poster - International Conference of Agricultural Engineering

Coagulation using Moringa oleifera and filtration for removal of
Cryptosporidium ssp. oocyst by simulation with polystyrene
microspheres
Francisco, A.R. 1 ; Silva, M.J. 1 ; Paterniani, J.E.S. 1*
1 Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola – Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Candido
Rondon, 501, Campinas SP, CEP 13083-875, Brazil
*Corresponding author. E - mail: pater@feagri.unicamp.br
Abstract
In regions where there is no conventional water treatment, waterborne diseases are
common, increasing the proliferation of most living organisms. Among many disease-causing
organisms, Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan that survives various barriers to water
treatment, mainly due to its forms of oocysts with size, strength and hydrophobic
characteristics. For locations that lack conventional treatments, the best way to avoid
contamination by oocysts and other organisms is to search alternative treatments easy to
apply and economically available. The use of natural coagulants enables the cost of
synthetic coagulants, so the Moringa oleifera seed is an appropriate choice to be used in
locations without conventional treatments. The Moringa oleifera associated to filtration may
be a promising alternative to prevent organisms such as Cryptosporidium spp. ooscysts
present in water for human consumption. This study aimed to use a combined treatment by
coagulation / flocculation procedure using Moringa oleifera seed solutions followed by a
filtration in non-woven synthetic fabrics for the reduction of Crytosporidium ssp. oocysts. To
avoid manipulation of oocysts in the laboratory, many studies have used fluorescent
polystyrene microspheres, which have the same characteristics of the oocysts, so they could
be used to observe the combined treatment in these systems. The results showed a
reduction of 99% polystyrene microspheres, which may have reached 100% in some
sampling intervals.
Keywords: water treatment, Cryptosporidium spp, natural coagulants, fluorescent
polystyrene microspheres
1. Introduction
The water treatment plants face increasing challenges to ensure adequate levels of potability
and to protect their systems against microorganisms that cause diseases, which are usually
resistant to chlorine or can overcome barriers in the previous stages of water treatment
(BAEZA, 2004). One of the most frequent protozoa is Cryptosporidium spp., which can be
found in water for human consumption if at the stage of oocysts (a dispersed form in the
environment). As a consequence is the cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal disease that
causes acute diarrhea (FERNANDES et al., 2010).
Cryptosporidium oocysts are responsible for major outbreaks related to failures in water
treatment plants. The best example occurred in Milwaukee (USA, 1993), resulting in a total of
739 people presenting oocysts in feces tested by 14 laboratories. In addition, more than
4000 people were hospitalized and cryptosporidiosis contributed to approximately 104
deaths (MORIS et al., 1996).