Rumen derived anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth (Eicchornia crassipes)

Abstract

Samples of water hyacinth were obtained from Sidi fish farm located in Sokoto metropolis. The samples were chopped, dried and ground into powder. The ground water hyacinth (25 g) was introduced into Buchner flask which served as digesters. The rumen bacteria used in this experiment was isolated from fresh rumen content. The content was pressed into a sterile container and immediately brought to the Laboratory. Serial dilution was carried out and used to inoculate nutrient agar and chocolate agar. The agar plates were then incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 24 h. The digesters were seeded with rumen bacteria and immersed into water bath operated at 37°C. During the anaerobic digestion, volume of biogas produced was recorded accordingly. This paper, therefore, suggests ways by which water hyacinth can be put into better use through biogas production.