Aqua Remedium: An Experimental Study on the Efficiency of Malunggay Seeds and Activated

Carbon from Banana Peels as an Alternative for Water Treatment

1,2,3
Cleofas, Aliyah Anthonette, , De Guzman, Renzel Ann. 1,2,3 , Dolorito, Jhaymee Czanelle 1,2,3 ,
1,2,3
Jalmasco, Precious Alyanna . Morrondoz, Angelo Miguel 1,2,3 , Ocampo, Patricia Ann 1,2,3
, Penis,
1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3
Dretel , Ramos, Jhade Cyril , Sales, Daryl Beatrize C. , Villanueva, Janwil , Vitto, Cierra
Feona. 1,2,3 , Mrs. Roxanne Roxas-Tulio. 1,2,3,4

1
Senior High School
2
Basic Education Department
3
Our Lady of Fatima University

4
Research Adviser

February 2023
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1.0 Introduction

One of the most valuable natural resources on Earth is water. All living things on this world
require water in order to survive, with air being the first and water coming in second. The UN General
Assembly formally acknowledged the human right to water and sanitation in 2010. Everyone has the
right to enough water for personal and domestic use that is available continuously, safe, acceptable,
physically accessible, and is inexpensive. Although having access to safe drinking water is a
fundamental human right, it can be difficult in some parts of the world. As a result, using water
treatment is crucial. According to World Health Organization (2022), contaminated water and poor
sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A,
typhoid and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services
expose individuals to preventable health risks. This is particularly the case in health care facilities
where both patients and staff are placed at additional risk of infection and disease when water,
sanitation and hygiene services are lacking. Globally, 15% of patients develop an infection during a
hospital stay, with the proportion much greater in low-income countries.

In the Philippines, out of its population of 109 million people, 57 million people (52% of the
population) lack access to a reliable, safely managed source of water, and 43 million people (39%)
lack access to safely managed household sanitation facilities. Despite its growing economy, the
Philippines faces significant challenges in terms of water and sanitation access. The country is rapidly
urbanizing, and its growing cities struggle to provide new residents with adequate water and sanitation
services. (Water.org, 2023). Communities are denied employment opportunities, left vulnerable to
sickness, and more severely affected by poverty when they lack access to clean water. As observed in
the Philippines, a multi-faceted and strong solution is needed to handle this situation and it demands
the collaboration of all.

Due to a rise in population during the past few years, water consumption and availability have
both dramatically grown globally. Massive quantities of dissolved pollutants and minuscule
microscopic particles are present in tropical water bodies, rendering them unsuitable for human
consumption. Physio-chemical and biological properties of water are dramatically altered by these
contaminants, which includes minerals and organic and inorganic substances. Hence, surface water
needs to go through many stages of treatment and purification that vary based on the kind and qualities
of the water that needs to be treated before it can eventually be used by humans. Using coagulants,

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which are compounds used to remove water pollutants like color, is one of the water treatment
methods that rely on employing plant- or non-plant-based coagulants.

Banana peels are a type of waste that can have many useful chemicals in them. After people
eat bananas, most of the peels and other parts of the banana tree are not used. Instead, these parts are
dumped in landfills where they create environmental problems. But scientists have found a way to use
the chemicals in banana peels to make them a better coagulant. They use microwave radiation and
grinding to modify the surface of the peels so that they can coagulate better. This is the first study to
show this effect. Modified and non-modified banana peels were evaluated at different doses, different
pH values, different sedimentation times, and different NaCl quantities. The coagulation mechanism of
banana peel powder was also investigated by comparing the effect of the particle size and the solution
of banana peels in a turbid water treatment.

