IJABR Vol.
15(2): 129 - 134 (2024)
Original article
Potential of Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) seed varieties as a natural coagulant for water
treatment
*Yunusa, A., Ibrahim, A. I., Tafida, A.M., Rani, A. A. and Muhammad H. O
Department of Biology, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.
Submitted: September 2024; Accepted: December 2024; Published: December 2024
ABSTRACT
This research was conducted to assess the potential of two (2) varieties of watermelon seed
(picnic and kaolack) as a natural coagulant in the treatment of water. Water samples were
collected from River Chanchaga located in Minna Niger State for the evaluation of the
efficiency of the two seed varieties. A laboratory study using a jar test was conducted on the
water samples collected. The coagulant was added to varying dosages to determine the
optimum seed dosage to be purified. Results obtained revealed that the values of turbidity
ranged between 40.00±6.00 to 289.00±47.00 for picnic variety and 51.00±2.00 to
133.00±4.00 for kaolack variety; pH ranged between 7.22±0.21 to 8.04±0.49 and
7.57±2.07 to 8.00±1.00; conductivity ranged between 29.40±1.83 to 35.80 ±1.24 and
29.90±2.00 to 36.50±2.00; total dissolved solid ranged between 42.07±4.80 to 53.17±1.21
and 46.20±3.00 to 55.80±4.00; while temperature ranged between 25.00± 0.10 to 25.80±
0.10 and 25.20±2.00 to 25.60±4.00 respectively. The highest decrease was observed at the
dose of 0.5 g/l with the picnic variety recording a higher turbidity removal level of 40 g/l
when compared with kaolack variety which recorded 51 g/l. It can therefore be concluded
that watermelon seeds can serve as a natural coagulant for household-level water treatment.
Keyword; Natural coagulant, raw water, turbidity, watermelon seed, water treatment.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected], +2347067629666
INTRODUCTION sudden increase in the need for portable
water. In Africa, one third of the
The vitality of water as a resource cannot population (over 780 million people) have
be overemphasized, but its depletion no access to safe water, and almost two
recently has presented a troubling
thirds have no access to sanitation, in spite
challenge for humanity. Increase in
of the wide recognition of the importance
population size, urbanization and the of improved water and sanitation and the
subsequent misuse of these natural non- heavy investment by international donors
renewable resources have caused a
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Yunusa et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2024
and governments in extending water highly biodegradable [7]. As a result,
supply systems, thus, leading to natural coagulants and disinfectants can
widespread of waterborne diseases that play a crucial role in easing the challenges
cause loss of productivity [1]. In addition, facing the water sector regarding how
a large portion of the populace in more people can access clean drinking
developing countries are dependent on water in a cost-effective manner,
raw water without any treatment for especially the rural poor who cannot
drinking purposes [2[ and this water afford any water treatment chemicals,
source can be polluted by chemicals, without harming their environment. This
agricultural runoff as well as human and research, therefore, aim at investigating
animal feaces. Additionally, previously the effectiveness of 2 varieties of
safe water might become contaminated by watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed as a
unsanitary water handling practices in the potential water coagulant in water
home or during transportation [3]. purification.
Although the World Health Organization
MATERIALS AND METHODS
estimates that up to 80% of all illnesses
and diseases worldwide are brought on by Collection of Water sample
poor sanitation, contaminated water, or a
lack of water, 10% of these illnesses can be Water samples were collected from
avoided by making improvements to chanchaga water works located in minna
drinking water, sanitation, and water Niger State. The water was collected by
resource management [4]. dipping a plastic container into the river,
filling it up and screwed immediately to
However, coagulants are formulated to avoid external contamination. The water
help separate suspended particles into collected was then transported to the lab
solids and liquids to purify water that is for further testing and treatments.
safe for human consumption. These
particles are known to be very small, and Collection of watermelon seed
their electrical charge between them and The watermelon seeds, picnic and kaolack
their small size contributes to their (varieties) were purchased from a refined
suspended stability (colloidal complex) seed seller at kasuwan gwari market
[5]. Therefore, a few methods, including minna, Niger State. And transported to the
solar water disinfection (SODIS), chemical herbarium of the department of biology
disinfection, chlorination, and filtration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University
(ceramic and bio-sand), are commonly Lapai for identification (IBBU210525).
