1067

Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 9(2): 1067-1073, 2013

ISSN 1819-544X
This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed

ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Plant seeds-potential alternative asnatural coagulant to treat water for turbidity
1
U. Hashim, M. Wesam Al-Mufti, Tijjani Adamand 2Mudher A. Hussein
1
Nano structure lab on chip research group, Institute Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis.
(UniMAP), 01000 Kangar, Perlis Malaysia
2
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400,
UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

A review of plant seeds extracts of several species have been extensively characterized for remediation of
water pollution. Active agents were extracted from plant seeds was compared. The use of plant seedscan offer
an alternative option to these coagulants. Plant seedshareecologically friendly and are important for
improvement of soil fertility, the production of edible vegetable oils, used for timber fuel and the controlling of
watershed. Whenoptimized, application of plant seeds as a significance for water treatment technology may
offer aninexpensive, practical, and appropriate solution for producing potable water in some
developingcommunities. This paper presents a summary of the methods, theories, and operational considerations
for the use of coagulation technology for removal of turbidity.

Key words: coagulation, plant coagulant, rapid mix, slow mix, turbidity, natural coagulant, coagulation.

Introduction

1.1 Background:

The target of drinking water treatment is to remove colloidal material and microorganismsdemand to
achieve the quality drinking water guidelines (WHO, 2004). Conventional technique is mostly used for surface
water treatment. It typically includes chemical coagulation followed by flocculation, sedimentation, filtration
and disinfection.
There are many steps in water treatment processes, one of them is water treatment processes which
applying for removal of suspended particles and colloidal material in raw water cause turbiditysynthetic organic
polymers and inorganic coagulants can use as resource in water treatment or can use natural resource as
coagulant.Common artificial coagulants are aluminiumsulphate, polyaluminium chlorides, ferric chloride, and
synthetic polymers. All of these coagulants have in common the ability of producing charged ions when
liquefied in water, which can contribute to charge neutralization (Hammer et al., 2004).
Aluminiumsulfate (alum) is a common coagulant generally utilized in water treatment. Alum increases
concerns when introduced into the environment towards eco-toxicological impact regarding the application of
artificial polymers, the occurrence of remaining monomers is unwantedand have many carcinogenic
characteristic (Mallevialle et al., 1984). When conventional coagulation is used, chemical coagulants such as
iron and alum salts are needed but, natural coagulants such as the seeds from many plantscan also be used.
Traditionally, surface water has been treated with the help of herbs as natural coagulants for centuries in India.,
wiry roots of the rhizome of Vetiveriazizanioides, Ripe seeds of Strychnospotatorumseed coats of
Elettariacardamomumand Phyllantusemblica from leaves have all been documented to be used for water
treatment in past and present times (Sadgir, 2007). Coagulation is an important step in water treatment processes
not only for adsorp particles but because it is also for removing the microorganisms that are often attached to the
particles. That is, by removing turbidity, coagulants also have the possible to remove pathogens and to
significantly improve water quality and, subsequently, human health. The important processes for removing
turbidity is the coagulation
The aim today is how give other people access to uncontaminated drinking water by cost effective means,
particularly the rural people who can’t afford any water treatment chemicals, without affecting the health of
their environment. Many country such as Sudan, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia were used plant seeds to cause
sedimentation in their own water storage vessels in the home (Folkard and Sutherland, 1996).

Corresponding Author: U. Hashim, Nano structure lab on chip research group, Institute Nano Electronic Engineering,
Universiti Malaysia Perlis. (UniMAP), 01000 Kangar, Perlis Malaysia
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J. Appl. Sci. Res., 9(2): 1067-1073, 2013

1.2 Measuring turbidity:

There are two methods for measure turbidity areturbidity tube or an electronic turbidity meter both methods
have advantages anddisadvantages.Depending on the technique used for measurement,Nephelometric turbidity
units (NTU) or Jackson turbidity units (JTLJ) are use it. The two units are roughly equal and the 0.5 NTU in
drinking water .