According to (ACCIONA, 2019), water treatment is becoming increasingly important as a

result of drinking water shortage and the world's growing population. About 2.5% of the world's total
water reserves are freshwater, and only 0.4% of this amount is suitable for human consumption.
Humans are the primary cause of water pollution. More than 80% of waste water generated by human
activities is discharged into rivers or the sea without any type of water treatment, resulting in
contamination. The goal of this research is to identify an organic technique to treat and improve water
quality. As a result, it may assist to decrease the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

This research study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of malunggay seeds as well as
activated carbon using banana peels as effective water treatment ingredients. For the objectives, this
research aimed to answer the following questions:

2.1 Are activated carbon from banana peels and malunggay seeds effective water treatment
components in terms of

Physical Evaluation:
2.1.1.1 Color;
2.1.1.2 Conducting ability;
2.1.1.3 Total Dissolved Solids;

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2.1.1.4; All Solids

2.1.1.5; and Turbidity?

Chemical evaluation:
2.1.2.1 Alkalinity;
2.1.2.2 Content of Chloride;
2.1.2.3 Content of Cyanide;
2.1.2.5 Iron Content;
2.1.2.6 Concentration of Manganese;
2.1.2.7 Nitrite Content;
2.1.2.8 pH;
2.1.2.9 and Sulfate Content;

Microbiological Analysis:
2.1.3.1 Heterotrophic Plate Count;
2.1.3.2 Coliform Total Count;
2.1.3.3 and Fecal Coliform Count;

2.2 Is there a scientifically significant difference in properties of the water between the pre-test
and post-test in terms of the three various analyses?

2.3 Is there a significant difference in the experimental groups' characteristics when it comes
to the sixteen distinct characteristics?

2.4 Is there a scientifically significant difference between the aspects of experimental and
control groups in accordance with the sixteen various characteristics?

1.2 Hypothesis

Ho: The use of malunggay seeds and activated carbon from banana peels is not an effective
tool in using for water treatments.

1.3 Significance of the Study

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This research project will be beneficial to the following groups of people:

Researchers

This research will give them a guide and information about the materials that are used and its
prices. By using the information and data obtained to future therapies and hunt for new options,
researchers can further refine their study. Researchers looking into the malunggay and banana peels
will have access to this study. Lastly, this study will be a guide for all the necessities. Researchers can
further improve the study by using the knowledge and data gathered to make enhanced treatments and
to find other alternatives in the future.

Students

Through this study, they will learn more about alternate water treatment methods, like
employing activated carbon made from banana peels and malunggay seeds. They can benefit from this
study about the project’s procedures and processes. This will inspire them to create a water treatment
system.

People in Rural Areas

This study may help them know if the water is safe. The community as a whole will most
certainly benefit from this research, the burden of having access to safe and clean water will be
lessened as a result.

Economy

Due to the government’s struggles with the economy, which has increased the number of poor
households in the Philippines, the study will put the safe treatment into effect, Which can lead to more
cheaper options when getting access to clean water, because they won;t be as financially burdened,
people will be more realistic.

Education

This will increase public awareness and benefit both the local community and the entire
nation’s health issues. Despite the fact that water is produced from renewable resources, people will be
aware of its practicality due to the high cost of treatment.

Cultivators of the Plant Components

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Due to their effectiveness as components for water restoration, malunggay and banana peels
will see a rise in demand as a result of the study, which will also raise their farmers’ profits and
strengthen the nation’s economy.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

This research will only focus on the effectiveness of malunggay seeds and activated carbon
from banana peels as components for water treatment. The researchers used malunggay seeds
(Moringa oleifera) and banana peels (Musa sapientum L. var. compressa - saba) only. Matured
malunggay seed pods were gathered from the localities in Valenzuela while banana peels were
gathered from banana cue vendors at the Valenzuela City Public Market. The two components would
be free from impurities by washing, draining and proper storing before use. Malunggay seeds and
activated carbon from banana peels as components for water treatment can prevent the spread of many
diseases that come from contaminated water. Therefore, this study mainly determines and evaluates
the benefits of malunggay seeds as a water treatment and to find out what diseases can be acquired in
contaminated water and whether it can be prevented by malunggay seeds.

The research was limited in the following qualities of water: physical (color, conductivity,
total dissolved solids, total solids and turbidity), chemical (alkalinity, chloride content, cyanide
content, iron content, manganese content, nitrite content, pH, and sulfate content), and microbiological
(heterotrophic plate count, total coliform count and fecal coliform count), pre-test and post-test.

