Malunggay can be used as water purifier

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from its potential as biofuel feedstock, the seed of moringa, locally known as malunggay, could also be used for treating water, a Filipino scientist said yesterday.

Dr. Isidro Sia, a professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of the Philippines-Manila, said moringa seeds have been found to be one of the most effective water purifiers, based on international studies.

He said the technology is being used in Kenya, Indonesia and Uganda.

In the Philippines, he said UP has an ongoing project to study the water-purifying property of the local variety.

According to research, moringa seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent.

“It is generally accepted that moringa works as a coagulant due to positively charged, water-soluble proteins which bind with negatively charged particles (silt, clay, bacteria, toxins, etc.) allowing the resulting ‘flocs’ to settle to the bottom or be removed by filtration. The antimicrobial aspects of moringa continue to be researched,” it said.

Solutions of moringa seeds for water treatment may be prepared from seed kernels or from the solid residue left over after oil extraction.

Reports said moringa seeds, seed kernels or dried presscake can be stored for long periods but moringa solutions for treating water should be prepared fresh each time. In general, one seed kernel will treat one liter of water.

The process of treating the water with moringa seeds would take at least one to two hours.

“This clean water can then be filtered or sterilized to make it completely safe for drinking,” a report said.

Moringa is also being promoted as animal feedstock.

According to research, moringa has seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, three times the potassium in bananas, and two times the protein in milk.

In addition to nutritional qualities, it has medicinal uses, external and internal. Its oil can also be used for cooking and for cosmetics and lubricants.