Department of Education

National Capital Region

Division of City Schools

Quezon City High School

Sct. Ybardolaza St. Brgy. Sacred Heart, Diliman, Quezon City

School Year 2016-2017

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Science Investigatory Project

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Detoxifying Heavy Metals on Wastewater through Phytoremediation

of Banaba Leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa)

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(Mrs.) Choza Taliping – Salinda

Research Advider

Presented by:

Racraquin, Cheska R.

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September 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ------------------------------------- 1

Table of Contents ------------------------------------- 2
Abstract ------------------------------------- 3

Introduction ------------------------------------- 3
Methodology ------------------------------------- 6
Results and Discussion ------------------------------------- 9
Conclusion ------------------------------------- 14

Acknowledgements ------------------------------------- 15
References ------------------------------------- 15

Appendices
Appendix A ------------------------------------- 17
Appendix B ------------------------------------- 20

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Detoxifying Heavy Metals on Wastewater through Phytoremediation

of Banaba Leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
Racraquin, Cheska R.

-----------------------------------ABSTRACT---------------------------------
Water pollution is a major global problem that highly affects the
environment. In this research, Dried Banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia
speciosa) were used for Detoxifying Heavy Metals through Phytoremediation.
The water sample was collected from the Pasig River, Guadalupe, Makati
City. There are three Set ups : Set up A was the controlled variable, Set up
B includes 25g of Banaba leaves soaked in 500 mL waste water and Set up C
contains 50g of Banaba leaves soaked in 500 mL waste water. Three heavy
metals was tested; Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Nickel (Ni). After 20 hours of
the experimental set-ups, the experiment was done under the service of
Mach Union Water Laboratory at 335 Alabang - Zapote Road, Las Pinas,
Metro Manila. The results show that Set up A has an amount of 0.018 mg/L
Copper, 0.153 mg/L Nickel, and 0.038 Zinc. On Set up B, all the heavy
metals increased making the Copper become 0.127 mg/L, Nickel becomes
0.217 mg/L and Zinc becomes 1.03 mg/L. Lastly, on the third set-up the
amount of Copper decreased to 0.105 mg/L while Nickel increased to 0.226
and Zinc increased to 1.12 mg/L.
_____________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION Asia. It is also widely cultivated in
tropical and subtropical areas as an
ornamental plant. Several parts of
Banabá plant (Lagerstroemia
Banabá, especially the leaves are
speciosa) is a species of
used widely in the
Lagerstroemia native to tropical
Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan as a
Southern Asia. This plant
tea preparation.
commonly grows in South East
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The leaves of Banaba contain and by 1990s, the Pasig River was
tannins which is said to be one of considered biologically dead.
its main components. Access Garbages, sewage, and
Science (2014) states that different types of factories
Tannins are yellow to light brown produces a lot of heavy metals
substances which are essential such as Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn),
products for plant defense. It and Nickel (Ni). It is not only in
belongs to Phenolic class, and is land, but also in several bodies of
large molecules that bind and water that may affect not just the
precipitate proteins. Leaves that lives of human being, but also the
contain tannins such as Banaba are lives of aquatic animals according
said to be able to lower heavy to Journal of Aquaculture Research
metals based on PubMed (2008). and Development (2015).
According to Rutila (2016), The concentration of Copper
the Pasig River in the Philippines
(Cu) in the lakes and rivers ranges
suffers from a high level of water 0.5 to 1,000 ppb with the average
pollution. After World War II, concentration of 10 ppb. (Copper
massive population growth, Development Inc., 2016) The
infrastructure construction and the average copper concentration in
dispersal of economic activities to groundwater (5 ppb) is similar to
Manila’s suburbs left the river that in lakes and rivers; however,
neglected. In the 1930s observers monitoring data indicate that some
noticed the increasing pollution of groundwater contains levels of
the river as fish migration from Copper (up to 2,783 ppb) that are
Laguna de bay diminished. The well above the standard of 1,300
river started to smell stinky as a ppb for drinking water. This Copper
result of waste from swine and is generally bound to particles in
poultry establishments in the area the water. In the general

