Groundnut Hull Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of peanut hull modified chitosan beads.

The incorporation of plant materials is an effective method to improve the stability of chitosan beads, as it further increases the adsorption of toxic dyes and metals from aqueous systems. In the present study, chitosan gels were impregnated with a novel type of powder as the groundnut hull powder in order to form composite beads by using a simple droplet-based microfluidic system. The beads were then characterised through various techniques such as SEM, TGA, FTIR, and XRD. Microscopic imaging revealed a change in the surface morphology of the composite beads, which became rough and wrinkled with more valley-like features and irregular cracks. FTIR data suggest that the impregnation of groundnut hull powder led to an increase in functional groups. The thermal analysis allowed for the assessment of composite bead hydration contents and indicated the presence of groundnut hull entrapped in the loaded beads, which was corroborated by vibrational spectroscopy. XRD analysis allows us to conclude that there is an involvement of groundnut hull in the chitosan gels, and the consequence of that is the formation of amorphous beads, which would make them suitable for the adsorption of toxic dyes and metals from water systems.

Evaluation of Physicochemical Parameters of Biosorbents Produced from Groundnut Hull Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Method

Samples of ground nut hull were converted to biosorbents using microwave assisted method [groundnut hull treated with hydrogen peroxide (HP-GH), groundnut hull treated with distilled water (W-GH) and raw groundnut hull (R-GH)]. The biosorbents were further characterized using physicochemical procedures (pH dependence, bulk density, surface area, ash content, and volatile matter, moisture content). The results show that HP-GH has pH = 8.9, W-GH pH = 8.4 and R-GH pH = 8.5 which is an indication that all the biosorbents have the appropriate pH values for the uptake of cationic species within aqueous systems. Surface area analysis revealed that HP-GH has the largest surface area (74.20 m2·g-1) while W-GH and R-GH have surface area values of 29.40 m2·g-1 and 21.40 m2·g-1 respectively. This suggests that modification of raw groundnut hull biomass with hydrogen peroxide possibly instigated delignification of the biomass which resulted in increased surface area for HP-GH. Results from Bulk density analysis also confirm the data obtained from surface area analysis. Accordingly, R-GH displayed the highest bulk density followed by W-GH with HP-GH showing the least bulk density. The variation in pH values among the biomass used in this study may be explained by the variation in their ash content as well because pH and ash content are positively correlated. Hence, HP-GH with a pH = 8.9 has high ash content (117.31%), W-GH with pH = 8.4 has 97.93% ash content and R-GH with pH = 8.5 has 94.26% ash content. Results from moisture content analysis show that HP-GH (99.95%), W-GH (99.97%) and R-GH (99.89%) may necessitate exposure of the biosorbents to moderate heat before use. The results obtained from this study suggest that modification of ground nut hull with either distilled water or Hydrogen peroxide by means of microwave irradiation improves physicochemical properties which may perhaps increase the adsorption capacity of the biomass.

Influence of Groundnut and Rice Activated Charcoals Addition on Oil Polluted Soil and Mobility of Heavy Metals in the Root and Shoot of Vigna unguiculata L. Walp in the Tropical Rainforest

In Nigeria, spent oil destroys crops, contaminate farmland, aquaculture and drinking water. It also alters the soil properties, leads to deficit of water and oxygen, shortages of soil nutrients like N and P, adsorbs to soil particles and reduces porosity and aeration of soil. The study aims to determine the potential of groundnut hull (GAC) and rice husk (RAC) activated charcoal in biodegradation of spent lubrication oil in soil with reduction in mobility and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of the cultivated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) plants. Experimental units were set up in a screen house containing cowpea seedlings planted in different soil treatments: polluted, unpolluted as well as RAC and GAC remediated polluted soil, each in 5 replicates. Mobility and bioaccumulation of the heavy metals in the root, shoot and seeds of the cowpea were analyzed. Cd, Cr and Pb were below detectable limit (BDL), Cu was 0.21 and Zn was 0.26 mg/kg in unpolluted soil while the levels of heavy metals were elevated in spent oil polluted soil: Cd 0.1, Cr 0.25, Pb 0.12, Cu 0.7 and Zn 0.63 mg/kg. RAC treatments significantly decreased the mobility and bioaccumulation of the heavy metals in the root (F3, 14 = 19.338, Sig = 0.00 (p < 0.05) so also, GAC significantly decreased the heavy metals mobilization and bioaccumulated in the cowpea roots (F3, 14 = 91.224, Sig = 0.000 (p < 0.05). RAC and GAC are potential effective and low cost phytoremediation materials.