1.5 Definition of Terms

Activated Carbon
- in a wide range of processes, such as the preparation of food and beverages, removing odors,
and controlling industrial pollutants, activated carbon is used to purify liquids and gases.
Carbonaceous source materials, including coconuts, nutshells, coal, peat, and wood, are used
to make activated carbon.

Turbidity
- is a metric used to assess a liquid's relative clarity. It is a measurement of the amount of light
scattered by the components of water when light is shone through a water sample. It is an
optical property of water. The turbidity increases with the intensity of scattered light.

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Water Treatment
- any procedure that enhances the quality of water to make it suitable for a certain end use is
referred to as water treatment. The final use could be for drinking, irrigation, maintaining river
flow, water enjoyment, or a variety of other things, including being securely disposed of back
into the environment. Depending on the quality of the source water that enters the treatment
facility, water may be treated differently in different communities. Most frequently, either
surface water or ground water is the water that enters the treatment facility.

Water Pollution
- it occurs when dangerous chemicals or microbes enter a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or
other body of water, they cause water quality to deteriorate and make the water poisonous to
humans or the environment. Water contamination is the tainting of bodies of water, typically
as a result of human activity, which has a detrimental impact on their uses. Our health is in
danger as a result of this widespread issue with water pollution. More people die each year
from unsafe water than from war and all other types of violence combined.

2.0 Variable Discussion

2.0.1 Activated Carbon

According to (Taer et al., 2017), activated carbon is a useful substance that is
frequently utilized in several industries. One of the most advanced applications for activated
carbon is as an electrode for lithium batteries and other energy storage technologies like
supercapacitors. Although Republic Act No. 9275 is in effect, the Philippines, like other
South-East Asian nations, experience water shortages, poor water quality, and inadequate
sanitation, including wastewater treatment. As a developing country, the country was unable
to afford the traditional and expensive physico-chemical treatment; as a result, it should be
looking at alternative methods of cleanup, such as phytoremediation and adsorption
technology, especially for heavy metals. (Napaldet & Buot, 2019).
According to (Borhan, Phoon, Taha, 2014), who studied the possible potential
of banana peels as a biosorbent, or the ability to absorb contaminants: heavy metal ions and
oil/grease particles from industrial waste waters commonly found in the environment. One
sample from their experiment showed the highest percentage of removing waste water

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pollutants, which suggests that activated carbon from banana peels can indeed be utilized as
biosorption material.

2.0.2 Malunggay Seeds

Moringa seeds are collected from the pods of the Moringa plant (Moringa
oleifera) or the drumstick tree, native to Northern India. Fresh and raw moringa seeds are
relatively delicate, but as soon as they become dry, they turn hard and start to resemble little
beans.
The moringa tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is the most “underutilized” multipurpose
tropical crop. The leaves, tender pods, and seeds could serve as a valuable sources of nutrients
for all age groups. The leaves, tender pods, and seeds are sources of vitamins, minerals, and
proteins. The leaves and branches can be used as feed for livestock and fish. Due to the high
nutrient content of the leaves, moringa can be incorporated into the mulching system. The dry
seed suspension is a known natural coagulant and coagulant aid with antibacterial activity.
Dry moringa seeds can be used in place of alum to treat turbid water and reduce bacteria in
drinking water. Moringa seeds contain oil that can be used for various industrial purposes and
as vegetable oil for human consumption or as biofuel. Global industrialization and the
increasing demand for environmentally friendly products make moringa have great potential
as a source of pharmaceuticals, dyes, biofuel, human food, animal and fish feed, and water
purification products.

2.0.3 Water Treatment

For all life on Earth, water is one of the most important natural resources.
Water availability and quality have always been crucial factors in deciding not only where
people might live but also how comfortable their lives will be. According to (CDC, 2022),
even in developed countries, it is generally understood that we can no longer take a plentiful
supply of safe water for granted. Water supply is an often-forgotten but vital building
component for economic and social progress. Despite having to be simplified in its substance,
basic water treatment has significant worth in that it communicates core concepts with the
various water treatment techniques.

