Water purification with Moringa seed powder

Samantha Schriber June - August 2005

Moringa oleifera (family Moringaceae).

Moringa oleifera is the best known of 14 species of Moringa tree; all of them fast growing from seed or cuttings. Other names are Benzolive Tree, Horseradish Tree and Drumstick Tree. Mzunze or Mrongo in Swahili.

A feathery-looking deciduous tree to 10 m in height but usually much smaller, commonly cultivated in sandy soils at the coast and at low altitudes. This species is also widely cultivated in India, and has become naturalized in many parts of the tropics. Bark: gray, thick and corky, peeling in patches. Leaves: soft pale green, twice or thrice compound, the whole leaf 30 to 60 cm in length; leaflets paired, numerous, variable but usually oval, with a rounded apex, 1 to 2 cm in length Flowers: creamy-white fading to yellow about 2 cm across, irregular in shape, hanging in long sprays. The flowers are sweet scented and attract many insects. Fruit: long, hanging, stick-like capsules, to 45 cm in length, bluntly triangular in cross section, splitting to release dark brown 3-winged seeds embedded in pith. More information: Trees of Kenya by Tim Noad and Ann Birnie, 1989 2

Moringa Is fast growing Is drought resistant Grows in tropics and subtropics Leaves and pods have great nutritional value Yield many vitamins and minerals Leaves, pods, seeds, flowers and roots are edible (bark of Moringa root should be scraped off, because of its toxicity, flesh should be eaten sparingly) Parts and products of the tree can be used as Animal forage Dye Fertilizer Medicine A domestic cleaning agent Honey and sugar cane juice clarifier Paper pulp Rope fiber And many more

The powder from seed kernels works as a natural coagulant, which can clarify even very turbid water, removing up to 99% of the bacteria in the process. Women in the Sudan use seed powder from Moringa stenopetala to clarify the turbid water of the Nile. Read more: CWS (Church World Service) Moringa tree Project http:// www.moringatrees.org/moringafaq.html EDN- ECHO Development Notes Magazine #86 01/2005 Moringa Named Tree of the Year #85 10/2004 Results of Moringa Taste Test / Water Purification #82 01/2004 A caution about Moringa stenopetala: Eat like the Deer #42 10/1993 Moringa leaves damping off disease of seedlings #10 01/1985 Benzolive Tree, Moringa oleifera, is called mothers best friend #67 03/2000 Moringa video available from ECHO Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics is now available on videocassette from ECHO. The Tape is US $9.95 plus shipping. EDN- ECHO Development Notes, North Ft. Myers, FL, USA http:// www.echonet.org http:// www.echonet.org

Moringa as Medicine In traditional medicine, Moringa leaves, bark and root are used in much different way to treat diseases and complaints. Some examples: Headache: Wounds: Digestant: Articular rheumatism, gout, arthritis: Inflamed swellings: Leaves are rubbed on the temples or leaves are ground in a little water and the liquid is drunk Pounded flowers and roots are used as a dressing Roots are eaten Seed oil is rubbed in or bark resin is applied directly to the painful areas Pounded roots mixed with salt are applied as a poultice (very effective!)

More information: African Traditional Medicine by H.D. Neuwinger, Medpharm Scientific Publ., 2000

Moringa in connection with

- Vegetables and food crops - Condiments and seasoning herbs - Medical plants - Essential oils

Read more in Tropical planting and gardening by H.F. Macmillan, St. Martins Street, London 1952!!

Blindness:

Though there are many causes of blindness, Vitamin A causes impaired dark adaptation and night blindness. Vitamin A deficiency is a big problem in many countries where Vitamin A is not available in sufficient amounts in the staple foods. Moringa leaves and pods contain high proportion of Vitamin A. Eating Moringa leaves, pods and leaf powder can help to prevent night blindness and eye problems.

Read more: CWS (Church World Service) Moringa tree Project http:// www.moringatrees.org/moringafaq.html

Project: Water Purification with Moringa seed powder

Treatment of water Four bottles of drinking water (volume 5 liters) were cut so the neck is wider for putting the secchi disc in later. Every bottle gets a number, 1 to 4, and each is filled with 4 liters of dirty water from the duck pond. To treat the water: the shells from mature Moringa seeds are removed and the white kernels in a mortar crushed until a fine powder is obtained. Discolored seeds are of no use. The powder of 4 kernels is add to a small bottle of clean water (not more than a cup) and then shake the bottle for five minutes in order to activate the chemicals in the powder. This solution is filtered through a clean cloth into bottle number 1. Then the water is stirred rapidly. The same was done with bottle 2 (8 kernels) and 3 (16 kernels). Bottle 4 as a control function, no kernels are added. The 4 bottles are standing in a shady place, without being disturbed. After some time, the solid particles settled to the bottom of the bottle.

