Effects of Computer Games
Biofiltration Property of Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) Seed: Innovative Way of Purifying Water
RESEARCHERS:
Jay Mark Reponte
Romarilyn Grace Maata
Clark Ervin Conturno
Julizees Malabar
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Drinking water is a basic human need, including food, shelter and clothing. The lack of safe drinking water is a leading cause of mortality, especially in local communities where waterborne diseases are persistent due to low quality surface source waters. Appropriate treatment technology can render this poor water resource into safe potable water; however, conventional technology may not be appropriate for those communities in terms of economics, availability, and operational constraints. There are constraints encountered in the use of chemical coagulants, such as scarcity of foreign currency for importation and inadequate supply of chemicals. Although aluminum is the most commonly used coagulant in the developing countries, studies have linked it to the development of neurological diseases (e.g. pre-senile dementia or Alzheimer’s disease) due to the presence of aluminium ions in the drinking water (Jekel, 1991). As a consequence of the above mentioned drawbacks, there was a need to develop alternative, cost effective and environmentally friendly coagulants. A number of effective coagulants from plant origin have been identified: Nirmali (Tripathi et al., 1976); Okra (Al-Samawi and Shokralla, 1996); red bean, sugar and red maize (Gunaratna et al., 2007), M. oleifera (Jahn, 1988). Of all the plant material investigated, seeds of Moringa oleifera are one of the most effective sources of coagulant for water treatment.
Moringa oleifera, known as Malunggay, is native in Philippines throughout the tropics. Malunngay is also known as horseradish tree, drumstick tree and mother’s best friend. It grows fast and reaches up to 12m. The bark is grey and thick and looks like cork, peeling in patches.
It loses its leaves from December to
RESEARCHERS:
Jay Mark Reponte
Romarilyn Grace Maata
Clark Ervin Conturno
Julizees Malabar
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Drinking water is a basic human need, including food, shelter and clothing. The lack of safe drinking water is a leading cause of mortality, especially in local communities where waterborne diseases are persistent due to low quality surface source waters. Appropriate treatment technology can render this poor water resource into safe potable water; however, conventional technology may not be appropriate for those communities in terms of economics, availability, and operational constraints. There are constraints encountered in the use of chemical coagulants, such as scarcity of foreign currency for importation and inadequate supply of chemicals. Although aluminum is the most commonly used coagulant in the developing countries, studies have linked it to the development of neurological diseases (e.g. pre-senile dementia or Alzheimer’s disease) due to the presence of aluminium ions in the drinking water (Jekel, 1991). As a consequence of the above mentioned drawbacks, there was a need to develop alternative, cost effective and environmentally friendly coagulants. A number of effective coagulants from plant origin have been identified: Nirmali (Tripathi et al., 1976); Okra (Al-Samawi and Shokralla, 1996); red bean, sugar and red maize (Gunaratna et al., 2007), M. oleifera (Jahn, 1988). Of all the plant material investigated, seeds of Moringa oleifera are one of the most effective sources of coagulant for water treatment.
Moringa oleifera, known as Malunggay, is native in Philippines throughout the tropics. Malunngay is also known as horseradish tree, drumstick tree and mother’s best friend. It grows fast and reaches up to 12m. The bark is grey and thick and looks like cork, peeling in patches.
It loses its leaves from December to
References: 1. Crapper D.R., Krishnan S.S., & Dalton A.J.(1973). Brain aluminium distribution in Alzheimer’s disease and experimental neurofibrillary degeneration. Sci.,180(4085),511-513. 2. Madsen M., Schlundt J. & Olmer E.F. (1987). Effect of water coagulation by seeds of Moringa oleifera on bacterial concentration. J. Trop. Med. Hygiene,90(3),101-109. 3. Olsen A. (1987). Low technology water purification by bentonite clay and Moringa oleifera seeds flocculation as performed in sudanese village: effects of Schistosoma Mansoni cericariae. Water Research,21, 81-92. 4. Postnote (2002). Access to water in developing countries. No.178 Internet: www.parliament.uk/post/pn178pdf accessed on 24th October, 2007. 5. Ndabigengesere A., Narasiah K.S. & Talbot B.G. (1995). Active agents and mechanism of coagulation of turbid waters using Moringa oleifera. Water Research, 29(2), 703- 710. 6. Diaz, A. (1999). A preliminary evaluation of turbidity removal by natural coagulants indigeneous to Venezuela. Process Biochemistry, 35, 391-395. 7. Jahn, S.A.A. (1988). “Using Moringa oleifera seeds as coagulant in developing countries”. J. Am. Wat. Wks Ass., 6, 43-50. 8. Bhole A.G. & Dr. Shrivastava (1983). "Relative evaluation of afew natural coagulants" Journal of the IWWA, 5(3), 271-275. 9. Amagloh F.K. & Benang B. (2009). Effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seed as coagulant for water purification. African. J. Agric. Res., 4 (1), 119-123. 10. Barth, V.H., Habs, M., Klute, R., Muller, S. & Tauscher, B. (1982). Trinkwasseraufbereitung mit Samen von Moringa oleifera Lam. Chemiker-Zeitung 106, 75-78.