Potential use of Plant Extract for Water Purification: A Review (2025)

VEGETABLE PLANTS WITH WATER TREATMENT POTENTIAL: A REVIEW

Chemical coagulants and flocculants have been used for decades in water treatment. However, because of cost issues associated with the entailment of importation importing of these chemicals, developing countries were left with no other option than to rely on contaminated water for their domestic consumptions. In view of this, some communities used their ingenuity and successfully employed natural plant and animal products to purify their water supply. In many instances, these products were found to achieve comparable water quality results to that of the conventional chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate some of the different plant genera that have been tested in water treatment. Their advantages and setbacks are highlighted. Most notably, some of these natural extracts performed double functions as a coagulant and as disinfectant. Conversely, several research works have pointed out that the main drawback of using natural extract in water treatment is the addition of organic compounds in the treated water which makes it unfit for human consumption due to change in taste, color, and odor. This drawback was, however, overcome in some studies where the materials were purified to obtain only the coagulant compounds. Therefore, the use of natural extracts in drinking water treatment would bring relief to many inhabitants in developing countries in terms of access to clean drinking water. Additionally, the study recommends further investigation into disinfecting the treated water with chlorine to assess their disinfectant by-products (DBPs) formation.

Some Natural Herbs in India and Their Effectiveness in Water Purification

In Ayurveda from ancient time Ocimum Sanctum, AzardirachtaIndica, TriticumAestivum, PhyllanthusEmblica, StrychnosPotatorum etc. natural herbs areproved tobe very useful medicines. Inthe present study effectiveness of these herbs in water purification because of their antibacterial activity is studied.Leaves and fruits of these herbs were dried, extracted and activity was tested by Disc Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer Method). In all these herbs maximum removal of E.coli was found at maximum 1% onwards.From the percentage removal of E.coli Ocimum Sanctum was found most effective. 82.15% removal of E.coli was observed for 1% and onward concentration of Ocimum Sanctum.

The Efficacy of the Seeds of Adansonia digitata L. as a Biocoagulant and Disinfectant in Water Purification | Kogi State University Open Education Resources (OER)

2017

Context: Water is an essential commodity for the sustenance of life, yet its availability is drastically reducing due to pollution. The conventional methods used for the treatment of water is relatively expensive and not readily available and hence the need for alternative sustainable means of water treatment. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Adansonia digitata L. seeds as a biocoagulant and disinfectant in the purification of water. Materials and Methods: Dried fruits of A. digitata were collected from the Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The seeds were excised, washed, sun-dried, powdered and defatted using n-hexane. Synthetic turbid water used for the biocoagulant study was prepared using beneficiated kaolin while that used for disinfection studies was prepared using Escherichia coli isolate. Surface water was also used for the study and was obtained from the Kubanni Reservoir, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The experimental design was complete randomized design (CRD). Experiments were performed in triplicates using 0 mg/L (control), 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 150 mg/L and 200 mg/L of A. digitata seed extract. Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of the various parameters measured. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used in separating means where significant. The level of significance was taken at P < 0.05. Results: Results revealed that as a biocoagulant, an optimum dose of 150 mg/L was able to reduce turbidity of synthetic water significantly (P < 0.05) by 96.7% while there was no significant reduction in the turbidity of surface water. As a disinfectant, a dose of 200 mg/L was able to significantly reduce (P < 0.05) the concentration of E. coli of synthetic water from 1.65 × 10 4 cfu/mL to 5.00 × 10 2 cfu/mL (97.0%) and that of surface water from 4.27 × 10 2 cfu/mL to 6.67 × 10 1 cfu/mL (84.4%). Conclusion: From the investigations done, A. digitata seeds possess biocoagulant and disinfectant potentials, which may be harnessed for water purification.

