Reducing Sediment and Bacterial Contamination in Water Using Mucilage Extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica Cactus

摘要: Throughout the past decade an increased amount of attention has been drawn to water contamination problems that affect world. As a result, variety purification methods targeted at communities in developing countries have surfaced and, although all contributed effort improving quality, few accepted and sustained for long term usage. Case studies indicate most beneficial are those which use indigenous resources, as they both abundant readily by communities. In attempt make contribution search can serve developed countries, two fractions mucilage gum, Gelling (GE) Non-Gelling (NE) Extract, were obtained from Opuntia ficus-indica cactus tested flocculating agent against sediment bacteria suspended surrogate ion-rich waters. Diatonic ions known influence cell binding properties, causing CaCl2 be alone conjunction with mucilage. Column tests utilized determine settling rates contaminant removal waters precipitated