Selective adsorption of organic molecules from coconut water using metal-organic frameworks

Overview

This research explores the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous, crystalline materials, to selectively adsorb organic compounds from coconut water while leaving beneficial sugars and electrolytes intact. The goal is to develop a targeted purification approach for coconut water and similar aqueous natural products, enabling producers to remove undesirable organic species without stripping out the nutrients that give these products their value. The work builds on well-established principles of selective adsorption and the researcher's prior experience with porous adsorbents such as activated carbon, zeolites, and silicalite.

Technical specifications

The proposed approach centers on tailoring the pore size and surface chemistry of MOFs to discriminate between target organic molecules and the sugars and electrolytes that should remain in solution.

• Material class: Metal-organic frameworks synthesized following published procedures and activated using a solvent-swapping method to preserve porosity.
• Selectivity mechanism: Pore size exclusion combined with chemical affinity to preferentially capture organic compounds while allowing sugars and electrolytes to pass through.
• Feedstock characterization: Coconut water will be profiled using LC/MS, conductivity, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), solids analysis, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy to quantify organics, salts, and metals such as Ca, Na, K, and Fe.
• Performance testing: Time-resolved adsorption studies over up to 24 hours will measure the rates and extents at which different compounds are captured by candidate MOFs.
• Supporting evidence: Published precedents include ionic exchange resins for PFOA removal, silicalite for straight-chain hydrocarbon capture, and MOFs for pharmaceutical removal from water.

Technology readiness level

This is an early-stage, laboratory-scale research effort. The core hypothesis is supported by published literature and the researcher's prior hands-on experience synthesizing and testing porous adsorbents, but the specific application to coconut water has not yet been validated. The next steps involve feedstock characterization, MOF synthesis, and controlled adsorption experiments to demonstrate selectivity for organic compounds over sugars and electrolytes. The current readiness level is appropriate for collaborative feasibility studies and sponsored research with industry partners interested in beverage processing, water treatment, or natural product purification.