International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
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Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Bioethanol Production from Neem Tree Leaves (AzadirachtaIindica)
Get PDFBio-ethanol was produced from Neems tree leaves (Azadirachta indica) through enzymatic hydrolysis using Bacillus firmus as fermenting agent. Dried powdered of Neem tree leaves (Azadirachta indica) was hydrolyzed using 1.0cm3, 1.5cm3 and 2.0cm3 of Bacillus suspension. After that the hydrolyzed samples were fermented using 3cm3 suspension of cultured bacteria (Bacillus firmus). After that, the fermented broths formed were distillated to obtained bioethanol. Acidified K2Cr2O7 was used to determine the concentration of the bioethanol produced. In which the absorbance of the bioethanol obtained using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer was extrapolated with the series concentration prepared with standard glucose solution. The FTIR Spectroscopy analysis of bio-ethanol produced confirms the presence of alcohol functional group present in the sample. The percentage yield of the bioethanol from the leaves using 1.0cm3, 1.5cm3 and 2.0cm3 of Bacillus suspension were 1.42%, 1.85%, and 1.72% yield respectively. The result showed that the Neem tree leaves that are from lignocelluloses materials can produce some appreciable percentage of bio-ethanol. Among the samples 1.5cm3of Bacillus suspension has shown the highest yield of 1.85%.  
Geochemical Investigation and Physical Impact Assessment of Artisanal Gold Mining, Kataeregi, North-Central Nigeria
Get PDFThe geochemistry of mine products and stream sediments from Kataeregi area in North-central Nigeria was studied with the objective of environmental hazards assessment that is caused by artisanal gold mining activities through field work and laboratory analyses. The field work involves the observation of physical impact of mining on the environment and collection of representative samples along the streams, mined site and tailings within the location of study. The sediment samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The result obtained from laboratory analysis was compared with the ideal average crustal concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Field observation revealed that mining activity has impacted on the environment with land destruction, loss of vegetation and erosion of soils. Geological field mapping show the area is underlain with Migmatite-Gneiss complex, Mica Schist, Granite and Sandstone lithologies. Results from geochemical analysis revealed that sediments are enriched with elements such as Au (0.23ppm), Ag (2.59ppm), Hg (0.21ppm) and Mo (1.14ppm). The presence of Hg in sediments can get consumed directly or indirectly through food chain and passed on to human
Proximate and Mineral Composition of the Whole Seeds of Chrysophyllum Albidum Fruit
Get PDF The proximate composition of the whole seed of Chrysophyllum albidum was determined. Mineral elements were determined using a tri-acid digestion method. The results of the proximate analysis of the whole seed showed moisture content (35.99+ 0.02%), ash (1.01+ 0.02%), lipids (1.00+0.02%), crude fibre (27.51+0.02%), crude protein (0.77+0.03%), soluble carbohydrate (33.73+0.02%). The energy value of the fruit was found to be (623.51+0.30kJ/100g) in the whole seed. Similarly, mineral analysis revealed that potassium content (183.33+ 5.77mg/100g), Sodium (25.00+ 0.00mg/100g), phosphorus (2.33+ 0.05mg/100g), Calcium (71.67+ 28.43mg/100g), Magnesium (35.00+ 26.46mg/100g), Copper (0.66 + 0.06mg/100g), Zinc (0.29 + 0.16mg/100g), and Iron (8.71+ 0.01 mg/100g). Others include heavy metal such as Lead (0.10 + 0.17mg/100g), Chromium (ND) and Cadmium appeared very low (0.12 + 0.19mg/100g). It also contained high percentage of vitamin C (9.00 + 1.50mg/100g). The results showed that Chrysophyllum albidum seed contained essential nutrients and mineral elements. The whole seed is therefore recommended for seed cake compounding of animal feeds as the value is < 2.5%
Isolation and Identification of Fungi from Patients Attending Amanawa General Hospital Sokoto State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe research was conducted to investigate the mycological etiology, prevalence and distribution of fungal pathogens among patients with dermatological conditions attending Amanawa Hospital, Sokoto. A total number of thirty 30 samples were collected.Eight (8) species of fungi and one (1) genus were isolated these include; Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton concentricum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporumferrgineum, Microsporumcanis, Microsporumaudounii, Aspergilusflavus, Aspergilusniger, Trichoderma and Penicilliumspp. Percentage frequency of occurrence of isolated fungi from female patients indicated that Microsporumcanis had the highest percentage frequency of 18.2% and the remaining species of fungi had the least percentage frequency of 9.1% each. The percentage frequency of occurrence of isolated fungi from male patients indicated that Trichophyton concentricum, M. ferrgineum, Mucorspp and Penicilliumspp had the highest percentage frequency of 12.5% while Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton schoenlenii, Microsporumcanis, Microsporumaudounii, Aspergilusniger, Candida albicans had the least percentage frequency of 6.3%.Occurrence of isolated fungi was found to be much in age group 11-13. With regard to gender, female patients are mostly affected than the male patients. There is therefore, the need for improved social, economic, health care and hygiene practice
