Safety > Biohazards

User Ratings

Your rating: None (12 votes)
Your rating: None (4 votes)
Your rating: None (5 votes)
 Add your comments

Bioremediation of Turbid Surface Water Using Seed Extract from Moringa oleifera Lam. (Drumstick) Tree

Michael Lea1

1Clearinghouse: Low‐cost Water Treatment Technologies for Developing Countries, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Publication Name: 
Current Protocols in Microbiology
Unit Number: 
Unit 1G.2
DOI: 
10.1002/9780471729259.mc01g02s16
Online Posting Date: 
February, 2010
GO TO THE FULL TEXT:
PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library
Are you the author of this protocol? Login or register and return to this page.

Abstract

An indigenous water treatment method uses Moringa oleifera seeds in the form of a water-soluble extract in suspension, resulting in an effective natural clarification agent for highly turbid and untreated pathogenic surface water. Efficient reduction (80.0% to 99.5%) of high turbidity produces an aesthetically clear supernatant, concurrently accompanied by 90.00% to 99.99% (1 to 4 log) bacterial reduction. Application of this low-cost Moringa oleifera protocol is recommended for simplified, point-of-use, low-risk water treatment where rural and peri-urban people living in extreme poverty are presently drinking highly turbid and microbiologically contaminated water. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 16:1G.2.1-1G.2.14. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; turbidity; natural coagulant; coagulation; flocculation; household water treatment; developing countries

     
 
GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:
PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Strategic Planning
  • Basic Protocol 1: Household Seed Oil Extraction
  • Support Protocol 1: Simple Village Jar Test Procedures
  • Basic Protocol 2: Clarification of Turbid Surface Water Using Seed Extract From M. oleifera
  • Additional Treatment Of Clarified Water
  • Support Protocol 2: Treatment by Biological Sand (Biosand) Filtration
  • Support Protocol 3: Disinfection by Natural pH Shift
  • Support Protocol 4: Disinfection by Solar Pasteurization
  • Support Protocol 5: Disinfection by Chlorination
  • Commentary
  • Literature Cited
  • Tables
     
 
GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:
PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Materials

Basic Protocol 1: Household Seed Oil Extraction

 Materials
  • Moringa oleifera Lam. mature fruit pods
  • Boiling water
  • Household spice crusher (grinding stone or mortar)
  • Skillet
  • Pot
  • Skimmer utensil (e.g., ladle)
  • Cotton filter cloth
  • Clean containers

Support Protocol 1: Simple Village Jar Test Procedures

 Materials
  • Moringa oleifera Lam. mature fruit pods or presscake (Basic Protocol 1)
  • 1 liter clean or previously clarified water
  • 2 to 3 liters raw source water
  • Household spice crusher (grinding stone or mortar)
  • 0.8-mm mesh (e.g., tea strainer)
  • Muslin or cotton cloth
  • One 12-in. ruler
  • One black marker pen
  • One pair of scissors or a knife
  • Five clean and transparent (not colored) plastic (soda) bottles (~591 ml size), including bottle caps
  • One water storage container, e.g., plastic bucket, ~20 liters (5 gallons)
  • Three people to stir one soda bottle each at the same time
  • Three paddle-type utensils, e.g., spoon, ladle, spatula, or fork

Basic Protocol 2: Clarification of Turbid Surface Water Using Seed Extract From M. oleifera

 Materials
  • Moringa oleifera Lam. mature fruit pods or presscake (Basic Protocol 1)
  • 1 liter clean or previously clarified water
  • 20 liters (5 gallons) raw source water
  • Household spice crusher (grinding stone or mortar)
  • One clean and transparent (not colored) plastic (soda) bottle (~591 ml size), including bottle cap
  • 0.8-mm mesh (e.g., tea strainer)
  • Muslin or cotton filter cloth
  • One paddle-type utensil, e.g., spoon, ladle, spatula or fork
  • One designated water collection container, e.g., plastic bucket or clay vessel, ~20 liters (5 gallons)
  • One designated safe-storage water container, e.g., plastic bucket or clay vessel, ~20 liters (5 gallons)

NOTE: The following protocol is designed to treat 20 liters (~5 gallons) of highly turbid (150 to 250 NTU) raw surface water (see Table 1G.2.1).