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population, soluble copper zinc ranging from approximately 2

compounds (those that dissolve in parts of zinc per million (2 ppm)
water), which are most commonly parts of foods (e.g., leafy
used in agriculture, are more likely vegetables) to 29 ppm (meats,
to threaten people's health. fish, poultry). According to Journal
According to Journal of of Aquaculture Research and
Aquaculture Research and Development (2015), Zinc wastes
Development (2015), can have a direct toxicity to fish at
internationally high intakes and increased waterborne levels and
long term exposure to Copper can fisheries can be affected by either
cause liver and kidney damage and Zinc alone or more often together
even death. Based on Lentech BV with Copper and other metals.
(2016), rivers are depositing Nickel (Ni) is one of many
sludge on their banks carcinogenic metals known to be
contaminated with Copper because an environmental and occupational
of continuously rising production of pollutant. A National Health and
copper ending in the environment. Nutritional Examination Survey II
It doesn’t break down easily, that Water in Lakes and Rivers (2013)
is why it can accumulate in animals found mean nickel levels of 0.39
especially in plants that give ppm, with 10% of the population
serious threat to the production of having levels >1.50 ppm. Plants
farmlands. are known to accumulate nickel
Coming from the Agency for and as a result the nickel uptake
Toxic Substances and Disease will be eminent. High nickel
Registry (2011), the average daily concentrations on sandy soils can
Zinc (Zn) intake through the diet damage plants. In surface water, it
in this country ranges from 5.2 to can diminish the growth rates of
16.2 milligrams (milligram=0.001 algae.
gram). Food may contain levels of

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In this Investigatory project, is rich in tannin wherein, its fruit

the researcher used the process of contains 14 to 17 % of tannins; its
phytoremediation, particularly the leaves contain 13 %, and its bark
Water remediation which is under contains 10% according to
this process. It is the process of Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., M.D.
removing contaminants from water (2016).
through plants, filters or traps This research project aims to
which can be done in low cost and assess the effectivity of Banaba
solar energy driven clean-up leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
technique that anyone can do. leaves as phytoremediation
material on wastewater from Pasig
Based on Beltran Heredia
River. Specifically, it aims to: 1)
(2009) tannin-based flocculants
Observe the effects of different
has been tested in order to remove
mass of Banaba leaves to level of
Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Nickel
heavy metals, and; 2) Correlate
(Ni) of the chosen water sample.
the results to the amount of
Banaba plant (Lagerstroemia
Banaba leaves.
speciosa) is an example of this. It

METHODOLOGY

Experimental Site Location related to study.

The main objective of this The research set-ups were
research is to test the potential of prepared at #18 B-K6 Judge
the dried Banaba leaves in Jimenez St., Kamuning Quezon
detoxifying heavy metals on waste City. Then, water samples were
water through phytoremediation. analyzed under the service of Mach
To be able to attain this goal, the Union Water Laboratory located at
researcher has made experimental 335 Alabang - Zapote Road, Las
set-ups referring to a research Pinas, Metro Manila.
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Experimental Design
The figure below shows the
All in all, the researcher has three
set-ups done in terms of the Set
set-ups labeled as Set-up A, B and
Up name and the amount of each
C.
variable was placed in each set-up.

Set-up A Set-up B Set-up C

Control Set-up Experimental Set-up Experimental Set-up

500 ml Waste 25 g of Banaba 50 g of Banaba

Water Leaves Soaked Leaves Soaked

In 500 ml In 500 ml
Waste water Waste water

The figure shows that the amount of dried Banaba

set-up A was composed of the (Lagerstroemia speciosa) leaves.
control experiment without the bits Plant materials were collected from
of dried Banaba leaves. Then, the Quezon City High School, located
set-up B was composed of 25 at Sct. Ybardolaza Street, Diliman
grams of dried Banaba leaves Quezon City while the water
soaked in 500 ml waste water. sample was collected from the
Lastly, the set-up C was composed Pasig River, Guadalupe, Makati
of 50 grams of dried Banaba leaves City. Other materials include three
soaked in 500 ml waste water. (3) pails, plastic containers, three
(3) new sampling plastic bottles,
Materials Used gloves for protection in making the
The variable that was set-ups, ‘bilao’ for the leaves while
considered in this study was the

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drying under the sunlight for 7 [3] The materials used such as the
days, and a little weighing scale for containers and plastic bottles are
weighing the amount of leaves to all new
be used. [4] The sampling containers were
properly sealed as soon as the
Laboratory Test Parameters
waste water has filled it.
The laboratory Test [5] The containers were placed in a
Parameters focuses on Copper cool dry place.
(Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Nickel (Ni) [6] As soon as the researcher
concentrated in waste water found reached the venue where she is
in Pasig River, Guadalupe, going to do the set-ups, the waste
Makati City water samples were transferred
into new medium-sized pails
Banaba Leaves Sampling
Method Experimental Methods
[1] Banaba leaves were carefully The water sample was taken
collected out, washed thourougly from the Pasig River which is
and were placed on a ‘bilao’ known as one of the dirtiest rivers
[2] The leaves were dried under in the Philippines. Rain, Human
the sun for 7 days activities or anything that may
[3] On the seventh day, the affect the actual state of the water
Banaba leaves were cut into while taking the experiment
smaller bits sample or may interrupt the result
of experiment was avoided.
Waste water Sampling Method
The waste water was fetched
[1] Waste water samples was
through a medium-sized pail, and
fetched using a medium-sized pail
[2] The sampling containers were
three (3) 500 ml plastic bottles

