Abstract
Pharmaceutical effluents are wastes generated by pharmaceutical industries during the process of drug production. Pharmaceutical industry effluent is hazardous in nature due to its components such as toxic metals and active pharmaceutical ingredients and therefore should be treated before it is discharged into any water body or on to soil. But studies have shown that in most developing countries like Nigeria, industries dispose their effluents without treatment. The pharmaceutical effluents can be treated using inorganic or natural coagulants. This paper reviewed some studies on the treatment of pharmaceutical effluents using natural coagulants which are low-cost, under-utilized, economic friendly and readily available. The coagulants reviewed include <i>Moringa oleifera, Citrullus lanatus</i> (Seed of watermelon), <i>Treculia africana</i> (African bread fruit), Phoenix dactylifera (Date), <i>Zea mays</i> (Corn or maize), Banana peels, <i>Sesamum indicum</i> (Beniseed). The studies were critically reviewed with respect to the type of natural coagulant used, method of application to the effluents and result obtained. The results from the studies reviewed revealed that the treatment efficiency was maximally achieved in each case when the natural coagulants were used in combined form (either with another natural coagulant or inorganic coagulant) in appropriate ratios. Treatment efficieny of pharmaceutical effluents is obtained by using combined natural coagulant.
Highlights
Effluent is a liquid waste that is sent out from factories or places where sewage is dealt with usually flowing into rivers, lakes or the sea
The presence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water comes from two different sources: production processes of the pharmaceutical industry and common use of pharmaceutical compounds resulting in their presence in urban and farm wastewaters
This study reviewed seven natural materials that are locally sourced and constantly available to act as coagulants in pharmaceutical effluent treatment
Summary
Effluent is a liquid waste that is sent out from factories or places where sewage is dealt with usually flowing into rivers, lakes or the sea. Chemical method involve reactions to produce insoluble solids, reaction to produce insoluble gas and oxidation-reduction process and biological methods involve anaerobic and aerobic reactions while physical method includes gravity separation, reverse osmosis and ion exchange The implementations of these methods depend on the type of wastewater treated and the efficiency of the treatments in economical way [8]. All biological-treatment processes take advantage of the ability of microorganisms to use diverse wastewater constituents to provide the energy for microbial metabolism and the building blocks for cell synthesis This metabolic activity can remove contaminants that are as varied as raw materials and by-products. This study reviews the efficiency of using natural coagulant in treating pharmaceutical effluent
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