1.1 Introduction
Peanut shells derived activated carbons are rarely used for the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions (Al-Othman et al., 2012). To the best of our knowledge, no reported data is available regarding the use of peanut shells derived activated carbons in the removal of methomyl pesticide from aqueous solutions. Wastewater discharge is an important source of water pollution in China, where the textile dyeing and printing industry is large. Some of these pollutants even cause mutagenic effects. Azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, and dyes of three phenyl methane are frequently used in the printing and dyeing industry (Gulkaya et al., 2006; Raghu and Ahmed Basha, 2007; Wijetunga et al., 2010; Xu and Song, 2015).
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 Background of Study
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food, as well as an oilseed crop of the tropical and subtropical world. Peanut processing for a variety of edible products (peanut butter, milk, roasted snack peanuts, peanut oil and other value added products) is being done in various developed, as well as developing countries. Peanut skins are low value by-products of peanut blanching and roasting operations; and are currently used as an ingredient of animal ration up to a certain limit. Research has indicated that some natural phenolic compounds can be extracted from peanut oils and hulls, like proanthocyanidins; caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, flavonoids (catechins and procyanidins), and stilbene (resveratrol); and ethyl protocatechuate. Thus, peanut oil may be utilized as a source of natural antioxidants that may have commercial application in a variety of food products. Peanut stilbenoids show to play roles in plant defense mechanisms; they were evaluated for their effects on economically important plant path-ogenic fungi of the genera Colletotrichum, Botry-tis, Fusarium, and Phomopsis (Sobolev et al., 2011). The aims of this study are detection of active ingredients in peanut oils (Arachis hypogea L.) as well as evaluating the antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria.
Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of bacteria commonly affecting the stomach. The name is derived from the prefix "entero-", meaning intestine; "bacteria", meaning bacteria; and "ceae", meaning family or group. It includes many of the more familiar pathogens, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. There is a growing interest in natural antioxidants found in plants because of the worldwide trend toward the use of natural additives in foods, beverages and cosmetics. Herbs and spices are one of the most important targets to search for natural antioxidants from the point of view of safety (Yanishlieva et al., 2006).
The antioxidants can be of synthetic or natural origin. Synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), and propyl gallate (PG) have been widely used in meat and poultry products (Jayathilakan et al., 2007). The demand for natural antioxidants, especially of plant origin has increased in recent years due to the growing concern among consumers about these synthetic antioxidants because of their potential toxicological effects (Nunez de Gonzalez et al., 2008).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Synthesis and Characterization of Green Chemicals from Peanut Shell for Waste Water Treatment.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Pollution of ground and surface water is considered as the most important problem can threaten human, animals, plants and aquatic organisms. One of the common reasons for water pollution is using pesticides which recently used in agriculture for killing insects, bacteria, fungus, and other things that feed on crops. The study reveals the following problems associated with the Synthesis and Characterization of Green Chemicals from Peanut Shell for Waste Water Treatment;
- Lack proper information about the antioxidant potential of peanut shell extract obtained by various methods,
- Inadequate information relating to the identification of the effect of various solvents on extractability of total phenolic compounds from the peanut shell,
- Inadequate information relating to the evaluation of the effect of peanut shell extracts on oxidative stability of peanut shells.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Synthesis and Characterization of Green Chemicals from Peanut Shell for Waste Water Treatment. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the adsorption capacities of peanut shell activated carbon samples prepared
- To characterize Green Chemicals from Peanut Shell for Waste Water Treatment
- To prepare, characterize and modify the peanut shells derived activated carbons (ACPNS)
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to 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 Synthesis and Characterization of Green Chemicals from Peanut Shell for Waste Water Treatment.
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, questionnaire and interview).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Peanut: this is the groundnut, goober, pindar or monkey nut, and taxonomically classified as Arachis hypogaea, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. It is widely grown in the tropics and subtropics, being important to both small and large commercial producers.
Oil: Oil is any non-polar chemical substance that is a viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and is both hydrophobic.
Peanut oil: Peanut oil referred to as groundnut oil or arachis oil, is vegetable-derived oil made from the edible seeds of the peanut plant.
Enterobacteriaceae: Enterobacteriaceae are Gram-negative, rod-shaped facultative anaerobes.
Antibiotic: a medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.
Resistance: Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body.
