Sustainable Water Purification Using Plant-Derived Bio coagulants: A Case Study on Moringa Oleifera

Research Article

Abstract

The rising cost, health concerns, and environmental implications associated with conventional chemical coagulants such as alum and ferric chloride have intensified the search for sustainable, biodegradable, and locally available alternatives for water and wastewater treatment. In this context, Moringa oleifera seeds have emerged as a promising natural coagulant due to the presence of water-soluble, positively charged (cationic) proteins that effectively bind and neutralize negatively charged colloidal particles. This study investigates the coagulation performance of Moringa oleifera seed powder for turbidity reduction in synthetic wastewater through a series of controlled jar-test experiments. Coagulant dosages ranging from 0 to 150 mg/L were evaluated to determine their influence on turbidity removal efficiency and coagulation behavior. The results revealed a clear improvement in water clarity with increasing dosage up to a critical point, beyond which overdosing led to marginal performance decline due to charge reversal and particle restabilization. The optimum dosage was identified as 100 mg/L, achieving a maximum turbidity removal efficiency of 81.66%. These findings highlight the significant potential of Moringa oleifera as a low-cost, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to chemical coagulants, particularly for application in rural or resource-limited water treatment systems. The biodegradability and minimal sludge toxicity offer significant environmental advantages over synthetic coagulants. The study also reaffirms the role of plant-based materials in promoting decentralized and community-scale water treatment solutions. Moringa oleifera demonstrates strong applicability for developing countries seeking affordable, efficient, and nature-based treatment technologies.