Zero additives preservation of Raphia palm wine

Palm wine obtained from Raphia palm (Raphia hookeri) in Ayingba, Kogi State, Nigeria, was pasteurized through zero addition of preservative and placed on the shelf for 6 months. After 6 months, another sample of palm wine obtained from the same area was fetched and comparative analysis was carried out on both wine samples to find out if there was significant difference in the quality of both samples. The following parameters were analysed: pH, total solids, total acidity, refractive index, alcoholic and sugar contents, ascorbic acid and microbiological analysis. The results showed that there was no significant difference in most of the parameters compared. However, there were significant differences in the alcoholic and sugar contents of the wine samples. This shows that pasteurisation of Raphia palm wine with zero additives is a good alternative to extending its shelf life instead of the use of chemical preservatives that are often not available in the country.Keywords: Palm wine, shelf life, fermentation, pasteurisation, zero additives

SARA Separation and Determination of Concentration Levels of Some Heavy Metals in Organic Fractions of Nigerian Crude Oil

Nigerian Crude oil samples were obtained from Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). The samples were subjected to column chromatography.  Sequential leaching method was used to separate the crude oil into four distinct fractions based on leaching of crude oil with different organic solvents and mixtures. Saturated fraction was extracted with hexane- cyclohexane (1:1v/v), aromatic fraction was extracted with hexane- toluene (7:3v/v), while resin was extracted with tetrachloromethane-trichloromethane (7:3v/v), and asphaltene was extracted with acetonitrile-methanol (1:1v/v). The fractions were digested using sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid method followed by the detection of metals in the samples using AAS analysis. The elements analyzed were Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe and Ni. The result shows that Fe had the highest concentration while Ni had the least concentration. The concentration (ppm) levels of these elements in the crude oil fraction analyzed range from 0.1307 – 0.4107 for Pb, 0.1796 – 1.1250 for Cu, 2.7420 – 10.1903 for Cr, 11.2962 – 21.8084 for Fe, and 0.0464 – 0.5876 for Ni. It was obvious from this study and previous ones that Nigerian crude oil fractions have low metal content. However, despite their low concentrations they can still be detrimental to the refinery operations and the immediate environment, and therefore, should be removed before refining. Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Aromatic, Asphaltenes, Risens, Saturates, Heavy Metal

Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Soil Samples Obtained From Rimi Local Government in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract: The concentration of lead, chromium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and sodium in soil samples obtained from Rimi local government in Katsina state was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique. The Highest Mean concentration of   the metals for each sample were as follows:  Lead (8.3 ± 0.000 mg/g), Chromium (3.125±4.4.42 mg/g), Iron (14.2±0.000 mg/g), Zinc (4.2 ± 0.000 mg/g), Potassium (218.7 ± 44.19 mg/g), Magnesium (68.75 ± 8.84 mg/g)  and Sodium (1446.45 ± 25.24 mg/g), The results were discussed in terms of effects of the concentration of these metals on the agricultural soil understudy and the concentration obtained was below the ECDG (2004), WHO (2008), Kabata-Pendias (1995), SEPA (2000) and  DPR (1991) Permissible limits of heavy metals in Agricultural land. Although it was concluded that the soil is suitable for agricultural purposes, Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is necessary to reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production, enhance food security and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land use pattern. Keyword: Agricultural Soil Pollution, Trace and Heavy Metals, Environmental Pollution

Isolations of biogas products and effective utilization of biomass in a tropical environment

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