Biocoagulant Utilization From Java Tamarind Seed
Biocoagulant Utilization From Java Tamarind Seed
Abstract
Domestic liquid waste typically originates from home trash and requires treatment to decrease quantities of
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), and
mixed particles. Additionally, treatment is necessary to eliminate nutrients and harmful components. The
objective of this study is to determine the optimal dosage of biocoagulant needed for the process of
coagulation and flocculation in a laboratory setting using the jar test method, specifically for treating
domestic wastewater. Tamarind seed shell waste contains tannin, which can act as a natural coagulant. It
functions as a positively charged natural polyelectrolyte that efficiently binds to negatively charged
colloidal particles. The study included independent variables consisting of different doses of a mixture
between tamarind seed shell and sweet orange peel bio coagulants, with ratios of 1:0, 1:0.5, and 1:1. An
optimal dosage of 1.5 grams of tamarind seed shell effectively reduced turbidity by 51%, BOD levels by
80%, and COD levels by 77%.
Keywords: biocoagulant, domestic wastewater, turbidity, COD, BOD
Abstrak
Limbah cair domestik biasanya berasal dari limbah rumah tangga dan memerlukan pengolahan untuk
menurunkan jumlah Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total
Suspended Solid (TSS), dan partikel campuran. Selain itu, perlakuan tertentu diperlukan untuk
menghilangkan nutrisi dan komponen berbahaya yang terdapat di dalamnya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini
adalah untuk mengetahui dosis biokoagulan optimal yang diperlukan untuk proses koagulasi dan flokulasi
di laboratorium dengan menggunakan metode jar test, khususnya untuk pengolahan air limbah domestik.
Limbah cangkang biji asam jawa mengandung tanin yang dapat berperan sebagai koagulan alami. Tanin
berfungsi sebagai polielektrolit alami bermuatan positif yang secara efisien mengikat partikel koloid
bermuatan negatif. Penelitian ini melibatkan variabel bebas yang terdiri dari perbedaan dosis campuran
antara cangkang biji asam jawa dan biokoagulan kulit jeruk manis, dengan perbandingan 1:0, 1:0,5, dan
1:1. Dosis optimal 1,5 gram cangkang biji asam jawa efektif menurunkan kekeruhan sebesar 51%, kadar
BOD sebesar 80%, dan kadar COD sebesar 77%.
Kata kunci : biokoagulan, air limbah domestik, kekeruhan, COD, BOD
1. Introduction
Domestic wastewater in Indonesia has become a severe problem. Most Indonesians dispose of their
domestic wastewater directly into the environment or the drainage network and then into the river. In several
big cities, only some people communally manage domestic wastewater. In Jakarta, only about 20% of
domestic waste is treated in a communal wastewater treatment plant (IPAL). Whereas in other big cities,
WWTP may treat less than 20% or even no domestic waste[1]. Domestic liquid waste or household
wastewater is a severe threat because it is inevitable that this waste will pollute the environment, especially
groundwater, which can also be a carrier for disease germs. The household rubbish typically consists of
residual waste from bathrooms, human waste, and kitchens. Waste is waste or something to be eliminated
and is dangerous. These chemicals can give life to germs that cause diseases like dysentery, typhus, and
other diseases.
The objective of residential sewage treatment is to diminish the levels of pollution caused by
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), and
mixed particles. Additionally, it aims to eliminate nutritious elements and hazardous components that
cannot be broken down to low concentrations [2]. In research by Khaq & Slamet, the characteristics of
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domestic wastewater in Sidoarjo District (Magersari Village, Jati Village, Pagerwojo Village) include the
parameters Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) = 162 mg/L and Chemical Oxygen Demand = 268 mg/L[3].
The Minister of Environment Regulation No. 68/2016 regulates the Domestic Wastewater Quality
Standard. The appendix states that the maximum level allowed for the parameters Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD) is 30 mg/L and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is 100 mg/L.
Coagulation-flocculation is a wastewater treatment technology that can be employed in this
investigation. Coagulation is the process of adding coagulants or chemicals additive to a solution with the
aim of conditioning suspensions, colloids, and suspended matter in preparation for the advanced
flocculation process. Flocculation refers to the aggregation of particles that possess unstable charges,
resulting in the formation of bigger particles known as flocculant particles or flocs by collision[4]. The
objective of this review is to examine the utilization of pectin and starch derived from fruit waste as eco-
friendly coagulants in the treatment of water and wastewater. Pectin is a constituent of the cell wall structure
in fruit peels, whereas starch serves as a source of food reserves in fruit seeds. In order to be employed as
a natural coagulant, pectin or starch must undergo an initial extraction process, with starch requiring both
physical and chemical modifications[5].
