Impact of Surface Functionalization With Banana Pseudo‐Stem Sap of Calcium Phosphates, Recovered From Human Urine, on Pathogenic Bacteria Removal From Drinking Water

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tricalcium phosphate (TCaP) recovered from stored human urine and functionalized with banana pseudo‐stem sap (BPSS) was tested for antimicrobial activity on borehole water obtained from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu‐Alike (AEFUNAI). Characterization (SEM–EDX, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, XRD, BET, and FTIR) showed irregularly agglomerated particles with rough, cracked, and encapsulated surfaces of near‐spherical or plate‐like particles (24.73 nm) with high BET surface area (3.34666 × 10 6 cm 2 g − 1 ), and crystalline BPSS‐β‐TCaP phases (19.78–31.29 nm) retained. FTIR revealed a 1345.6 cm − 1 peak, confirming carboxylate coordination with Ca 2+ . Seven bacterial genera, including E. coli , Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp., Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus spp., were found in untreated samples. Treatment with 0.8 g banana pseudo‐stem sap‐calcium phosphate composite (BPSSF‐CaPC) per 250 mL achieved 99.70% removal, leaving only Bacillus spp. Agar diffusion showed inhibition zones (mm): E. coli > Proteus spp. > S. aureus > Salmonella spp. > Shigella spp. > Klebsiella spp. > Bacillus spp. Banana pseudo‐stem sap functionalized tricalcium phosphate composites (BPSSF‐TCaPCs) demonstrated strong potential for borehole water disinfection.