ABSTRACT
The production of personal hygiene and body products generates wastewater with a high load of surfactants, a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), and abundant oils and greases. Aluminum sulfate (AS) and two solutions of natural coagulant from Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds prepared with a 1M NaCl solution and 1.5M NaCl solution were used. Aluminum sulfate, Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1M NaCl, and Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1.5M NaCl solutions reduced turbidity at rates 94.48%, 98.07%, and 97.87%; reduced COD at rates 46.36%, 49.15%, and 42.7%; and reduced oil and grease at rates 98.72%, 78.65%, and 97.41%, respectively. Mutagenicity tests with guppies showed a lower toxicity of Moringa oleifera Lam. extract compared with aluminum sulfate. This work shows that Moringa oleifera Lam. extract has high potential for use as an alternative to aluminum sulfate; therefore, this study will contribute to proposals for the sustainable treatment of effluents from the cosmetic industry.