Biocoagulants offer a viable option for reducing environmental pollution and health hazards
associated with chemical coagulants/flocculants. Biocoagulants and flocculants are derived from living
organisms or biodegradable organic materials that are environmentally friendly and have minimal impact
on human health. Several bio coagulants and flocculants obtained from various sources have been analyzed
and proven efficient for application in the processing process as a substitute for chemical coagulants and
flocculants currently widely used [6].
In light of the escalating apprehensions regarding using chemical coagulants for wastewater
treatment, which has adverse effects on the environment and human well-being, alternative methods have
been investigated to address this problem. The plant-based source is being actively researched and explored
to determine its capacity for substituting chemical coagulants. Plant-based biocoagulants are more prevalent
than animal-based and microorganism-based biocoagulants because of their abundance and accessibility[7].
Tamarind seed waste can be a biocoagulant to reduce COD and BOD levels in liquid waste. Tamarind
seeds contain tannins, which can serve as a natural coagulant. Tannins are positively charged natural
polyelectrolytes that are effective in binding negatively charged colloidal particles. Tamarind seed powder
with a dose of two grams can reduce COD and BOD levels with a removal percentage of 80.86% and
62.07% in 1 liter of liquid waste from the fish processing industry[8].
Using sweet orange peel waste can potentially reduce turbidity levels in liquid waste. In a study
conducted [9], orange peel extract at a dose of 6 ppm reduced turbidity levels to 99.6% in bentonite
synthetic waste. According to [10], the nature of the pectin content in the orange peel can form a gel in the
presence of bivalent ions such as Ca2+ until, finally, a gel structure resembles a net that can bind colloidal
particles in the wastewater. Referring to the background that has been described, this study has the aim of
obtaining a decrease in turbidity, COD and BOD levels in Pesona Sekar Gedangan Housing domestic
wastewater after the addition of tamarind seed shell and sweet orange peel biocoagulants using the Jar Test
method.
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Grind the sweet orange peel finely using a pestle and mortar. Then, filter the resulting mixture using
a 100 mesh sieve to ensure the bio coagulant powder has uniform particle size. Grinding and screening are
two integral processes for achieving a consistent particle size of the biocoagulant powder[14]. The
powdered bio coagulant is more advantageous for sale and storage than its liquid version. Furthermore, the
reduced particle size of the biocoagulant facilitates increased interaction between the materials and the
carrier solution during subsequent utilization [15]. Finally, store the biocoagulant powder in a dry, airtight
container in a cold location.
The Experimental Research
The research was conducted in batches with two experiments (duplo) on each tamarind seed powder
dose variation with sweet orange peel as a biocoagulant. There are five variations of dose combinations:
D1 = 1.5 g tamarind seed shell powder without sweet orange peel powder combination, D2 = 1 g tamarind
seed shell powder with 0.5 g sweet orange peel powder, D3 = 0.75 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.75
g sweet orange peel powder. The coagulation-flocculation process was carried out using the Jar Test method
using a flocculator. The fast-stirring speed was set at 200 rpm for 1 minute, the slow stirring speed at 80
rpm for 12 minutes, and the settling time for 30 minutes.
Initial domestic wastewater characteristics testing includes turbidity, BOD, and COD parameters
intended to determine turbidity, BOD, and COD levels before Jar Test treatment and adding biocoagulants.
The data from testing the initial domestic wastewater characteristics are presented in Table 1.
Based on Table 1, it is known that the condition of domestic wastewater in the Pesona Sekar
Gedangan Sidoarjo Household settlement for the turbidity parameter has exceeded the range of turbidity
levels of wastewater originating from kitchen household activities (gray water), namely 92.5 - 168.5 NTU.
It is known that BOD and COD levels also exceed the predetermined quality standard limits; this is due to
the high-water pollution load originating from household activities such as bathing, cooking, and washing
clothes. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) shows the amount of dissolved oxygen organisms need to
carry out the degradation process of polluting materials in the water. A high BOD value indicates high
water pollution. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is the amount of oxygen needed for polluting materials
to be chemically decomposed [10].
the coagulation mechanism is adsorption. In this case in line with research[18]. which in his research at a
dose of 1 gr of orange peel was able to reduce turbidity levels from 260 NTU to 8 NTU in dairy industry
wastewater with a percentage efficiency of 96.92%.
