Evaluating Citrus Limon And Carica Papaya Seed Extracts In Coagulation-Flocculation For Improved Water Quality: Implications For Treatment Plants

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of Citrus limon (lemon) and Carica papaya (papaya) extracts as natural coagulants for improving water quality from the Great Kwa River in Calabar. Water samples from the river were treated with lemon peel extract (LPE) and papaya seed extract (PSE) to evaluate their effectiveness in coagulation-flocculation processes. The research employs a comparative approach, treating water samples with LPE, PSE, boiling, and utilizing an untreated control group for comparison. Water samples were collected from the Great Kwa River and subjected to treatment, samples were divided into three treatment groups; control (o) no treatment, LPE (B) (1: 10 liters of water) and PES (C) (0.5%: 10 liters of water). Parameters such as turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total coliform bacteria (TCB), pH, lead (Pb), arsenic (As), glyphosate, atrazine, bisphenol, ibuprofen, and caffeine were measured during the treatment. Mean values for each parameter across treatment groups were compared using ANOVA to determine if there were significant differences between the groups. Treatment with LPE and PSE significantly reduced TCB, turbidity, COD, TSS, Pb, As, glyphosate, atrazine, bisphenol, ibuprofen, and caffeine compared to the control group. LPE treatment reduced TCB levels from 121.67 CFU/ml in the control group to 110.33 CFU/ml, while PSE treatment reduces to 117.67 CFU/ml. Similarly, LPE treatment reduces turbidity from 26.67 NTU to 18.75 NTU, while PSE treatment was reduced to 20.33 NTU. Mean values for COD, TSS, Pb, As, glyphosate, atrazine, bisphenol, ibuprofen, and caffeine also showed significant reductions following treatment with LPE and PSE compared to the control group. LPE and PSE demonstrated comparable efficacy to secondary boiling in improving water quality parameters. The optimal concentrations and conditions for each extract were identified, demonstrating their potential as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical coagulants. Lemon Peel Extract (LPE) was more effective than Papaya Seed Extract (PSE) in improving water quality, as it achieved greater reductions in microbial pollutants, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, heavy metals, pesticides, and emerging contaminants by natural plant-based extracts for sustainable water treatment solutions in regions with limited access to advanced water purification technologies.