Said Meftah’s scientific contributions

The use of natural plant‐based bio‐coagulants/flocculants is gaining prominence in wastewater treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of liquids extracted from cladodes of Opuntia ficus‐indica ( Cactaceae ) stored under different conditions for a defined period. The aim was to assess the correlation between storage conditions and the performance of extracted bio‐coagulants/flocculants in treating synthetic kaolin‐rich water. The results underscore the critical role of post‐harvest storage in preserving the functional efficacy of these bio‐products. Cladodes were stored for 161 days in three environments: a closed anaerobic zone, open air and a refrigerator at 4° C. Cladodes in the closed anaerobic zone fully degraded before the 161st day. Conversely, those stored in open air exhibited the highest resistance to microbial degradation, followed by those kept in the refrigerator. Juices extracted from these cladodes were evaluated for their coagulation‐flocculation and decantation performance. Cladodes stored in the open air, without and with protection from climatic agents, achieved turbidity reductions of 87.3% and 80.7%, respectively. The optimal dose was 1.3 ml of juice per gram of kaolin, while sedimentation rates reached 3 cm/min and 2.5 cm/min, respectively, with a dose of 0.1 ml of juice per gram of kaolin. Refrigerated cladodes reduced turbidity by 33.6% at a dose of 7.8 ml of juice per gram of kaolin, with an average sedimentation rate of 1 cm/min for a dose of 0.1 ml of juice per gram of kaolin. These findings reveal a significant relationship between post‐harvest storage conditions and the efficacy of extracted bio‐coagulants/flocculants, emphasizing the importance of optimizing storage for enhanced wastewater treatment applications.

Water contamination by heavy metals poses serious threats to human health and ecological systems, necessitating innovative and sustainable treatment approaches. This review explores the sources and toxicological impacts of heavy metals, focusing on dose–effect relationships as defined by global health and environmental authorities, including WHO and USEPA. It evaluates advanced removal methods, emphasizing bio-adsorbents derived from agricultural waste and plant biomass as cost-effective, sustainable, and regenerable alternatives to conventional chemical adsorbents. These bio-sourced materials demonstrate high specificity and efficiency in heavy metal adsorption, making them promising candidates for large-scale water treatment. However, their performance can be limited in diverse water matrices without targeted modifications. A thorough understanding of both water characteristics and bio-adsorbent properties is essential for optimizing their application. This review underscores the potential of bio-adsorbents as environmentally friendly solutions for mitigating heavy metal pollution, aligning with global sustainable development goals.

The increasing global population and the rise of health-conscious consumers have led to a growing demand for innovative foods and functional ingredients. Hairless canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.), which has recently obtained regulatory food approval from Health Canada and the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA), has the potential to meet these demands due to its unique nutrient profile and characteristics. Canary seed stands out among cereals and pseudo-cereals (gluten-free cereals) as it has the highest protein content and is gluten-free. Additionally, it contains significant amounts of tryptophan, an amino acid typically lacking in cereals. It is considered a true cereal grain that can be processed into flour, starch, and oil for various food and non-food applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition, functional properties, and biological activities of canary seeds. It also explores the processing methods for incorporating these seeds into food and cosmetic products. Furthermore, suggestions for future research directions are presented to enhance the utilization of this plant. Overall, it is evident that Phalaris canariensis holds considerable potential as a sustainable crop that can be further developed. graphical abstract Fullsize Image

The reuse of treated wastewater in drinking water supply and irrigation emerges as a potent solution to address water scarcity. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in wastewater treatment using ecological, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials. In this study, Austrocylindropuntia subulata was employed for the first time to adsorb a synthetic dye, methylene blue. The feedstock underwent pyrolysis followed by chemical activation using orthophosphoric acid, resulting in the formation of biochar. Characterization through SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses reveals that the biochar surface possesses functional groups such as alcohol and amide. Microscopic images highlight a diverse array of particle shapes and sizes, along with varying proportions of calcium and carbon in the biochar. Adsorption tests demonstrate that the optimal mass of biochar is 0.5g, ensuring a remarkable 99.8% adsorption of methylene blue dye within a 30 minutes contact time. The findings of this study underscore the compelling adsorbent capabilities of biochar derived from the Austrocylindropuntia subulata plant, suggesting its potential as a valuable resource in wastewater treatment.

The use of reclaimed wastewater has emerged as one of the most effective strategies to address the global water scarcity issue. However, concerns arise due to the presence of various chemical residuals resulting from the diverse range of chemical products used during the treatment process. These residuals can pose significant threats to human health and the environment. As a solution to this problem, the utilization of cactus plant powder in water treatment has garnered increasing attention among researchers. This bio-material alternative offers several advantages, such as being biodegradable, non-toxic, and cost-effective. Chemical flocculants, though widely used, can lead to environmental problems due to their persistence and bioaccumulation in living organisms. In contrast, cactus-based bio-flocculants provide a more environmentally friendly approach to water treatment. The objective of this study is to investigate various methods of preparing cactus-based bio-flocculants and examine their performance in reducing turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended matter, total dissolved matter, and heavy metals in wastewater. Furthermore, the research delves into the impact of cactus preparation and application conditions on the efficiency of the treatment process.