1.3 Coagulation Mechanisms:

There are four basic mechanisms that particles can assembling and sedimentation out of solution which are:
double layer compression,charge neutralization, sweep flocculation, adsorptionand, interparticle joining
(Crittenden et al.,2005). The attendance of salts can be reason for squeeze of the double layer, causing
instability of particles while disharmony electrostatic interactions are result by forcesof van der Waals.
Precipitate in the sweep flocculation happened when coagulant traps suspended particles within a colloidal floc
as it settles ( Gregory and Duan, 2001). Destabilization of particles occurs when suspended particle attractive to
different charge ione. Bridging can happened when particle aggregation that coagulation forms a polymers chain
to capture the particles.

1.4 Theory:

Seeds of plant play important effects as an antimicrobial agent and coagulant .Due to active components
tend to a negatively charged particles (silt, clay, bacteria, toxins, etc) link to positively charged, water-soluble
proteins allowing the resulting “flocs” to settle to the bottom or be removed by filtration.
During water treatment, the Coagulants cause flocculation via charge neutralisation, allowing to
formationflocs which it settle under gravity leaving a supernatant with reduced turbidity.

Materials and Methods

2.1 Conventional Coagulants:

The common methods for removing turbidutyusingcoagulation.Ferricsulphate (Fe2(SO4)3) and

aluminiumsulphate (Al2(SO4)3) are recently the main used as aid coagulation in the developed country. As
reasons for cost and limited availability of alum and ferric have led to scientists into the potential of biological
coagulants.

2.2 Natural Coagulant Preparation:

Extraction of the natural coagulantcanbe done in several steps but the most techniques follow the pattern:
dried seeds grained or powdered. The powder was then sievedwith or without shells; powder mixed with a small
amount of water and, the solution is stirred and filtrated (Ndabigengesere&Narasiah, 1998) The filtered solution
is called “stock solution” or“crude extract” and can be used for water treatment without further
preparation.Many centuries have been used extractsof Natural plant for water purification.
In general, the coagulant are extracted from many part of plant such as roots, pieces of bark or sap leaves,
seeds, and fruit extracts of trees. For example, in the 14th and 15th centuries the Strychnospotatorumwas used as
a clarifierwater. Shultz and Okun (1984) together withSanghi et al. (2006) found that about 4000 years ago in
India were used to remove turbid river water is (S. potatorum)seeds of the nirmalitree
Also, species of cacti extracted used for clarified water which obtain from mucilaginous sap of tuna leaves.
Zea mays in the 16th and 17th centuries was used as a settling agent by sailors. Laboratory, pilot-plant and full-
scale studies on the performance of plant extracts such as nirmali tree (S. potatorum), guar plant
(Cyamopsispsoraloides) , tamarind tree (Tamerindousindica), fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum), redsorella plant
(Hibisicussabdariffa), and in raw water that have turbidity from 50 -7500 NTU have been used lentils (Lens
esculenta) (Shultz andOkun, 1984). In many literatures has been reported that Moringaoleifera powder ability of
decreasing low and high turbidity values in surface water (MuyibiandOkuofu, 1995). Bacterial removal in the
range of 90–99% has also been informed (Madsen et al., 1987).

2.2.1 Preparation of powder and solution:

The entire seeds were milled to fine powder using a laboratory grinder. All grounded materials were sieved
through 0.4 mm or by nylon cloth (size of opening: 212 μm) and the powder with particle size less than 0.4 mm
was used inexperiments ((Suleyman and Lilian, 1995; PRAMOD Pramod et al., 2002).The solution was then
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J. Appl. Sci. Res., 9(2): 1067-1073, 2013

prepared by dissolving 10 g of powder in 100 ml of distilled water. An suitable volume of solution was then
measured and poured in 1000 ml of sample water to achieve the preferredconcentration (Pritchard et al., 2009).
Other reported that seed kernels of Moringaoleifera were milled to a fine powder of almost size 600 mm. Tap
water wasadded to the powder to make 2% suspension (2 g of M. oleiferapowder in 100 mlwater). Then
suspensionwas shaken by magnetic stirrer for 30 min to water extractionof the coagulant agent and this was then
passed through filterpaper (Whatman No. 1) (Ndabigengesere and Narasiah, 1988) .