D1 = 1.5 g tamarind seed shell powder without sweet orange peel powder combination
D2 = 1 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.5 g sweet orange peel powder
D3 = 0.75 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.75 g sweet orange peel powder
Fig. 1. Effect of combination dosage of tamarind seed shell and sweet orange peel biocoagulant
on turbidity level of domestic wastewater
Source: Environmental Laboratory Test Results of PGRI Adi Buana University Surabaya
3.2 Effect of Combination Dosage of Tamarind Seed Shell and Sweet Orange Peel Biocoagulant on BOD
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), is the amount of dissolved oxygen required by bacteria to
decompose (oxidize) almost all dissolved organic substances and some suspended organic substances in
water[19]. The effect of the combined dose of tamarind seed shell biocoagulant and sweet orange peel on
domestic wastewater BOD levels is presented in Fig.2. as follows.
D1 = 1.5 g tamarind seed shell powder without sweet orange peel powder combination
D2 = 1 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.5 g sweet orange peel powder
D3 = 0.75 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.75 g sweet orange peel powder
Fig. 2. Effect of combination dosage of tamarind seed shell and sweet orange peel biocoagulant
on BOD level of domestic wastewater
Source: DLH Sidoarjo Laboratory Testing Results
Based on Fig.2., there are differences in the use of various doses of biocoagulants in reducing BOD
levels in domestic wastewater. The highest BOD reduction efficiency (80%) occurred when domestic
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wastewater was treated with dose D1 (1.5 g tamarind seed shell powder without sweet orange peel powder
combination) from 1099 mg/L to 300 mg/L. According to Badri, the decrease in BOD levels is due to the
presence of tannin content, in tannins there are water-soluble compounds that can precipitate proteins from
the solution, a decrease in BOD levels can occur because very fine particles and colloids are stable in water,
with the addition of coagulants so that the forces of attraction occur and will form flocs[20], [21].
Variations in the dose of biocoagulant combinations affect the percentage reduction in BOD levels
in domestic wastewater samples. In this case, it is in line with research by Badri which in his research at a
dose of 2 grams of tamarind seeds was able to reduce BOD levels from 1055.33 mg/L to 400.25 mg/L in
fish processing industry liquid waste with a percentage efficiency of 62.07% [8].
3.3 Effect of Combination Dose of Tamarind Seed Shell and Sweet Orange Peels Biocoagulant on COD
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), is the need for chemical oxygen to break down all organic
matter contained in water[19]. The effect of the combined dose of tamarind seed shell and sweet orange
peel biocoagulants on domestic wastewater turbidity levels is presented in Fig.3. as follows.
D1 = 1.5 g tamarind seed shell powder without sweet orange peel powder combination
D2 = 1 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.5 g sweet orange peel powder
D3 = 0.75 g tamarind seed shell powder with 0.75 g sweet orange peel powder
Fig. 3. Effect of combined doses of tamarind seed shell and sweet orange peel biocoagulant
on domestic wastewater COD levels
Source: DLH Sidoarjo Laboratory Testing Results
Based on Fig.3., there are differences in the use of various doses of biocoagulants in reducing COD
levels in domestic wastewater. The highest efficiency of reducing COD levels (77%) occurred when
domestic wastewater was treated with a dose of D1 (1.5 g of tamarind seed shell powder without a
combination of sweet orange peel powder) from a level of 1642 mg/L to 385 mg/L.) This is because the
tamarind seed skin (Tamarindus indica L.) contains an active substance called tannin. In research by Badri,
the ability of biocoagulants from tamarind seeds to reduce COD levels is due to the tannin content which
has the ability to bind organic materials in liquid waste [8].
In another study, the content of tannin compounds in papaya seeds can complex and accelerate
protein precipitation and can bind macromolecules. In her research, Krisdiana also mentioned that in
addition to tannins, there are other contents such as high protein (polyelectrolytes) which act as coagulants
[17].
4. Conclusion
This study showed that degradation in turbidity levels with the highest efficiency occurred without a
combination of biocoagulant, which at D1 (1.5 g tamarind seed shell without sweet orange peel) was able
to reduce turbidity levels up to 51%, reduce BOD levels up to 80% and reduce COD levels up to 77%.
Biocoagulants serve as a substitute for conventional chemical coagulants that are frequently employed in
the treatment of water and wastewater. Biocoagulants derived from the seed shell of Java Tamarind
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(Tamarindus Indica) and the peel of Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis) show promise due to their abundant
availability and similar efficacy especially for the seed shell of Java Tamarind (Tamarindus Indica).
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