Effectiveness of Ipili-ipil Seeds as Coagulant for Water Purification

Conrado M. Galang Jr.

A. Background of the Study

British poet W. H. Auden once noted, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without

water.” Yet, 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is dumped-largely untreated and came back to

the environment, polluting rivers, lakes and oceans.

Furthermore, the widespread problem of water pollution jeopardized people’s health.

Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined.

Meanwhile, the drinkable water sources are finite: less than one percent of the earth’s fresh water

is accessible (Denchack, 2018).

According to Postnote (2002), water- borne diseases are one of the main problems in

developing countries; about 1.6 million people are compelled to use contaminated water and more

than a million people (of which two million are children) die from diarrhea each year.

In connection, Philippines, as one of the developing countries, nine million Filipinos rely

on unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources and 19 million lack access to improved

sanitation. Families without a safe water source in or near their home often spend significant time

and energy collecting water. (https://water.org/our-impact/philippines/)

As a solution to these problem, previous researches introduce water treatment with the

use of aluminium sulphate and calcium hypochlorite. Earlier research findings of Crapper et al.

(1973) and Miller et al. (1984) showed that the chemicals used for water purification can cause

serious health hazards if an error occurs in their administration during the treatment process.

Also, studies by workers (Letterman and Driscoll, 1988; Mallevialle et al., 1984; Miller et

al., 1984) have raised doubts about the advisability of introducing aluminium into the environment

by the continuous use of aluminium sulphate as a coagulant in water treatment. There is therefore

the need to investigate the use of non-chemicals which would be available locally.
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 The use of natural materials of plant origin to clarify turbid water is not a new idea (Bina,

1991; Folkard et al., 1989; Jahn, 1986, 1988; Kaser et al., 1990; Sani, 1990; Sutherland et al.,

1992) cited by Ndabigengesere et al. (1995) and Madsen et al. (1987). Past researches used

Malunggay (Moring oleifera) that has shown to be effective primary coagulant for water treatment.

On the other hand, Ipil- ipil (Leucaena leucocephala), have the potential coagulant for

water purification. It, containing 34.40% crude protein fractioned using the Osborne method. Total

soluble proteins amounted to 79.8% which was broken down as follows: 51.7% albumins, 14.0%

globulins, 3.9% prolamins and 10.0% glutelins. The residue contained 11.9% protein (Research

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences. (January-March 2013), volume 4

issue 1).

It is a well-established fact as proven in several publications that the quality parameters

of drinking water include its turbidity, conductivity, pH and microbial load.

The main objective of this study is to confirm the effectiveness of powder processed from

Ipil-ipil seeds as water coagulant.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Ipil-ipil seeds as coagulant Effectiveness for water

purification in different
parameters

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework

The figure above illustrates the variables used in the study. The independent variable,

which the researchers controlled and affected the results is Ipil-ipil seeds as coagulant. On the

other hand, the dependent variable, the effect, is the Effectiveness for water purification in

different parameters.

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B. Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of ipili-ipil seeds as coagulant for water

purification.

Specifically, it aimed to answer the following questions:

1. Is it possible for the ipil-ipil seeds to act as coagulant for water purification?

2. Is there a significant difference between ipil-ipil seeds and aluminium sulphate in terms of:

a. pH and conductivity;

b. turbidity; and

c. total coliform using most probable number?

Hypotheses

1. It is impossible for the ipil-ipil seeds to act as coagulant for water purification.

2. There is no a significant difference between ipil-ipil seeds and aluminium sulphate in terms

of:

a. pH and conductivity;

b. turbidity; and

c. total coliform using most probable number.

Scope and Delimitations

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of Ipil-ipil seeds as coagulant for water

purification in different parameters.

The study will be conducted from June 2019 – August 2019 at Solsona National High

School, Solsona, Ilocos Norte. Only matured ipil-ipil seeds will be harvested. A completely

randomized design will be used for this experiment. The treatments given were the varying
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concentrations of alum, powder produced from Ipil-ipil seeds, and the control (no alum or Moringa

powder). Each treatment effect on the response (turbidity, pH, conductivity, total coliform counts)

will be repeated 3 times except the total coliform count which was carried out in duplicate.

Laboratory analyses will be needed in order to obtain the results and to test wether the

ipil-ipil seeds is effective coagulant for water purification.

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