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Research Article
Application of Bioaugmentation and Biostimulation in Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulose to Increase Biogas Production
Osuji Malachy Ikeokwu*
,
Amai Innocent Ugochukwu
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
48-58
Received:
1 April 2026
Accepted:
10 April 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
Abstract: This research aimed to assess the kinetics of biogas production from a mixture of animal manure that was bioaugmented with cellulase-producing bacteria, along with other treatments. A custom-built bioreactor with a capacity of 20 liters was used in the anaerobic digestion process. Piggery and poultry manure were utilized as feedstock, while treatments included a sodium carbonate solution, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus paramycoides, bovine blood, charcoal water, magnesium sulfate solution, zinc nitrate solution, protein extract, a pH 8 solution, and natural water as the control. After 21 days of batch anaerobic digestion, bioreactors with NaCO3, Shigella sp, Bacillus sp, bovine blood, protein extract, charcoal water, zinc nitrate, natural water, MgSO4 and pH of 8 gave gas production of 80.6g, 95.5g, 100.3g, 232.2g, 63.9g, 58.3g, 7.4g, 90.0g, 139.2g and 100.0g respectivel. Bioreactors containing bovine blood and magnesium sulfate produced the highest gas output due to the nutrient-rich nature of the blood, while the magnesium sulfate, which hardens the water, promotes a diverse range of bacterial growth and helps maintain the pH levels in the reaction environment. Zinc nitrate reacted with water in the slurry, producing nitric acid that created an acidic environment inside the reactor, which is unfavorable for methanogens. The analysis of biogas revealed that there was no hydrogen sulfide present in any of the gas samples, which can be attributed to the type and source of the feedstock used. Additionally, the gas produced from the feedstock, which was enhanced with magnesium sulfate, bovine blood, and charcoal water, demonstrated a substantial increase in methane production. The gas produced from the feedstock mixed with charcoal exhibited the lowest percentage of carbon dioxide, indicating that the charcoal played a key role in adsorbing the carbon dioxide. This research suggests that a specific amount of bovine blood should be utilized to provide nutrients to the indigenous bacteria. The appropriate amount of magnesium sulfate should be used to adjust the pH. Ultimately, charcoal water should be utilized in the preparation of the slurry to adsorb ammonia and carbon dioxide as gas production begins.
Abstract: This research aimed to assess the kinetics of biogas production from a mixture of animal manure that was bioaugmented with cellulase-producing bacteria, along with other treatments. A custom-built bioreactor with a capacity of 20 liters was used in the anaerobic digestion process. Piggery and poultry manure were utilized as feedstock, while treatme...
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Research Article
Bioethical Principles and Institutional Determinants of Enforced Disappearances in Mexico a Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
59-66
Received:
27 October 2025
Accepted:
25 February 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
Abstract: Enforced disappearances in Mexico represent a persistent form of structural violence that generates prolonged violations of human dignity, justice, and social trust. While legal and human rights analyses have extensively documented the phenomenon, limited research has operationalized bioethical principles as measurable constructs capable of informing public policy evaluation. This study applies a principlist bioethical framework—non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice—integrated into a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to examine how institutional and forensic determinants shape ethical outcomes. Quantitative data consist of normalized incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants derived from official national records covering 2015–2024, thereby correcting distortions associated with demographic growth. Qualitative evidence from forensic practitioners, healthcare professionals, legal advocates, and representatives of victims’ collectives was deductively coded according to principlist categories to ensure empirical–normative alignment. Results indicate that Ethical Harm is driven primarily by deficiencies in Institutional Capacity and Forensic Practice Quality rather than disappearance volume alone. Institutional coordination exhibits a strong negative effect on Ethical Harm, while Forensic Practice Quality significantly strengthens Beneficence and Autonomy through timely identification procedures and improved family participation. The direct effect of incidence rate on ethical deterioration is comparatively modest, but a significant mediation pathway confirms that high disappearance levels intensify harm when institutional capacity is insufficient. The findings demonstrate that ethical violations associated with enforced disappearances are institutionally mediated and therefore preventable. By operationalizing bioethical principles within a validated SEM framework, the study advances bioethics as a rigorous analytical instrument applicable to structural violence and contributes a replicable model for ethically informed governance reform and public accountability.
Abstract: Enforced disappearances in Mexico represent a persistent form of structural violence that generates prolonged violations of human dignity, justice, and social trust. While legal and human rights analyses have extensively documented the phenomenon, limited research has operationalized bioethical principles as measurable constructs capable of informi...
