Volume 6, Issue 1 (June)

1

Research Article

Production of citric acid from lemon and cassava waste peels

NWOSU F O^*, KAREE A O

The high demand for citric acid by many industries cannot be over emphasized. Presently, 70 % of the total citric acid produced globally is consumed by food industries, 12 % by pharmaceutical industries and the remaining 18 % by other industries. Moreover, rapid increase in food/beverage industries in Nigeria with no known company producing citric acid in Nigeria makes its scarcity severe. Cass...

Jun, 2015 pp. 1-7

2

Research Article

Extraction and characterization of oil from African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) seeds for utilization in the leather industry

Bulus Habila^*, Dadah J.S, Salim Ahmed Sule, Sunday Ojih, Igbehinadun Olajide J., Kadanga Beatrice, Zakari Abdullahi, Kogi Cecilia A

The leather industries in Nigeria depend largely on imported fatliquors at exorbitant rates and that has affected the leather value chain, to avert this, there is the need to look into our indigenous plants to make this product available. In this light African star apple (Chrysophyllum Albidum) seed was considered for its affordability and availability. The seed was collected and some physico-c...

Jun, 2015 pp. 8-13

3

Research Article

A study on preferred footwear fastening mechanism for the prevention of diabetic foot complications

TAGANG J. I^*, Chen R. C

Use of appropriate footwear among people suffering with diabetic foot complications has been well documented to play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of established foot diseases. The incidence and prevalence rates of diabetes in Africa are increasing and foot complications are rising parallel. However, there is a paucity of literature on the role of people suffering with diabetics ...

Jun, 2015 pp. 14-19

4

Research Article

Characterization of river Niger sand at Itobe with Iyoloko clay as a binder for foundry application

APATA A. O^*, YUNUSA Y, ADAMS F. V

This study investigates the characterization of River Niger Silica sand at Itobe with Iyoloko clay as additives for its possible uses in sand casting in the foundries. A measure of 5-25 %wt Iyoloko clay was added to the sand mixture in ratio 3:1. The chemical, physical and mechanical properties measured includes: chemical analysis of the Iyoloko clay, particle size, density, permeability, comp...

Jun, 2015 pp. 20-25

5

Research Article

Three-point bending test evaluation of some wood properties of ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis) in Nigeria grown timber

SHOLADOYE I O^*, ABUBAKAR I, IJIMDIYA S. T

This study presents a relationship between developed physical and mechanical properties of Nigerian grown Ebony ((Kanyan) Diospyros mespiliformi) timber. This is in order to determine the full potential for its utilization. Wood specimens for the test were prepared and determined in accordance with EN 13183-1 (2002) and EN 408 (2003). The mechanical properties were determined using three point ...

Jun, 2015 pp. 26-31

6

Research Article

Fabrication of palm kernel shell epoxy composites and study of their mechanical properties

ACHUKWU E. O^*, BARNABAS A. M, MAMMAN A, UZOCHUKWU M. I

The solid waste from palm oil mill industry in Nigeria has been on the increase annually. This study thus investigates the utilization of Palm kernel shells (PKS) bio-agricultural wastes as a filler material for epoxy composite fabrication in which the filler was treated in an alkali solution. The composites were fabricated by employing filler particle size of 150μm and loadings of 5%, 10%, 20%...

Jun, 2015 pp. 32-38

7

Research Article

Application of response surface methodology in adsorption of lead ion from laboratory simulated wastewater using Eucalpytus tereticornis leaves

AMINU Z. I^*, GALADIMA M.S, ISA M. T, AMEH A. O, SANNI M. I

This study is aimed at modeling of lead adsorption on Eucalyptus tereticornis (locally known as Turare) leaves from laboratory simulated wastewater through the application of response surface methodology (RSM). Batch studies were performed to evaluate the different parameters considered: contact time and adsorbent dosage. Central Composite Design (CCD) in Response Surface Methodology was emplo...

