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Intercalation of the natural pigments, betalains, in a Tunisian smectitic clay: a green synthesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2025

Amira Amraoui ,
Safa Gamoudi Open the ORCID record for Safa Gamoudi [Opens in a new window] ,
Maria Jesus Periago Caston ,
Ezzeddine Srasra  and
George E. Christidis
Amira Amraoui
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Composite Materials and Clay Minerals, National Center for Research in Materials Science, Technopole Borj Cedria, B.P. 73, 8027, Soliman, Tunisia
Safa Gamoudi*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Sciences of Tunisia, University Campus El-Manar, 2092 El Manar, Tunisia
Maria Jesus Periago Caston
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Campus of Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain
Ezzeddine Srasra
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Composite Materials and Clay Minerals, National Center for Research in Materials Science, Technopole Borj Cedria, B.P. 73, 8027, Soliman, Tunisia
George E. Christidis
Affiliation:
School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania 73100, Greece
*
Corresponding author: Safa Gamoudi; Email: safa.gammoudi@eniga.ugaf.tn
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Abstract

Green chemistry is one of the preferred environmental approaches to protect the planet and human health, as it is based on the use of natural compounds such as pigments, clays, and bio-hybrids. The aim of the present study was to synthesize new colored biohybrids obtained from betalains (extracted from Opuntia, commonly known as prickly pear) and a purified smectite. The mineralogical composition and the chemical properties of the hybrids synthesized were determined using a variety of analytical methods. The maximum concentration of betalains adsorbed on the clay, as determined by UV spectroscopy, was 30.80 mg L–1. The change of the position and intensity of the infrared H–O–H stretching bands from 3405 to 3315–3352 cm–1 indicated that the adsorption of the betalains took place in the interlayer space of the clay. The amount of betalains intercalated did not affect the texture of the clay, as the particle size of the clay was unchanged. Fluorescence analysis revealed the characteristic emission and excitation peaks of the betalain compounds. Successful synthesis of bio-hybrids was achieved, increasing the potential for their possible use in cosmetic or industrial applications.

Keywords

claybetalainsgreen synthesishybridsprickly pear

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Type
Original Paper
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 73 , 2025 , e31
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Clay Minerals Society

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