Looking for materials?  Suppliers Guide
     
 
GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:
PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Literature Cited

Literature Cited
    Bergman, M. and Arnoldsson, E. 2008. Assessment of Drinking Water Treatment using Moringa oleifera Natural Coagulant—A Minor Field Study in Maputo, Mozambique. Masters Thesis. Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Bratby, J., 2006. Coagulation and Flocculation in Water and Wastewater Treatment, 2nd ed. IWA Publishing, London.
    Chen, S. and Ravallion, M. 2008. The Developing World is Poorer than We Thought, But No Less Successful in the Fight Against Poverty. The World Bank Development Research Group. Washington, D.C.
    Diouf, M., Gueye, M., Faye, B., Dieme, O., and Lo, C., 2007. The commodity systems of four indigenous leaf vegetables in Senegal. Water SA 33:343-348.
    Doerr, B., 2005. Moringa Water Treatment: ECHO Technical Note. Education Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO), North Fort Myers, Fla.
    Dorea, C.C. 2006. Use of Moringa spp. seeds for coagulation: A review of a sustainable option. Water Sci. Technol. Water Supply 6:219-227.
    Fahey, J.W. 2005. Moringa oleifera: A review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties. Part 1. J. Phytochem. 47:123-157.
    Folkard, G. and Sutherland, J. 2001. The Use of Moringa oleifera as a Natural Coagulant for Water and Wastewater Treatment. Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, U.K.
    Fuglie, L.J. 2000. New Uses of Moringa Studied in Nicaragua. ECHO Development Notes #68. Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO), North Fort Myers, Fla.
    Ives, K. and Jahn, S.A.A. 1994. Coagulation and Flocculation. Small Community Water Supplies: Technology, people and partnership TP40_14: 296-312. IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC), The Hague, The Netherlands. http://www.irc.nl/page/37789.
    Jahn, S.A.A. 1988. Using Moringa seeds as coagulants in developing countries. J. Am. Water Works Assoc. 80:43-50.
    Kalibbala, H.M. 2007. Application of Indigenous Materials in Drinking Water Treatment. Royal Institute of Technology. Stockholm, Sweden.
    Katayon, S., Megat Mohd Noor, M.J., Asma, M., Thamer, A.M., Liew Abdullah, A.G., Idris, A., Suleyman, A.M., Aminuddin, M.B., and Khor, B.C. 2004. Effects of storage duration and temperature of Moringa oleifera stock solution on its performance in coagulation. Int. J. Engin. Technol. 1:146-151.
    Levicki, K. 2005. A Catchment to Consumer Approach to Rural Water Resource Assessment: Baseline Study and Safe Drinking Water Supply Strategy for Orongo Village, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. Royal Institute of Technology. Stockholm, Sweden.
    Madsen, M., Schlundt, J., and Omer, E.F. 1987. Effect of water coagulation by seeds of Moringa oleifera on bacterial concentrations. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 90:101-109.
    Marobhe, N.J.M. 2008. Water Supply in Tanzania and Performance of Local Plant Materials in Purification of Turbid Water. Ph.D., Thesis. University of Stockholm, Sweden.
    Olayemi, A.B. and Alabi, R.O. 1994. Studies on traditional water purification using Moringa oleifera seeds. African Study Monographs 15:135-142.
    Narasiah, K.S., Vogel, A. and Kramadhati, N.N. 2002. Coagulation of turbid waters using Moringa oleifera seeds from two distinct sources. Water Sci. Technol. Water Supply 2:83-88.
    Ndabigengesere, A.I. and Narasiah, K.S. 1996. Influence of operating parameters on turbidity removal by coagulation with Moringa oleifera seeds. Environ. Technol. 17:1103-1112.
    Price, M. 1985. The Moringa Tree. ECHO Technical Note (revised 2000 by Kristin Davis). Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO). North Fort Myers, Fla.
    Schwarz, D. 2000. Water Clarification using Moringa oleifera. Gate Information Service, Eschborn, Germany.
    Sobsey, M.D. 2002. Managing Water in the Home: Accelerated Health Gains from Improved Water Supply, prepared for the WHO Water Sanitation and Health Programme, Geneva, Switzerland.
    Suarez, M., Haenni, M., Canarelli, S., Fisch, F., Chodanowski, P., Servis, C., Michielin, O., Freitag, R., Moreillon, P., and Mermod, N., 2005. Structure-function characterization and optimization of a plant-derived antibacterial peptide. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. Am. Soc. Microbiol. 49:3847-3857.
    Sutherland, J.P., Folkard, G.K., Mtawali, M.A., and Grant, W.D. 1994. Moringa oleifera as a Natural Coagulant. Affordable Water Supply & Sanitation: Proceedings of the 20th WEDC Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
    Taley, S. 2007. "Moringa oleifera for Water Purification—a Traditional Boon for Rural Peoples". Stockholm Water Symposium, Workshop Poster. Stockholm, Sweden.
    Yazdani, I. 2007. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Containers as an Alternative to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles for Solar Disinfection of Drinking Water in Northern Region, Ghana. Masters Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, Mass.
 Key References
    Jahn, 1988. See above.
    Madsen et al., 1987. See above.
    Dorea, 2006. See above.

