation of Zn2+-Rich Galvanizing Effluents. Molecules 2026, 31, 1143. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071143

AMA Style

Nesic A, Onjia A, Momcilovic M, Maletaskic J, Dong H, Chen S. Characterization and Performance of Non-Activated Apricot Stone Powder for the Remediation of Zn2+-Rich Galvanizing Effluents. Molecules. 2026; 31(7):1143. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071143

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nesic, Aleksandra, Antonije Onjia, Milan Momcilovic, Jelena Maletaskic, Hao Dong, and Shuai Chen. 2026. "Characterization and Performance of Non-Activated Apricot Stone Powder for the Remediation of Zn2+-Rich Galvanizing Effluents" Molecules 31, no. 7: 1143. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071143

APA Style

Nesic, A., Onjia, A., Momcilovic, M., Maletaskic, J., Dong, H., & Chen, S. (2026). Characterization and Performance of Non-Activated Apricot Stone Powder for the Remediation of Zn2+-Rich Galvanizing Effluents. Molecules, 31(7), 1143. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071143

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