The use of Moringa oleifera seed as a natural coagulant in water quality treatment / Nur Afiqah Syahirah Muse

The use of alum as chemical coagulants in water treatment gives potential health and environmental problems thus the use of Moringa oleifera seed as a natural coagulant was proposed. A study was carried out in Kampus UiTM Kuala Pilah, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan to determine the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera approach in increasing water quality eco-friendly technology by comparing to several variables of turbidity, pH and total coliform with standard quality of water in Malaysia. The efficiency of Moringa oleifera seeds coagulant in the process of coagulation/flocculation in the treatment was seen from water samples of pond water and wastewater. The data for variables were determined in lab except turbidity was observed in-situ. Study found that Moringa achieved 95% for pond water and 93% for wastewater in terms of turbidity removals from the initial turbidity of 45 NTU to 2 NTU and 47 NTU to 3 NTU respectively. As for pH, the findings readings are 7.05 for pond water and 6.58 for wastewater which maintained the pH values as it has natural buffering capacity even after the addition of Moringa oleifera seed powder. In contrast to alum treatment where pH adjustment are required as addition of alum drop the pH values to be slightly acidic. Meanwhile, total coliform achieved 95.4% to 95.6% of reductions. All parameters observed were classified to be under the Class 1 water bodies under the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia indicating the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seed as a natural coagulant. There is no significant difference between turbidity removal between Moringa treatment and alum treatment which means Moringa treatment is as effective as alum treatment This research might be beneficial for Moringa oleifera seed to be used in the treatment for domestic use in tropical developing countries as it is low cost and bio-based coagulant.