Effectiveness of Eco-Enzyme in Reducing pH, BOD, and NH₃ Levels in Wastewater from Jombang Regional General Hospital

Nahdya Ashiva Syam; Fitri Rokhmalia; Khambali Khambali; Suprijandani Suprijandani

doi:10.52022/jikm.v18i1.860

Nahdya Ashiva Syam Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya
Fitri Rokhmalia Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya
Khambali Khambali Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya
Suprijandani Suprijandani Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52022/jikm.v18i1.860

Keywords: BOD, Eco-enzyme, NH₃, pH, Wastewater

Abstract

Background: Wastewater treatment at Jombang Regional General Hospital (RSUD Jombang) has not consistently met effluent quality standards for parameters such as pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and ammonia (NH₃). In addition, environmentally friendly approaches, such as eco-enzymes, have not yet been optimally implemented. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the eco-enzyme in reducing pH, BOD, and NH₃ levels in hospital wastewater at Jombang Regional General Hospital.

Methods: This study employed a laboratory experimental design using a post-test-only control group approach. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to identify the bioactive compounds present in the eco-enzyme solution. Wastewater samples were collected from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Jombang Regional General Hospital and treated with eco-enzyme concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% for an incubation period of 5 days. The measured parameters included pH, BOD, and ammonia (NH₃). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of α = 0.05, followed by Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test to determine differences among treatment groups.

Results: Phytochemical analysis identified five main bioactive compounds in the eco-enzyme solustion, namely flavonoids (14.246 mg/mL), polyphenols (3.648 mg/mL), citric acid (0.6954 g/L), lactic acid (0.05 mg/mL), and bromelain (0.714 U/mL). Eco-enzyme treatment significantly reduced all measured wastewater parameters. The mean pH decreased from 8.18 to 6.00 (26.59%), BOD decreased from 73.63 mg/L to 38.57 mg/L (47.62%), and NH₃ decreased from 9.45 mg/L to 2.78 mg/L (70.52%) at the 15% eco-enzyme concentration. One-way ANOVA indicated statistically significant differences among eco-enzyme treatment groups for pH, BOD, and NH₃ parameters (p < 0.05), with the greatest reductions observed at the 15% eco-enzyme concentration.

Conclusions: Eco-enzymes demonstrated potential effectiveness in reducing pH, BOD, and NH₃ levels in hospital wastewater, particularly at a concentration of 15%. These findings suggest that eco-enzymes may serve as a sustainable and cost-effective approach for hospital wastewater treatment. Further studies are required to optimize fermentation conditions, extend treatment duration, and evaluate large-scale applications to assess long-term stability and economic feasibility.

Author Biographies

Nahdya Ashiva Syam, Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya

Undergraduate student of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya. Conducting research on eco enzyme application for hospital wastewater treatment focusing on pH, BOD, and ammonia reduction.

Fitri Rokhmalia, Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya

Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya. Lecturer with expertise in hospital wastewater treatment, eco-enzyme application, and public health environmental studies.

Khambali Khambali, Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya

Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya. Dr. Khambali, ST., MPPM is the Lecturer with expertise in hospital wastewater treatment, eco-enzyme application, and public health environmental studies.

Suprijandani Suprijandani, Department of Enviromental Health Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya

Head of Environmental Health Department at Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya. Served as a thesis proposal examiner and chair of the examination board during the final defense. Has expertise in public health, sanitation, and wastewater treatment systems.