School of Biological Sciences

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Browsing School of Biological Sciences by Author "Akujobi, Campbell Onyeka"

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    Comparative study of effects of electrode materials and catholyte on simultaneous generation of bioelectricity and waste water treatment
    (Science Publishing Group, 2017-01-24) Anuforo, Henry Uzoma; Ogbulie, Tochukwu Ekwutosi; Akujobi, Campbell Onyeka
    Improvement of the parameters which limit the harvest of energy in microbial fuel cell (MFC) is paramount to increase its output and promote commercial application of the technology. Six dual chamber MFCs with either potassium permanganate or potassium ferricyanide as electron acceptor and various combinations of carbon and copper rods as electrodes produced maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.97V, 1.23V, 1.34V, 0.75V, 1.03V and 0.63V. The power density (at Rext = 1000Ω), which increased with decreasing external resistance until 200Ω beyond which it decreased, peaked at 79.27mW/m2 (105.7mA/m2), 156.32mW/m2 (148.4mA/m2), 92.29mW/m2 (114.0mA/m2), 60.94mW/m2 (92.6mA/m2), 39.94mW/m2(75.0mA/m2) and 14.21mW/m2(44.70mA/m2) for the MFCs. Similarly, coulombic efficiency (CE) were 69%, 84%, 74%, 76%,72% and 5.10%, while COD removal were 65%, 51%, 47%, 83%, 48% and 49%. Above results indicated that potassium permanganate outperformed potassium ferricyanide, while use of carbon as both electrodes was better than other blends copper and/or carbon used in the study. Lactobacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Streptococcus spp., Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Aeromonas spp., Micrococcus lyteus, Corynebacterium spp.,Cladosporium, Aspergillus versicolour, Candida albicans, A. flavus, Aspergillus nidulans, Trichoderma spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus were microorganisms isolated from the piggery wastewater. Further studies using cheaper, more sustainable materials with better effects on the setup are necessary.
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    Parametric optimization of synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Mangifera indica and Prunus dulcis extracts and their antibacterial activity
    (University of Oradea Publishing House, 2020) Akujobi, Campbell Onyeka; Anuforo, Henry Uzoma; Okereke, Josephat Nwabueze; Ibeh, Chinyere; Agbo, Chioma Joy
    Optimization of process parameters is crucial to the deployment of nanotechnology as a competitive source of novel materials to many fields. The present study has lent credence to the simplicity, environmental friendly, cost effective and quick potentials of using plant extracts as source of capping and stabilization agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Aqueous leaf extracts of Mangifera indica and Prunus dulcis were used in synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The study was designed with Box Behnken Design (Minitab® 17) to optimize temperature (25 – 35°C), pH (6 – 8) and time of reaction (6 – 24hours). Fifteen runs were obtained for each sample which determined the value of each parameter used for the synthesis. Results obtained were subjected to Response Optimizer (Minitab® 17) which predicted optimum conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles as 25°C at pH 8 and 10.24 hours with predicted maximum yield of 2.53 for Prunus dulcis. However, the actual yield of silver nanoparticles under these conditions was 2.64. For Mangifera indica leaf extract, the predicted optimum conditions were 31.4°C at pH of 8.0 and 9.39 hours with predicted maximum yield of 2.55. Nevertheless, the actual yield under the optimum conditions was 2.61. Results show that Prunus dulcis extract has relatively higher potential yield for silver nanoparticles than Mangifera indica extracts. UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed that the absorbance for synthesized silver nanoparticles using both plant extracts peaked between 400 – 430nm. Silver nanoparticles from both plants showed activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, though B. subtilis was more sensitive. However, silver nanoparticle from Prunus dulcis was less effective against the bacteria.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Parametric optimization of synthesis of silver nanoparticles from mangifera indica and prunus dulcis extracts and their antibacterial activity
    (University of Oradea Publishing House, 2020) Akujobi, Campbell Onyeka; Anuforo, Henry Uzoma; Okereke, Josephat Nwabueze; Ibeh, Chinyere; Agbo, Chioma Joy
    Optimization of process parameters is crucial to the deployment of nanotechnology as a competitive source of novel materials to many fields. The present study has lent credence to the simplicity, environmental friendly, cost effective and quick potentials of using plant extracts as source of capping and stabilization agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Aqueous leaf extracts of Mangifera indica and Prunus dulcis were used in synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The study was designed with Box Behnken Design (Minitab® 17) to optimize temperature (25 – 35°C), pH (6 – 8) and time of reaction (6 – 24hours). Fifteen runs were obtained for each sample which determined the value of each parameter used for the synthesis. Results obtained were subjected to Response Optimizer (Minitab® 17) which predicted optimum conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles as 25°C at pH 8 and 10.24 hours with predicted maximum yield of 2.53 for Prunus dulcis. However, the actual yield of silver nanoparticles under these conditions was 2.64. For Mangifera indica leaf extract, the predicted optimum conditions were 31.4°C at pH of 8.0 and 9.39 hours with predicted maximum yield of 2.55. Nevertheless, the actual yield under the optimum conditions was 2.61. Results show that Prunus dulcis extract has relatively higher potential yield for silver nanoparticles than Mangifera indica extracts. UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed that the absorbance for synthesized silver nanoparticles using both plant extracts peaked between 400 – 430nm. Silver nanoparticles from both plants showed activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, though B. subtilis was more sensitive. However, silver nanoparticle from Prunus dulcis was less effective against the bacteria.
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    Pattern of distribution and concentration of selected heavy metals in farmlands near roadsides in Owerri, Nigeria
    (University of Oradea Publishing House, 2020) Anuforo, Henry Uzoma; Akujobi, Campbell Onyeka; Umeh, Paschaline Kenechi; Ejimadu, Paschaline Ifunanya
    Vehicular traffic has been implicated in increasing heavy metals concentrations in nearby soils. Notably, severe environmental and health challenges have been associated with elevated concentrations of these heavy metals, hence the need to monitor them in adjoining farmlands to forestall entry into food chains. The distribution patterns of Pb, Cd, Mn and Cu on Owerri Onitsha and Owerri-Aba expressways were studied. Soil and Panicum maximum leaf samples were collected at 3 locations on each road at 5m, 10m and 15m away from the roadsides. Samples were processed and analysis for heavy metal concentrations was done with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results obtained indicated the presence of all the selected heavy metals at almost all the locations and points studied. The order for heavy metals in samples from Owerri-Aba expressway was Pb>Cu>Cd>Mn, while that of Owerri-Onitsha was Mn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Although the concentrations generally fluctuated with increasing distance away from the roadsides at most locations, in some grass samples it increased with distance. There was also a decline in their concentrations with increasing distance away from the road for some soil samples. Owerri-Onitsha expressway gave higher concentrations of heavy metals in both samples than Owerri-Aba expressway. Meanwhile, the concentrations of Mn and Cu in plant extracts were generally below the maximum allowable levels while Pb and Cd far exceeded it. Similarly, their concentrations in soil samples were below the EU limits except Cd. Results of metal bioaccumulation factor revealed that Panicum maximum moderately bioaccumulated most heavy metals from the soil. There was weak or no correlation between heavy metal contents of soil and P. maximum samples. Atmospheric deposition also contributed to the heavy metals in plant samples. Since some heavy metals studied exceeded their recommended limits, it is advisable to discourage farming activities upto 15m from the roadsides, especially on sloped roadsides.