http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/228 2026-05-20T05:28:38Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5663 PREPARATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF BIOPLASTIC FILMS FROM SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas L.) PEEL STARCH BLENDED WITH BANANA (Musa acuminata C.) PSEUDOSTEM CELLULOSE FOR PACKAGING ADEJUWON, OLORUNSOLA MORAYO Environmental pollution caused by petroleum derived plastics used for packaging has increased the need for environmentally friendly packaging materials. This study focused on development of biofilms from potato peel starch incorporated with banana seudostem cellulose (BPC) powder of 0.2 mm for packaging purposes. The cellulose was obtained from dried banana pseudostem by alkali delignification and bleaching. The bioplastic films were produced by casting and oven drying the gelatinized blends of potato peel starch and banana pseudostem cellulose (BPC) at 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt % of BPC to give films of sample A, B, C, D and E respectively with constant weight of glycerol (plasticizer) in all the films. Physical properties such as moisture content, opacity, water solubility, thickness and density of the films were evaluated. The films were also characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Universal Testing Machine, Thermo-gravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA) and soil burial method for films biodegradation. The starch exhibited good pasting properties due to high amylose content of 23.65 % and amylopectin 76.35 %. As the concentration of BPC increases in the biofilms produced, moisture content decreases from 30.20 to 18.30 %, water solubility from 54.05 to 25.00 %, density from 0.25 to 0.10 g/cm3, whereas thickness and opacity increases from 0.26 to 0.34 mm and 0.35 to 1.09 % respectively. Improvement was also observed in tensile strength from 5.20 to 12.80 MPa, young modulus from 28.44 to 188.98 MPa and decrease in elongation at break from 14.42 to 8.62, all from control sample 0 % BPC to 30% BPC. Surface morphology revealed smoother surface of the films with less pores as the concentration of BPC increases. Functional groups identified showed good interaction between the components of the films. Thermal stability was at maximum in Samples C and E with both samples having highest TGA and DTA value of 377 oC. All the samples were completely biodegraded within 12 days by soil burial method. This study has shown that incorporation of cellulose powder in starch-based bioplastic gives better bioplastic films as a substitute to petroleum-based plastics. M.TECH THESIS 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5662 DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND HEAVY METALS ON A MAJOR ROADWAY IN AKURE ADEDEJI, AYOBAMI ABOSEDE Tree bark samples collected from a major roadway in Akure during the dry and wet seasons were analyzed to determine the concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) components which are often the targets in environmental check. Also soil samples on the same road were collected both morning and evening to test for the presence of Heavy metals in the road. Identification and quantification of the PAHs components was accomplished using an Agilent 7890 Gas Chromatograph 5975 Mass selective Detector (GC-MS) after Ultrasonic extraction of the sample and clean up of the extract. The Heavy metals present in the soil samples were also quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after being digested with nitric acid, hypochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid. The concentration of the total PAHs components such as NAP, ANY, ANA, FLU, PHE, FLT, ANT, PYR e.t.c detected in the samples ranges from 0.02 to 0.35 in the dry season while it ranges from 0.01 to 0.54 in the wet season. Also the heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cr ranges from 0.00 mg/kg to 6.70 mg/kg in the morning samples and 0.00 mg/kg to 8.23 mg/kg in the evening samples. The study was carried out to examine pollution rate and health risk assessment of PAHs in tree (Azahirachta indica, Therminalia mantaly, Anacardium occidentae, Mangifera indica and Sterculia apetala) and the Health risk index of the metals is < 1, this is an indication that the sources of the metals were mainly from anthropogenic sources which could be traced to vehicular emissions and fossil fuel burning. Planting of herbs and edible trees along the roadside should be discouraged and also, continuous monitoring and further studies of the area are recommended to ascertain long term effects. M.TECH THESIS 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5661 EVALUATION OF HEAVY METALS PROFILE FROM SOILS IN MECHANIC WORKSHOPS WITHIN OKITIPUPA, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA ADEBAYO, ALABA JOSEPH Auto mechanic workshops in Okitipupa Ondo State, Nigeria generate waste containing hazardous contaminants such as heavy metals which are disposed of indiscriminately. Soils Samples were collected from ten selected automobile workshops in the study area at the depths of 0-15cm, 30-45cm, 45-60cm, 60-75cm and 75-100cm. A total of sixty (60) soil samples were collected in ten different locations the in ancient town of Okitipupa. Six control samples were also collected in a farm land about 3km away from auto mechanic activities. The soils were