ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Analysis of Water Treatment by Moringa oleifera
Bioflocculant Prepared Via Supercritical
Fluid Extraction
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1
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2
National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
3
Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Submission date: 2017-12-26
Final revision date: 2018-05-30
Acceptance date: 2018-06-10
Online publication date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-04-09
Corresponding author
Choon Weng Lee
University of Malaya, Institute of Biological Sciences, Jalan Lembah Pantai, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(4):2995-3002
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ABSTRACT
In this study, we used supercritical fluid extraction to prepare Moringa oleifera as a bioflocculant
and studied its efficacy in water treatment. Relative to the conventional solvent extraction method,
supercritical fluid extraction produced 42% more bioflocculant and was a more efficient method with
both time (about seven hours less) and cost savings (about USD30 less). The bioflocculant produced
via supercritical fluid extraction was also smaller (18±5 μm) and more similar in size (Coefficient of
Variation, CV = 28%) as opposed to conventional solvent extraction (23±8 μm, CV = 35%). It was able
to reduce more than 95% of turbidity and up to 60% bacterial population. Its performance in reducing
selected heavy metals from water samples was also generally better than aluminium sulfate or alum.
Our study showed that with the exception of cost restrictions, M. oleifera bioflocculant produced
via supercritical fluid extraction has the potential to replace alum in water treatment plants.