1.1 Introduction
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important crop in Nigeria. It is a primary source of starch for vegetarian diet. In Nigeria, it was cultivated in an area of about 1.83 million hectares with production of 34.39 Million Tonne in 2008-09, whereas in Gujarat in the same year it was cultivated in 57,000 hectares with production of 4.21 Million Tonne (www. agricoop.gov.in). There are about 35 potato processing units in Gujarat foods, Rajkot is one of the biggest units (www.potatopro.com). This unit was visited by the staff members of scheme, to get information about the utilization of potato peel a waste product of wafer making unit. The capacity of the plant is about 150 tonnes potato per day, and potato peels production is about 30 tonnes potato peel at 200g / kg potato. Presently the potato peels are mainly used as a composting material in farm as well as selling for the cattle feed (according to Balaji foods (P.) Ltd, Rajkot).
Most Bacillus and some other species of bacteria have a wide range of hydrolytic enzyme systems and are often capable of utilizing the organic matter consisting of complex mixtures; moreover, with the exception of the certain group of bacteria, they are harmless microbes which are included in the groups of organisms generally recognized as saprophytes. These organisms are easy to grow and require no expensive growth factors. They are able to produce extra cellular enzymes in high concentrations which can isolate. The Bacillus will also be tried for the extraction of extra cellular enzymes from potato peels. The extra cellular enzymes are used for a variety of different purposes, including starch modification in the paper & pulp industries, brewing, pharmaceutical industries, leather production industries etc. The wastes coming out from potato plants in the form of liquid and solid arise from peeling, trimming, slicing, cleaning, and rinsing operations which creates pollution problem.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problem the Isolation and characterization of bacteria for bioenzymes production using potato peels which entails that cellular enzymes are used for a variety of different purposes, including starch modification in the paper & pulp industries, brewing, pharmaceutical industries, leather production industries etc. The wastes coming out from potato plants in the form of liquid and solid arise from peeling, trimming, slicing, cleaning, and rinsing operations which creates pollution problem.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Isolation and characterization of bacteria process for bioenzymes production using potato peels. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the isolation process of bacteria for potato peels bioenzymes production
- To examine the characterization of bacteria process for potato peels bioenzymes production
- To evaluate the measure of the potato peels bioenzyme efficacy
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to microbiologist and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Isolation and characterization of bacteria process for bioenzymes production using potato peels in Gada Local Goverment Area, Sokoto State.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Potato: Is a starchy tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum
Machine: It’s an apparatus using mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task
