Biodegradation of Waste Papers: A Sustainable Technology for a Clean Environment

Solid wastes have posed problems of pollution in both developed and developing countries where they are found in large quantities due to domestic and industrial utilization of such materials, the inability to recycle all wastes has provided the nudging to delve into alternative method of waste management. This project aims at analyzing the effect of fungi metabolites (Enzyme); (Rhizopus) in the bioconversion of waste papers (Foolscap, Newspaper and Brown envelop) into fermentable or reducing sugars. Proximate analysis, alkaline pretreatment with sodium hydroxide and process of deinking for the removal of inks for higher susceptibility of the substrate were carried out on paper samples. Hydrolysis using enzyme was carried out for 7 days. Concentration of reducing sugar present in the samples was done using the Dinitrosalicylic acid test method. Effects of Temperature on the waste sample were analyzed at 37, 40 and 45°C

Moringa oleifera as natural coagulant in water treatment and production of antifungal soap

The use of Moringa oleifera seed in water purification has reduced the use of chemical-based coagulants which is detrimental to both human and livestock. This project aimed at testing the microbial properties of M. oleifera seed oil extract on some selected pathogens (Bacterial and fungi). The oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol as solvents. Gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analyses were carried out for the identification of active components in the oil extract. The zone of inhibition test carried out showed that this particular plant seed oil extract has antifungal property with Candida albicans and Rizopus stolonifera with highest zone of inhibition. The raffinate was used for water purification and the oil for the production of an antifungal soap