Abstract :
Rice husk (RH) has been studied as a prospective adsorbent for the removal of pharmaceuticals like drugs, dyes from
aqueous solution using batch technique. In this study we used rice husk as adsorbent for the removal of Losartan drug
from aqueous solution. For this purpose, the activated carbon was prepared by the activation of rice husk which was
an agricultural waste. At 5ppm concentration, dosage of 0.5g (500mg) and at 85°C temperature, the maximum
percentage removal of losartan was found to be 86 %. Hence, we noticed that rice husk showed maximum removal of
respective antihypertensive drug. The impact of adsorbent dose, contact time, stirring speed, pH, and temperature on
the performance of the adsorption process was then investigated using the losartan. Removal percentage of respective
drug were nearly same at pH 3 and pH 4. Over time, it was found that the rice husk's adsorption capability increased.
The Removal efficiency of losartan drug was calculated with the help of UV- spectrophotometer and the prepared
absorbent was characterized with the help of FTIR. An inexpensive and environmentally friendly absorbent was
developed for the current investigation in order to look into the removal of pharmaceutical drug residues from
wastewater. This study suggests that rice husk is the most effective low-cost adsorbent for removing losartan.
Keyword :
Pharmaceuticals, Antihypertensive, Losartan, Adsorption, Adsorbent.