https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260205/pineapple-leaves-power-new-science-that-fights-crime-and-pollution-1083121602.html
Pineapple Leaves Power New Science That Fights Crime and Pollution
Pineapple Leaves Power New Science That Fights Crime and Pollution
Sputnik Africa
In many parts of Africa, the same materials once treated as useless leftovers are beginning to fuel some of the continent’s most practical innovations... 05.02.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-02-05T16:23+0100
2026-02-05T16:23+0100
2026-02-05T16:23+0100
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Pineapple Leaves Power New Science That Fights Crime and Pollution
Sputnik Africa
In many parts of Africa, the same materials once treated as useless leftovers are beginning to fuel some of the continent’s most practical innovations. Agricultural waste, long considered an environmental burden, is now being reimagined as a scientific resource capable of tackling two urgent challenges at once: pollution control and public safety.
Across the continent, researchers are increasingly focusing on solutions that are affordable, locally sourced, and designed for African realities. Instead of importing expensive technologies, they are turning to what is already abundant. This approach reflects a broader shift in African science toward building tools that protect both people and ecosystems without creating new forms of waste in the process.One notable example of this innovative, circular approach is the use of pineapple leaves to produce a dual-purpose material that tackles both environmental pollution and forensic challenges. To understand how this transformation is possible and what it means for sustainable innovation in Africa, Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Bienvenu Gael Fouda Mbanga, a materials scientist and research fellow at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He explained that the idea grew from observing how pineapple leaves from processing plants were routinely burned or dumped. He said his team asked how this waste stream could be converted into high-value material that addresses heavy metal pollution in water while also offering a low-cost alternative for forensic fingerprinting, especially in settings with limited resources.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole.
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podcasts, south africa, africa, waste, waste dump, pollution, research, crime, agriculture, innovation, police, аудио
podcasts, south africa, africa, waste, waste dump, pollution, research, crime, agriculture, innovation, police, аудио
Pineapple Leaves Power New Science That Fights Crime and Pollution
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
In many parts of Africa, the same materials once treated as useless leftovers are beginning to fuel some of the continent’s most practical innovations. Agricultural waste, long considered an environmental burden, is now being reimagined as a scientific resource capable of tackling two urgent challenges at once: pollution control and public safety.
Across the continent, researchers are increasingly focusing on solutions that are affordable, locally sourced, and designed for African realities. Instead of importing expensive technologies, they are turning to what is already abundant. This approach reflects a broader shift in African science toward building tools that protect both people and ecosystems without creating new forms of waste in the process.
One notable example of this innovative, circular approach is the use of pineapple leaves to produce a dual-purpose material that tackles both environmental pollution and forensic challenges. To understand how this transformation is possible and what it means for sustainable innovation in Africa, Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Bienvenu Gael Fouda Mbanga, a materials scientist and research fellow at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He explained that the idea grew from observing how pineapple leaves from processing plants were routinely burned or dumped. He said his team asked how this waste stream could be converted into high-value material that addresses heavy metal pollution in water while also offering a low-cost alternative for forensic fingerprinting, especially in settings with limited resources.
“Some advantages are that it offers a low-cost, locally sourced alternative to conventional fingerprint powder. […] So again, we are providing a low-cost alternative to powders that can raise health and handling concerns […] Basically, in our work, the copper-loaded powder produces clear ridge patterns on porous surfaces, which is important because many real-world scenes involve paper, cardboard, or unfinished materials. [The key is that we use a] purpose-spent adsorbent, which means that forensic value is extracted from something that would otherwise be treated as waste. So that is also one of the advantages of this material,” Dr. Mbanga explained.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole. 