employed household water treatment
methods in underdeveloped nations [6], Preparation of watermelon seed powder
and they all have associated health The two watermelon seeds were
impacts. thoroughly washed with distilled water,
Natural coagulants are generally thought sun dried for 7 days, sorted and shelled.
to be safe for human health, and using About 100g of the dried seeds were
natural plant-based coagulants for water ground with a high-speed laboratory
treatment has several benefits, including electric blender. The crushed seeds were
being less expensive to buy, not producing then packed in a thimble and placed in a
treated water with extreme pH, and being soxhlet extraction apparatus, 500ml of the
n-Hexane was used to extract oil from the
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crushed seed in the column. The apparatus Determination of water quality
was left running for about six hours and parameters
stopped when the extraction was
complete. The cake was later washed with Water quality parameters such as
distilled water to remove n-Hexane turbidity, pH, conductivity, total dissolved
residual, dried in an oven and sieved. The solid (TDS), and temperature was
fine particles were then weighed into 0.5g, determined according to standard
1.0g, 1.5g, 2.0g and 2.5g and 2.5g and used procedure. Turbidity of the water samples
as the coagulant. were measured before and after treatment
using a hach/TL2310 turbidity meter in
Jar test procedure accordance with the international method
The Jar test apparatus was used to carry of water quality measurement and the
out the effectiveness of watermelon seed results recorded. Temperature and pH of
coagulant. Six beakers containing one liter the samples were measured using
of each of the water samples were placed Oakion/ION700 pH/temperature meter.
in the jar test kit. Five different portions of The electrode was inserted directly into
the coagulant of varying weights were the water sample, the reading where
then added in each beaker and labelled, recorded after it had stabilized. Total
the first being blank, and the remaining dissolved solids and conductivity values
five varying from 0.5g-2.5g at 0.5g interval were determined simultaneously using
to determine the optimum dosage. The OAKION/CON 550 conductivity/TDS
stirrers were then lowered into each meter [9].
beaker and turned on, the stirring speed
Data Analysis
was set at 300rpm, 100 rpm for 30 secs,
150 secs (2 mins and 3 secs) indicating for Data obtained were subjected to mean ±
rapid mixing and at 40rpm, 10 rpm for 4 standard error. All data was analyzed
minutes, 14 secs indicating slow mixing. using one way analysis of variance and
After which, the samples were allowed to individual mean was compared using
settle for 30minutes, flocs filtered using a Duncan multiple range test.
filter paper, following parameters were
then measured on the treated water after
the jar test: turbidity, pH, conductivity, RESULTS
TDS and temperature. From the results
The result on the effect of coagulant dose
obtained, the water sample with the
using Citrullus lanatus picnic variety is
lowest turbidity and pH value in
shown in Table 1. For each sample treated,
conformity with Nigerian Standard for
the dosage varied from 0 - 2.5g/l. At
Drinking Water Quality (6.5-8.5) was
varying dose, there were significant and
taken as the optimum. The procedure
non-significant differences in the values of
above was used again repeated for the
turbidity, pH, conductivity, total dissolved
second variety (kaolack), using the same
solid and temperature across the dose
experimental conditions as above [8].
when compared with the control. The
values of turbidity ranged from
40.00±6.00 (0.5g/l) to 289.00±47.00
(2.5g/l); pH ranged from 7.22±0.21
(2.5g/l) to 8.04±0.49 (0.5g/l);
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conductivity ranged from 29.40±1.83 compared with the blank. However,
(0.5g/l) to 35.80 ±1.24 (2.5g/l); TDS significant differences were observed at
ranged from 42.07±4.80 (1.5g/l) to 0.5g/l, 1g/l and 1.5g/l. There were no
53.17±1.21 (2.5g/l) and temperature significant differences in the pH,
ranged from 25.00± 0.10 (1.5g/l) to temperature and total dissolved solids
25.80± 0.10 (0.5g/l) respectively. There across all dosages. Significant differences
were no significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the conductivity level at
in the turbidity level at 2g/l and 2.5g/l 2g/l and 2.5g/l respectively
.Table 1. Effect of coagulant dose using (Citrullus lanatus) Seeds (Picnic) Variety Powder.
Sample Dosage Turbidity (NTU) pH Electrical Total dissolved Temp.