Assessment of Human Exposures to Natural Sources of Radiation in Soils of the Cretaceous-Paleocene Formation of Sokoto Basin, Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria
Get PDFNatural radioactivity is a source of continuous exposure to human beings. It originates from both extraterrestrial sources and radioactive elements in the earth’s crust. The amount of radioactivity in soil varies geographically and ggeologically across the world. In Sokoto city and it’s environs, data on the levels of natural radioactivity in soils is absent. It was therefore considered imperative to measure the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples collected from various areas of Sokoto. Activity concentrations were measured by means of Sodium Iodide gamma-ray spectrometry. A total of 12 surface soil samples were collected from around Sokoto city. The measured activity concentrations of these radionuclides were compared with the data reported worldwide. Mean measured activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 53.68.28 Bq kg −1, 115.2928.4 Bq kg −1, and 2003.1278.1 Bq kg−1, respectively. Mean values of radium equivalent activity, air absorbed gamma radiation dose rate, and external radiation hazard index were 378.71±40.19 Bq kg−1, 1.09±0.06 nGy h−1, and 1.006 Bq kg−1, respectively. The annual effective radiation dose was calculated to be 1.09 mSvy−1. The result of this work has established the fact that soils from Sokoto contain enhanced level of gamma radiation that may be hazardous to the inhabitants of the area
Effects of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhiodes) Sole Cropping on Soil Chemical Properties in Musawa Area, Katsina State, Nigeria
Get PDFPearl millet is the 6th most important world cereal. The study assessed the effects of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) on soil properties in Musawa area, Katsina state, Nigeria. Methods for the study involved: soil sampling were composite method was used to collect soil samples on 10 farmlands in five study villages of the area. The 10 samples were collected from five sampled plots under pearl millet sole (major cropping) and five control plot of mixed cropping. The samples were air dried, packaged in labeled polythene bags and transported to soil laboratory of Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano for analysis. Soil properties tested are: pH, CEC, OC, N, P, K and Ca. Results show that while average pH (6.12) and CEC (1.583me/100g) were found under pearl millet sole cropping to be high and low respectively, pH (6.06) and CEC (2.159me/100g) under mixed cropping system were low and high respectively. Nitrogen, potassium, calcium as well as boron and exchangeable bases were found to be low, possibly declined due to millet sole cropping. Furthermore, under pearl millet sole cropping, soil was found to be low in OC, N, K, Ca and CEC respectively. It is recommended that mixed cropping systems traditional fertility management practices should be encouraged for the soils to withstand the continuous pearl millet cultivation in the study area
Assessment of the Effects of Urban Land Use on Some Soil Properties in Parts of Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFSeveral land use activities have some negative effects on the surrounding soil. This study paper tried to assess the various effects of different land use activities on the physical and chemical properties of soil in part of Kaduna metropolis. Urban land use types such as residential, road side mechanic workshop, dump site, farm land, industrial and wood land were chosen for the study. The main source of data for the study was primary data. Profile pits where dug and 23 samples of soil were collected for laboratory analysis. An undisturbed wood land around the eastern bypass in Maraban Rido was used as the control. The samples were analyzed according to standard method in the laboratory to assess the soil particle size, pH, organic matter, exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and some heavy elements such as Mn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb, Zn, and C. The result of the study shows that clay content increases with depth in soils under the various land use, which indicate that urban land use has affected the soils of the area. Organic matter content was found to be relatively high especially in the mechanic workshop and dumpsite, also the ECEC values are higher in soils affected by urban land uses as compared to the control this may be attributed to municipal waste incorporation into the soils. The concentration of heavy metals was generally low as compared to the permissible limit showing that land use types has not affected soil quality significantly. The paper therefore recommends careful use of the soils in the Metropolis to avoid further changes in its quality
