Soap Preparation from mechanically cold pressed Nigerian neem (Azadiracta Indica) seed oil

Neem seed oil from the neem tree (Azadiracta indica) finds wide usage one of which is its utilization for cosmetics particularly soap products. The chemical analysis of seed oil was carried out using the methods reported by AOAC (1998), Akpan et al., (2006) and Bassir, (1978) which revealed that it had saponification, iodine and acid values of 148.8 ± 1.168 mgKOH/g , 73.76 ± 0.397 I2/100g and 22.37 ±1.168 mgKOH/g  respectively. The analytical values obtained were in favour of the utilization of the indigenous neem seed oil in soap production. The pH of the soap was 9.90, comparably within the higher pH range of 9-11 set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), due to incomplete alkali hydrolysis resulting from the saponification process. The foam height of the soap was found to be 2.0 cm which is lower than that of Jatropha oil soap(5.4cm), Sesame oil soap(4.8cm), Cotton seed oil soap(4.5cm) and shea nut soap(4.2cm),t higher than that of Castor oil soap(1.6cm) and Castor glycerine soap(1.4cm). The soap was milk in colour and slightly soluble in distilled water.Keywords: Neem oil, Quality control, Saponification, Alkali free, Foamability

Heavy metal levels in Sokoto metropolis as a result of local production of aluminium utensils

Assessment of the levels of heavy metal pollution due to production of local aluminum articles have been carried out. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric method of analysis was used for the determination of Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn and Pb, while ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) back titration with ZnSO4 was used for Al. Results show that the various concentration obtained follows the order, Al > Cu > Fe> Mn > Ni > Cr > Pd. Although, the concentrations of the metals were found to be generally low and fall below the threshold limit, continued discharge without regulation could cause future problem.Key words: Heavy metal, aluminium utensils, pollution, Sokoto

Biogas Production Potential of Calatropis Procera (Sodom Apple)

The leaves and stems of Calatropis procera was digested under anaerobic condition to generate biogas. Cow dung was used as reference sample. Three digesters Calatropis procera leaves (CPL), Calatropis procera stem (CPS) and Cow Dung (CWD) respectively were used. Each contained 40g sample and 800 ml of water (i.e. 0.05 gcm-3 slurry concentrations). Physicochemical characterization of the digesters for percentage moisture content (%MC) ash content (%AC), volatile matter (%VM), Total Solid (%TS), and Carbon contents (%CC) were also carried out The pH varied from 6.8 to 7.1, the temperature fluctuated from 270C to 330C. The length of time taken was 84 days (12 weeks). The total volumes of biogas produced were 7,919, 5,490 and 4,384 cm3 for CWD, CPL and CPS respectively. The biogas production capacity order for the three samples during the 12 weeks period is cow dung > Calotrpis procera leaves > Calotropis procera stems. Physicochemical analysis on some parameters that affect the bioconversion process was also carried out. Keywords: Calatropis procera, Bio-energy, cow dung, biogas, volatile matte

Determination of the Biogas Yielding Potentials of Cattle Dung and Cattle Egret Dropping

Anaerobic fermentation of cattle dung and cattle egret droppings was carried out to determine their biogas yielding capacities. Two digesters labeled A and B were used. Digester A contained 50 g cattle dung and 500 ml of water and digester B contained 50 g cattle egret dropping and 500 ml of water (i.e. 0.1 gcm-3 slurry concentration). The retention time was 10 weeks (70 days). The fermentation temperature varied from 27 to 330C. The pH also varied from 6.8 to 8.2. The total biogas yield (TBY) over the 70 days was 6.779 liters for digester A and 4.494 liters for digester B. Analyses of physicochemical properties that had bearing on the digesters biogas production capacity was also carried out. The N., P and K analysis on the samples showed greater contents in undigested sample of A and contrarily, greater contents in digested sample of B