Browsing by Author "Chukwudi, Peter"

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    Assessment of sullage chemical properties treated with activated carbon from selected agrowastes
    (Elixir Publishers, 2019) Nduka, Chidimma Adamma; Okereke, Josephath Nwabueze; Chukwudi, Peter
    Sullage was treated with selected carbonized Agro-wastes (rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk). The Agro-wastes were first carbonized at 600oC and chemically activated using phosphoric acid (H3PO4). They were then used as adsorbents for the removal of chemical compounds: pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO4-), chloride (Cl-) and sulphate (SO4 2-) from sullage using titration and spectrophotometer methods. Initial concentration of the chemical parameters of sullage samples showed COD to be 486.2±87 mg/l; BOD: 175.0±3.1 mg/l; pH: 7.33±0.1; Cl-: 31.0±5.5 mg/l; NO3-: 28.6±24 ppm; PO4-: 7.08±3.2 ppm and SO4 2-:347.08±67.1 ppm. After treatments, COD ranged from 122.2±10 - 190.5±25 mg/l; BOD: 44.0±3.5 – 68.6.0±9.0 mg/l; pH: 7.08±0.1 - 7.18±0.1; Cl-: 17.28 - 21.13 mg/l; NO3-: 0.0 - 12.79 ppm and SO4 2-: 117.7 - 251.7 ppm. There was significant difference (p≤0.05) between the untreated and the treated sullage samples. The efficiency of the individual adsorbents in absorbing the chemical parameters was of this order: ricehusk>corncob>coconut husk. In combination it was, rice husk+corncob+coconuthusk > ricehusk+corncob > corncob+coconuthusk > ricehusk+coconuthusk. High percentage reduction observed of chemical properties revealed that activated carbons from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk can be used singly or combined for the purification of sullage.
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    Microbial assessment of grey water samples treated with activated carbon forms of selected agro-wastes
    (UP, 2020-10-26) Nduka, Chidimma Adamma; Okereke, Josephat Nwabueze; Chukwudi, Peter
    This study evaluated the efficacy of activated carbon from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk wastes in the reduction of microbial properties of grey water samples harvested from students’ hostels. Microscopic characterization, enumerations and identification of microbial isolates were carried out to determine the microbial community before and after the treatment with activated carbon. Staphylococcus sp, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Salmonella sp, Saccharomyces sp and Penicillium sp were observed to be present in the grey water. Before treatment, Total Heterotrophic Count (THC) was 1.2 x 1011cfu/ml, Total Coliform Count (TCC), 6.4 x 106cfu/ml and Total Fungi Count (TFC) 2.2 x 1010cfu/ml. THC after the treatment ranged from 1.69 x 109 - 7.6 x 1010cfu/ml; TCC, 2.2 x 105 - 7.3 x 108cfu/ml and TFC 1.0 x 108 - 1.2 x 109cfu/ml. Reduction in the microbial load after treatment revealed that activated carbons from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk can be used singly or in combined states for the treatment of wastewater.
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    Toxicity and oxidative effects of pesticide mixture on liver and gonads of male albino rats
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-12) Chukwudi, Peter
    Commercial mixtures of organophosphates and pyrethroids have become very popular in the insecticide markets in developing nations and have resulted in an elevation in the prevalence of mixed toxicity. The present research is aimed at evaluating the toxic effects of commercial preparation of a pesticide mixture, MagicForce, which contains Dimethoate (DM) and Lambdacyhalothrin (LC) in the ratio of 20:1. For this purpose, forty (40) adult male albino rats were divided into four (4) equal groups. Dimethoate group (DM) received: (10.7mg/kg b.w/orally/daily), Lambda-cyhalothrin group (LC) received: (3.9mg/kg b.w/orally/daily), MagicForce group (MF) received: (1.2mg/kg/b.w/orally/daily) while Control group (C) received only food and water daily. The general health of the rats was monitored daily for toxicity signs and mortality while taking the weekly body weights. At the end of the study (28 days), the rats were sacrificed. The liver and gonads were excised and weighed, the tissue homogenates prepared for biochemical analysis together with the blood samples. The estimation of the cell death marker Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Liver function enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), Total Serum Protein, Total Albumin, Total Bilirubin were carried out. Oxidative markers malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined. Heamatological parameters (WBC, RBC, HGB and MCHC) were also examined. The reproductive status was determined by analyzing the testosterone levels, sperm motility, sperm count and sperm viability. The results revealed that nephrotic cell death occurred most in the LC treated group (73.83µ/L, 352.53µ/L, 334.53µ/L) than in the DM and MF. Liver function enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) activities were significantly elevated in LC-treated group (138.13 µ/L, 44.73 µ/L and 29.90 µ/L) respectively, than observed in the other treatment groups. The Total Protein Profile level visibly decreased mostly in the LC exposed group (58.12µ/L, 17.19µ/L) compared to the other treatment groups. The oxidative stress and hematological studies showed that the LC-treated group was most adversely affected than the DM and Magicforce. There was no much significant impact on the reproductive status of the animals by the other pesticides except on the testosterone levels which was affected by the LC. It can be concluded that the LC, singly had more adverse effect on the overall parameters measured than the Dimethoate (DM) and in their combined commercial state (Magicforce). This suggests an antagonistic interaction in the mixture.