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Highlights Biofertilizer was produced by aerobic composting method. Actinomycetes isolated was found to be good agents for biofertilizer synthesis. Organic matter and Carbon content of the composts was found to be decreasing. Nitrogen contents increased significantly with time. Leaf area index revealed 10th week as the optimum growth period for Maize and Okra .

This work focused on the chemical synthesis and characterization of palm kernel oil (PKO) for biolubricant production using transesterification of palm kernel methyl ester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) and epoxidation‐esterification methods. The PKO was extracted using solvent extraction method. The physicochemical characteristics of the PKO and produced biolubricant samples were determined using standard methods. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and gas chromatographic (GC) analyses were used to determine the predominant functional groups and fatty acids of PKO and the produced biolubricant samples, respectively. The kernel oil yield of 49.82% (by weight) was obtained at 55°C, 150 min and 0.5 mm particle size. The viscosities at 40°C, 100°C, viscosity index, pour and flash points of the biolubricants produced by transesterification with TMP (PKBLT) and epoxidation‐esterification (PKBLE) methods, were (42.53 cSt, 10.65 cSt, 139, −11°C, 235°C) and (44.69 cSt, 11.42 cSt, 132, −12°C, 240°C), respectively. Time, mole ratio, and temperature effects were the main factors that significantly influenced the transesterification and epoxidation processes. The obtained physicochemical properties of PKBLE and PKBLT samples showed conformity with ISO VG 32 standard, hence their possible application as biolubricant basestock. Furthermore, the presences of the C–H, OH functional groups in the FTIR results, indicate the biodegradability of the produced biolubricant samples; while the GC analyses indicate that the samples were mainly saturated fatty acids.

This work focuses on the removal of oil from polluted water surface using activated biomass such as ogbono shell. The shell was carbonized at a temperature of 600 o C for 4h and then further modified with stearic acid. Characterization of the adsorbent produced was carried out using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the surface morphology of raw and grafted ogbono shell. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigated the functional group of different minerals. Proximate analysis was carried out to determine the surface area of the agro wastes before and after modification. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of the oil water ratio, temperature, pH and contact time on the sorption capacities of the adsorbents. Physiochemical characterization of the adsorbents revealed that surface area increased from 114 cm 2 to 190.5 cm 2 after modification. SEM and FTIR results revealed that more micro porous surfaces were created on the surface of the adsorbent after modification. Batch adsorption experiments with esterified ogbono shell revealed that 96% of crude oil was removed at a pH of 5 with oil water ratio of 1.4/100 cm 3 after 50 min at a temperature of 90 o C. Esterified ogbono shell was found to be a good adsorbent for the removal of oil layer from polluting water surface.