Holy Cross of Mintal Inc.

Mintal, Davao City

S.Y. 2017-2018

Water Purification using Malunggay (Moringa oliefera) Seeds

Science Investigatory Project

Members:
Denosta, Aubrey
Mellijor, Kim
Regner, Anne

Grade 8 - Saint Helen

 Table of contents

Contents Pages

ABSTRACT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

INTRODUCTION --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-3

METHODOLOGY -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

RESULTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

DISCUSSIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION -------------------------------------------------------- 7

REFERENCES ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
 Chapter 1

Introduction

The supply of drinking water nowadays, in our country here in the Philippines

are affected by the increasing pollution of especially in rural areas, we can now

water resources. Nowadays, drinking easily purify water without spending more

water is not safe and some drinking water money on water treatment and costly

contains a lot of water pollutants. The water purifiers, and with this, we can be

water nowadays is having a problem more secured.

because of its negative effects in human

As of today, many people are sick
body especially in the rural areas,
especially those who are in rural areas,
because people source their drinking
because of drinking unsafe or
water from deep wells and sometimes
contaminated water that can cause
from rivers including sourcing rain water
diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and some other
which can be contaminated by pollutants,
stomach illnesses likes nausea. So we
all of this for the reason they can’t afford
decided to conduct a study to provide a
and costly to have a clean water and
safe and affordable drinking water with
some are not available in their areas and
the help of malunggay.
easily obtained. For these matter, the
The important usage of all parts of
usage of Moringa oliefera (Malunggay)
Moringga oliefera has been utilized by
and its many uses come into mind. There
the different parts of the world as
are so many uses of moringa oliefera, it
medicinal, antimicrobial, antiviral and
includes water purification using the

powdered seeds (Fahey, 2005). And even clarifying drinking water. In a

Since Moringa oliefera is very abundant research conducted by (Suleyman et. at.
2009) found that Moringga olifera is a and Commercial, in the area of Science

best natural coagulant discovered yet and Medicine and among others. This is

that can replace aluminium sulphate promising to the extent to larger

which is used widely all around the world. applications and somehow would lead to

Moringa oliefera is also used as an livelihood generation and jobs and a

antiscorbutic and anti-irritant for the worthy lifesaving applications.

treatment of diarrhea, rheumatism and

The study conducted by Atieno, Wagai,
goiter. Also, it is not toxic (Sofowara,
Arama, & Ogar 2010, showed that
1894). The seeds also have antimicrobial
Moringa oleifera seeds bear anti-
activities that are utilized for waste water
microbial properties against S. typii, V.
treatment. The usage of the seeds is a
cholerae, and E. coli. It is therefore a
promising project for water purification,
feasible undertaking to make a study out
being natural, convenient, readily
of this indigenous plant Moringa oliefera.
available, safe, environmentally friendly

and very cost effective. One promising

attribute of the use of Moringa oliefera

seeds is of its coagulant nature where it

can be used for Industrial, Agricultural,

 Chapter II

Materials/equipment

 Mortar and pestle  Cups (small container)

 Seeds and water (rain)  Cloth/fine mesh

Methodology

1. Collect mature Moringa oleifera pods shake for 1 minute to activate the

and remove seeds from pods. coagulant properties and form a

2. Shell seeds (remove seed coat) to solution.

obtain clean seed kernels; discard 6. Stir treated water rapidly for at least 1

discolored seeds. minute then slowly (10-15 rotations

3. Choose the amount of kernels per minute) for 5-10 minutes.

needed based on amount and 7. Set the treated water without

turbidity of water; in general 2-10g for disturbing for at least 2-5 hours.

500ml of rain water. 8. When the particles and contaminates

4. Crush appropriate number of seed have settled to the bottom, the clean

kernels (using grinder, mortar & water can be carefully poured off.

pestle, etc.) to obtain a fine powder 9. This clean water can then be filtered

and filter the powder through a screen or sterilized to make it completely

or small mesh. safe for drinking.

5. Mix seed powder with a small amount

of clean water to form a paste and

 Chapter III

Results and Discussions

Picture.1 picture.2 picture.3

 The first picture shows the rain water we collected. Appearance due to accumulated

dust and contaminants coming from the roof top. Treated with 10 grams of powdered

Moringa oleifera seeds.

 The second picture shows that it is starting to clear out after one hour.

 The third picture shows that it cleared out after four hours.
 ABSTRACT

Some rural places in the Philippines are facing drinking water supply problems because

of insufficient financial resources. The cost of water treatment is increasing and the quality

of rain water is not stable due to air contaminants. During the rainy seasons the turbidity

level increases and the need for water treatment chemicals increase as well, which leads

to high cost of treatment which the water treatment companies cannot sustain. As a result,

the drinking water that reaches the consumer in rural areas is not properly treated.

