Philip Onuche explains eco-friendly approach to biodegrading surfactants in salon waste

Philip Onuche’s research delves into an environmentally friendly method to degrade harmful chemicals found in shampoo and salon waste. His study focuses on the biodegradation of Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Methyl paraben (MP) using bacteria from sewage treatment sludge.

“Surfactants and preservatives from hair care products often find their way into water bodies, posing a risk to aquatic life,” Onuche explains. “We explored a cost-effective, biological approach to degrade these contaminants using bacteria.”

The study followed the OECD Guideline for biodegradability, employing spectrophotometric analysis to monitor degradation. “Our results showed that specific bacteria could break down SDS and MP efficiently within a few days,” Onuche notes.

Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found to degrade 98.3% of SDS within seven days. “These bacteria proved to be highly effective in reducing surfactant levels in a controlled environment,” he states.

Other bacterial strains, including Klebsiella planticola and Proteus vulgaris, degraded 98.9% of SDS and 94.4% of MP within ten and thirteen days, respectively. “This shows the potential for using natural microbes to combat pollution caused by personal care products,” Onuche asserts.

Additionally, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus successfully broke down 92% of MP within seven days. “These findings highlight the ability of bacteria to significantly reduce harmful chemicals in wastewater,” Onuche affirms.

The study underscores the environmental impact of surfactants, which can inhibit enzyme activity and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. “Surfactants affect microbial life and contribute to water contamination. Finding ways to mitigate these effects is crucial,” he warns.

With his background in environmental and material chemistry, Onuche’s expertise in biodegradation research adds credibility to these findings. “Our approach is cost-effective, environmentally safe, and applicable on a larger scale,” he emphasises.

The research highlights a sustainable alternative to chemical wastewater treatments. “Harnessing bacteria for pollution control presents a viable solution to protecting our water bodies,” Onuche concludes.