Secchi disk reading The transparency (opposite turbidity) of pond water varies from almost zero to very clear, and is dependent on the amount of suspended particles (phytoplankton, zooplankton, humic matter or clay particles). Generally plankton blooms change the color of the water into green. Measuring the transparency of a green colored pond will give an idea of the density of phytoplankton blooms, or of the fertility of the pond. Transparency can be measured by immersing the arm or with a secchi disk. Using a Secchi disk is the more reliable method. The disk is in fact an indispensable tool for a fish culturist.

A Secchi disk is a white or a white-and-black disk of 25-30 cm in diameter and can easily made by hand. The disk is fixed to a cord that is marked every 10 cm along its end.

To measure the transparency the disk is lowered into the water until it just disappears from sight. The depth, which can be read, of the cord is the measurement.

Experiment 1 : 4 Bottles The Experiments are carried out twice to be sure that the results are the same. Experiment 1- 1: Water from Duck pond A, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 4 (1ke. per l) 13.05 2 8 (2ke.per l) 13.10 3 16 (4ke per l) 13.15 4 0 13.00 28th June 2005

2 h later 12 19 h later 13

2 h later 13 19 h later 14

2 h later 10 19 h later 10

2 h later 10 19 h later 10

Notes: Bottle 2 ( 8 kernels) looked really clear after 19 hours

Experiment 1- 1.1: Water from Duck pond A, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency) 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 4 (1ke. per l) 9.35 25C 26C 15 min later 12 1 h later 15 2 h later 15 2 8 (2ke.per l) 9.40 25C 26C 15 min later 10 1 h later 12 2 h later 12 3 16 (4ke per l) 9.45 25C 26C 15 min later 9 1 h later 12 2 h later 13

30th June 2005 4 0 9.30 25C 26C 15 min later 9 1 h later 10 2 h later 10

Notes: bottle 3 only cleared the most after 2 hours, in the other bottles no change was recognized

Experiment 1- 2: Water from Pond, Nguuni 4 liters in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 4 (1ke. per l) 9.05 2 8 (2ke.per l) 9.15 3 16 (4ke per l) 9.25 4 0

29th June 2005

9.00

9.20 15 10.05 18 2 h later

9.30 18 10.15 18 2 h later

9.40 16 10.25 18 2 h later

9.15 5 10.00 6 2 h later

Notes: Bottle #2: all solids (soil, sand and grass) settled to the ground after 15 min, the water looks really clear Bottle#1-3: the water in bottles 1- 3 looked really clear. Ground could be seen from above, so the upper 10cm from the surface (50% of the water) is clearer than the bottom water Bottle #4: the process of clearing water, takes much longer without the seed powder, the water looks rather turbid. Use of powder is definitely an increasing factor After 3rd checking, 5 hours later bottles 1-3 see till bottom, bottle 4 still turbid 2 + 3 are very clear, ideal 8-16 kernels, 1 not that clear Experiment 1- 2.1: Water from Pond, Nguuni 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 4 (1ke. per l) 11.40 23C 25C 12.40 15 13.40 18 2 8 (2ke.per l) 11.50 23C 25C 12.50 13 13.50 18 3 16 (4ke per l) 11.55 23C 25C 12.55 13 13.55 18 5th July 2005 4 0 11.35 23C 25C 12.35 13 13.35 17

Notes: as I took the water out of the pond I tried to avoid mixing up all the sand, which lies on the pond ground. So the water is less turbid, like ex.1 - After 2 hours all the solid particles settled to the bottom, the water looks clear

Experiment 1- 3: Water from Fishpond, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 4 (1ke. per l) 14.45 26C 28C 15.45 11 8.45 next day 13 2 8 (2ke.per l) 14.50 26C 28C 15.50 10 8.50 14 3 16 (4ke per l) 14.55 26C 28C 15.55 10 8.55 14 4 0

29th June 2005

14.40 26C 28C 15.40 9 8.40 12

Notes: after 1 hour white foam on surface Next morning (after 18 hours), water looks clear, bottle 3 cleared the best Experiment 1- 3.1: Water from Fishpond, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency Notes: 1 4 (1ke. per l) 10.10 23C 26C 11.10 12 12.10 15 13.10 15 2 8 (2ke.per l) 10.20 23C 26C 11.20 10 12.20 14 13.20 15 3 16 (4ke per l) 10.25 23C 26C 11.25 11 12.25 15 13.25 17 4 0 10.00 23C 26C 11.00 10 12.00 13 13.00 15 4th July 2005

Experiment 2 - 5 Bottles The Experiments are carried out the same way as Experiment 1, but 5 bottles are used and the amount of kernels has changed. Experiment 2- 1: Water from Duck pond A, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 1 2 (0.5ke. per l) 8.45 22C 25C 9.45 11 10.45 12 2 5 (1.2ke.per l) 8.50 22C 25C 9.50 15 10.50 17 3 10 (2.5ke per l) 8.55 22C 25C 9.55 14 10.55 16 4 0 8.40 22C 25C 9.40 11 10.40 12 5th August 2005 5 5( with shell) 9.00 22C 25C 10.00 15 11.00 17

Notes: - water looks really green, control water (4) still turbid after an hour, not a lot changed - Bottle 2 and 5 are about the same, no difference with shell - 10 cleared faster within the first hour, but the transparency is not that deep

