Functional characterization of Detarium microcarpum seed proteins and polysaccharides as sustainable coagulant precursors for wastewater treatment

Nwaneri Theodore U; Nnadikwe Johnson; Onwukwu Cajetan N; Iheme Chigozie; Akuchie J. Chukwuma; Ogbennaya Jane Frances Chinwe

Authors

Nwaneri Theodore U Chemical Engineering Department, Imo state University, Owerri
Nnadikwe Johnson Petroleum Engineering Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,(UNIZIK) Awka Nigeria. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8664-5253
Onwukwu Cajetan N Chemical Engineering Department, Imo state University, Owerri
Iheme Chigozie Chemical Engineering Department, Dr B.U.Nzeribe State Polytechnic, Imo State Nigeria
Akuchie J. Chukwuma Chemical Engineering Department, Dr B.U.Nzeribe State Polytechnic, Imo State Nigeria
Ogbennaya Jane Frances Chinwe Chemical Engineering Department, Dr B.U.Nzeribe State Polytechnic, Imo State Nigeria

Keywords:

Natural coagulant; Detarium microcarpum; characterization; FTIR; point of zero charge; sustainable water treatment

Abstract

Chemical coagulants pose health and environmental concerns, driving search for plant-based alternatives for wastewater treatment. Detarium microcarpum seed, an underutilized leguminous plant in Nigeria, has potential as a natural coagulant but remains uncharacterized. This study characterized the physical properties, proximate composition and functional groups of Detarium microcarpum seed powder to assess its suitability as a bio-coagulant. Seeds were processed into powder and analyzed for yield, apparent density and proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate) using standard AOAC methods. Functional groups were identified by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the range 4000–400 cm⁻¹. Powder yield was 28.31% with apparent density of 0.235 g/mL. Proximate analysis showed carbohydrate 56.76%, crude protein 19.77%, crude fat 10.53%, moisture 7.25%, ash 3.48% and crude fibre 2.20%. FTIR revealed nine bands, notably broad O–H/N–H stretching at 3272.6 cm⁻¹, aliphatic C–H at 2914.8 cm⁻¹, C=O/amide at 1636.3 cm⁻¹, and C–O/C–O–C stretching at 1148.0 and 1043.7 cm⁻¹, indicating hydroxyl-rich polysaccharides and proteinaceous matter. : The high carbohydrate and protein contents coupled with O–H, N–H, C=O and C–O functional groups confirm D. microcarpum seed possesses the chemical features required for charge neutralization and inter-particle bridging, supporting its potential as an eco-friendly bio-coagulant.

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