2.2.2. Preparation of synthetic turbid water:

In all coagulation experiments, samples of turbid water were prepared by adding kaolin (some researcher
usedNatural clay) into tap water. Ten grams of kaolin was added to one liter of water. This suspension was
agitated for 1 h for homogenize of kaolin particle and then stood soaking overnight to allow for achieves
hydration of the particles. Some reported the maximum particle size remaining in the kaolin suspension was
assessedby Scanning Electron Microscopy (Katayon et al., 2006). Thissuspension was used as the stock
solution. Some researcher reported after soaking the clay overnight in tap water and then blending it for 10 min.
The suspension was washed through a 75-micron sieve. This was kept as a stock suspension for preparation of
turbidity (TETSUJI et al., 1999; PRAMOD et al., 2002).

2.3 Batch turbid water:

First of all, sets of investigational runs were executed for determined of plant seeds dosages for coagulation
of water samples. Beakers were filled with amount of the artificial water, and placed on the jar test
apparatus(figure 1)and stirred at the selected of rapid mixing. Duringspeedy mixing, the coagulant dosage of
plant seeds extraction was added into each beaker. After rapid mixing, the speed reduced to slow mixingfor
uniform dispersion of the clay particles for period of time. Then the beakers were then cautiously removed
fromthe jar test apparatus and left for the sedimentation.(Finger 2a,b).

Fig. 1: Jar test apparatus.

After settling, 20 ml of the sample was taken from the central of each beaker for turbidity measurement by
using turbidity meter (table1). For determination of best dosage, different amount of active agent stock solution
were added into the beakers and the quantity that gave the lowest turbidity was the optimum dosage for that
particular water.
This was used as the stock solution for the preparation of water samples of varying turbidities for the
coagulation tests

Table 1: Dosage of the coagulant.

Raw water Dose range
turbidity mg/l
NTU
<50 10 – 50 <50 10 - 50
50-150 30 – 100 50-150 30 - 100
>150 50 – 200 >150 50 - 200

Secondly, different investigational runs with optimum plant seeds dosages kept in varied storage conditions
in terms of packing and temperature were carried out. turbidimeter are used for measurements of Turbidity.pH
meter are used for determined the pH value of samples (Katayon et al., 2006) Coagulation activity was
calculated using equation-1 as defined By (Okuda et al., 2001): Coagulation activity (%)= (residual
turbidityblank-residual turbiditysample)/ residual turbidityblank *100 the turbid-water supernatant wasdecanted
and was used as a stable stock solution. This stocksolution was diluted with drinking water to obtainthe required
turbidity.
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J. Appl. Sci. Res., 9(2): 1067-1073, 2013

Fig. 2,a:

\
Fig. 2,b:

3. Results and Discussion for previous experiment:

3.1 Efficacy:

The results of batch tests fordifferent initial turbidity and each natural coagulant in many literatures
aresummarized in table2. Opuntiaspp. and M. oleiferaare able to Removal ranging from 95 to 98% for all tests
of turbidity. Each coagulant has an optimal dose that results in the greatest turbidity removal and that differs
depending on the water’s initial turbidity.(S A R A H M et al., 2008).

3.2 Dosage of coagulant:

The dosage of coagulant depends on several parameters such as type and concentration of contaminants, pH
and temperature. The optimal dosage for specific water is defined as the dosage which gives the lowest turbidity
in the treated water. Dosage beyond the optimum point will, apart from obvious disadvantages such as increased
aluminium content in the treated water, also lead to an increase in turbidity.

3.3 Coagulation Mechanism:

Can be predict the behavior of the optimal dose can be a sweep flocculationmechanism(Gregory and Duan,
2001.) but is consistent with charge neutralization and adsorption as well as bridging mechanisms and
adsorption and ( Crittenden et al.,2005). If the mechanism is not charge neutralization orsweep flocthere are two
other potential mechanisms to consider: bridging and double layer compression . In another words is supposed
to removes suspended particles in water by mechanism of sweep coagulation, that is, the suspended solids like
kaolin or clay by the netlike structure (AWWA,1990; Packham, 1965). The negative charge of active agent
might be adsorbed at coagulation pH because of bivalent cations. The active agent might be connected with
other component by bivalent cation, which may form the insoluble matter with netlike structure. On the other
hand, because it has just one valence, monovalent cation does not let two active components connect. The
shortage of bivalent cations to active components may inhibit the formation of netlike structure. According to
the work found by (NdabigengesereandNarasiah 1996), the concentration of cations had tiny effect on thefinal
turbidity of the treated water, but the concentration ofanions had a slight effect on the final turbidity.

