Review Paper
Year: 2023 | Month: April | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 74-79
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20230410
Potential use of Plant Extract for Water Purification: A Review
Olasupo John Ilori
Department of Biological Sciences, Anchor University, Lagos, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Lack of treated water is one of the biggest problems encountered by humans. Microbial contamination is a major factor of water purity where enteric pathogens are typically responsible for water borne diseases. Research studies on the purification of water have been focused mainly on water purification systems using aluminium sulphate and chlorine which are expensive. Due to high cost of water treatment and rapid global spread of resistant microbes, there is the need for the discovery of new antimicrobial and water purification agents. The investigations into the possible usage of plant materials for water treatment is becoming a major focus. Many plants have been used to treat water due to their antimicrobial and purification properties. A number of effective coagulants and disinfectants have been identified of plant origin. Plants are rich in phytochemicals such as phenols, quinones, flavonols, tannins, coumarins and alkaloids which are responsible for the antimicrobial and water purification activities. This review discussed the potential application of indigenous plants to potabilisation. it was concluded that plant species have the potential to serve as water treatment agent.
Keywords: Potabilisation; Plant extracts; Phytochemicals; Microbial contamination; Coagulants
[PDF Full Text]