Jun, 2015 pp. 39-42

8

Research Article

Assessment of dyeing and some fastness properties of nanocrystalline cellulose extracted from corn cob

BUKHARI M. M^*, SALEH YUSUF MAIGARI, ATTA A. Y, Mohammed K. Yakubu

The dyeing of nanocrystalline (NCC) cellulose powder extracted from corn cob (Saleh, 2015) was carried out using Reactive (Procion Violet H-3R), Disperse (Foron YellowS.E 2GL) and Direct (Solophenyl Yellow) dyes. The percentage exhaustion in each case was calculated to determine which of the dyes exhausted best. The fastness of the dyed NCC powder to washing, chlorination and light were also i...

Jun, 2015 pp. 43-46

9

Research Article

GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds from the fruit pulp and seed extracts of Diospyros mespiliformis(Jackal beery)

MANN A^*, TIJJANI A., GARBA K.

Diospyros mespiliformis is ubiquitously found plant in northern Nigerian farms and forests. Previously, various parts of this plant were reported for treatment of different types of diseases and there was neither a report of collection of the plant’s fruit pulp and seed from Dutsin-Ma nor on GC Ms analysis. Preliminary phytochemical screenings of n-hexane and methanol extracts were carried out ...

Jun, 2015 pp. 47-52

10

Research Article

Production of uniformly disperse carbon nanotube/high density polyethylene nanocomposite using novel nanofeeder injection moulding machine

GADIMOH S.^*, IBRAHIM H. D, Kolawole E. G., NKEONYE P.O, MUSTAPHA A.

Uniformly disperse single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/High density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposite has been produced using the developed nanofeeder injection mould machine. The dispersion state of SWCNTs in the HDPE matrix was evaluated by transmission electron microscope and Atomic force microscope images and confirmed with conductivity test. It was found that the dispersion state of SWC...

Jun, 2015 pp. 53-57

11

Research Article

Synthesis of active methylene azo disperse dyes based on 4-Amino-3-Nitrobenzaldehyde as diazo component and their application on polyester and Nylon 6.6 fabric

SALISU A^*, Bello K. A., Mohammed K. Yakubu

Active methylene azo disperse dyes were synthesized and characterized. A good percentage yield of each of the dyes were obtained in the range of 58-82 %. The dyes have well defined melting points in the range of 270 – 404 C. The visible absorption spectra of the dyes showed that the dyes absorbed maximally within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The results of halochromism o...

Jun, 2015 pp. 58-64

12

Research Article

Household electronic wastes (E-wastes) generation and management in Nigeria

IBRAHIM F. B^*

The rapid turnover in technology in developed and developing countries like Nigeria, has created a new environmental problem in electronic waste (e-waste) management due to high obsolesce rate of consumption. Households are one of the major consumers of electronic equipment and consequently the major sources of electronic wastes (e-waste). In this study, an assessment of the sources, types, lifesp...

Jun, 2015 pp. 65 – 72

13

Research Article

Eco-acoustical evaluation of agricultural and environmental wastes as sustainable materials for noise control in buildings

Mudashir Gafar^*

On a global scale, sustainable environment and noise pollution are of serious concern in most developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception. Notable scholars have studied many materials - natural and synthetic - for noise control in buildings. Sustainable environment evolves from the production, application and use of sustainable products. A product is considered sustainable if the materials u...

Dec, 2015 pp. 73 – 79

14

Research Article

Effect of compactive effort on the geotechnical properties of metakaolin treated black cotton soil

IJIMDIYA S. T^*, Imam G, IGBORO T, TANKO A

This study examines the influence of compactive efforts on the geotechnical properties of compacted black cotton soil treated with metakaolin (MTK) to assess its suitability for use as a barrier material in waste containment application. Black cotton soil treated with up to 10% MTK (obtained from calcinations of kaolin) by dry weight of soil was used. The natural soil classifies as A-7-6(22) an...

Jun, 2015 pp. 80-84

15

Research Article

Characterization and disposal of hospital wastes in some selected hospitals within kaduna metropolis

ABDULLAHI N I^*, IBRAHIM F. B, Abdulraheem Giwa

Health-care services in rural or urban settings inevitably generate wastes that may be hazardous to health or have harmful environmental effects. This paper therefore assesses the generation, characterization and disposal of hospital waste of some selected hospitals within Kaduna metropolis. Nine hospitals were selected for the study. The weight of waste generated in these facilities is measure...