3.4 Active Agent:

The organic compound increase in waters for used natural coagulants resulting in the possibility for
undesired and increased action of microbial. Thus, isolatingthe active component is critical not only to realize
thecoagulation mechanism, but also to progresspretreatmentsuspended solids for potential field implementation.
The aim of pretreatment is minimizing the addition ofunrequired organic material as well as maximize the
valueby using as much of the plant seeds as possible. (S A R A H M et al.,2008 )as much of the plant as
possible.
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J. Appl. Sci. Res., 9(2): 1067-1073, 2013

Table 2: Experimental runs to evaluate coagulation performance of PLANT’S SEED kept in different durations and conditions using jar test.
Seed of Coagulation Initial Dosage Rapid Slow Time of Time of Time model pH Temperat JAR METHOD References
Plans activity Turbid (mg/l) mix mix rapid slow settle turbid ure TEST
(NTU) (rpm) (rpm) Mix mix water FILL
(minutes)
Opuntiaspp 98% 162 to 200 5 ∼335 ∼35 1 45 - kaolin 10 - 1L JAR TEST SARAH
NTU To clay M et
15mgin low al.,2008
turbidity water

15–35mg
Inmediu
mturbidity
water,

35–55 mg in
high turbidity
water
Surjana - 100 NTU 10–30 mg/L 100 25 2 8 30 Natural 7.5– 27.5 1L Coagulant Aid PRAMOD
seed clay 8.2 /granular et al.,2002
media
filtration
Maize 100 NTU 10–30 mg/L 100 25 2 8 30 Natural 7.2– 26.8 1L Coagulant Aid PRAMOD
clay 7.6 /granular et al.,2002
media
filtration
Nirmali 100 NTU 3–5 mg/L 100 25 2 8 30 Natural 7.6– 27.0 1L Coagulant Aid PRAMOD
clay 7.9 /granular et al.,2002
media
filtration
Phaseolus 72.3%, 35 0.5, 1.0 or 200 rpm 80 2 30 1h kaolin 9 room 1L JAR TEST
vulgaris) tempe Mirjana et
seed 2.0 mL/L turbid rature al.,2010
water
Ae. 70%-80% 17.5, 35 and 1 ml per 1 L. 200 80 1 30 1hr kaolin pH 9 21 _C. 300ML jar test Marina et
hyppocast 70 NTU al.,2009
anum,
C. sativa 70%-80% 17.5, 35 and 1 ml per 1 L. 200 80 1 30 1hr kaolin pH 9 21 _C. 300ML jar test Marina et
70 NTU al.,2009

Q. robur 70%-80% 17.5, 35 and 1 ml per 1 L. 200 80 1 30 1hr kaolin pH 9 21 _C. 300ML jar test Marina et
70 NTU al.,2009

Q. 70%-80% 17.5, 35 and 1 ml per 1 L. 200 80 1 30 1hr kaolin pH 9 21 _C. 300ML jar test Marina et
rubra 70 NTU al.,2009

Q. cerris 70%-80% 17.5, 35 and 1 ml per 1 L. 200 80 1 30 1hr kaolin pH 9 21 _C. 300ML jar test Marina et
70 NTU al.,2009

Moringa 95% 200฀5 NTU 5 mg 100 40 4 25 30 kaolin - - 1L jar test Amir et al.,
Oleifera 2010

5. Conclusion:

Anatural coagulant from the seeds havebeen found to be a cheap, environmental friendly andproduce much
lower sludge volumein water and wastewater treatment. In contrast alum has raised a number of concerns such
as (1) Eco - toxicological impacts when presented intothe environment as post-treatment sludge, (2) influences
onhuman well-being as a result of consumption in finish water,and (3) the fees of the chemicals that import for
developing communitieswill be cost Natural coagulants are biodegradable and eco-friendly for environment.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to extend his sincere appreciation to Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) for giving the
opportunities to use the research facilities in the Bio-chip Fabrication and characterization Lab and Ministry of
Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) for providing us with grant to carry out this research. The
appreciation also goes to all the team members in the Institute of Nanoelectronic Engineering especially in the
Nano Biochip Research Group

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