Therefore, it is of great importance to find a natural alternative water coagulant to treat

the turbidity. It has been found that Moringa oleifera is the best natural coagulant

discovered yet, that can replace aluminium sulphate (Alum) which is used widely all

around the world for purification. This study is focusing on Moringa oleifera seeds with its

natural active constituents responsible for coagulation, a mechanism improving the

purification process. This will be of great help as an alternative and is locally grown in the

Philippines and other tropical countries where one can easily obtain and make use of it.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, water treatment, natural coagulant, rain water,

Alternatives, Turbidity, bioactive constituents.

 Discussion

It is clear that Moringa oleifera seeds can purify dirty water. Basing on the results, it

showed that the turbidity of the rain water became clearer upon the introduction of the

powdered seeds. It showed that after four hours it became clear and sediments where

found at the bottom.

It is clear to say that Moringa oleifera seeds has coagulating properties and would be a

potential alternative for water purification in rural areas where water purification is

unavailable and if there is would be very costly. Water impurities settled down therefore

signifying that putting more powdered seeds would result to faster clearing of the water

and sedimentation. We find this experiment helpful since sourcing of the seeds is very

much available, natural and cheap. And can be used easily and effective. We find the

process simple and can be learned easily where anyone can avail and do it.

Several scientific studies suggested that Moringa seeds could serve as coagulant

because it contains low molecular weight water soluble protein. Therefore, Moringa can

be called as a coagulant. Since this coagulant can be get from plants and without any

synthetic process, it is also called natural coagulant or bio coagulant. The most likely

mechanism that occurs in the coagulation process is the adsorption and neutralization of

the adsorption and bonding between unstable particles. But, the most common

mechanisms of coagulation that involves Moringa seeds are the adsorption and voltage

neutralization. When Moringa seeds that have been processed (powder) were poured

into the dirty water, the protein in the seeds will bind the negatively charged particulates

that cause turbidity, such as clay, bacteria, dust, and others. This particles will settle to

the bottom, then it will be easy to separate the water and contaminants.
 Chapter IV

Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

The water sample mixed with malunggay seed powder showed the changing of the

turbidity of the water and how the left sediments slowly goes down so it’s possible to

purify water by the moringa seeds. Moringa oliefera can be used as a natural

coagulants/flocculants alternative to the aluminium and other metallic salts and the

higher the pollutants, the higher dose that is needed for the seed powder. Therefore, the

seed powder is an effective in reducing the turbidity and the total amount of bacteria

that is present in the water sample.

Recommendations

To improve the results of this experiment, the researchers would like to recommend the

following:

1. Decantation, filtration, and sterilization process must be done to the water

sample in order to achieve a good results, especially in turbidity.

2. Further research studies about the water purification using malunggay seed

powder must be done in order to provide a secure and easy means of potable

water especially in rural areas.

3. In the process of shaking and stirring must be followed closely to activate

coagulant properties; if the flocculation process takes too long, there’s a risk of

secondary bacteria growth.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all I would like to thank God for being able to complete this project with success.

Then I would like to thank my science teacher Mr. Jay Ayog for helping me with any

problems when I’m doing my project

Then I would also like to thank my parents, especially my dad who helped me with the

completion of this project and with their valuable suggestions and guidance has been

very helpful in completing this project.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank my classmates and friends for helping me in

finishing this project within the limited time.

 References

Grabow WOK, Slabert JL, Morgan WSG, Jahn SAA. 1985. Toxicity and Mutagenicity

Evaluation of Water Coagulated with Moringa oleifera Seed Preparations Using Fish,

Protozoan, Bacterial, Enzyme, and Ames Salmonella Assays.

[Link]

[Link]

Coliform bacteria and drinking water. Benton Franklin health disctrict. Retrieved

from [Link]

Fahey, J.W.(2005). MoringaOleifera: A review of the medical evidence for its

natural, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties.

Price M.L., "The Moringa Tree", Echo Technical Note, USA: Available

[Link] December 2003 (2000)

Ndabigengesere A. and Narasiah K.S., Quality of Water Treated by Coagulation Using

Moringa oleifera seeds, Water Research, 32

Nand V., Water Purification Using Moringa oleifera Seeds and Other Local Seeds: A

Pacific Perspective, M. Sc. Thesis, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji (2006) 2.

Bricker O.P. and Jones B.F., Main Factors Affecting the Concentration of Natural

Waters, in Steinnes E. and Salbu B., Trace Elements in Natural Waters, CRC Press,

Boca Raton, 1-20 (1995)