Valorization of mixed blackwater/agricultural wastes for bioelectricity and biohydrogen production: A microbial treatment pathway.

The management of wastewater and agricultural wastes has been limited by the separate treatment processes, which exacerbate pollution and contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Given the energy demands and financial burdens of traditional treatment facilities, there is a pressing need for technologies that can concurrently treat solid waste and generate energy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of producing bioelectricity and biohydrogen through the microbial treatment of blackwater and agricultural waste using a dual-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC).

Cellulose synthesis from germinated tiger nut residue and its application in the production of a functional cookie.

Unlabelled: In this study, cellulose was synthesized from the residue obtained after germinating tiger nuts for 0, 48, 72 or 96 h. The influence of the synthesized cellulose (0%, 2%, or 5%) on the quality of clove extract laden-cookies was evaluated. The optimum structure, morphology, and thermal properties of cellulose were obtained after geminating tiger nuts for 72 h.

Integrated geophysical Investigation for gold mineralization potential over southern parts of Kebbi state and its Environs, northwestern Nigeria.

The potential zones of gold mineralization were identified in this study using aeromagnetic and aero-radiometric methods. The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) provided half-degree airborne magnetic and radiometric datasets covering the southern part of Kebbi State. Magnetic data were subjected to first vertical derivative (1VD), total gradient amplitude (TGA), total horizontal derivative (THD), source edge detection (SED), center for exploration targeting (CET), Euler deconvolution (ED) and source parameter imaging (SPI) to identify favourable structures to gold mineralization.

Organophosphate pesticide residue impact on water quality and changes in macroinvertebrate community in an Afrotropical stream flowing through farmlands.

River Chanchaga has experienced significant agricultural practices around its catchment, which involved the indiscriminate use of pesticides. However, residents of the study area are not well aware of the negative impact of pesticides on water quality and macroinvertebrates. In this study, the first report on the influence of organophosphate pesticide contamination on the abundance of the macroinvertebrate community was provided.

Physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of bioprocessed whole wheat flour.

This study investigated the impact of bioprocessing techniques (germination, solid-state fermentation, the combination of germination, and solid-state fermentation) on the physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of whole wheat grains were investigated. Bioprocessed whole wheat flour (WWF) samples and the raw flour (control) were prepared using standard procedures. Proximate, anti-nutritional, mineral and amino acid (AA) compositions, protein digestibility, antioxidant activities, starch characteristics, and techno-functional properties were studied using standard methods.

Rice husk silica blended fillers for engine mount application.

The functional properties of engine mounts largely depend on the rubber compound formulation. This study proposes the use of rice husk-derived silica (RHS) blended with carbon black (N772) as an effective and environmentally friendly substitute for fillers used in rubber engine mounts (REMs). CV-60 natural rubber was filled with the blended fillers at various ratios, and their compatibility for use as rubber engine mounts (REMs) was assessed.

Incidence and health risk assessment of hydrogen cyanide and multi-mycotoxins in Nigerian garri.

Garri is a granular, starchy food prepared by the fermentation of mashed cassava. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and mycotoxins are contaminants in certain foods at different points along the food value chain. The incidence and contamination levels of HCN and multi-mycotoxins in garri from five agroecological zones of Nigeria were determined using a spectrophotometric method and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS/MS), respectively.

Assessment of dietary exposure and levels of mycotoxins in sorghum from Niger State of Nigeria.

This study reports levels of mycotoxins in sorghum from Niger State, Nigeria, and provides a comprehensive assessment of their potential health risks by combining mycotoxin levels and dietary exposure assessment. A total of 240 samples of red and white sorghum were collected from both stores and markets across four microclimatic zones. Fungal species were identified using a dilution plate method.

Impact of germination on the techno-functional properties, nutritional composition, and health-promoting compounds of brown rice and its products: A review.

Rice is a popular grain and forms part of the daily diet of people throughout the world. However, the consumption of rice and its products is sometimes limited by its high glycemic index due to its high starch content, low protein content and quality, and low bioavailability of minerals due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors. This has partly stimulated research interest in recent times toward the use of bioprocessing techniques such as germination as cheap and natural means to improve the nutritional quality, digestibility, and health properties of cereals, including rice, to partially achieve nutrition and food security in the developing regions of the world.

Attenuating effects of fractions on glycemo-impaired-associated dyslipidemia, hepatopathy, and nephropathy.

Objectives: The use of medicinal plants for diabetes treatment is increasing owing to their effectiveness and safety compared to synthetic drugs. Thus, the ameliorative effects of (F. Hoffm.

Development of lake macroinvertebrate-based multimetric index for monitoring ecological health in North Central Nigeria.

