USE OF MORINGA-OLEIFERA SEEDS AS A PRIMARY COAGULANT IN WASTE-WATER TREATMENT

Samples of municipal and industrial wastewaters were treated by coagul ation-flocculation and sedimentation, using a crude water extract of d ry Moringa oleifera seeds as a primary coagulant. The quality of the t reated wastewater was analyzed and compared to that of the wastewater treated with alum. Experiments were conducted at various dosages of th e crude 5% (wt/v) water extract of dry shelled and non-shelled Moringa oleifera seeds, using jar-test equipment. Parameters of quality of th e wastewaters were measured before and after the treatment to evaluate the removal efficiency on the major pollutants of concern in wastewat er treatment, such as suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), microorganisms and heavy metals. Results showed that Moringa oleifera seeds were efficient as a primary coagulant in wastewater treatment for removal of suspended solids and microorganisms, and also removal of some metals. Nutrients and COD we re not successfully removed. COD and nutrients were somehow increased by coagulation using Moringa oleifera seeds. Compared to alum, Moringa oleifera seeds produced 4 to 6 times less sludge volume. Alum was fou nd to be quite effective in phosphorus removal. The increase in COD an d nutrients observed in the case of Moringa oleifera seeds might be av oided by using purified proteins instead of the crude water extract.