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Due to the simultaneous effects of expanding agriculture, industrialisation, and

urbanization, the majority of river basins are drying up or facing severe water shortages.
Moreover, state-owned sewage treatment facilities for municipal waste water and common
effluent treatment facilities for small-scale industrial effluent do not perform in accordance
with established criteria. (Asiwal et al., 2016).

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Model of the Product

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3.0 Research Methods

3.1 Research Design

The experimental method formally surfaced in educational psychology around
the turn of the century. (Cronbach, 1957) The experimenter’s interest in the effect of
environmental change referred to as “treatments”, demanded design using standardized
procedures to hold all conditions constant except the independent (experimental) variable.
The experimental method was the basic way they searched for scientific truths. Therefore, is
to present the experimental method as continuing to provide valuable “tools” for research but
ones whose uses may need to be altered or expanded relative to their traditional functions to
accommodate the changing complexion of theory and scientific inquiry in instructional
technology.

3.2 Research Ethics

Research ethics refers to the appropriate approach of performing research. The
Our Lady of Fatima University will provide all of the laboratory supplies and tools. There will
be experiments conducted, and the research's findings will be statistically totaled, categorized,
and interpreted. All the experiments shall be conducted in a safe and clean environment.

This study is being conducted ethically, with no intention of putting any crucial information at
risk. The American Psychological Association (APA) standard was followed by researchers in
order to build credibility, respect their work, and most significantly, prevent plagiarism.

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According to Bailey (2016), it is an example of changing the language while maintaining the
idea and meaning.

3.3 Materials

Materials Measurement Description

5 Yards Cheesecloth This is where the used sterilized

water will be placed.

24 L Bottles This is where the finished

product will be placed.

0.4 Grams of Malunggay Seeds Malunggay Seed is the main

important ingredient in our
project.

2 Container with Lid The washed Malunggay Seeds

will be placed here.

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50 Grams Banana Peels This is the most important

ingredient in our project.

1 Mortar and Pestle It is used to work faster than a

knife to crush.

1 Box of Filter Paper It is used to filter the water.

1 Calcium Chloride Solution This is the product that will be

used to soak the ash.

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2 Beakers used for holding liquids

2 Funnels It is used in pouring the charcoal

into a beaker.

1 Basin The water will be put in here.

Oven This will be used to heat up the

dried banana peel powder.

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3.4 Procedure
1.Malunggay seeds will be measured, crushed, and mixed into 50 mL clean water to activate
its coagulating properties.
2. Malunggay seeds and activated carbon from banana peels will be used in four (4) different
treatments with varying ratios.
Treatment A: 0.01 grams of malunggay seeds and 50 grams of activated carbon from banana
peels
Treatment B: 0.01 grams of malunggay seeds and 100 grams of activated carbon from banana
peels,
Treatment C: 0.02 grams of malunggay seeds and 50 grams of activated carbon from banana
peels
Treatment D: Controlled. No components will be used.
4. The mixture will be combined into the bottles containing 100 mL of the water samples
each.
5. The bottles will be shaken quickly (by hand or by machine) for one (1) minute and slowly
for the next ten (10) minutes.
6. The water samples will be left for two (2) hours for sedimentation.
7. Water samples will be filtered using a filter paper into another set of bottles to remove the
crushed malunggay seeds, then will undergo filtration process.
8. Post-test will be conducted for physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses.

3.5 Data Analysis

According to Zach (2018), A paired samples t-test is used to compare the means of two
samples when each observation in one sample can be paired with an observation in the other samples.
When the data are acquired in related samples, the paired t-test is used to examine mean differences
between groups. The difference between the paired values is assumed to be normally distributed, and
Student's t-test is used to test the null hypothesis that the expectation is nonexistent. The resilience
features, as well as the overall relative effectiveness of nonparametric alternatives are explored (Hsu
and Lachenbruch, 2014). It is the most applicable inferential statistics in this study as the researchers
are observing the laboratory results of the water before and after the treatment.

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