Comparative Effects of Moringa oleifera and Strychnos potatorum Extracts on Water Turbidity

The study examined whether a combined extract of Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera reduced water turbidity more effectively than either extract alone, with the goal of identifying a cheaper and safer alternative to chemical coagulants. It was hypothesized that a combination of the two extracts would produce a greater turbidity (NTU) reduction than the individual treatments. A total of 120 trials were conducted across four treatments: control (no extract), Moringa oleifera extract, Strychnos potatorum extract, and the combined extract, with 30 trials per group. Each 25 mL turbid water sample contained 0.125 g of kaolin clay and received 7.5 mL of the assigned extract before being vortexed for 30 seconds. After a 30‑minute settling period, turbidity was measured using a Vernier turbidity sensor. Results showed that the control group had a mean of 563.70 NTU. Unexpectedly, the Strychnos potatorum extract (M=564.20 NTU) resulted in a slightly higher turbidity than the control. In contrast, the Moringa oleifera extract (M=541.35 NTU), and the combination extract (M=542.88 NTU) both resulted in lower turbidity values, but the Moringa oleifera extract ended up yielding more effective results. Through a one-way ANOVA, the results revealed a significant effect of treatments between each, F(3, 116) = 5.07, p = 0.002. The post hoc Tukey test indicated no statistical difference between the control and Strychnos potatorum group. These results indicate that the combined extracts did not produce a greater reduction in turbidity than the individual extracts.