Biodegradation of maize cob using abattoir effluents as inoculum

1. BIODEGRADATION OF MAIZE COB USING
ABATTOIR EFFLUENTS AS INOCULUM

2. INTRODUCTION
 Biodegradation is the transformation of a substance
into new compounds through biochemical reactions
or the actions of microorganisms (Samir and Hosam,
2017).
 Maize cobs are important source of biomass, and
they can be used for both direct combustion of dry
biomass (Lizotte et al., 2015) and for the anaerobic
fermentation process (Li et al., 2015).
 Abattoir effluent contains high levels of organic
matter due to presence of manure, blood, fats and
undigested feeds.

3. AIM
To determine the biodegradability potential of abattoir
effluents on maize cobs.
OBJECTIVES
i. To determine the composition of maize cobs
ii. To establish the rate of decomposition and effective
doses.
iii. To determine the chemical composition of abattoir
effluents.

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS

7. Table 1: Content Changes in Chemical Components in Maize
Cobs during Decomposition
Metal Concentration (Mg/L)
Sample Mg Cu Na K Zn
Maize cob control 4.965 1.779 242.507 15.963 0.925
7 days Inoculum 7.787 11.286 238.168 24.7982 4.070
14 days Inoculum 7.672 10.848 225.824 22.356 3.496
21 days Inoculum 7.277 9.594 213.882 23.817 2.490

8. Table 2: Chemical Composition of Abattoir Effluents
Metal Concentration (Mg/L)
Sample Mg Cu Na K Zn
7 Days Effluents 9.289 0.129 1217.027 29.838 2.723
21 Days Effluents 10.196 0.029 1854.881 30.746 4.005

9. Table 6: Mushroom Growth in Maize Cobs Using Abattoir
Effluents
Treatment Inoculum (ml)
2, 000 ml 3, 0000 ml 4, 000 ml
7 days
Nil Nil Mucor
14 days
Mucor Mucor Mushroom
21 days
Mushroom Mushroom Mushroom

10. DISCUSSIONS
• The chemical composition of maize cobs was normal during
the 7th day but subsequently increases during the 14th and
21st day indicating that biodegradation wouldn’t have
occurred.
• Zinc had a good concentration for biodegradation of
element found in maize cobs in the abattoir effluents.
• The chemical concentration of abattoir was very high as
compare with the first day of collection.
• Maize cobs were physically observed after 14days and
there was no sign of degradation.
• Abattoir effluents changed from green to black colour
indicating low activities of bacteria and it contains high
level of sodium.

11. LIMITATIONS
• Time of observation for biodegradation was
small due to the limited time frame for the
study.
• Dryness of effluents from container due to the
weather condition

12. CONCLUSION
The findings of this study shows that abattoir effluents
is not a good inoculum that could degrade maize cobs
within 21 days of observation due to its low activities of
bacteria despite containing high level of organic matter
and maize cob being an important source of biomass.

13. RECOMMENDATIONS
• Maize cobs should be kept for a longer period when using abattoir
effluent for degradation
• The use of maize cobs effluents should be further investigated by
researchers so as to arrive at the optimal level for better
degradation.
• Rather than indiscriminate disposal of abattoir effluents to
contaminate water bodies, it should be encouraged that its
collection and incorporation with maize cobs can increase the yield
of plant when kept for a longer period of time.
• It is imperative at this stage that, more research should be carried
out to ascertain the optimum level of inclusion of abattoir effluent
that could degrade maize cobs within a shorter period of time,
hence it inclusion at 4000 dosage cannot degrade maize cobs within
21 days.

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