The Effect of Public Awareness on Solid Waste Management in Sabon-Gari Local Government
Get PDFThe paper examined the effect of public awareness on solid waste management in Sabon-Gari local government, Kaduna State. Nigeria. One of the major problems bedeviling the waste sector is inadequate public education on waste management practices such as proper waste disposal which have resulted in indiscriminate disposal of solid waste thereby posing serious hazards to the environment and human health. The major objective of the paper is to assess the level of public awareness on the waste management problems in Sabon-Gari and the extent to which the public awareness strategy put in place by the local government has changed public attitude towards waste disposal. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and semi- structured interview. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages while Pearson correlation was used to test the hypothesis with SPSS. Data generated through interview were analyzed qualitatively. The paper established that residents of SabonGari local government are aware of the waste management problems in their environment and the public awareness strategy put in place by the local government has had no significant effect on solid waste disposal practices. The paper recommends that Sabon-Gari local government should intensify its public awareness campaign through regular public awareness, promote the creation of environmental clubs in schools, adequate provision of waste containers etc. in order to safeguard health and protect the environment
Biodiesel Production from Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil using MgO/Al2O3 Catalyst
Get PDFIncrease in world fuel consumption, rising in fuel price, depletion of fossil fuels and global warming problems lead to the search for renewable alternative sources of energy. Moringa oleifera seed oil had been identified as one of the non-edible biodiesel feedstock but it problem is high free fatty acid content, in an attempt to search for suitable catalyst which produce low acid content biodiesel, the suitability of using MgO/Al2O3 as a catalyst in the transesterification of moringa oleifera seed oil into biodiesel was investigated. The transeseterification was done using methanol and 5wt. % MgO/Al2O3, at 60℃ using response surface method. The moringa oleifera methyl ester (MOME) produced had an acid number of 0.2 mgKOH/g , carbon residue of 0.02 wt. %, cetane number of 48.2 , cloud pont of -13℃ and density of 0.87 g/cm3 . It had a flash point of 140℃, higher heating value of 41.58 MJ/Kg, pour point of -10℃ and a viscosity of 4.6 mm²/s. All the properties of the MOME were within the acceptable ASTM limits which indicates that MgO/Al2O3 is a suitable heterogenous catalyst for the production of MOME. 
Online Voting System: Best Option for Nigeria Elections
Get PDFSince the internet boom in the 1990’s the question has arisen, will it be possible to vote via the internet one day. In many European countries and around the World initiatives of research institutions, private organizations and governments have tried to provide an electronic solution to this key democratic process. This paper work used ASP.net technology to make remote online voting possible in Nigerian democratic system. ONLINE VOTING SYSTEM is an online registration and voting application and processing system that allowed voter to register and vote through internet. Using the powerful medium of internet, voting is no longer a hassle for voter in this technologically enhanced era. With the introduction of online voting system, the process of registration exercise, following a long queue for voting are now eliminated. The online voting system provided an efficient online and web based interface for voters. The online voting system is a collection of forms and ballot forms, and also included voting rules and regulations forms. The aim is to provide cost and time effective solutions for government in conducting a free and fair election. The importance of online voting will be more preferred by voters to the current procedures which is cumbersome and time consuming. This is very beneficial for the government too.
They don’t have to do any further paper works everything will be saved on database.