Sustainability in tanning. Replacing Chemicals with Aloe Vera
Keywords:
Aloe Vera; Tanneries; Natural coagulation; Industrial sustainability; Effluent treatment.Synopsis
The leather industry generates highly polluting effluents, whose traditional treatment uses chemical coagulants with negative environmental impacts. This research evaluates the use of Aloe Vera as a sustainable alternative in the treatment of effluents from the soaking stage in tanneries, specifically at the Orión company (Trujillo, 2024). Through jar tests, its effectiveness in removing turbidity and suspended solids was analyzed, comparing different concentrations and stirring speeds. Previous studies, such as those by Diestra and Ramos (2019) and Coronado (2018), support the potential of Aloe Vera, achieving removals of more than 70% of contaminants. The results seek to validate its technical applicability, reducing dependence on synthetic coagulants and promoting cleaner industrial practices. This proposal aligns environmental innovation with the circular economy, offering an accessible solution to a global problem.
Downloads
References
Abebe, L. S., Chen, X., & Sobsey, M. D. (2016). Chitosan Coagulation to Improve Microbial and Turbidity Removal by Ceramic Water Filtration for Household Drinking Water Treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030269
Alvarado Lujan, J. A., y Mestanza Abad, J. E. (2025). Efecto del Aloe Vera en la coagulación- floculación del efluente de remojo en la curtiembre Orión, Trujillo- 2024 [Universidad Nacional de Trujillo].
American Water Works Association. (2011). Operational Control of Coagulation and FiltrationProcesses: AWWA MANUAL M37. American Water Works Association.
Bratby J. (2016). Coagulation and Flocculation in Water and Wastewater Treatment. IWA Publishing.
Coronado, F. (2018). Eficiencia del Agave y el Aloe vera en la remoción de materia orgánica de las aguas del río Lurín en el AA. HH Julio César Tello [Tesis de grado, Universidad César Vallejo].
Diestra Ramos, F., y Ramos Paredes, I. (2019). Efecto de la concentración de Aloe Vera (Sábila) y tiempo de floculación en la remoción de sólidos suspendidos y materia orgánica biodegradable de aguas residuales municipales sector el Cerrillo, Santiago de Chuco [Tesis de grado, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo].
Kakoi, B., Kaluli, J. W., Ndiba, P., & Thiong’o, G. (2016). Banana pith as a natural coagulant for polluted river water. Ecological Engineering, 95, 699–705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.07.001
Olivera Huaman, D. (2022). Aplicación del coagulante natural áloe vera como tratamiento terciario en la PTAR [Tesis de grado, Universidad Continental]
Pérez, C., León, F., y Deldadillo, G. (2013). Tratamiento de aguas. Manual de Laboratorio. Ediciones UNAM.
Ruiz Ortega, E., Oré Cierto, E., Vega Guevara, M., Angulo Romero, A., Ruiz Huaman, G., Garcia Curo, G., y Diaz Dumont, J. (2022). Aloe Vera (L.) como floculante para remoción de turbidez de aguas superficiales. Boletín de Malariología y Salud Ambiental, LXII.
Trujillo, D., Duque, L. F., Arcila, J. S., Rincón, A., Pacheco, S., & Herrera, O. F. (2014). Remoción de turbiedad en agua de una fuente natural mediante coagulación/floculación usando almidón de plátano. Revista ION, 27(1).
Yin, C. Y. (2010). Emerging usage of plant-based coagulants for water and wastewater treatment. Process Biochemistry, 45(9), 1437–1444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2010.05.030
