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Application of Different Organic Wastes for Electricity Generation by Means of Double Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell Technology
Okeke Ugochukwu Chibueze,
Mbachu Ifeoma Adaora Chima
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
94-102
Received:
29 May 2018
Accepted:
2 July 2018
Published:
30 July 2018
Abstract: Wastes generated by both agrobased industries and domestic units have high nutrient contents to support microbial growth but in Nigeria, these wastes are indiscriminately dumped and constitutes environmental and health hazards. Some of these wastes can be used to grow some bacterial species in microbial fuel cell to generate bioelectricity. The waste materials used in this work are, banana, and pineapple peels. Glucose was used for comparison. Bacterial species used were isolated from fluids collected from dustbins and soil, all within Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus. Microscopic characterization of the isolates by Grams reaction revealed the isolate to be Gram negative and Spore test were negative. Biochemical tests showed that the isolate were catalase positive, oxidase negative and citrate positive. By Bergys criteria, the isolate was shown to be Pseudomonas species. Genetic characterization confirmed the species to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Four (4) MFC’s were fabricated with a liter transparent plastic for the anode and cathode poles. The electrodes used was graphite for the production of graphite-graphite fuel cells. A 3.75% Sodium chloride, 2.2% agar salt bridge connected the chambers. Glucose, banana and pineapple peels were used as organic substrates and pure cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were biocatalyst for the fuel cells. Result for effect of aeration with Pseudomonas aeruginosa by multimetric monitoring gave maximum power of 3.983 X 10-4 W, 7.1625 X 10-4W and 8.9920 X 10-4 W for glucose, banana peel and pineapple peel respectively, while non-aeration was 3.936 X 10-4 W, 7.059 X 10-4 W and 8.909 X 10-4 W for glucose, banana peel and pineapple peel. Population growth determination by spectrophotometric method at wavelength 540 nm gave these results 1.148, 1.572, 1.714 and 1.837 with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on days 1, 4, 7 and 10 respectively.
Abstract: Wastes generated by both agrobased industries and domestic units have high nutrient contents to support microbial growth but in Nigeria, these wastes are indiscriminately dumped and constitutes environmental and health hazards. Some of these wastes can be used to grow some bacterial species in microbial fuel cell to generate bioelectricity. The was...
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Packaging and Microbial Status of Local & Branded Bakery Products: A Comparative Study on Jessore Region, Bangladesh
Md. Shovon Al-Fuad,
Md. Shamimuzzaman,
Raju Ahmed,
Hd. Razu Ahmmed,
Md. Tarek Hasan,
Rajib Kanti Roy
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
103-109
Received:
16 July 2018
Accepted:
9 August 2018
Published:
5 September 2018
Abstract: Background: Most of the people in Bangladesh due to their hectic lifestyles are now increasingly dependent on various bakery products as a source of ready-to-eat foods. Generally, majority of these widely consumed bakery products mainly bread and cakes are supplied by local bakeries. Any chance of unwanted microbial contamination of these popular food products due to any poor manufacturing, handling and packaging practices can lead to major food safety and public health problems. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine and compare the microbiological quality of the locally produced bakery products of Jessore based bakeries with those of branded bakery products produced by renowned food bakeries as well as assessing their relative packaging conditions in respective shops. Method: 120 bakery shops were randomly selected in Jessore region for a questionnaire based data collection. Three types of bakery shops; tea stalls, confectionaries, and variety stores were inspected against their vending extent of branded and local bakery products with associated packaging and visual appearance. Later, 20 samples of cakes (n=10) and breads (n=10) were tested to determine the total fungal count (TFC), total bacterial count (TBC), total Staphylococcus aureus (TSA), total Enterobacteriaceae (TE), and total coliforms count (TC) in cfu/g. For required statistical data analysis Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)-16 software was used. Results: Most of the open (44.6%) and spoiled (49.4%) bakery products were found in the Tea stalls. Locally produced bakery products had greater percentage of spoiled bread and cakes compared to their branded counterparts. Breads were more visually spoiled than cakes irrespective of their brands. The number of visually spoiled breads and cakes positively and significantly increased with the number of opened or partially sealed breads and cakes (r=0.64, p<0.01). Microbial counts (cfu/g) in local products were always higher than that of their branded counterparts. Bacterial counts (cfu/g) in branded products were always lower than local counterparts (Bread, 12.8 ×107 ± 3.63×107 vs 37.8×107 ± 19.1×107, p=0.024 and Cake, 10.2×107 ± 3.20×107 vs 30.8×107 ± 21.7×107, p=0.003). Coliform count in unpacked sample (4.7×104 cfu/g) was observed much higher than the safety limit for human consumption. Bread and cake produced by local bakeries showed lower standard in packaging and microbial quality. A better manufacturing and packaging initiatives can be introduced to avoid its related food safety concerns in future.
Abstract: Background: Most of the people in Bangladesh due to their hectic lifestyles are now increasingly dependent on various bakery products as a source of ready-to-eat foods. Generally, majority of these widely consumed bakery products mainly bread and cakes are supplied by local bakeries. Any chance of unwanted microbial contamination of these popular f...
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Effect of Urban Effluent on River Water Quality in the Niger Delta
Owhonda Ihunwo,
Ekpendu Chisom,
Mmedorenyin Okon,
Okoroafor Isaiah,
Charles Obunwo,
Chinedu Mmom
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
110-114
Received:
22 September 2018
Accepted:
4 October 2018
Published:
23 October 2018
Abstract: Urban effluent polluted with sewage is a major source of pollution in developing countries, yet it is a line of study that is not properly explored. In this research, a river under influence from urban effluent was studied for four months, i.e. two seasons (dry season: February and March, wet season: April and May. Four sites along the river were identified for weekly sampling, with a distance from the start of the river as follows; site 1-100m, site 2-300m, site 3- 500m and site 4- 1000m. In situ measurements of salinity were collected weekly. Samples were analysed for Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, phosphate and nitrate. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria (THB), Total Coliform Bacteria (TCB) and Faecal Coliform Bacteria (FCB) were also measured in water samples collected. These parameters were selected to access the activities of the microbial community in the water because of wastewater from the surrounding urban settlement on the watershed temporally and spatially. Results showed that the parameters studied changed in season and along the river. The dry season had significantly higher concentrations of parameters studied when compared to the wet seasons. Results also confirmed that the study river is polluted due to the urban effluent. This confirmation was attributed to the values of THB, TCB and FCB which were substantially high and varied from dry to wet season in the river.
Abstract: Urban effluent polluted with sewage is a major source of pollution in developing countries, yet it is a line of study that is not properly explored. In this research, a river under influence from urban effluent was studied for four months, i.e. two seasons (dry season: February and March, wet season: April and May. Four sites along the river were i...
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