ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Moringaoleifera extract and solar radiation in the clarification and disinfection of water with different turbidity levels. The experiment had two stages: (a) treatment of water samples with different turbidity levels by exposure to solar radiation and (b) use of M. oleifera seeds for flocculation and sedimentation for water cleansing and disinfection of cleansed water by solar radiation. Colimetry, following chromogenic substrate; BDO by manometer; and turbidity by turbidity meter were deployed in the two protocols. The results show the effectiveness of solar radiation in low and high turbid water disinfection. In the case of Escherichia coli, the greatest decrease occurred in 30–40 UNT turbidity after a 12-h exposure. In low and high turbidity samples the addition of M. oleiferaextract resulted in a great decrease of turbidity when compared to initial turbidity and empowered the effect of solar radiation in water disinfection. The addition of M. oleifera seed extract and solar radiation are recommended to maximize the elimination of E. coli from turbid water samples and consequently minimize the risk of water-transmitted pathogenic agents originating from the intestines.
KEY WORDS
Moringa oleifera
; solar radiation; water;
Escherichia coli
; turbidity