Biomass Valorization: Agricultural Waste in Environmental Protection, Phytomedicine and Biofuel Production

Industrialization is a major promoter of any nation’s economy; it is not without detrimental effects on our immediate environment. Human exposure to various pollutants discharged into the environment may lead to serious health challenges. In the same vein, discharge from the combustion of fossil fuel contributes a great deal to the environmental pollution. The resulting quest for a clean and sustainable environment has spurred myriads of research into advantageous utilization of waste biomass in industrial wastewater treatment and environmentally friendly/alternative energy. Similarly, diverse waste materials have been adopted as sources of important phytochemicals with different medicinal applications. This chapter focuses on the application of waste biomass in environmental remediation, curative medicine, and clean/alternative energy

Preparation and Characterization of Modified Adsorbents Derived from Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Leaf

The feasibility of a new and novel adsorbent was investigated by impregnation of pawpaw leaf (Carica papaya) in H2SO4 and NaOH respectively. The adsorbents prepared were characterized using FTIR, SEM, TGA and EDX techniques respectively. Physicochemical parameters of these adsorbents such as pH, moisture content, ash content, porosity and iodine number were also carried out; the results were then compared with the expensive commercial activated carbon (CAC) parameters. A close agreement in moisture, pH, porosity, ash content and iodine number of the acid activated pawpaw leaf (Carica papaya) shows its feasibility as a good and effective adsorbent. Conclusively, the present investigation shows that acid activated C. papaya leaf is a good and viable alternative adsorbent, which could be used in lieu of expensive CAC for adsorption processes

In Vivo Antiplasmodial Potential of the Leaf, Mesocarp, and Epicarp of the Raphia hookeri Plant in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65

Background of the study. Raphia hookeri G. Mann & H. Wendl (Arecaceae) is an important plant used in folkloric medicine to treat various ailments such as inflammation, tumor, microbial infections, paralysis, hypertension, and rheumatism, primarily in Africa and Asia. Aim and Objectives. The study was designed to investigate the antiplasmodial and antioxidant potencies of Raphia hookeri leaves, mesocarp, and epicarp using Plasmodium infected mice. The bioactive constituents were further explored via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results. The presence of alkaloids, fats and oils, phenolic, and flavonoids was detected via the qualitative test which was confirmed from the result obtained from the GC-MS chromatogram of ethanolic leaves extract. The GC-MS chromatogram of the constituents analogous to the twenty peaks was analyzed as follows: dodecanoic acid (1.94%), 2-undecanone (3.42%), hexadecanoic acid (44.84%), oleic acid (7.45%), octadecanoic acid (8.41%), narcissidine (2.38%), 1-dotriacontanol (2.38%), α-sitosterol (2.02%), and lupeol (1.42%). The total phenolics and flavonoids of 118 and 23.3702 mg/g were analyzed in the leaves extract. The leave extract exhibited inhibitory activity of 73.49% against free radicals which could lead to inflammation. The extracts and chloroquine-treated groups showed significant decrease in percentage parasitaemia with pronounced activity observed in chloroquine groups. Conclusion. The curative and scavenging potencies of studied plant could be attributed to the metabolites analyzed and could guide the formulation of new pharmacophores against malaria infections and inflammations

Silver nanoparticle synthesis by Acalypha wilkesiana extract: phytochemical screening, characterization, influence of operational parameters, and preliminary antibacterial testing

