The possibility of microbial degradation of plastic waste was investigated by isolating microorganisms present in dumpsite containing low-density polyethylene (LDP). Aspergillus niger (fungi) and Pseudomonas sp. (bacteria) were identified and subsequently used to biodegrade plastic waste. The medium was made up of 0.2 g of MgSO 4 , 1.0 g of KH 2 PO 4 , 1.0 g of K 2 HPO 4 , 1.0 g of NH 4 NO 3 , 0.02 g of CaCl 2 , 0.05 g of FeCl 3 in 1000 ml water. 10 ml of the medium containing the bacteria and/or fungi was poured into test tubes and 0.1 g of the plastic sample (Pure water sachet) pre-treated with ethanol was introduced into the tubes. The pH of the medium was adjusted to 7.2, 5.4 and 6.0 for Pseudomonas sp., Aspergillus niger and the mixed culture respectively. Each experiment was carried out aerobically at room temperature and incubated on a rotary shaker at 120 rpm. The weight loss in each experiment was monitored at 10 days interval for 60 days. The total weight loss after 60 days was 7.2%, 12.4%, 15% for degradation with Pseudomonas sp., Aspergillus niger and the mixed culture respectively. From this study it can be inferred that Pseudomonas sp. and Aspergillus niger have the ability to degrade plastics. It can also be inferred that Aspergillus niger degraded plastics better than Pseudomonas sp. and there was synergy between the two microorganisms since the mixed culture gave a higher degradation.
Aim: To investigate the growth performance, carcass traits, organ weights, costs and returns of 120 day-old Aborican broiler chicks placed on different dosages of Senna occidentalis leaf aqueous extract. Study Design: Completely randomized design (CRD) was used.
Sugarcane is an energy crop with great economic potentials. Information on soil evaluation for sugarcane in central Nigeria is very scanty. This study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of some soils of the floodplains in central Nigeria for sugarcane cultivation. A semi-detailed soil survey was carried out on 18,500 hectares of land straddling the floodplains of Rivers Niger and Benue in Korton-Karfe Local Government Area of Kogi State. Land resource survey was carried out using a 500 m×500 m grid pattern. Identified soil types were further examined with standard soil profiles. Samples were collected from the soil genetic horizons as well as surface (0–30 cm) soils at selected sampling points for fertility analysis. Parametric and non-parametric suitability evaluation methods were used to relate land qualities with land use requirements for commercial sugarcane cultivation. Relationships between evaluation methods were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Nine soil mapping units were identified in the study areas which were mainly Inceptisols (55.4%) and Alfisols (22.5%) which correlates with Fluvisols (40.4%), Cambisols (15.1%) and Lixisols (22.5%) in the World Reference Base (WRB) classification system. The evaluation methods used revealed that 0%, 4.95%, 49.48%, 23.55% of the soils were highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and not suitable (N) for sugarcane cultivation, respectively. Potentially, 0%, 9.52%, 44.91% and 23.55% of the soils were found to be highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and not suitable (N) for sugarcane cultivation, respectively. The soils were strongly limited by low soil nutrient availability, soil acidity and flood hazard. Soil management practices such as application of organic manures, fertiliser and liming could be adopted to ameliorate the soil acidity and supply deficient nutrients while land development strategies such as drainage, flood control and possibly sub-soiling would mitigate other major limitations to sugarcane cultivation.
The proximate and phytochemical screening of Senna occidentalis were carried out to assess some nutrients and phytobiotic properties of the leaves. The fresh leaves were thoroughly rinsed, sparsely spread on jute mat and dried at room temperature for 6 – 7 days until they became crispy, thereafter they were milled and subjected to proximate and phytochemical analyses. Data showed that the leaves had low moisture (9.35 9.35%), high crude protein (21.88 21.88%), crude fibre, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) , of 19.72, 16.88, 9.70 and 22.47% respectively. The phytochemicals positively present were cardiac glycosides, phenols, flavols, flavonols and alkaloids, while saponnins were largely present. From the results, Senna occidentalis leaf meal can be a potential source of vegetable protein and some vital mineral elements as supplements to poultry feeds. Besides, the high levels of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents present in the sample which are known to promote growth by enhancing nutrient utilization, repair of worn out tissues and disease control could make Senna occidentalis leaves worthy of being a phytobiotic additive in poultry diets.
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