Comparative analysis on the bleaching of crude palm oil using activated groundnut hull, snail shell and rice husk

Researchers have found out several ways by which environmental pollution can be of positive relevance by recycling the waste to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment. The bleaching process is a crucial process in palm oil refining in which an adsorbent is majorly used to adsorb the unwanted colour pigments and a wide range of other impurities. This study aims to modify three different adsorbents; Groundnut hull, Snail shell, and rice husk and processed them into powder form as Groundnut hull powder [GHP], Snail shell powder [SSP] and Rice husk powder [RHP] respectively. The effects of three factors: temperature, mass and time were investigated on the response. MINITAB 19 software was employed which resulted in 20 runs. The optimization of the bleaching effects imposed by the adsorbents on palm oil using Central Composite Design (CCD) was evaluated. The free fatty acid and peroxide value decrease with bleaching while the saponification value increased with bleaching. The analysis conducted shows that groundnut hull was able to adsorb the most significant value of FFA and peroxide value in the palm oil. The lowest value of FFA obtained indicates that bleaching increases the shelf life of the oil and makes it more suitable for soap making.

Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Major Feed Resources in Tanqua-Abergelle District of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Background A detailed study on the feed quantity and quality is required to document the available feeds and their nutritional values. Aim The study was aimed to investigate and document the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of major feed resources available in Tanqua-Abergelle district of central Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Methods Ten different feed resources were evaluated for their nutritive values. Representative feed samples were collected and prepared following appropriate procedures. The samples were subjected to analysis of chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) using proper scientific procedures. Results Wide variations were observed in nutritive values of the investigated feeds. The highest crude protein (CP) was measured in Atella (15.90%) followed by green grass (13.20%), mill waste (10.90%), groundnut straw (9.18%), and cowpea straw (8.11%) in descending order. Mill waste (11.84 MJ/kg DM) and Atella (11.81 MJ/kg DM) had the highest metabolizable energy (ME) followed by green grass (9.83 MJ/kg DM), groundnut straw (9.28 MJ/kg DM), Teff straw (8.56 MJ/kg DM), and cowpea straw (8.39 MJ/kg DM) in that order. The highest NDF was recorded in groundnut null (79.80%) and the lowest NDF in mill waste (35.00%) and Atella (40.60%). The highest IVDMD was seen in mill waste (81.43%) and Atella (81.21%) and the lowest in groundnut hull (39.95%). Conclusion The nonconventional feeds have moderate protein and reduced fiber contents, and thus, they can be utilized as supplement for poor-quality feeds. These feeds need further investigation using animals to substantiate the current study.

Optimization of bleaching of Crude Palm oil using Activated Groundnut Hull

The bleaching process is a crucial process in palm oil refining in which an adsorbent is majorly used to adsorb the unwanted colour pigments and a wide range of other impurities. Groundnut hull was collected and processed into powder form as Groundnut hull powder [GHP], the powder was used to remove the colour pigments and other minor impurities from crude palm oil. Free fatty acid (FFA) analysis was carried out on the palm oil before and after bleaching. The effects of three factors: temperatures, mass and time were investigated on the response. Central Composite Design [CCD] employed resulted in 20 runs. The conducted analysis has shown that groundnut hull was able to reduce FFA composition as well as reduce the colour of the palm oil to a desired colour.

Artificial neural network modelling for biodecolorization of Basic Violet 03 from aqueous solution by biochar derived from agro-bio waste of groundnut hull: Kinetics and thermodynamics

In this study, Levenberg Marquardt back propagation algorithm was used to train the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and to predict the adsorptive removal of cationic dye Basic Violet 03 (BV03) by biochar derived from biowaste of groundnut hull. The experimental conditions such as solution pH, biochar dose, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature were used as input variables and BV03 percentage removal as target. The hidden and the output layer of the network was trained by tangent sigmoid and liner transfer functions. The feasibility of the adsorption process is evaluated by the kinetic studies and it exhibited that pseudo-second order kinetic models fit well with experimental data. The adsorbent stability and adsorption mechanism has been discoursed by the thermodynamic characteristics and sorption free energy. The predicted target values were compared with the experiment resulted in a better correlation coefficient of 0.9920. Thus, the results attained from this ANN model was found to be effective in predicting the percentage removal of BV03 dye at any given operating condition.

