| dc.description.abstract | This research was aimed at determining the coagulation activities of Moringa oleifera and Opuntia microdasys bio-coagulants during treatment of water that is used in the production of different milk products. The turbidity removal/coagulation activity of the two bio-coagulants; Opuntia microdasys powder and Moringa oleifera together with their effect on other parameters of
pH,electrical conductivity, and color of raw and clarified water samples were investigated. The parameters of turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, and color of clarified water were determined using the jars test method. (flocculation process)
Opuntia microdasys powder turbidity removal was found to be 20.19% at 1%, 55.92% at 1.5%, 81.48% at 2.0% and 89.23% at 2.5%; and interestingly, Moringa oleifera powder gave the highest turbidity removal of 30.63% at 1%, 65.10% at 1.5%, 89.60% at 2.0% and 94.39% at 2.5%.
However, Opuntia microdasys increased the pH from 7.65 to7.72 and Moringa oleifera marginally affected the pH of water from 7.65 to 7.40.
Average electrical conductivity increased from 117.90 to 136.67 for Opuntia microdasys coagulant, and 117.90 to 138.65μs/cm for Moringa oleifera.
The average color of water decreased from 124.65PtCo to 16.00PtCo for Opuntia microdasys and 124.65PtCo to 12.80PtCo for Moringa oleifera.
Therefore Moringa oleifera is a very good coagulant and is recommended for use in water treatment than using Opuntia microdasys .
This would even further eliminate the use of alum required for coagulation hence a reduction in the company costs of purchasing alum, residual alum in water would be eliminated and hence its harm on human beings, and no alum would be introduced to the environm. | en_US |
