Use of Seeds of Moringa oleifera to Clarify Turbid Waters and Wastewaters

Abstract

Ability of seed extracts of Moringa oleifera to clarify turbid waters and wastewaters was investigated. Mature seed extracts of Moringa were comparatively more effective than immature seed extracts. Mature seed powder at 50 mg/20 ml reduced the turbidity (NTU) by 95% within 2h. It was the aqueous extract of Moringa seeds that was really effective in clarifying turbid waters, not the insoluble fraction. A positive relationship between the protein content and purifying ability of seed extract was observed. It was also found that extracts of mature Moringa seeds have an ability to clarify textile dye solutions. All four solutions of textile dyes namely Terasil Blue 3RL-02, Terasil Navy ORL-C, Terasil Red Rand Terasil yellow 40 were clarified by Moringa seed extracts. Studies on pH and the conductivity showed that pH is slightly reduced and conductivity is rapidly increased when they were treated with Moringa seeds whilst conductivity was found to be dependent on treatment time and temperature. The clarifying ability of Moringa seed was also investigated against paper factory effluent but 'no significant effect was observed. Mature seed extracts of Moringa significantly reduced the bacterial growth of polluted waters. The effectiveness was directly proportional to the amount of seeds used. An antimicrobial activity was found in crude aqueous extracts of Moringa seeds.