This may be a novel solution to the world’s problem of water purification. By employing the 19th century Mexican custom of using cactus as a filter, water can be purified.

It has been reported that prickly pear cactus was traditionally used in rural Mexico to clean drinking water in the 19 century.

The team of researchers was spearheaded by Dr. Norma A. Alcantar. He extracedt mucilage - a gum-like substance cacti, which the cacti used to store water. He then mixed this with water.

Sediments were added by the researchers to some samples and bacteria to others. After the experiment it was noted that the cactus was a powerful purifier.

During the experiment the researchers observed that the sediment particles bonded together and settled at the bottom of the containers. The percentage bacteria absorbed by these sediment particles is around 98%.

“This natural material not only displays water purification abilities, but it is also affordable, renewable and readily available”, said Alcantar in the study.

It was also told that people could cut the cactus into slices and boil it to release the mucilage. They could then add it to their water.

It was told by the researchers that the prickly pear cactus was found in many places across the world and it could be a cheap source to current hi tech methods.