(g/l) Conductivity solid(mg/l) (oC)
(µS/cm)
Blank 0g/l 263.00±21.52c 8.29±0.46a 28.06±0.50a 45.67±6.51a 25.08± 0.13a
1 0.5g/l 40.00±6.00a 8.04±0.49a 29.40±1.83 ab 50.33±2.52a 25.80± 0.10a
2 1g/l 153.67±6.03b 7.64±0.43a 29.50±0.58ab 46.31±3.98a 25.50±0.10a
3 1.5g/l 166.00±15.00b 7.46±0.55a 30.80±1.00ab 42.07±4.80a 25.20±0.10a
4 2g/l 239.00±10.00c 7.30±0.29a 32.13 ±1.90b 47.47±6.50a 25.00± 0.10a
5 2.5g/l 289.00±47.00 c 7.22±0.21 a 35.80 ±1.24 c 53.17±1.21a 25.27± 0.21a
Mean with the same superscript along a column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
The result on the effect of coagulant dose (0.5g/l) respectively. There were
using Citrullus lanatus kaolack variety is significant differences (p<0.05) in the
shown in Table 2. The values of turbidity turbidity level across all dosages
ranged from 51.00±2.00 (0.5g/l) to compared with the blank. However, no
133.00±4.00 (2.5g/l); pH ranged from significant differences were observed in
7.57±2.07 (2.5g/l) to 8.00±1.00 (0.5g/l); the pH and temperature of all the dosages
conductivity ranged from 29.90±2.00 (1.0 compared with the blank. There were
g/l) to 36.50±2.00 (0.5g/l); TDS ranged significant and non-significant differences
from 46.20±3.00 (1 g/l) to 55.80±4.00 in the conductivity and TDS across all
(2.5g/l) and temperature ranged from dosages compared with the blank.
25.20±2.00 (2.5g/l) to 25.60±4.00
Table 2 Effect of coagulant dose using (Citrullus lanatus) Seeds (Kaolack) Powder Variety
Sample Dosage Turbidity (NTU) pH Electrical TDS Temp.
(g/l) Conductivity (mg/l) (oC)
(µS/cm)
Blank 0 g/l 264.00±31.00d 8.05±1.00a 28.10±3.00a 46.00±4.00a 25.10±3.00a
1 0.5 g/l 51.00±2.00a 8.00±1.00 a 36.50±2.00c 55.80±3.00b 25.60±4.00a
2 1 g/l 81.00 ±2.00b 7.92± 0.12 a 29.90±2.00a 46.20±3.00a 25.40±6.00a
3 1.5 g/l 96.00 ±4.00b 7.73±2.08 a 35.00±2.00bc 53.10±2.00ab 25.20±5.00a
4 2 g/l 122.00 ±12.00c 7.65±3.00 a 33.30±1.00bc 51.70±2.00ab 25.0±3.00a
5 2.5 g/l 133.00±4.00c 7.57±2.07 a 36.20±2.00c 55.80±4.00b 25.20±2.00a
Mean with the same superscript along a column are not significantly different at p<0.05.
DISCUSSION [10] hence, the need for the treatment. At
varying dosage, there were significant and
The turbidity value of the untreated water no significant differences in the turbidity,
was higher than the range of 50-150NTU pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid and
which is classified as high turbidity water
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temperature of the water treated with coagulant like aluminium sulphate in
both varieties (picnic and kaolack). Nigeria.
There was a notable decrease in the Authors’ Contribution
turbidity and pH of water samples treated
YA and IG designed the study, IG, AIT and
with both varieties which is in accordance
AMR participated in the fieldwork and
with previous studies conducted by
data collection. YA and IG performed the
[11,9,12]. The highest decrease in
data analysis, MHO prepared the first draft
turbidity in each variety was observed at
of the manuscript reviewed by YA. All
the dose of 0.5 g/l which reduced the
authors contributed to the development of
turbdity from 263 to 40NTU for the picnic
the final manuscript and approved its
variety and 264 to 51NTU for the kaolack
submission.
variety respectively. The observed
decrease is still above the NSDWQ Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
recommended level of 5 NTU. However,
according to [9], the optimal dosage for a None
specific water is defined as the dosage Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
which gives the lowest turbidity in the
treated water therefore the optimum The study did not use any human or
dosage is 0.5g/L. This result differs with animal subjects. Therefore, ethical
the findings of [9] who reported an consideration was not applicable.
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