Isolation And Characterization Of Microorganisms Involved In Biogas Production Using Cassava Peels:- Nnabugwu, Winner C

Abstract

 This study was aimed at investigating microorganisms associated with biogas productipn using" cassava peel as substrates. Cassava peels obtained after peeling cassava roots were anaerobically digested using a 5 litre capacity fermentor. The peels were blended and mixed with water, in the ratio of 1:2. Standard microbiological methods and anaerobic biodigester were used to screen the isolates and the wastes substrate for biogas production. The results ofthe total heterotrophic and anaerobic microbial counts during the digestion period showed a steady variation in the anaerobic bacteria and fungal counts as fermentation progressed. The load obtained for the total heterotrophic bacteria'and anaerobic bacteria were within 2.9xl04cfu/ml to 9.4xl04cfu/ml and 1.8xl03cfu/ml to 6.9x103cfu/ml respectively. Similarly the fungal count obtained through the digestion period ranged from l.lxlOcfu/ml to 3.9xl0cfu/ml. The bacterial isolates were identified as Pseudomonas sp, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp, Clostridium sp, and Methanococcus sp, while fungi isolated were identified as Saccharomyces cerevicae, Aspergillus sp and . Penicillium sp. The cumulative flammable biogas yield of the cassava peels was 13.7dm3/total . mass of slurry. Analysis revealed that the temperature of raw substrates ranged between 26°C . and 30°C while the pH varied between 4.04 and 6.86 during digestion