Jun, 2015 pp. 85-89

16

Research Article

Production of biodegradable grease from Atili (Blackdate) oil

MAINA N. S^*, Israel J. J

The work was aimed at the production of biodegradable grease from Atili (Blackdate) Oil that will be environmentally friendly. The grease was produced by mixing and blending of the base oil (Atili oil) with a mixture of calcium hydroxide and the stearic acid at 90oC which was then slowly heated to 190oC for about three hours to obtain the desired product. Three sets of the grease were produced ...

Jun, 2015 pp. 90-94

17

Research Article

Some clinical applications of nanotechnology

GIWA F J^*, ILIYA E. B

Nanomedicine can be succinctly defined as the application of nanotechnologies in a healthcare setting. Nanomedicine ascends from the integration of different sciences; physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, engineering, using the nanometer scale. This leads to scientists with different backgrounds, and diversified technical and intellectual skills, trying to address medical problems us...

Jun, 2015 pp. 95-102

18

Research Article

Treatment of waste water by activated carbon developed from Borassus aethiopum

Jacob A. G^*, OKUNOLA O. J, UDUMA A. U

The use and effectiveness of granular and powdered activated carbon made from Borassus aethiopum shells in adsorption studies were investigated. The source material was carbonized at 5000C and for a residence time of three hour in a muffle furnace, while 0.5M each of H3PO4 and ZnCl2 were used for chemical activation at 7500C and for 60m residence time. The adsorption of lead from aqueous solut...

Jun, 2015 pp. 103-107

19

Research Article

Characterization of hematite nanoparticles synthesized via sol gel method in tween 20 surfactant solution

IBRAHIM ABDULKADIR^*, Bice S. Martincigh

Samples of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (HTW) have been synthesized through a modified sol-gel method in Tween 20 (a polysorbate surfactant), separate portions of the powders were annealed at three different temperatures (400, 500 and 600 °C). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and by means of a vibr...

Jun, 2015 pp. 108-113

20

Research Article

Elucidation of microbial decolourization and degradation efficiency of recalcitrant-carcinogenic azo dye congo red by novel bacterial strains

Shinkafi M. S.^*, GALADIMA M.S, Mohammed I. U., Hassan A. S., J. M. Hayatu

Novel bacterial strains capable of decolorizing textile dyes were isolated from dye contaminated soil obtained from the vicinity of African Textiles Industry Challawa, Kano - Nigeria. The Carcinogenic azo dye Congo red used widely in various industrial processes poses terrific environmental concern, causing major health problems to human beings. In the present study, decolourization of Congo re...

Jun, 2015 pp. 114-123

21

Research Article

The possible modulatory effects of kolaviron on arsenite-induced hepato-toxicity in experimental rats

OLUFUNMILAYO HANNAFI O^*, THEODORE AKUNNA

The effects of kolaviron , an active component of Garcinia kola seeds were investigated on sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Administration of a single dose of sodium arsenite (10mg/kg body weight) orally, increased the activities of serum marker enzymes-Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This also led to increase in lipid peroxidation and reducti...

Jun, 2015 pp. 124-129

22

Research Article

An assessment of the metals accumulated in newly weaned mice after ingesting ‘Nzu clay’ using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy

Omoniyi K. I.^*, OKUNOLA O. J

Nzu clay’ is a geophagious clay consumed in Africa for some medicinal purposes. This study reports the level of accumulated metals in mice that ingested ‘Nzu clay’ for 14 days. Eight female mice (10 ± 2 g) were each fed 0.02 g of ‘Nzu’ mixed with Bendel Plc Feed per day. The ‘Nzu clay’ contained 2.900 mg/kg Pb and 2.143 mg/kg Cd, while the experimental mice accumulated 0.893 mg/kg of Pb and 2.7...

Jun, 2015 pp. 130-134

23

Research Article

Physicochemical properties of terminalia avicennioides (ta) and anogeissus latifolia (al) gum

Omoniyi K. I.^*, AMEH P. O, USMAN U

The work reports the physicochemical properties of gum exudates from two Combretaceae tree species (Terminalia avicennioides (TA) and Anogeissus latifolia (AL)) determined by standard methods. The gum exudates exhibited differences in physicochemical qualities. The physicochemical properties of the gum were in the following ranges: moisture (11.3 - 11.5%); swelling capacity at 30oC (11 - 13%); ...

