Evaluation of Cavtus and Hyacinth Bean Peels as Natural Coagulants

Growing population, increased economic activity and industrialization has not only created an increased demand for fresh water but also resulted in severe misuse of this natural resource. Suspended and colloidal matter such as clay, silt, finely divided organic and inorganic matter, plankton and other microscopic organisms are responsible for turbid water. Aluminum and iron salts are commonly used as chemical coagulants. Natural macromolecular coagulants show bright future and are concerned by many researchers because of their abundant source, low price, innocuity, multifunction and biodegradation. In this study Opuntia ficus indica, a species of the cactus and the Hyacinth Bean peels are used as natural coagulants. Water, starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, lignins and chlorophyll are the main constituents of cactus. Hyacinth bean peels have a moderate concentration of protein (17.1 ± 1.5%). The optimum dosage of NC1 and NC2 was found to be 20 mg/L, respectively for synthetic water. The optimum pH of Cactus and Hyacinth Bean peels was found to be 9.0 and 9.5, respectively for synthetic water. The optimum dosage of NC1 and NC2 was indicated 20 mg/L, respectively for Kukkarahalli lake water. The Turbidity removal efficiency was 89.03% and 77.10% after treatment with NC1 and NC2, respectively and percentage reduction in the bacterial count was found to be 20.15% and 11.52% after treatment with NC1 and NC2, respectively.