Full Length Research Paper REDISCOVERING TRADITIONAL METHODS FOR PURIFICATION OF WATER USING IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS

2015

Natural plant extracts have been used for water purification for many centuries. Most of these extracts are derived from the seeds, leaves, pieces of bark or sap, roots and fruit extracts of trees and plants. For example, Strychnos potatorum (nirmalī), Moringa oleifera were used as a purifier between the 14 th and 15 th centuries BC according to the Sanskrit treatise (śāstra) &quot;suśṛta saṃhitā&quot;. References are available in ancient manuscripts but not in practice because our people have forgotten our glorious past. An attempt is made to understand properties of medicinal plants which help to purify water. In &#39;suśṛta saṃhitā&#39; Combination of nine common medicinal plants mentioned to purify water. Use of medicinal plants ash, mixed with alum cleanses water while retaining its natural benefits. Low cost alternative traditional technologies can replace the complicated and expensive water purifiers, so that people from developing countries are assured of pure potable water,...

I IN NT TE ER RN NA AT TI IO ON NA AL L J JO OU UR RN NA AL L O OF F U UN NI IV VE ER RS SA AL L P PH HA AR RM MA AC CY Y A AN ND D L LI IF FE E S SC CI IE EN NC CE ES S DEVELOPMENT OF LOWCOST TECHNOLOGY IN THE PREPARATION OF PATHOGENIC FREE DRINKING WATER USING HERBS

In this study, the process of developing a plant based substitute for economical safe approach for water purification against conventional chemical constituents, plants were screened for evaluation of their efficiency against microbial pathogens. The Water samples were collected from Mariamman Kovil at Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. The physicochemical parameters such as water pH, Odour, Turbidity, Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrite, Lead, Zinc, Mercury and Iron were analyzed and estimated. The fresh leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum was

The Efficacy of the Seeds of Adansonia digitata L. as a Biocoagulant and Disinfectant in Water Purification

Context: Water is an essential commodity for the sustenance of life, yet its availability is drastically reducing due to pollution. The conventional methods used for the treatment of water is relatively expensive and not readily available and hence the need for alternative sustainable means of water treatment. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Adansonia digitata L. seeds as a biocoagulant and disinfectant in the purification of water. Materials and Methods: Dried fruits of A. digitata were collected from the Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The seeds were excised, washed, sun-dried, powdered and defatted using n-hexane. Synthetic turbid water used for the biocoagulant study was prepared using beneficiated kaolin while that used for disinfection studies was prepared using Escherichia coli isolate. Surface water was also used for the study and was obtained from the Kubanni Reservoir, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The experimental design was complete randomized design (CRD). Experiments were performed in triplicates using 0 mg/L (control), 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 150 mg/L and 200 mg/L of A. digitata seed extract. Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of the various parameters measured. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used in separating means where significant. The level of significance was taken at P < 0.05. Results: Results revealed that as a biocoagulant, an optimum dose of 150 mg/L was able to reduce turbidity of synthetic water significantly (P < 0.05) by 96.7% while there was no significant reduction in the turbidity of surface water. As a disinfectant, a dose of 200 mg/L was able to significantly reduce (P < 0.05) the concentration of E. coli of synthetic water from 1.65 × 10 4 cfu/mL to 5.00 × 10 2 cfu/mL (97.0%) and that of surface water from 4.27 × 10 2 cfu/mL to 6.67 × 10 1 cfu/mL (84.4%). Conclusion: From the investigations done, A. digitata seeds possess biocoagulant and disinfectant potentials, which may be harnessed for water purification.

