Indian Scientists Develop Innovative New Molecule To Purify Polluted Water

Bengaluru: Researchers at the Materials Research Centre (MRC) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a groundbreaking enzyme mimetic called NanoPtA that can efficiently degrade harmful chemicals commonly found in industrial wastewater when exposed to sunlight.

NanoPtA overcomes several limitations associated with natural enzymes, such as complex production processes, high costs, and difficulties in recycling. It is also stable at room temperature, unlike natural enzymes that require extremely cold temperatures for preservation.

In extensive testing, NanoPtA was shown to degrade common water-polluting substances like phenols and dyes within just ten minutes of exposure to sunlight, even at micromolar concentrations.

NanoPtA’s unique capabilities in wastewater treatment offer a promising solution for environmental remediation. Additionally, its potential applications in healthcare and other fields mark a significant advancement in the development of enzyme mimetics with broad practical implications.