Tailored graphene oxide for organic removal from coconut water

Overview

This research proposes a graphene oxide (GO)-based purification technology for the food and beverage industry, specifically targeting the removal of unwanted organic compounds from concentrated coconut water (CCW). The technology addresses a key challenge in coconut water processing: eliminating off-flavor compounds while preserving the product's natural identity and nutritional profile. By leveraging GO's tunable physico-chemical properties, the solution offers a scalable, cost-efficient approach to producing higher-quality coconut water for commercial markets.

Technical specifications

Core technology: Graphene oxide (GO) adsorbent with engineered surface chemistry and porosity.

Key features:

• Tunable surface chemistry: GO possesses abundant functional groups including epoxides, alcohols, and carboxylic acids that chemically adsorb polar compounds such as aldehydes, lactones, benzothiazoles, and alcohols via hydrogen bonding
• Selective molecular separation: The polarity of GO can be precisely tuned to selectively target specific compounds based on chemical functionality
• Size-exclusion capability: Porosity of GO can be engineered to remove undesired materials based on molecular weight
• Food-safe material: GO is considered safe for food industry applications
• Scalable production: Simple, cost-efficient fabrication process suitable for industrial-scale production
• Dual removal mechanisms: Combines chemical adsorption through hydrogen bonding with physical size exclusion

Technology readiness level

The research group has established expertise in industrial-scale production of GO with desired functionalities. Extensive prior work has characterized the physical and chemical properties of GO, including varying concentrations of functional groups. In-depth chemical and structural analyses have been conducted on GO interactions with a range of molecules. The next phase of validation will involve preparing GO-based adsorbents, performing full characterizations to confirm essential surface functionalities, tuning pore structures for selective molecular rejection, and quantifying organic removal using a range of characterization techniques. The technology is currently at an early-to-mid research stage with demonstrated proof-of-concept for adsorption capabilities.