Jun, 2015 pp. 135-140

24

Research Article

Characterisation of vanillin and its application as carrier on commercial azo disperse dyes on woven polyester fabric

JOSEPH ODEY^*, SALIU H. R, Abdulraheem Giwa

An extracted vanillin from Foster Clark vanilla flavour for the chemical substitution of toxic carriers used in aqueous dyeing of polyester fabrics was assessed. The extracted vanillin was used to compare the dyeing of a woven polyester fabric with two commercial dyes C.I Disperse Yellow 56, and C.I. Disperse Yellow 50. The vanillin carrier is used for dyeing at 3 % shade at boil, the dye uptak...

Jun, 2015 pp. 141-144

25

Research Article

Determination of properties of Canarium schweinfurthii (Blackdate) seed shell reinforced composite

MAINA N. S^*, ISA M. T, Adeniregun S

Crushed particles of canarium schweinfurthii (Blackdate) seed shells were used to reinforce general purpose unsaturated polyester and the properties were studied in this work. Particles of sizes 0.6mm, 1.18mm and 2.36mm with each particle size having a composition weight of 100g, 150g, 180g 200g and 220g respectively were used as reinforcement. The results showed that the composite produced fr...

Jun, 2015 pp. 145-152

26

Research Article

Production of date-seed activated carbon for use in adsorption refrigeration application

ABDULKADIR M S^*, Kulla D. M., PAM G Y

High energy requirement of vapour compression refrigeration systems necessitate the increasing need for more reliable, flexible and cost efficient cooling systems alternatives. Energy saving potential, Carbon emission reduction and waste heat utilization of adsorption refrigeration system could be exploited in this regard. Some of the setbacks that hinder adsorption refrigeration systems from r...

Jun, 2015 pp. 160-143

27

Research Article

Correlation analysis of regulated and emerging Tri-Halomethane disinfection by-products and physico-chemical parameters of a community drinking water supply

Shaibu-Imodagbe E. M.^*, MOHAMMAD Y S, OKUOFU C. A, UNYIMADU J. P, WILLIAMS A. B

Using the Pearson Correlation technique, this paper established significant linear relationship among pairs of analysed physic-chemical parameters with the determined regulated (regTHMsDBPs) and emerging (emergTHMsDBPs) Tri-halomethanes Disinfection By-Products in the drinking water produced by the Ahmadu Bello University water treatment plant. Using standard methods including the USEPA Method...

Jun, 2015 pp. 162-168

28

Research Article

Effects of single super Phosphate and wood ash on biogas production using cow dung

Shaibu-Imodagbe E. M.^*, MUSA R, Igboro S. B., Alfa M. I., Ishaq A.

This study was carried out to examine the catalytic effects of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) with Wood ash on the production of biogas from Cow Dung. The study was carried out in four identical reactors to enable variation of the catalyst combination (100gSSP/50gWoodash, 150gSSP/75gWoodash and 200gSSP/100gWoodash). The research showed that SSP and Wood ash could reduce the lag phase in anaerobi...

Jun, 2015 pp. 169-173

29

Research Article

Effects of single super Phosphate and wood ash on biogas production using cow dung

Shaibu-Imodagbe E. M.^*, MUSA R, Igboro S. B., Alfa M. I., Ishaq A.

This study was carried out to examine the catalytic effects of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) with Wood ash on the production of biogas from Cow Dung. The study was carried out in four identical reactors to enable variation of the catalyst combination (100gSSP/50gWoodash, 150gSSP/75gWoodash and 200gSSP/100gWoodash). The research showed that SSP and Wood ash could reduce the lag phase in anaerobi...

Jun, 2015 pp. 169-173

30

Research Article

Electrical conductivity of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fabric functionalized with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

ILIYA E. B^*, R. Kotek, R.E. Gorga

Low aspect ratio pristine Multi-walled carbon nanotubes prepared by carbon vapour deposition  (CVD) were dispersed in Miranol, Cetyl pyridinium chloride and a 50:50 ratio mixture of them. They  were each applied on 100% PET fabric using classical polyester dyeing techniques (exhaust dyeing) as  well as cold padding by 3, 5-minute dip-dry techniques under controlled conditions. Exhaust dyeing  yiel...

Jun, 2015 pp. 174-182