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Research Article
AMMI Analysis for Grain Yield Stability of Early Maturing Sorghum Genotypes in East Hararghe, Ethiopia
Zeleke Legesse*,
Fikadu Tadesse,
Berhanu Diribsa,
Jifara Gudeta
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
67-74
Received:
12 June 2026
Accepted:
1 July 2026
Published:
30 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.bio.20261404.13
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Views:
Abstract: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a critical staple cereal in semi-arid tropics, yet its productivity is highly constrained by genotype × environment interaction (GEI), which complicates variety selection and recommendation. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of GEI, evaluate grain yield performance, and identify stable, high-yielding and early-maturing sorghum genotypes for potential release in East Hararghe, Ethiopia. Fourteen sorghum genotypes alongside two standard checks (Fadis 01 and Melkam) were tested across six environments, combining two locations (Fadis and Erer) over three consecutive main cropping seasons (2022–2024) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on grain yield and agronomic traits were subjected to combined analysis of variance, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis, and Genotype Main Effect plus GEI (GGE) biplot analysis. Combined ANOVA revealed highly significant (P < 0.001) effects for genotype, environment, and GEI, confirming differential genotypic responses across testing environments. AMMI analysis partitioned the total grain yield variation, attributing 18.54% to genotype, 25.15% to environment, and 28.86% to GEI, indicating that environmental factors and their interaction with genotypes were the dominant sources of variation. The first two interaction principal component axes (IPCA1 and IPCA2) jointly explained 75.56% of the GEI variation, with IPCA1 contributing 52.6% and IPCA2 contributing 22.96%. Genotype G6 (ETSC14576-5-1) recorded the highest mean grain yield (4265 kg ha⁻¹) and demonstrated exceptional stability across environments, as evidenced by its proximity to the IPCA zero line in the AMMI1 biplot, favorable AMMI stability value, and low genotype selection index. GGE biplot analysis further ranked G6 closest to the ideal genotype, confirming its superior mean performance and stability. Polygon view identified three mega-environments, with G6 emerging as the winning genotype in one of them. Based on the integrated assessment using mean yield, AMMI parameters, and GGE biplot outputs, genotype ETSC14576-5-1 (G6) is identified as the most stable and high-yielding genotype across the tested environments. Therefore, this genotype is recommended for variety verification and subsequent release for cultivation in East Hararghe and similar agro-ecologies.
Abstract: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a critical staple cereal in semi-arid tropics, yet its productivity is highly constrained by genotype × environment interaction (GEI), which complicates variety selection and recommendation. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of GEI, evaluate grain yield performance, and identify stable, high-yieldin...
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Research Article
Performance and Stability of Food Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Varieties in the Highlands of East Hararghe, Ethiopia
Zeleke Legesse*,
Jifara Gudeta,
Fikadu Tadesse,
Birhanu Diribsa
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
75-80
Received:
12 June 2026
Accepted:
1 July 2026
Published:
30 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.bio.20261404.14
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Food barley is a staple crop in the Ethiopian highlands, yet productivity remains low due to the use of low-yielding local varieties. This study evaluated the performance and adaptability of 11 food barley varieties (Abdane, Adoshe, Biftu, Guta, Robera, Cross#41/98, EH-1493, Harbu, HB-1965, HB-1966, and one local check) across six environments (Gurawa, Jarso, and Meta districts over 2019 and 2021 main cropping seasons). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among varieties, environments, and their interactions for all traits. AMMI analysis indicated that environment explained 62.71% of total variation, genotype 5.74%, and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) 14.13%. The first two principal components of GEI accounted for 77.37% of the interaction variation. Varieties Abdane (4.81 t ha-1) and Robera (4.41 t ha-1) recorded the highest grain yields, outperforming the local check by 31.4% and 25.2%, respectively. GGE biplot analysis identified Abdane and Robera as the most stable and high-yielding varieties across environments, while Guta, Harbu, Cross#41/98, and the local check were unstable. Therefore, Abdane and Robera are recommended for further demonstration and production in East Hararghe highlands and similar agro-ecologies.
Abstract: Food barley is a staple crop in the Ethiopian highlands, yet productivity remains low due to the use of low-yielding local varieties. This study evaluated the performance and adaptability of 11 food barley varieties (Abdane, Adoshe, Biftu, Guta, Robera, Cross#41/98, EH-1493, Harbu, HB-1965, HB-1966, and one local check) across six environments (Gur...
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