Activated Carbon From Tithonia diversifolia for Purifying and Decolorizing Food Liquids

Abstract

The present study examines the possibility of producing activated carbon (AC) from Tithonia diversifolia suitable for purifying and decolorizing common food liquids. T. diversifolia was subjected to chemical activation with H₂SO₄, followed by pyrolysis at 650°C for 30, 45, and 60 min, resulting in three distinct samples (CA30, CA45, and CA60). The samples were characterized by physicochemical parameters (iodine value, methylene blue value, carbonization yield, moisture content, ash content, fat content, and pH), and their adsorptive performance was evaluated by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that the yield decreased with the carbonization time (from 30.8% to 16.3%), whereas the specific surface area and iodine value increased, reaching 605 m²/g and 761 mg/g. In conclusion, T. diversifolia proves to be a promising biomass to produce AC and efficient alternative to commercial adsorbents in the field of food liquid purification.