Potential of using plant extracts for purification of shallow well water in Malawi

Physics And Chemistry Of The Earth, Parts A/b/c, 2009

There has been very little scientific research work into the use of plant extracts to purify groundwater. Research studies on the purification of groundwater have mainly been carried out in developed countries and have focused on water purification systems using aluminium sulphate (a coagulant) and chlorine (a disinfectant). Such systems are expensive and not viable for rural communities due to abject poverty. Shallow well water, which is commonly available throughout Africa, is often grossly contaminated and usually consumed untreated. As a result, water-related diseases kill more than 5 million people every year worldwide. This research was aimed at examining natural plant extracts in order to develop inexpensive ways for rural communities to purify their groundwater. The study involved creating an inventory of plant extracts that have been used for water and wastewater purification. A prioritisation system was derived to select the most suitable extracts, which took into account criteria such as availability, purification potential, yield and cost of extraction. Laboratory trials were undertaken on the most promising plant extracts, namely: Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas and Guar gum. The extracts were added to water samples obtained from five shallow wells in Malawi. The trials consisted of jar tests to assess the coagulation potential and the resulting effect on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity and coliforms. The results showed that the addition of M. oleifera, J. curcas and Guar gum can considerably improve the quality of shallow well water. Turbidity reduction was higher for more turbid water. A reduction efficiency exceeding 90% was achieved by all three extracts on shallow well water that had a turbidity of 49 NTU. A reduction in coliforms was about 80% for all extracts. The pH of the water samples increased with dosage, but remained within acceptable levels for drinking water for all the extracts. Overall, M. oleifera powder produced superior results, followed by Guar gum and lastly J. curcas. There is a need to carry out further more detailed tests, which include toxicity to guarantee the safety of using plant extracts as a coagulant in the purification of drinking water for human consumption.

Antibacterial Activity of Some Plant Extracts Against Water Bacterial Pollution

This study aims to test the antibacterial activity of extracts from three plants Calendula officinalis, Acacia nilotica and Stevia rebaudiana. Water, methanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts prepared from the dried plants, and tested using agar-well diffusion method against seven Gram-negative water borne bacterial species isolated and identified from water bodies in Qaluobiya governorate. Methanol extract of C. officinalis, petroleum ether of A. nilotica and water extract of S. rebaudiana were found to produce significant (P<0.001) antibacterial activity at concentration (0.1 mg/ml) against common water bacterial species of genera Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, P. penerri, Proteus sp., and Aeromonas janadaei. They could be used as alternatives to common antimicrobial agents for treatment of water bacterial pollution.

Antimicrobial potencies of selected native African herbs against water microbes

Purpose: Phyto-active components of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium was investigated against microbial contaminants in water for possible novel antimicrobial usage in water treatment. Method: Crude ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium were prepared and screened for antimicrobial and phytochemical profiles using standard methods. Results: Crude extracts of the different plant examined selectively comprised saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, anthraquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, phlobatanins and alkaloids. All plant extracts showed broad spectrum antibiosis against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp, S. pneumoniae and B. cereus, as well as A. niger, A. flavus, Trichoderma sp and Candida sp. Chloroform extracts compared well than ethyl acetate extracts. Conclusion: This work represents the first report to direct the possible application of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Gongronema latifolium to potential application in water. Overall results revealed that antimicrobial activities are dose and plant dependent. Noteworthy is the comparatively greater antimicrobial activity of crude extracts over commercial antibiotics used at the concentration of extracts tested. These plants can therefore serve as a potent source of natural water disinfectant.

REDISCOVERING TRADITIONAL METHODS FOR PURIFICATION OF WATER USING IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS

Natural plant extracts have been used for water purification for many centuries. Most of these extracts are derived from the seeds, leaves, pieces of bark or sap, roots and fruit extracts of trees and plants. For example, Strychnos potatorum (nirmalī), Moringa oleifera were used as a purifier between the 14 th and 15 th centuries BC according to the Sanskrit treatise (śāstra) " suśṛta saṃhitā ". References are available in ancient manuscripts but not in practice because our people have forgotten our glorious past. An attempt is made to understand properties of medicinal plants which help to purify water. In 'suśṛta saṃhitā' Combination of nine common medicinal plants mentioned to purify water. Use of medicinal plants ash, mixed with alum cleanses water while retaining its natural benefits. Low cost alternative traditional technologies can replace the complicated and expensive water purifiers, so that people from developing countries are assured of pure potable water, free of all pathogens and toxic substances.