Evaluation of Mucilage from Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius) as Natural Coagulant for the Removal of Crystal Violet Dye from Simulated Textile Wastewater

The textile industry is a major global contributor to environmental pollution, particularly through the discharge of untreated effluent containing toxic chemicals and dyes from processing operations. A critical challenge within the industry is the effective removal of colorants and dyestuffs from wastewater, particularly those arising from dyeing and finishing processes. Various treatment methods have been explored to address textile dyeing effluent, with coagulation being one of the most widely employed techniques for dye removal. Commercial coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, are commonly utilized however, they are sensitive to pH variations and often generate substantial sludge volumes, which complicates waste management. This study explores the use of Corchorus olitorius (saluyot) as a natural coagulant for the removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions. Mucilage was extracted from saluyot leaves using a conventional extraction method and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to confirm its functional properties. The effects of varying coagulant concentrations and initial dye concentrations on the color reduction of crystal violet solutions were investigated. Optimal dye removal of 72.56 % was achieved using 100 ppm saluyot mucilage at an initial dye concentration of 200 ppm and a pH of 6.25. The results suggest that saluyot mucilage, being non-toxic, abundantly available, and biodegradable, presents a promising alternative to conventional coagulants for the removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing plant-based coagulants as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective solution for textile wastewater treatment.