Tiny spheres to trap water contaminants developed

Overview: Scientists have created tiny spheres that can catch and destroy bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical used to make plastics that often contaminates water.

Bisphenol A (BPA):

• BPA is commonly used to coat the insides of food cans, bottle tops and water supply lines, and was once a component of baby bottles.
• Concerns: While BPA that seeps into food and drink is considered safe in low doses, prolonged exposure is suspected of affecting the health of children and contributing to high blood pressure.

Tiny spheres to trap BPA- how they function?

• The micron-sized spheres developed resemble tiny flower-like collections of titanium dioxide petals.
• The supple petals provide plenty of surface area for researchers to anchor cyclodextrin — a benign sugar-based molecule often used in food and drugs.
• It has a two-faced structure, with a hydrophobic (water-avoiding) cavity and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) outer surface.
• BPA is hydrophobic and naturally attracted to the cavity. Once trapped, reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the spheres degrades BPA into harmless chemicals.

Sources: the hindu.