Seeds of natural plants for surface water treatment: An alternative sustainable approach for developing countries

Abstract

Poor water quality and inadequate water treatment are prevalent in developing nations, making water treatment a critical concern. Moringa stenopetala and Cadaba farinosa are tropical plants whose seeds are anticipated to act as coagulants or disinfectants. So, this study is designed to test the turbidity and E. coli removal efficiency of the matured seeds of the two plants and related determinant factors. A laboratory based study was conducted. About 8L water samples were collected from a river. About 30, 60 and 100mg of seed powder dosages were used, with settling times of 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Each 1 L water sample was treated with each of the dosages. E. coli, temperature, pH, and turbidity were measured. Treatment differences between plants and predictor variables were tested. After treatment of river water samples containing 15 E. coli colonies per 100ml of water, the result showed zero E. coli colonies per 100ml of water at the minimum optimum dosage of 30mg of M. stenopetala seed and Cadaba farinosa seed after 90 minutes of settling time. M. stenopetala seed showed the highest turbidity reduction of 73.3%. The study showed a significant difference between Cadaba farinosa and M. stenopetala seeds in removing turbidity (P-value = 0.011), but no difference in removing E. coli (P-value = 0.785). Turbidity, dosage and settling time were identified as factors. Seeds of both plants have antimicrobial properties against E. coli, but only M. stenopetala showed parameters within the WHO limits. So, this study points to M. stenopetala as a potential natural coagulant and disinfectant.