Vol. 23, No. 3 (2024), IA24301 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/IA24301

Evaluation of the coagulant property of carica papaya seeds in surface water treatment

 

Authors

A. P. Cadena-Álava, R. E. Cevallos-Cedeño, S. A. García Muentes

Abstract

Surface water pollution has increased due to effluents discharged from various human activities, posing environmental and health concerns. Despite advancements, water scarcity issues persist, especially in rural areas of developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Carica Papaya seeds as a coagulant in surface water treatment, focusing on the removal of turbidity, nitrates, and iron. The physicochemical properties (total protein content, soluble protein content, carbohydrate content, fat, ash) of the seeds were determined. The coagulant was obtained from the seeds using the salt extraction technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed on the biocoagulant to determine its morphology and functional groups present, respectively. The results indicate that papaya seed extract demonstrated high efficiency in turbidity removal up to 79.44% and nitrate reduction up to 92.32% with iron removal efficiency observed at 71.66%, surpassing in some cases aluminum sulfate, a conventional chemical coagulant. However, the presence of sodium chloride in the extract increased the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC). Nonetheless, the use of Carica Papaya seeds as a biocoagulant emerges as a promising, environmentally friendly, and economically viable alternative for surface water treatment, with significant implications for public health and the environment. Natural coagulants are biodegradable, produce fewer chemical residues, and reduce the risk of secondary pollution. Additionally, they often require less energy for production and processing compared to synthetic alternatives, contributing to a decrease in the overall ecological footprint of water purification.

Keywords

Carica papaya seed, biocoagulant, coagulation-flocculation, turbidity removal, nitrates, iron.

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