Use of Mangifera indica Kernels in Water Treatment at Household Level

Abstract

Chemical coagulants such as Alum and ferric salts, often used in water treatment, are both expensive and harmful to the environment. This study aimed to explore the viability of Mangifera indica kernels as a natural coagulant and disinfectant for home use, specifically focusing on the Lugogo River, the primary drinking water source for residents of Kalwanga village. Measurements taken at the main collection point along the Lugogo River indicated turbidity, TSS, color, and E. coli levels of 19.51±3.14 NTU, 18.40±0.54 mg/l, 323.33±9.43 Pt/Co, and 44CFU/100ml during the wet season; during the dry season, these values were 13.10±1.61 NTU, 12.67±1.06 mg/l, 207.53±8.33 Pt/Co, and CFU/100ml. Pulverising and extracting the active coagulant from two varieties of mango seeds, Apple and Tommy, yielded protein contents of 38.02% for Apple and 17.87% for Tommy. The Apple mango exhibited better performance, with coagulation efficiency improving as the coagulant concentration increased in standard jar tests; it achieved an 80.2% reduction in initial turbidity during the wet season and an 84.25% reduction in the dry season, with an optimal dosage of 90 mg/l. A prototype for household treatment brought turbidity down to 1.74 NTU and E. coli levels to 2CFU/100ml. This study thus demonstrates that Mangifera indica kernels can effectively function as a coagulant and disinfectant for household use.