Modified silica xerogel derived from groundnut hull ash by alkyl-ammonium salt for epoxy nanocomposites: Synergistic effects on thermal stability and flame retardancy

In this study, silica xerogel was synthesized from groundnut hull ash using sol−gel method. Amorphous silica xerogel showed promising properties such as high thermal stability, low thermal conductivity and bulk density. Agglomerations in silica xerogel were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. To provide homogeneous dispersion of silica xerogel, modification process was carried out using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB). Good interfacial interaction between modified silica xerogel and epoxy had synergistic effects on properties of epoxy nanocomposites. Epoxy nanocomposites including modified silica xerogel exhibited lower water sorption and higher corrosion resistance than that of silica xerogel. Char residue of neat epoxy was increased from 15.3% to 18.0% with 2 wt% modified silica xerogel as per thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Epoxy nanocomposite including 2 wt% modified silica xerogel was classified as V−0. Thermal conductivity of neat epoxy was reduced to 0.22 W/(m K) with modified silica xerogel.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of solvent extracts of agro-food by-products (cashew nut shell, coconut shell and groundnut hull)

In India, agro-food by-products such as shell cake of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.), shell of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and hull of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) are cheaply available on a vast scale. Even though a small portion of these solid waste materials is being used, a large quantity is not being utilized. Based on literature data, these by-products could be used as a source of valuable phytochemicals. The present study explored a suitable solvent system and extraction conditions for the recovery of polyphenols from three different agro-food by-products. The optimal conditions for the recovery of polyphenols from agro-food by-products were investigated in addition to evaluating their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Among the three investigated by-products, methanolic extract of cashew nut shell was the most prominent source of antioxidants (3412.28 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/L) compared to coconut shell (1056.32 mg GAE/L) and groundnut hull (426.35 mg GAE/L). The in vitro antioxidant assay produced promising radical scavenging activity of shell extract of coconut (concentration at which the response was reduced by half; IC50 = 12 μg/mL) compared to cashew nut (IC50 = 44 μg/mL) and groundnut hull extract (IC50 = 48 μg/mL). The anti-bacterial activity of different solvent extracts revealed that the methanolic extracts from cashew nut and coconut shells were more effective in inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The present work revealed the possibility of recovery of useful phytochemical compounds from agro-food byproducts which could be used subsequently as natural food preservatives.

Experimental study on NOx emission characteristics of oxy-biomass combustion

Oxy fuel combustion technique has been in practice since last three decades powered mainly by coal or other fossilized fuels. A similar technique was applied to biomass thermochemical conversion keeping in consideration zero carbon and renewability features of biomass. Experimental investigation of combustion characteristics of lignocellulose based biomass including maize stalk, wheat straw, rice husk and groundnut hull has been carried out in this study. Objective was to determine the behavioral changes in fuel inherent nitrogen during combustion and its distribution between elemental nitrogen (N2) or nitrogen oxides (NOx) after the combustion. Approximately isothermal conditions with temperature range from 700 °C to 1200 °C and various oxidizer atmospheres comprised of mainly oxygen with corresponding nitrogen or carbon-dioxide gases were opted for the experimental work. Results revealed that average 78% relative NOx reduction efficiency for four selected biomasses (81.69% maize stalk; 68.69% wheat straw; 88.64% rice husk & 72.99% groundnut hull) was achieved under 21% O2/79% CO2 atmosphere over the corresponding 21% O2/79% N2 atmosphere. Through enhancing O2 ratio in oxy biomass combustion atmosphere i.e. 30% O2/70% CO2 and comparing NOx reduction efficiency with its corresponding 30% O2/70% N2 atmosphere; an average relative NOx reduction efficiency of 80.49% i.e. (maize stalk: 78.94%, wheat straw: 79.11%, rice husk: 88.60%, groundnut hull: 75.30%) was attained. It was concluded that oxygen played key role in achieving satisfactory reduction in NOx emissions.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by adsorption on modified groundnut hull

