Abstract
The ability of seed extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum (T. foenum-graecum) and Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum) to act as natural coagulants was tested using natural turbid water. Seed extracts were prepared using distilled water and NaCl (0.5 M and 1.0 M) solution. Only 1.0 M NaCl extract of T. foenum-graecum had coagulation capability and did not depend on pH values. Further it showed that natural coagulant obtained from T. foenum-graecum is temperature (upto 100?C) and pH stable (pH 4.0 - 10.0). Extract of C. cyminum had very minimal (16 ± 2) coagulation property. The seed extract of T. foenum-graecum showed about 80% coagulation properties, where as the best known natural coagulants such as Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera, and chemical coagulant such as Al2(SO4)3 showed around 90%, 65% and 95% respectively, which are used as standards for the present study. When compared with pond water, T. foenum-graecum extract treated water shows decrease in alkalinity, turbidity, KMnO4 demand and total coli-form. This study reveals that seed extract of T. foenum-graecum can be used as natural water coagulant.
Highlights
Growing population, increased economic activity and industrialization have created an increased demand for fresh water and resulted in severe misuse of natural resource
The seed extract of T. foenum-graecum showed about 80% coagulation properties, where as the best known natural coagulants such as Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera, and chemical coagulant such as Al2(SO4)3 showed around 90%, 65% and 95% respectively, which are used as standards for the present study
This study reveals that seed extract of T. foenum-graecum can be used as natural water coagulant
Summary
Growing population, increased economic activity and industrialization have created an increased demand for fresh water and resulted in severe misuse of natural resource. The use of plant materials as natural coagulants to clarify turbidity of water is common practice since ancient times. Direct filtration with S. potatorum seeds as coagulant appeared effective in clarifying turbid water [5]. This property is attributed due to the presence of polyelectrolytes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and alkaloids containing the -COOH and free -OH surface groups in the seed [6]. Among all plant materials investigated, seeds of M. oleifera were found to be one of the most effective sources of primary coagulant for water treatment [3]. Ramamurthy et al / Advances in Biological Chemistry 2 (2012) 58-63 of above plants that are abundantly available in Asia
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