Fungal-Synthesized Nanoparticles Remove Strontium From Water
Lab-grown particles show promise for the targeted removal of radioactive strontium via a bio-based synthesis process.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Chemistry
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Researchers have successfully synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using the fungus Aspergillus flavus, demonstrating their utility for strontium removal from water. This research is currently in the laboratory stage.
Why it matters
The study offers a bio-based method to address environmental contamination from inorganic pollutants, including heavy metals and radionuclides. These findings provide a new pathway for developing sustainable remediation materials.
The synthesized crystalline nanoparticles measure between 30 and 60 nanometers. In laboratory batch sorption tests using 0.05 grams of adsorbent, the material achieved a maximum strontium equilibrium uptake of 30.5 milligrams per gram over a 5-hour duration at a pH of 8.
The players
Aspergillus flavus
A fungus employed in this study as a biological agent for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles.
The details
The biosynthesis process utilizes Aspergillus flavus—a common fungus—to produce zinc oxide nanoparticles. The strontium sorption process is endothermic, meaning it absorbs thermal energy during the reaction. Additionally, the nanoparticles show dose-dependent antibacterial properties against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus, though they remain inactive against the tested fungal strains.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Tech Race
This work joins a competitive field of research focused on replacing synthetic chemical production of nanoparticles with biological synthesis methods. It marks a shift toward using fungal-derived substrates to improve the affinity of materials for specific radioactive isotopes.
This technology is currently confined to a controlled laboratory environment and is not yet available for public water treatment. Future applications may depend on further testing to determine if these fungal-synthesized particles can be deployed in large-scale filtration systems.
The takeaway
This study highlights the potential of leveraging fungal metabolism to create functional nanoparticles for isotope remediation. Researchers are now looking to overcome the constraints of batch processing to determine if these results hold in more complex, real-world aqueous environments.
Further reading
Explore more developments in Chemistry to see how novel materials are advancing water purification.
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Should researchers prioritize biogenic materials over traditional chemical methods for cleaning contaminated water supplies?
