Eco-friendly water treatment: performance and safety of Moringa oleifera versus aluminum sulfate coagulants.

Coagulants are vital in surface water purification. This study compares the coagulation efficiency of natural Moringa oleifera seed extract and conventional aluminum sulfate (alum) in treating drinking water, specifically addressing free-living protozoa-a previously understudied area, unlike research on M. oleifera which often focuses on parasitic protozoa. Water samples from Shebeen El-Koum treatment plant underwent analysis before and after coagulation for physicochemical and biological parameters. Results demonstrated that M. oleifera seed extract significantly reduced turbidity, total coliforms, fecal coliform, algae, and free-living protozoa. At concentrations of 550 and 600 mg/L, the efficiency of M. oleifera without addition of chlorine ranged between 68 and 98.6%. While M. oleifera effectively removed most contaminants, it slightly increased some parameters (notably nitrates), though remaining within permissible limits and needing further study. The study concludes that M. oleifera seed extract is an effective, cost-effective, and safer alternative to alum for water purification. Its natural origin eliminates risks from residual aluminum, making it eco-friendly and safe. Additionally, local availability in developing regions boosts cost-effectiveness, indicating strong potential for sustainable water treatment. However, varying effects on certain water quality indicators highlight the need for additional research to optimize its application. The findings support integrating M. oleifera into existing systems, especially in resource-limited areas, but more research is needed on long-term effects, scalability, and wider contaminant removal.