© 2019, The Author(s). Introduction: The application of skin bleaching products to inhibit melanogenesis is a common practice within the African diaspora. Despite the adverse health effects of skin bleaching, rigorous studies investigating skin bleaching behavior among these populations in the United States are limited. In our P30 pilot study, we explored predictors of skin bleaching practice intensity among African and Afro-Caribbean women. Methods: In collaboration with our Community Engagement Core, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between demographic and psychosocial predictors and skin-bleaching-related practice patterns among African and Afro-Caribbean women in New York City. Results: Among the 76 participants recruited, the median age at the initiation of skin bleaching was 19.5 (16–25) years, yielding a median duration of 13.5 (6–23) years. Although pregnant women were not actively recruited for the study, 13.2% (n = 10) of the participants used skin bleaching products while pregnant or possibly breastfeeding. Nativeness and education were associated with various components of skin bleaching practice intensity, including duration of skin bleaching, daily use of products, and bleaching of the entire body. Participants’ perceived skin-color-related quality of life was not associated with skin bleaching practice intensity. Conclusion: Skin bleaching is a habitual practice that likely requires culturally sensitive interventions to promote behavioral change. The existence of prenatal and postnatal exposure to mercury, hydroquinone, and other potentially harmful chemicals in skin bleaching products highlights an urgent need to explore the adverse effects of skin bleaching practices on birth outcomes and the growth and neurodevelopment of young babies

p-Nitrophenol Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Raw and Modified Kaolinite

Natural adsorbent prepared from kaolin clay (RK) as well as RK modified separately with cysteine (CYMK), and chitosan (CHMK) was used for the removal of p-nitrophenol (PNP) from aqueous solution. Prepared adsorbents were fully characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Vivid characteristics of kaolinite were shown by FTIR spectroscopy and surface modification showed new absorption bands which corresponds to the unique functional groups in the modifying agents. Surface morphology was also altered after modification. Surface modification enhanced adsorption capacity. Adsorption data fitted best into the Freundlich adsorption isotherm for the three adsorption systems thus suggesting multi surface adsorption. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities were 6.94 mg/g, 4.61 mg/g and 6.56 mg/g for PNP-RK, PNP-CYMK and PNP-CHMK systems respectively. The pseudo second order kinetics best described the kinetics of the adsorption system. Temperature effects showed that the adsorbents were stable across the temperature considered and thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption processes were feasible and spontaneous. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i6.1143 </p

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of Raphia Hookeri Leaf and Epicarp

The contribution of oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of several health conditions and its association with life-threatening diseases such as malaria has necessitated the search for more phytochemicals with antioxidant properties. Various parts of Raphia hookeri such as the leaves, fruit and sap have been moderately studied and applied in different areas of industry. However, the epicarp is generally discarded. The ethanolic extracts of Raphia hookeri leaf and epicarp were herein investigated for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents using spectrometric methods. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation assays were used to determine the antioxidant potential of the extracts. The recorded Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of both extracts are comparable while the Total Flavonoid Content of the leaf extract is higher. Consequently, the antioxidant activity of the leaf extract was higher. Although the antioxidant potential of the leaf is higher (351.170±22.950 mg/g RE), the comparable TPC and the antioxidant activity exhibited by Raphia hookeri epicarp extract projects it as a rich phytochemical bio-resourse which may have future relevance in the pharmaceutical industry

Wastewater conservation and reuse in quality vegetable cultivation: Overview, challenges and future prospects

The serious water scarcity experienced across the globe and the desire for sufficient food production all year round to combat hunger, poverty and malnutrition necessitate the need for wastewater reuse in irrigation. Wastewater has varied compositions that affect the growth of different crops positively, they may also be a source of dangerous pollutant. Heavy consumption of vegetables have been encouraged for its nutritional and health advantages. Hence, their production and cultivation have increased globally. While the nutritional advantage of vegetables is appealing, their high susceptibility to harbor and spread pathogenic microbes call for serious concern. Activities such as transportation, improper handling and packaging amongst others are sources of vegetable contamination. Irrigation water and techniques however present greater danger. Agro-industrial wastewater of a ready-to-eat vegetable (RTEv) industry operating a closed system may reintroduce microbes to vegetable gardens. The use of raw domestic wastewater, either black or grey water in vegetable cultivation presents attendant challenges which must be handled with utmost precaution. This review is focused on the dangers associated with the reuse of agro-industrial and domestic wastewater, precautions required as well as possible preventive/reduction measures. The possible dangers associated with “crude irrigation techniques” used in vegetable cultivation in the Southwestern part of Nigeria are presented. This work will no doubt serve as a tool for policy makers and environmentalists in enlightenment and awareness campaigns in educating most rural dwellers who are ignorant of these dangers

