Cleanup of trimethylamine (fishy odor) from contaminated air by various species of Sansevieria spp. and their leaf materials

ABSTRACT

Removal of trimethylamine (TMA) by 10 different living Sansevieria spp. and their dried leaf materials was studied. The results showed that living Sansevieria kirkii was the most effective plant while Sansevieria masoniana was the least effective in TMA removal. Two major pathways were involved in stomata opening and epicuticular wax on the leaf surface. In the presence of TMA, the stomata opening in Sansevieria spp. was induced, which enhanced TMA removal under light conditions. Dried leaf powders of Sansevieria spp. adsorbed TMA through their waxes. Therefore, both living and non-living Sansevieria spp. can be effectively used for removal of TMA.

KEYWORDS:

• Adsorption
• fishy odor
• Leaf material
• Sansevieria sp.
• Trimethylamine
• trimethylaminuria

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the Thailand Research Fund through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program (Grant No. PHD/0108/2553), King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.