Microbial Regrowth Assessment of Moringa oleifera Seed Protein-Treated Water
Authors: Nwaiwu NE, Onu CA, Okafor CS
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the microbial regrowth potential of Moringa oleifera seed protein-treated turbid water collected from Ezu River in Amansea, Anambra State, Nigeria. The treated water was preserved for a period of 28 days in two modes: at room temperature of 30 oC and in the refrigerator (-4 oC) and monitored for possible regrowth of the organisms. Three samples from each of the treated water preserved in the two modes were collected every 7 days and the microbial load determined. Steady increase in the THB (regrowth rate of 0.005×105 cfu/ml/d to 0.0057×105 cfu/ml/d at 30 oC and 0.0015×105 cfu/ml/d to 0.0035×105 cfu/ml/d at -4 oC) and TCC (regrowth rate of 0.006 ×103 cfu/ml/d -0.0085×103 cfu/ml/d at 30 oC and 0.0014×103 cfu/ml/d -0.0057×103 cfu/ml/d at -4 oC) were observed. The faecal coliform disappeared completely in the water preserved in the refrigerator after 7 days and in that of room temperature after 14 days. Analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference between the counts of total heterotrophic bacteria between the two modes of preservation. This work shows that Moringa oleifera seed protein has residual germicidal effect on total and faecal coliform bacteria in the preserved water. Hence, Moringa oleifera seed protein can be used for disinfection. The treated water can be preserved for at least 28 days.
Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Keywords: Water Disinfection, Moringa Oleifera, Water Storage, Microbial Count, Seed Protein
Published date: 2019/12/30
