Pulverized cactus flesh can clean wastewater just as effectively as the expensive synthetic chemicals used in city treatment plants.

High grade water filters usually rely on polyacrylamide, a synthetic chemical that can be expensive and hard to source in remote areas. Researchers found that polysaccharides extracted from two species of South American cacti can perform the same job. When combined with a new type of green solvent, these cactus fibers can pull dirt and color out of polluted water with extreme efficiency. This provides a low cost and biodegradable alternative for providing clean water to decentralized communities. It turns a common desert plant into a professional grade tool for environmental protection. Clean water can now be grown rather than manufactured.