Purification of water using wonder plant (moringa oleifera l.) seed extract.

Abstract

The many health benefits of Moringa oleifera have led to its remarkable rise in popularity in recent years. The purpose of this study was to assess how well miracle plant (Moringa oleifera) seed extract can purify water. The plant's phytochemicals were screened, the water samples' turbidity and pH were assessed both before and after the seed extract was applied, and the extract's ability to purify the water samples against total heterotrophic and total coliform bacteria was assessed. To determine the most likely quantity of coliforms in the water samples, single- and
double-strength versions of the lactose broth medium were created. The serial dilution pour plate method was used to count the populations of bacteria present in the water. The outcome demonstrated that nine phytochemicals in all were present in the wonder plant seed namely, alkaloids, anthraquinones, anthocyanins, cardiac glycosides, carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. Before the seed extracts were applied, the turbidity of the water samples was 30.2±1.42 NTU, 33.7±2.22 NTU, and 37.8±1.87 NTU, respectively. However, after the extracts were applied, the turbidity of the water samples was 0.2±0.00, 0.1±0.00, and 0.3±0.00 NTUs in 0.05 g/100 ml; 0.3±0.00, 0.2±0.01, and 1.0±0.00 in 0.15 g/100 ml; 3.0±0.00, 2.7±0.02, and 3.1±0.01 in 0.25 g/100 ml and 3.0±0.00, 3.5±0.00, and 4.1±0.15 in 0.35 g/100 ml, and so on. Before applying M. oleifera seed extract, the pH of the water samples was 6.3±0.12, 6.6±0.1, and 6.1±1.21, respectively. After applying seed extract at concentrations of 0.05g/100 ml, 0.15g/100 ml, 0.25g/100 ml, and 0.35g/100 ml, the pH of the water samples was 8.34±0.01, 8.03±0.00, 7.65±0.04 and 7.91±0.02; 8.25±0.02, 8.03±0.00, 7.74±0.02 and 7.71±0.02; and 8.34±0.01, 7.81±0.01, 7.75±0.04 and 7.28±0.15, respectively. Before seed extract was applied, the total counts of heterotrophic bacteria were 8.8x106, 7.6x106, and 2.7x106, and the colony counts were 88, 76, and 27. Following treatment, the mean colony values of M. oleifera seed extract at 0.05 g/ml were 35, 30, and 25. Before applying M. oleifera seed extract, the most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml for stream, well, and borehole waters were 1600, 33, and 17, respectively; however, following the administration of M. oleifera seed extract, the MPN of all coliform bacteria was less than 2. The study's findings demonstrated that M. oleifera seed extract has antibacterial qualities against both heterotrophic and total coliform bacteria, as well as beneficial effects on the water's pH and turbidity. Therefore, it is advised that M. oleifera should be used in water purification as an alternative measure to chemicals.