Abstract

Due to the need for proper water quality for human consumption, some studies have developed new treatment techniques. Some have used a natural coagulant based on Moringa oleifera, which has the capacity to clarify turbidity water and has anti-microbial properties. This paper aimed at developing a new technique to apply the coagulant. This technique consists of putting the M. oleifera powder into pouches. Five different materials were analyzed for the concentration of protein released and the increased turbidity in the water: four different types of nonwoven fabric and one commercial coffee filter paper. It was made some tests of dissolution: during 24 h, the pouches were put in distilled and deionized water and then it was mixed in low velocity in the Jar Test equipment. Through these tests, it was found that the five pouch materials released protein into the water even in the first 60 min of contact. It gave 7.7 mg L^-1 min^-1 of dispersion rate and maintained turbidity values lower than the ones observed using the liquid coagulant. From the result, it’s possible to conclude that those five types of pouches can be used in water treatment, because all them release similar concentration of protein that was observed when it was used the liquid coagulant.

Key words: Moringa oleifera, pouch, protein concentration.