Experiment 2- 2: Water from Pond, Nguuni 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency Notes: 1 2 (0.5ke. per l) 9.40 23C 25C 11.40 18 8.10 (next day) Very clear 2 5 (1.2ke.per l) 9.45 23C 25C 11.45 15 8.10 Clear 3 10 (2.5ke per l) 10.05 23C 25C 12.00 12 8.15 clear 4 0

11th July 2005 5 5(with shell) 10.10

9.35 23C 25C 11.40 Very clear 8.20 clear

12.05 14 8.20 Very clear

4: water in general not really turbid, 1-3,5 looks more muddy with Moringa powder in it ->foam on water surface 2 and 5 look the same, so not a big difference with or without peel Next morning: in every bottle all solid particles sank to the bottom 2 and 5 , the algae are settled too Water looks really clear in 1 and 5, 2 and 3 muddy water, 4 no algae, looks clear too

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Experiment 2- 3: Water from Fishpond, Shamba 4 liter in each bottle Bottle Number: 1 2 Amount of kernels: Input Time: Temperature Water Temperature Air 1st Checking time Transparency 2nd Checking time Transparency 3rd Checking time Transparency 2 (0.5ke. per l) 9.55 23C 26C 10.55 12 11.55 13 5 (1.2ke.per l) 9.50 23C 26C 10.50 11 11.50 14

10th August 2005 3 10 (2.5ke per l) 9.45 23C 26C 10.45 11 11.45 12 4 0 9.35 23C 26C 10.35 12 11.35 13 5 5(with shell) 9.40 23C 26C 10.40 11 11.40 13

Notes: Water after 2 hours still very green, solid particles settled Although the water is greenish, u see the difference between the bottles, bottle four is muddy compared to Nr. 2, which looks purified

Experiment 1 2, Water from Pond Nguuni, after 2 hours, the control water in 4 looks still very muddy. 11

Conclusion Water purification with Moringa seed powder is definitely an easy way to settle the particles, but for more details about the quantity of bacteria left in the water, precise laboratory examinations are required. After the treatment the water is not muddy anymore, it looks purified, but still with a greenish color. It showed that 2 kernels for 4 liters water are not as good as 4 to 10 kernels. Also there was no difference with 16 kernels. All the results from the Experiments, which were carried out, were about the same. There was no difference whether the kernels were used with the shell or not. To treat one liter of water, 1 to 2 kernels would be suitable. Fish tank Mtopanga The Fish tank water at Mtopanga Farm contains high amount of fish manure and therefore the water is highly muddy. It would be a simple method to settle the particles and being able to see the fish. The water in the left tank was lowered until only 4500 liters were left. Calculation: Tank Size : 3m x 5m x 0.8m = 5 kernels ->4 l k. -> 4500 l 12 m3 = 12000 l (when full) 1m3 = 1000 l 440 liter 4500 liter

100 gr -> 550k. -> 1023 gr -> 5625 k->

1-kilo Moringa seeds should treat 4500 liters of water. The Moringa seed powder from 1 kilo was put in the tank. The transparency was measured with the seechi disk. In the following hours nothing changed, also the next morning it looked like before. The seed powder is probably more useful for small amounts of water.

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Further suggestions Moringa seed powder is very useful to settle the solid particles in small amounts of water, especially for use as drinking water. In addition to kill all the bacteria, the water should be treated with SODIS to produce safe water. What is SODIS? SODIS Solar Disinfections of Water PET or other plastic bottles are painted black or are put on any black ground outside. The power of sunlight is now used to kill any germs in water to obtain safe drinking and so improve the quality and of course reduce water born diseases. More: http ://www.sodis.ch 14 sodis projects worldwide: http ://www.sodis.ch/Text2002/T-Projects.htm The secchi disk is not the best tool to measure the transparency of the water before and after the treatment with Moringa seed powder. It is okay as long the tank or pond is more than 0.5 meter deep. But what about the goldfish tank in which the water is only 30 cm deep? Another idea, which could be continued, is to compare the transparency in a glass. Before and after the treatment a glass of water is filled. To measure the transparency different sizes of type or numbers (or?) are put behind the glass. Is one still able to distinguish the different sizes? Maybe it could also work with a green color range, especially when the water contains much algae or fish manure. There probably many ways to solve this problem, as long it is simple and affordable.

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Temperatures Fish tank Shamba

Water Temperature (morning) Air Temperature (afternoon)

DATE
11.7.05 12.7.05 13.7.05 14.7.05 19.7.05 20.7.05 21.7.05 22.7.05 27.7.05 9.8.05 17.8.05

MINIMUM
21C 24C 24C 22C 24C 24C 24C 22C 22C 22C 23C

MAXIMUM
29C 29C 29C 28C 29C 29C 29C 28C 30C 29C 29C

SUN
30C 28C 27C 29C 27C 28C 27C 29C 31C 28C 29C

SHADOW
25C 23C 22C 23C 22C 23C 22C 23C 27C 26C 26C

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