analysed for their heavy metals levels and physicochemical characteristics. Ten heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and Mg) were analysed using AAS techniques. The heavy metal concentration for the ten metals determined in soil was in the order; Fe >Mg > Zn >Mn> Cu >Pb> Ni > Cr > Cd > Co. Heavy metal concentrations (mg/Kg) ranged from Co (0.03±0.00) to Fe (88.64±0.00). The auto work shop site C which is about ten years older than others and the workshops with highest traffic volume at sites G and J recorded the highest concentrations of heavy metals in all the sites. The physicochemical parameters such as soil composition based on particle size in percentage, ranged 7.65-10.71 for clay, 1.93-6.99 for silt to 85.36-89.98 for sand. pH values ranged from 4.57-5.93 and electrical conductivity (EC) (ʯscm˗1) ranged 31.67- 143.67. The percentage soil composition was in this order; Sand > Clay >Silt. Assessment of pH showed acidity increased down the depth of the profile and EC followed the same trend. Comparing the results of the study area with the control shows that the study area is moderately contaminated since the values obtained were below the department of petroleum resources (DPR) permissible limit for soil. It is therefore recommended that a need for consistence monitoring of the auto mechanic workshop environments and its ground water is imperative as it is done in some cosmopolitan area in this country. M.TECH THESIS 2017-03-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5660 PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF RIGID BIOBASED FOAM FROM PLANT-DERIVED CHEMICALS ADEBAYO, ALABA JOSEPH Bio-based foams are promising materials for replacing foams of petrochemical origin, due to availability of the raw materials, low cost, good thermal insulation performance, and excellent fire retardance. The aim of this study is to synthesize rigid bio-based foams, replacing noisome synthetic chemicals with chemicals that have green credentials, and derived from plant biomass, synthesis conditions were varied. The effects of variation of the synthesis parameters were evaluated, using various analytical techniques. Lignin was isolated, optimized, liquefied and characterized from five agrarian wastes. Similarly, furfural was obtained from three agrarian wastes alongside with corn cob. Corn cob gave the highest yield (7.2%).Furfural yield was optimized by varying concentrations of sulfuric acid, solidto-liquid ratio, time, and temperature. The furfural obtained was subsequently transformed to furfuryl alcohol by a simple hydrogenation process. Fifteen different bio-based foams were produced from furfuryl alcohol liquefied lignin and other additives. The following parameters; lignin to furfuryl alcohol ratio, catalyst concentration, blowing agent concentration, hardener concentration, and bentonite concentrations were varied. The produced foams were characterize using various analytical techniques such as; FTIR, TGA, SEM-EDX, molecular weight determination, solvent solubility index, water absorption capacity, compressive strength and density. Lignin yield was optimized by varying concentration of Sodium hydroxide, solid to liquid ratio, time and temperature. The results showed that palm kernel shell (PKS) have the highest yield of lignin in all the samples, this highest value was obtained when volume of NaOH was varied with weight of biomass. The highest yield obtained was quantitavely high at ratio 1:40 weight of biomass to the volume 25%NaOH at 160 minutes and 160oC. The isolated lignin from the wastes were characterized using GC MS and FTIR, the results indicate aromatic of lignin derivatives were present in all the sacharacterize. Hydroxyl number, liquefaction yield and residue content were 409.53 mg KOH/g 3.39% and 93.22% respectively. The results furfural yield revealed that increasing the concentration of sulphuric acid, time, and temperature at constant biomass weight favoured furfural production. The highest yield of furfural (7.2%) was obtained at a ratio of 1:30 sulphuric acid (20%) to biomass weight at 160 oC and 160 minutes. The production of furfuryl alcohol was favored by increasing the concentration of NaOH, time of reaction, and temperature at 20 oC. More FA was obtained at 20 oC, above which less FA was recovered. The produced furfural and FA were characterized using gas chromatography-massspectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transforms infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The mass to charge ratio using GC-MS and FTIR data confirmed synthesis of furfuryl alcohol. The results obtained from rigid bio-based foam characterization are as follows; SEM morphological studies showed, a close cell, Thermo-gravimetric analysis TGA, Tmax (o C) ranges between 443.58 to 586.09, water absorption capacity ranges between 21.81 % to 332.14%,, compressive strength ranges from 35.050 KN to 50.968 KN, density ranges from 0.076 to 1.016 g/cm3. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) has the highest solubility index of 90% and water has the least (0.1%). These results are akin to that of rigid foams which are suitable for thermal insulation and acoustic applications with packaging material applications as well.mples. The bio-polyols were obtained by liquefaction of lignin obtained from PKS and M.TECH THESIS 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z