The use of organisms like macroinvertebrates in developing bioassessment tools, such as multimetric indices (MMIs), is gaining global recognition in monitoring the health status of lakes. The transition from traditional methods of physico-chemical parameters is due to the financial and time costs involved in their analysis while failing to provide accurate early warning signals on ecosystem conditions. Currently, there is scanty information on the use of MMIs in the conservation and management of lakes in Nigeria.

Engineered yeasts and lignocellulosic biomaterials: shaping a new dimension for biorefinery and global bioeconomy.

The next milestone of synthetic biology research relies on the development of customized microbes for specific industrial purposes. Metabolic pathways of an organism, for example, depict its chemical repertoire and its genetic makeup. If genes controlling such pathways can be identified, scientists can decide to enhance or rewrite them for different purposes depending on the organism and the desired metabolites.

Microbial anti-biofilms: types and mechanism of action.

Biofilms have been recognized as a serious threat to public health as it protects microbes from antimicrobials, immune defence mechanisms, chemical treatments and nutritional stress. Biofilms are also a source of concern in industries and water treatment because their presence compromises the integrity of equipment. To overcome these problems, it is necessary to identify novel anti-biofilm compounds.

RSM optimization studies for cadmium ions adsorption onto pristine and acid-modified kaolinite clay.

Clay has been reported as an active absorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous medium. In this study, pristine and acid modified kaolinite clays (PKC and AMKC) were prepared, characterized using various analyses, and tested for Cd ion adsorption from textile industry wastewater. After acid modification, the specific surface area of clay increased from 84.

Nutritional and physicochemical changes in two varieties of fonio ( and ) during germination.

Germination is a cheap and effective bioprocessing technique used for improvement of the nutritional, physicochemical and health-promoting properties of seeds. The benefits of germination on two fonio varieties ( and ) have not been studied. This study investigated the nutritional and physicochemical changes in two varieties of fonio germinated for 24, 48 and 72 h at 28 °C.

Recent advances on postharvest technologies of bell pepper: A review.

The bell pepper ( L.) is a commercially important horticultural crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas across the world. Despite this importance, it is a perishable vegetable with a limited shelf life and high disease susceptibility.

Germinated Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) flour as an ingredient in wheat bread: Physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of bread.

Wheat flour (WF) was substituted with germinated Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) flour (GBF) at different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) and used in the preparation of bread. The dough mixing, pasting, and gelatinization properties of the blends were evaluated as well as the nutritional quality, in vitro starch digestibility, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, color, texture, and sensory properties of breads. All the wheat dough containing GBF had higher water absorption capacity, gelatinization temperatures, dough development time, low peak, and setback viscosities.

Recent advances in instrumental techniques for heavy metal quantification.

Heavy metals (HMs) are ubiquitous; they are found in soil, water, air, and all biological matrices. The toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and deleterious effects of most of these metals on humans and the environment have been widely documented. Consequently, the detection and quantification of HMs in various environmental samples have become a pressing issue.

Data-driven techniques for temperature data prediction: big data analytics approach.

For extrapolation, climate change and other meteorological analysis, a study of past and current weather events is a prerequisite. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has been able to develop a model capable of predicting various weather data for any location on the Earth, including locations lacking weather stations, weather satellite coverage, and other weather measuring instruments. This paper evaluates the prediction accuracy of the NASA temperature data with respect to NiMet (Nigerian Meteorological Agency) ground truth measurement, using Akwa Ibom Airport as a case study.

Structure, in vitro starch digestibility and physicochemical properties of starch isolated from germinated Bambara groundnut.

This study investigated the effect of germination time (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) on the physicochemical characteristics, in vitro starch digestibility and microstructural changes in Bambara groundnut starch. The starch yield, lightness (L*) value, amylose content and resistant starch contents of isolated starches decreased significantly ( ≤ 0.05) with increasing germination time.

Effect of laser irradiated silver doped polystyrene/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thin film for solar cell applications.

In the current research, the resist action of silver-doped polystyrene/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) solar thin film towards laser irradiation was observed. Moreover, silver-doped polystyrene nanoparticles were synthesized a chemical technique while the PET film was purchased from the commercial market. Nd:YAG pulsed laser has been used to irradiate the samples at 2 minutes, 4 minutes, and 6 minutes respectively.

Mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission dynamics incorporating booster vaccine program and environmental contamination.

COVID-19 is one of the greatest human global health challenges that causes economic meltdown of many nations. In this study, we develop an SIR-type model which captures both human-to-human and environment-to-human-to-environment transmissions that allows the recruitment of corona viruses in the environment in the midst of booster vaccine program. Theoretically, we prove some basic properties of the full model as well as investigate the existence of SARS-CoV-2-free and endemic equilibria.