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transferred into three 500mL water samples into medium-sized

plastic bottles. Then, the sampling
containers were placed in a cooler.
When the researcher reached
the school laboratory where the
set-ups will be done,
researcher transferred the waste
pails and placed the bits of dried
Banaba leaves of 25 grams and 50
grams respectively. The samples
were taken to the laboratory the
next day, tightly closed to prevent
the
further contaminations

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

of the study. After 10 days of

observation and laboratory
The aim of this study is to
examinations, the researcher has
know the potential of Banabá
gathered the following analytical
plant (Lagerstroemia speciosa) in
data below on how effective can
detoxifying heavy metals on waste
Banaba leaves are in detoxifying
water. This chapter shall discuss
Copper, Zinc and Nickel.
the results obtained from the
instrument used in the study. It
shall discuss how much Copper,
Zinc and Nickel was eliminated
from the waste water.

In order for the discussion to

be much easily understood, the
researcher provided tables and
figures that summarize the results

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0.14

0.12

0.1

0.08
mg/L

0.06 Copper

0.04

0.02

0
Set up A (No Banaba Set up B (25 grams Set up C (50 grams
leaves) of Banaba Leaves) of Banaba leaves)

Figure 1: Effectiveness of Banaba leaves in detoxifying Copper

of waste water

Legend: mg/L = milligrams per liter

The figure shows that set up amount of Copper decreased up to

A which serves as the controlled 0.105.
set up has an amount of 0.018
Therefore, the result of using
mg/L of Copper. Set up B which
Banaba Leaves in detoxifying
has 25 grams of Banaba leaves
Copper on waste water is not
was the first one to undergo in an
effective even though Banaba has
accumulation process.
tannins that is said to have the
Hence, the second set up is ability of absorbing or detoxifying
not able to accumulate any Copper heavy metals such as the Copper.
in the waste water; the result
According to Resa Denasta
shows that it has 0.127 mg/L of
Syarif's "Utilization of Natural
Copper. The last set up which is
Tannin Extract for Copper
the Set up C shows that the
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Corrosion” (2015), the researchers The cause of the increased

used three agents that also amount of Copper from waste
produce tannins which are raw water is because of the tannin
Gambier (Uncaria gambier Roxb.), coming from the Banaba leaves
Areca nut (Areca catechu) and inhibit the corrosion or the
Mangosteen peel (Garcinia degradation of Copper that makes
mangostana). The result of their it more polluted.
research show that Tannin
extracted from raw Gambier, Areca
nut and Mangosteen peel have
ability to inhibit corrosion in
Copper.

0.25

0.2

0.15
mg/L

Nickel
0.1

0.05

0
Set up A (No Banaba Set up B (25 grams Set up C (50 grams
leaves) of Banaba leaves) of Banaba leaves)

Figure 2: Effectiveness of Banaba leaves in detoxifying Nickel

of waste water

Legend: mg/L = milligrams per liter

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The figure shows that set up Water” (2014), the researchers

A which serves as the controlled used only one agent which is
set up has an amount of 0.153 Acacia tree leaves (Vachellia
mg/L of Nickel. Set up B which has nilotica) for optimizing the tannin
25 grams of Banaba leaves was the gel using tannin extract (Taguchi
first one to undergo in an method) for water purification and
accumulation process. water remediation. Based on their
research's results the percentage
Hence, the second set up is
removal was found to increase with
not able to accumulate any Nickel
increasing contact time.
in the waste water; the result
shows that it has 0.217 mg/L of From these results, it is
Nickel. The last set up which is the suggested that only a minimum
Set up C shows that the amount of time is required for the absorption
Nickel increased up to 0.226. of metal ion from tannin gel
prepared by Acacia nilotica leaves.
Therefore, the result of using
Just like acacia leaves' time of
Banaba Leaves in detoxifying
soaking, Banaba leaves should only
Nickel on waste water is not
be soaked for a shorter time so
effective even though Banaba has
that it won’t be more polluted by
tannins that is said to have the
Nickel.
ability of absorbing or detoxifying
heavy metals such as the Nickel.

