Utilization of Sweet Potato Leaf Extract (Ipomoea batatas L.) as a Bioflocculant in Clean Water Treatment

Abstract

The increasing demand for clean water due to population growth and human activities is not matched by its availability, as many regions still face pollution from domestic and industrial waste. This study explores the potential of sweet potato leaf extract (Ipomoea batatas L.) as a natural bioflocculant in water treatment. Sweet potato leaves contain secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, which contribute to coagulation–flocculation processes. The extract was applied to contaminated water samples and evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing turbidity, suspended solids, and other water quality parameters. The results show that the extract significantly improved water quality at optimal concentrations, outperforming the control. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly as it does not produce hazardous residues. Therefore, sweet potato leaf extract has potential as an economical, sustainable, and safe alternative bioflocculant for clean water treatment.