Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Effect of Fermentation on Physicochemical Properties and Oxalate Content of Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) Flour

Abstract: The effect of fermentation on physicochemical properties and oxalate content of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) flour was evaluated. The cocoyam, white flesh was cleaned, washed, peeled, sliced into chips of 2–2.5 cm thickness, soaked in tap water and left to ferment for 24 h and 48 h. The fermented cocoyam was then drained, dried in cabinet dryer at 60∘C for 24 h and milled. The flour samples were passed through a 45 μm mesh size sieve. Unfermented cocoyam flour was also produced and served as a control. Calcium oxalate and some physicochemical properties of flours from the fermented cocoyam were compared with the unfermented flour. Results showed that fermentation effected a significant reduction in oxalate level (58 to 65%) depending on the fermentation period. The amylose content was higher in 48 h fermented flour (55.52%) than in 24 h (54.55%). Pasting (gelatinization) temperature decreased, and water absorption capacity increased markedly due to fermentation.

Incorporation of agricultural residues as partial substitution for cement in concrete and mortar – A review

Abstract: Affordable housing had become elusive to the teaming population of the world due to ever increasing cost of construction materials. Concrete, being the most commonly used building material has been seriously affected by high cost of ingredient materials. The search for alternative materials for concrete led to the investigation of agricultural residues as supplementary materials in mortar and concrete. Effective use of these materials in concrete will result to the green method of disposal of large quantity of waste, which would have caused environmental nuisance. Research has been given attention on the incorporation of agricultural residues in concrete and mortar with findings showing their great potentials. An overview of studies carried out on selected agricultural residues is presented in this paper. The review considered the utilization of the residues as partial substitution for cement in mortar and concrete. The residues were characterized by evaluating their chemical, physical and mineralogical properties. Also, their influence on the characteristics of concrete and mortar such as workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength water absorption and acid attack were discussed in detail. It was concluded based on the various studies in this article that appropriate treatment methods and careful selection of materials will aid the improvement of concrete and mortar properties made with agricultural residues.