There is an emerging serious threat to the environment from indiscriminate release of heavy metals into the wastewaters and soil from human industrial practices. In this study therefore, the uptake of hexavalent chromium, being among the major pollutants from our industries, by modified and unmodified groundnut hull was investigated. The effects of different conditions of contact time, adsorbate concentration, solution pH, and temperature on sorption process were studied. The adsorbent materials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Analysis of the surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a change in morphology upon chromium adsorption. The adsorption process of Cr(VI) ions onto both the unmodified groundnut hull (UGS) and the modified groundnut hull (MGS) is in good agreement with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. According to the equilibrium studies, chromium(VI) ions are better adsorbed by modified groundnut hull.

Growth Performance and Rumen Fermentation of Lambs Fed Untreated or Urea Treated Groundnut Hull with Different Protein Sources

Thirty lambs ranging in age between 5–6 months with live body weight 18± 0.5 kg were used in an experiment with 12-week periods to determine the effects of feeding diets containing untreated (U) or urea treated groundnut hull (T) with groundnut cake (GN), cotton seeds cake (CS) or fish by-products (FB) as source of protein in addition to other feed ingredients of molasses, sorghum, wheat bran, limestone and salt on growth performance. Treated groundnut hull was prepared by added 4g/kg DM urea to groundnut hull in a silo for a period of 6 weeks. Six concentrate rations; A (T × GN), B (T × CS), C (T × FB), D (U × GN), E (U × CS) and F (U × FB) were used. Daily feed intake (FI), daily weight gain (DWG) and final body weight (FBW) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in lambs fed T diets than those fed U diets. However, no significant variations were detected due to protein sources except for FI. Higher values of FI, DWG and FBW were recorded for Lambs fed T supplemented with GN. Higher values of NH3-N, VFA and pH were recorded for diets T× GN and T × CS respectively. Lower values were recorded for diets U × GN and T × CS. No significant difference (P <0.05) in pH values between diets containing T. The lowest concentration of rumen VFA was recorded by U×GN (8.81mmol/dl), while the highest value was recorded by T×GN (18.58mmol/dl). It was concluded that diets based on urea-treated groundnut hull supplemented with GN, CS or FB were utilized more efficiently by sheep than those fed untreated basal diets.

Effect of Calcereous Cow Horn and Storage on the Physicochemical Properties of Cement‐Bonded Particleboards from Groundnut Hulls

Fine particles of the groundnut hull and cow horn samples were prepared and subjected to hydration experiments with Portland cement with the moisture content maintained around 12%. All the compatibility factor values were very well above 60% making the different combinations appropriate for particleboard production. Metal analyses suggested high concentrations of Ca in both samples with values of 62.68 ± 0.47 wt% and 42.44 ± 1.86 wt% for the cow horn and groundnut hull samples, respectively. Potassium was also present in high concentrations but was lower than that of calcium. The cow horn was found to be a good substitute for the synthetic CaCl2 additives. Combinations of FeCl3 with the cow horn gave better compatibility (CA) between the groundnut hull particles and the Portland cement due to chelation, with the hot‐water‐treated samples being the best. Bond formation was established through the hydroxyl (–OH), carbonyl (C=O), esters or ethers (C–O), and amide (N–H) functional groups on the groundnut hall samples. Storage over a period of time also gave a better compatibility of the groundnut hull sample with cement even in the absence of hot‐water pretreatments and chemical additives.

Effect of Urea Treatment on the Chemical Composition and Rumen Degradability of Groundnut Hull

2 Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and rumen degradability of Groundnut Hull (GH) treated with three levels of urea (2, 4 and 6%) and ensiled in plastic bags for three periods (2, 4 and 6 weeks). Data were analyzed in completely randomized design with factorial; with ensiled period and urea level are the main factors. Degradability of treated groundnut hull was carried out in three fistulated steers. Urea treatment and ensiling periods increased CP content of the GH significantly (p<0 .05) and ranked as follows 7.81, 10.22 and 10.24% for 2, 4 and 6% urea level ensiled for 2, 4 or 6 weeks respectively. However, these increments in CP contents were found between urea levels but not between periods of treatment. All ensiling periods were interacted significantly with urea level. NDF content was decreased (p<0.05) from 87.8 for UGH to 84.6, 72.5 and 74.2% for 2, 4 and 6% urea level ensiled for 2, 4 or 6 weeks respectively. ADF and ADL contents were significantly (p< 0.05) decreased for treated GH compared to untreated GH. Degradability of DM, OM and NDF were increased (P<0.05) significantly with increasing urea level treatment. Four and 6% urea level had a higher potential degradability values compared with 2% urea level. Ensiling periods resulted in significant differences between urea treatment levels. However, no differences were found within the same level. This study indicated that, chemical composition and degradability of GH would be improved by increases urea level and ensiling periods.