Emerging Water Pollutants and Wastewater Treatments

The environment is continuously threatened with various kind of pollutants, which have detrimental effects not only on human health, but also on eco-systems. In general, the water body is an easy route to wastewater disposal where many contaminants of emerging concerns, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products etc. are present. Very recently, other classes of novel water pollutants occur which include nanoplastics and nanoparticles. Here, we discuss both classical and newly emerging water pollutants categories with their possible consequences. In addition, treatments and tackling techniques of these water pollutants are summarized. Ten different areas of concern to solve these problems and challenges of emerging water pollutants are highlighted

Antioxidant Potential of Zingiber officinale Rhizome and Fagara zanthoxyloides Root Extracts and their Application in Soybean oil During Accelerated Storage

The oxidative instability of vegetable oils which contain polyunsaturated fatty acids and the health implication of synthetic antioxidants is the reason for the current intensive search for safer natural antioxidants. Hence, the total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of Fagara zanthoxyloides root and Zingiber officinale rhizome have been comparatively evaluated. Zingiber officinale cold extract (GC) exhibited highest DPPH scavenging activity as well as the highest TPC while the hot extract from Fagara zanthoxyloides root (FH) had more phenolic content than its cold counterpart. Consequently, the anti-oxidative potential of refined soybean oil fortified with GC and FH was investigated at 65°C (accelerated storage temperature) for a lenght of 24 days. Established indicators such as peroxide, p-anisidine and total oxidation value (TOTOX) were used to monitor the extent of lipid deterioration with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as the positive control. Generally, GC was more effective in stabilizing the soybean oil. After 24 days of storage, soybean oil fortified with GC, FH and BHA achieved 68.58%, 57.50% and 67.56% retardation in the formation of primary oxidation products respectively. The lowest TOTOX (146.38) value was also observed in GC supplemented oil, suggesting that GC could be effectively employed as a replacement for BHA in soybean oil preservation. Hence, extracts from Zingiber officinale rhizome and Fagara zanthoxyloides roots can be explored as sources of natural antioxidants for application in the food industry

Agro-waste based adsorbents as sustainable materials for effective adsorption of Bisphenol A from the environment: A review

Endocrine disruptive compounds (EDC) pose a great threat to the normal functioning of the human endocrine system leading to various illnesses and malfunctions. Several EDCs have been reportedly found in receiving water bodies including Bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic organic compound that is mainly used in the production of polymer materials polycarbonate and epoxy resin. BPA has been found all over the world due to widespread use and erroneous processing techniques, raising questions about its effects on the environment and human health. Removal strategies however are ineffective as residues of EDCs escape through various treatment plants and into drinking water. Adsorption using activated carbon from agro-waste however is an economical and sustainable substitute to the utilization of expensive commercial activated carbon for the sequestering of BPA. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the use of agro-wastes for the uptake of BPA and operational parameters for its biosorption. Most adsorption of BPA took place at acidic pH mostly at pH 3 and the prominent mechanism was the π- π interactions. The isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics modelling of BPA adsorption was extensively discussed. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were best fit to equilibrium data, pseudo-second-order mostly described the kinetic studies with pore diffusion mechanism dominance. Most acid-functionalized sustainable agro-waste adsorbents had better percentage removal efficiency (%RE) for BPA uptake having %RE > 90% This study also covers the reusability of agro-waste for the uptake of BPA. This study will therefore enable upcoming researchers to explore means of applying and modifying agro-waste for the removal of BPA thereby remediating the environment. A research gap has been identified for researchers to explore more utilization of nanoparticles, composite nanomaterials, polymeric materials, and other mesoporous and microporous materials in the future to remove BPA. These future studies should be conducted on a laboratory, pilot, and industrial scale. The information on the disposal of spent agro-waste adsorbents once they have lost their BPA adsorption performance should be reported