TREATMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL EFFLUENT USING SEED OF PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA AS A NATURAL COAGULANT

Authors

  • Ifeoma Maryjane Iloamaeke Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka
  • Chizaram Onyinyechi Julius Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka

Keywords:

pharmaceutical, effluent, Phoenix dactylifera, coagulation-flocculation

Abstract

Phoenix dactylifera is used to treat pharmaceutical effluent by coagulation-flocculation process.
Physicochemical analysis was carried out on the effluent while the coagulant was subjected to proximate
analysis and characterization. Coagulation-flocculation process was analyzed as a function of pH, settling time
and dosage of the coagulant. The efficiency of coagulation-flocculation process was quantified on the colour
removal. The result of physicochemical analysis obtained indicated that the effluent was highly polluted hence
the, need for treatment. The proximate composition of this coagulant was found to be in this order carbohydrate
(72.1%)>fat(14.9%)>protein(8.051%)>ash content(1.54%)>moisture content(1.15%). The maximum colour
removal efficiency is 99.86% at the dosage of 100 mg/L, settling time of 50 minutes at constant pH of 2. The
scanning electron microscopy of Phoenix dactylifera before and after treatment showed that there were changes
in the surface morphology of this coagulant before and after treatment. FTIR result of the coagulant after
treatment showed remarkable shift in the spectra bands, some new bands were added while some were removed;
hence seed of Phoenix dactylifera can serve as an alternative coagulant.

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Published

2021-05-23