Malaysian scientists produce substance that can rid body of heavy metals

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG: A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia have successfully produced a powdery substance obtained from durian rind that can be used to remove heavy metals in human body.

The heavy metals – such as lead, mercury and arsenic – if left unattended for too long can result in severe dysfunction of the kidney, reproductive system, liver, brain and central nervous system.

A high degree of industralisation and urbanisation have resulted in significant amounts of heavy metals being deposited into our rivers and lakes, and into the atmosphere.

Lead researcher, Associate Professor Azhar Mat Easa from the School of Industrial Technology, said it took the team two years to produce the substance, better known as mDRP (modified durian rind pectin).

“There is no such product available in the market yet and this is a major achievement for us.

“We are fine-tuning and value-adding the product now … if all goes well, we will be able to use to same product to block cancer cells in three years' time,” he spoke to the New Straits Times at the university's main campus today.

This article was published in the New Straits Times Malaysia (link to article below). A press conference about this research was held by Universiti Sains Malaysia on 4 November 2008. The research product is know as ‘MDRP: Food Grade Biosorbent From Durian Skin’