Experts in water quality analysis for over 25 years

Lemon juice was studied as a natural biocide for disinfecting drinking water and inhibiting Vibrio cholerae. Water samples of varying alkalinity and hardness were prepared artificially, and underground and surface water samples were obtained from different areas in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A range of concentrations of lemon juice were added to each sample, and the resulting pH and the sample's ability to destroy Vibrio cholerae were determined. Lemon juice was found to actively prevent survival of V. cholerae but such activity was reduced in markedly alkaline water. Treatment of alkaline underground drinking water destroyed V. cholerae under the following conditions: a mean raw water alkalinity equivalent of up to 200 mg calcium carbonate, minimum lemon juice concentration 2 per cent, and minimum contact time 30 minutes. It is therefore important to determine the alkalinity of water to be treated to be able to determine the minimum concentration of lemon juice required.

With thanks to the IRC, Netherlands