Effect of Moringa oleifera seed husk and extraction techniques on coagulation efficiency for cyanobacteria removal

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of different extraction methods on the coagulation efficiency of Moringa olifera (Moringa) seeds, both with and without the seed husk, for cyanobacteria removal in water treatment. The experiments focused on the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa, a widespread cyanobacterial species. Moringa seeds were subjected to distilled water and 1 M NaCl extractions, revealing that the removal of seed husk significantly improved coagulation. Especially, dehusked Moringa seeds extracted with 1 M NaCl exhibited superior coagulation performance, indicating that both the enhanced extraction of active coagulation compounds and the presence of residual NaCl contributed to improved cell removal efficiency. At an optimal dosage of 80 mg/L, this treatment achieved a 90% cell removal efficiency, with zeta potential values approaching zero (−2.65 ± 0.8 mV), indicating effective destabilization of cyanobacterial cells. These findings highlight the significance of this eco-friendly treatment approach, positioning it as a sustainable and green solution for controlling cyanobacteria in drinking water treatment.