Adsorption of Eosin Dye from Aqueous Solution Using Groundnut Hull–Based Activated Carbon: Kinetic, Equilibrium, and Thermodynamic Studies

Abstract This article reports the use of activated carbon prepared from groundnut hulls (GHAC) in the adsorption of eosin dye from aqueous solution in batch process. The prepared GHAC was characterized using Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy. Operational parameters such as agitation time, initial dye concentration, pH, and effect of temperature were studied. Equilibrium time for the adsorption process was attained in 6 h. Adsorption isotherms used to test the adsorption data were Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Adsorption equilibrium data were best described by these isotherms in the following order: Temkin > Langmuir > Freundlich > D-R. Kinetic data were fit using pseudo-first- and second-order kinetic models. Adsorption of eosin dye onto GHAC was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 of the adsorption process were determined; the adso...

Biosorption of lead(II) and chromium(VI) on groundnut hull: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics study

The biosorption of lead(II) and chromium(VI) on groundnut hull was investigated. Batch biosorption experiments were conducted to find the equilibrium time and biosorption capacity. Effect of parameters like pH, temperature and initial metal concentration was studied. The maximum biosorption capacity of lead(II) and chromium(VI) was found to be 31.54 ± 0.63 and 30.21 ± 0.74 mg g -1 , respectively. The optimum pH for lead(II) and chromium(VI) removal was 5 ± 0.1 and 2 ± 0.1, respectively. The temperature change, in the range of 20 - 45oC affected the biosorption capacity. The maximum removal of lead(II) was achieved at 20 ± 2oC, where as maximum uptake of chromium(VI) was observed at 40 ± 2oC. The biosorption data was fitted to the Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherm models. The Langmuir model showed better representation of data, with correlation coefficient greater than 0.98. The kinetics of biosorption followed the pseudo second order kinetics model. The thermodynamics parameters were evaluated from the experimental data.

Biosorption of lead(II) and chromium(VI) on groundnut hull: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics study

Biosorption of lead(II) and chromium(VI) on groundnut hull: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics study

Influence of different organic waste materials on the transformation of nitrogen in soils.

Organic waste materials like crop residues, well-decomposed cow dung, composts, and other rural and urban wastes are considered highly useful resources in enhancing soil fertility and also in build-up of soil organic matter. Organic matter decomposition provides plant nutrients in soil, which in turn increases crop productivity. Availability of nutrients and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus from organic waste materials is dependent upon the nature of organic residues, climatic conditions, and soil moisture activity. Keeping these factors in view, the present investigation was undertaken to study the transformation of N from different organic waste materials in two contrasting soils from an eastern India, subtropical region. The results showed that the amounts of ammoniacal-N (NH4-N), nitrate-N (NO3-N), hydrolysable N (HL-N), and nonhydrolysable (NHL-N) were increased for up to 60 days of soil submergence and increased further with the increase (1% by weight of soil) of organic residue application. Considering the effect of various organic waste materials, it was found that the amounts of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N were higher with the application of groundnut hull as compared to wheat straw and potato skin, which may be due to relatively narrow carbon:N ratio of groundnut (22:43) than that of wheat straw (62:84) and potato skin (71:32); however, the results showed that the release of NH4-N, NO3-N, HL-N, and NHL-N was in the order of groundnut hull > wheat straw > potato skin.

Manufacture of pyrolytic coal (Charcoal) from tree leaves, agricultural waste and municipal waste

A technology with little machinery has been developed by which dried tree leaves, agricultural wastes such as soybean stalk, pulse stalk, paddy straw and groundnut hull, and municipal waste can be converted into smokeless pyrolitic pellets for fuel. The pyrolitic pellets burn with almost the same, or better, efficiency as charcoal, kandi-coal and wood.