CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter presents the related literature and studies both from local and foreign
sources. This also includes the synthesis of the art, gap to be bridged by the study and the
theoretical framework to fully understand the research to be done. Lastly, the terms are
defined both conceptually and operationally for better comprehension of the study.
Foreign Literature
Coagulation is a critical step in water treatment processes not only because it
removes particles but because it is also removing the microorganisms that are often
attached to the particles. Aluminum sulphate (Alum) and chlorine are the most commonly
used coagulant and disinfectant in water treatment. Unfortunately, these conventionally
available chemicals are expensive and have been reported to constitute health hazards and
also not environment-friendly. That’s why there is a need to find alternative coagulants
that could help to lessen the risk of using the said chemicals.
According to Hussein (2013), plant seeds 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 “sediments” to settle to the bottom or be removed by filtration. Moreover,
plant seeds are essential as alternative sources of water purification. Recent studies show
that most plants to have biocoagulative potentials are those with rich protein content,
specifically legumes.
Various studies had conducted the use of different plant seeds to test its coagulative
properties. Papaya (Carica papaya) is one of the major fruit crops cultivated in tropical
and subfamily Caricaceae (Teixeira da Silva et al.,2007). Yongabi et al (2011) reported
that the seed extract from Carica papaya was able to reduce the turbidity of water gotten
from three different streams in Cameroon, Africa from 27, 33, and 117 NTU to 9.9,
9.4,11.9 NTU respectively.
Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) is a tropical and subtropical legume from the
Fabaceae family that are cultivated for its edible seeds. The plant originated from
Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. Once domesticated, it spread throughout the Americas, and
the Spaniards imported it to the Pacific Islands and the Philippines (Maquet et al., 1997).
According to Silva (2017) in their study, “Phenotypic Diversity in Lima Bean
Landraces”, Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) is an important source of protein for people
as it contributes all of the essential amino acids necessary for humans. In the Philippines,
lima beans are commercially-available and can also be cultivated. The related studies
regarding the use of proteins from plant seeds as natural coagulant to treat water turbidity
led to
According to Ghebremichael (2004), Water is undoubtedly the most vital element
among the natural resources. In many developing countries, access to clean and safe
water is a crucial issue. More than six million people die because of diarrhea which is
caused by polluted water. In this case, Water from all sources must have some form of
purification before consumption. A number of effective coagulants from plant origin have
been identified: Nirmali, Okra, red bean, sugar and red maize [1], Moringa oleifera [2],
Cactus latifera, and seed powder of Prosopis juliflora [3]. Natural coagulants have bright
future and are concerned by many researchers because of their abundant source, low
price, environment friendly, multifunction, and biodegradable nature in water
purification.
Moringa oleifera is used as natural coagulants for clarification of water. A
conventional jar test apparatus was used in the experiments to coagulate sample of
synthetic turbid water using coagulants. The efficiency of the extracts of Moringa oleifera
in lowering the turbidity was measured before and after treatment. According to Md.
Asrafuzzaman et al. (2011) in their study “Reduction of Turbidity of Water Using Locally
Available Natural Coagulants”, the researchers concluded that Moringa oleifera work
well in higher-turbidity water than lower- and medium-turbidity water. Turbidity
reduction increases with increasing doses.
A similar study conducted by Ali (2009) in Hurghada, Egypt showed that the
processed Moringa oleifera was improved by isolation of bioactive constituents from the
seeds as coagulant/flocculants which gave turbidity removal from 43.9, 91, and 333 NTU
to 1.99, 1.40, and 2.20 NTU, respectively, corresponding to the of 0.05,0.15,0.30 mg/ L.
It is recommended to be used as a coagulant in developing countries. Encouraged by
results of these studies, many developing countries have turned to use this plant as a
viable coagulant in water and wastewater treatment on a small scale.
References
[1] K. R. Gunaratna, B. Garcia, S. Andersson, and G. Dalhammar, “Screening and
evaluation of natural coagulants for water treatment,” Water Science and Technology, vol.
7, no. 5-6, pp. 19–25, 2007.
[2] S. A. A. Jahn, “Using Moringa seeds as coagulants in developing countries,”
Journal of the American Water Works Association, vol. 80, no. 6, pp. 43–50, 1988.
[3] A. Diaz, N. Rincon, A. Escorihuela, N. Fernandez, E. Chacin, and C. F. Forster,
“A preliminary evaluation of turbidity removal by natural coagulants indigenous to
Venezuela,” Process Biochemistry, vol. 35, no. 3-4, pp. 391–395, 1999.