The three references above provide practical information on Moringa and the treatment of water in developing countries.

    Suarez, M., Entenza, J.M., Doerries, C., Meyer, E., Bourquin, L., Sutherland, J., Marison, I., Moreillon, P., and Mermod, N. 2003. Expression of a plant-derived peptide harboring water-cleaning and antimicrobial activities. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 81:13-20.
    Suarez et al., 2005. See above.

The two references above describe leading-edge research.

 Internet Resources
    http://www.deutsch-aethiopischer-verein.de/Gate_Moringa.pdf

Gate Information Service. Provides the most comprehensive concise overview of water clarification using Moringa oleifera.

    http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-initiatives/moringa

Trees for Life International. A plethora of information including free access to Moringa books, posters, PowerPoint presentations and educational materials.

    http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/environment/cr/res31010701.pdf

Eric Lemetais's comprehensive but brief overview of M. oleifera, including map, photographs of Moringa seeds, and before and after depictions of water treatment.

    http://www.moringanews.org/index.html

Moringa News. An international network of people interested in M. oleifera. Their Web site offers reliable information and a platform to exchange knowledge.

    http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/60-water-clarification-using-moringa-oleifera-seeds.pdf

WELL: Resource Center Network for Water Sanitation and Environmental Health, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, U.K. This technical brief gives an overview of the application of an indigenous, naturally derived coagulant, namely seed material from the multi-purpose tree Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) which offers an alternative solution to the use of expensive chemical coagulants.

    http://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php name=News&file=article&sid=863

Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO). Provides basic overview of steps for water treatment with M. oleifera.

    http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/techpublications/TechPub-8a/natural.asp

United Nations Environment Programme. UN's Moringa Technical Brief.

    http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/54-11script_en.asp

Farm Radio International. This script for radio broadcasters in developing countries is about using seeds from the Moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) to clean dirty water.

    http://tilz.tearfund.org/Publications/Footsteps+11-20/Footsteps+20/Moringa+oleifera+A+multipurpose+tree.htm

Tearfund International. Briefly describes M. oleifera multiple uses including household water treatment.

    http://www.atatwork.org/page/363

AT@Work. This toolkit at link above explains the principles of doing business in poverty-stricken (less than $1 a day) areas, offers a step-by-step business development approach, and provides practical tools, tips and background information.

    http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/2003/2library/low_res_water_paper.pdf

Household Water Storage, Handling and Point-of-Use Treatment Report. A review commissioned by Internal Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. This PDF paper reviews the range of simple, low-cost physical and chemical treatment methods and systems for safe water collection, handling, and storage, along with the evidence which shows the extent to which water can be the source of disease outbreaks, and how point-of-use treatment and safe water storage can reduce the burden of diarrheal and other waterborne diseases.

    http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php record_id=11763&page=247

National Academies Press. Moringa chapter from Lost Crops of Africa: Volume 2. Great descriptive overview of M. oleifera.

    http://davesgarden.com/guide/pf/showimage/20749

Excellent photographs of mature Moringa seeds within the fruit pod. Other general photographs of nice quality are included.

    http://www.moringanews.org/documents/WaterGB.pdf

An illustrative depiction of preparing Moringa oleifera seeds for water treatment. Though outdated, it explains the major steps nicely.

    http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/dw/publications/ontap/2009_tb/jar_testing_DWFSOM73.pdf

National Environmental Services Center. Nice technical brief about jar testing. Includes “how to build a simple jar tester” schematic.

    http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/592163 articleid=592163&title=Moringa%2CSajina%2Cphytichemicals%2Cplant%2Cextract

Article by Dewan Md. Badruddoza: Moringa oleifera: Its Phytochemicals and Their Usage. Crop Protection and Toxicology Laboratory, Dept. of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera

Wikipedia entry for Moringa oleifera, accessed Nov. 24, 2008.

     
 
GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:
PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Download PDF
Click link below to download full text PDF of article.
application/pdf icon
Bioremediation of Turbid Surface Water Using Seed Extract from Moringa oleifera Lam. (Drumstick) Tree
application/pdf 116.59 KB
Looking for Answers?
Do you have tips, tricks, or improvements to share?

Join the Conversation

Bo Stridsberg (not verified)
Posted on May 22, 2010 - 11:43am
Dear all For many years I´ve been working in India among other places. Living in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil seeing the need to improve the drinking water quality I like the iniciative to use Moringa oleifera tree Regards

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.