PAPER TITLE :EVALUATING THE ASSOCIATE MICROBIAL ORGANISMS, FISH FEED UTILIZATION POTENTIAL AND FEEDSTOCK IN BIOGAS PRODUCTION OF WATER-HYACINTH

FUTA JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE | VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 2017

Paper Details

  • Author(s) : K.M. ADAMU1*, M. ALIYU-PAIKO2, R.B. IKOMI3, S.A SULEIMAN4, I.B. AHMED4, R. MAMMAN4, AND S.S.D. MOHAM
  • Abstract:

The nuisance constituted by water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in water ways has generated global concern which has poised challenges to aquatic organisms and man. This study therefore, seeks to understudy the potentials of the plant with the objective to provide an alternative control measure for its proliferation. The plant (feedstock) was obtained from Jabi Lake, Abuja, Nigeria. The microbial colonization of the different parts of the plant was determined, thereafter, the determination of proximate compositions of non-fermented and fermented samples with lactic acid bacteria. Samples of the plant were chopped into bio digesters of varying sizes (12.620 and 30 litres) with an inoculum for the batch reaction mode during the 21-day retention period. Seven (7) bacteria species, four (4) fungi were isolated and identified to be associated with the plant. Some proximate compositions of the fermented and non-fermented plant were significantly different (p<0.05). After the 21-day retention period, there was substantial increase in biogas yield that correlates with the rate of dilution. The presences of inoculum reduced the lag phase period of biogas production. There was over 30% increase in biogas production with increase in dilution factor that corresponds with 93.38% (maximum) increase in biogas production with inoculum. The formulation of 1:3 with 10g of inoculum gave the highest value of total biogas yield of 4066.40ml within the 21-days retention period. The proximate compositions of the fermented and non-fermented water-hyacinth revealed crude protein content and carbohydrates increased insignificantly (P > 0.05) while energy value was recorded to increase significantly (P < 0.05) with fermentation. Ipso-facto, water-hyacinth, the nuisance plant can be utilized effectively for man’s benefit.
Keyword: E. crassipes, Bio-energy, proximate composition, microbial, cow-dung