Abstract
Nigeria generates millions of tonnes of agricultural residues annually, much of which is indiscriminately disposed of, causing severe environmental and public health challenges. The study investigated the potential for bioconversion of selected agricultural wastes, namely cassava peels, rice husks, and yam peels, into value-added products such as enzymes, biofertilizers, biofuels, and secondary metabolites. Representative samples of cassava peels, rice husks and yam peels were collected from different individuals, restaurants and households in Arkilla Area in Sokoto, Sokoto State, and in Talata Mafara town in Zamfara State, both in North-Western part of Nigeria. Quantitative analyses were conducted to determine the chemical composition, microbial activity, and yield efficiency of fermentation processes. The results revealed that the selected substrates contained 38–52% starch, 18–25% cellulose, and 6–10% lignin, with microbial conversion efficiencies ranging from 68–87%, depending on substrate type and pre-treatment method. Enzyme yields peaked at 2.8 U/mL for cellulase and 4.2 U/mL for amylase under optimized solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. Biofertilizer analysis showed a 26% increase in soil nitrogen and a 19% increase in phosphorus after application. Anaerobic digestion produced biogas with a methane concentration of 52–65%. These results demonstrated that agricultural wastes possess strong potential for bioconversion into commercially viable products. Recommendations by the study included the establishment of community-based bioconversion centres and enhanced policy frameworks to integrate waste valorisation into Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda.
2025-09-10
Vol. 1 Issue No. 3 September 2025
Articles
Agricultural waste, bioconversion, enzyme, biofertilizer, biofuel
Vol. 1 Issue No. 3 September 2025
/ ArticleBIOCONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES INTO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF SOKOTO AND ZAMFARA STATES)
ABDULLAHI, Sanusi
Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto
UMAR, Abdulrahman
Department of Chemistry, Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto
aumar5k5@gmail.com
MUHAMMAD, Fatima Dandare
Department of Chemistry, Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto