A Review of the Potentials of Moringa Oleifera Seed for Waste Water Treatment

Abstract

The provision of potable water is an enormous undertaking, especially in developing countries. This is so because the chemicals required for treatment, namely: alum for coagulation, polyelectrolyte as coagulant aids, lime for softening and pH correction, and chlorine for disinfection needs to be imported with scarce foreign exchange. In reaction to this, Research has shown that communities in the developing countries are still using plant-based materials as one of the strategies for purifying drinking water. This research emphasis on the practice of using natural plant-base materials as coagulants for water purification as has been observed in Africa’s countries for a few decades and it is aimed to reduce water turbidity. They include Moringa oleifera seeds powdered. Apart from Moringa oleifera, other species such as Cactus latifera and Prosopis juliflora have shown that coagulation effects. The plant organs, seed, root or leaf is normally used. Water purification by these species is essential because they contain acrylamide monomers that are harmless to humans and their existing environment.  This paper discuss a review of these various applications of moringa oleifera seeds extract in water treatment and highlights the areas requiring further investigations.