According to Tamil Nadu's

"Characterization and Utilization of
Tannin Extract for the Selective
Absorption of Ni (II) Ions from

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1.2

0.8
mg/L

0.6
Zinc

0.4

0.2

0
Set up A (No Banaba Set up B (25 grams of Set up C (50 grams of
leaves) Banaba Leaves) Banaba leaves)

Figure 3: Effectiveness of Banaba leaves in detoxifying Zinc of waste

water

Legend: mg/L = milligrams per liter

The figure shows that set up shows that the amount of Zinc
A which serves as the controlled increased up to 1.12.
set up has an amount of 0.038
Therefore, the result of using
mg/L of Zinc. Set up B which has
Banaba Leaves in detoxifying Zinc
25 grams of Banaba leaves was the
on waste water is not effective
first one to undergo in an
even though Banaba has tannins
accumulation process.
that is said to have the ability of
Hence, the second set up is absorbing or detoxifying heavy
not able to accumulate any Zinc in metals such as the Nickel.
the waste water; the result shows
that it has 1.03 mg/L of Zinc. The
last set up which is the Set up C

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According to Wonderful as Zinc, the reason why the

Health Benefits, Banaba leaves are amount of Zinc continued to rise
rich in vitamins and minerals such from set-up A to set-up C.

CONCLUSION

Based on general observation contaminants in waste water that

of the researcher in set-ups A, B has a low cost and is absolutely an
and C, Banaba leaves were not eco-friendly process. The
able to detoxify the Copper (Cu), researcher would like advocating
Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) despite of this to the following:
the fact that tannins were proven
Piscators- This research will assist
to eliminate heavy metals. One
them in using phytoremediation to
reason concluded that was
help them reduce the pollutants in
according to Sigma Aldrich (2009),
water that will result to prolific
fresh Banaba leaves contain almost
availability of aquatic animals such
75 % of tannins which was the
as fish.
opposite of the sampling method
made. The Banaba leaves were Students- This research will hand
dried making the amount of them an introduction about Banaba
tannins to lower down. The time leaves, heavy metals, and most
allotted for the absorption of heavy especially the phytoremediation
metals also affected the result, that will guide them in formulating
making the amount of Nickel to an investigatory project as
rise high. beginners concerning the
detoxification of heavy metals in
The desire of this research is
wastewater.
to pledge a substitute technology,
which is phytoremidiation, to help Researchers- This research will
detoxify environmental function as their premise for
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further studies. The researcher post-tests for more assured

would like suggesting to future analysis and to look for trusted
researchers to undergo pre and sources in finding facts.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The researcher would like to acknowledge the staffs of Mach Union

Water Laboratory who assisted by doing the laboratory tests of the given
set-ups. The researcher would also like to thank the Research adviser, Mrs.
Choza Salinda who guided in the making of this Investigatory project. Lastly,
the researcher would like to thank the people living near the Pasig River who
helped the researcher in collecting the wastewater.

REFERENCES

Internet and Online Citations

(2004, September). “Public Health Statement for Copper”. Retrieve from:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=204&tid=37

Dunlop, Colin. (2010, December). “Leaves for Aquaria”. Retrieve from:

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/leaves-for-aquaria-full-
article.htm

(n.d.).Banaba. Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. Retrieve from:

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Banaba.html

(2012, June 18). “Aquarium pH”. Retrieve from:

http://www.firsttankguide.net/ph.php

(n.d.). “Effects of Zinc to Fishes”. Retrieve from:

http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/use-of-fish-as-bioindicator-
of-the-effects-of-heavy-metals-pollution-2155-9546-
1000328.php?aid=47054

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OF BANABA LEAVES] September 1, 2016

(n.d.). “Effects of Zinc to Human Health”. Retrieve from:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-982-
zinc.aspx?activeingredientid=982

(n.d..). “Effects of Copper to Human Health”. Retrieve from:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-
902copper.aspx?activeingredientid902&activeingredientname=copper

Group, Edward. (2013, March 7). “Effects of Nickel to Human Health”.

Retrieve from: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-
health/metal-toxicity-health-dangers-nickel/

(n.d.). “Phytoremediation: An Environmentally Sound Technology for

Pollution Prevention, Control and Redmediation”. Retrieve from:
http://www.unep.or.jp/Ietc/Publications/Freshwater/FMS2/1.asp

Klein, Denny. (2011, November 28). “Three Wonderful Health Benefits Of

Banaba Tea”. Retrieve from: http://english-tea-
sets.blogspot.com/2011/11/three-wonderful-health-benefits-
of.html?m=1

Keller, Mike. (2000, December 28). “Tannin Removal”. Retrieve from:

http://www.wwdmag.com/membrane-technology/tannin-removal

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APPENDIX A

Title: Scanned Laboratory Results

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APPENDIX B

Title: Documentation

Day 1: Picking of Banaba Leaves

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Day 2: Collecting of Wastewaster and Making of the Set ups

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Day 3: Laboratory Testing

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