Phytochemical and physicochemical screening of plant-based materials as coagulants for turbidity removal – An unprecedented approach

Globalization and industrialization lead to the corresponding increase of effluents discharged into the nearest water bodies. The persistence of pollution in the ecological system has led to uncertainty about living habitats; drinking water safety has become a societal issue attached to great importance. As we increasingly become aware of environmental problems and their impacts on human life, we realize that current problem-solving using contemporary water treatment techniques cannot provide adequate solutions owing to their advantages and disadvantages. Nature-based solutions are required as they are the best alternative for treating polluted water. Conventional coagulation is not a new technique that has been utilized in ancient times and works as a sustainable solution for water treatment and reduces the costs associated with the other treatment methods. Even though these techniques have been practised since ancient times, there is still a need to explore more plants to identify coagulating properties. The current study aims to do the phytochemical and physicochemical screening of the plant-based materials to identify them as coagulants and compare their efficiencies with the conventional inorganic and animal-based coagulants; out of 18 plant-based materials, Moringa oleifera, Manihot esculenta and Pisum Sativum removed turbidity up to 100% are subjected to the FTIR, XRD, and SEM to analyze the functionalized groups responsible for the polymer formation and identify the interaction between the coagulator's and suspended particles. The results showed that plant-based materials could be promising solutions for water quality challenges.