Physico-chemical, heavy metal, and microbiological analysis of effluent from a confectionery company in Lagos State, Nigeria

Anthony Aiwonegbe; Odunayo Adeyemi; Faith Akhidenor

doi:10.46481/asr.2025.4.3.333

Authors

Anthony E. Aiwonegbe
[email protected]

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8580-6753
Odunayo D. Adeyemi
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Faith I. Akhidenor
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Keywords:

Effluent, Confectionery, Wastewater, Heavy metals, Coliform count

Abstract

Wastewater from the confectionery industry exhibits marked daily and seasonal variations, complicating its management and disposal. This study investigated the physico-chemical characteristics, heavy metal content, and microbial load of effluents from a confectionery processing plant using American Public Health Association (APHA) standard procedures. At the discharge point, the effluent showed temperature (25.02±0.15 °C), turbidity (1.00 NTU), pH (6.20±0.29), electrical conductivity (2295.00±3.62 µs/cm), total dissolved solids (1708.00±19.70 mg/L), total suspended solids (6252.00±0.30 mg/L), total hardness (CaCO₃) (1141.30±0.03 mg/mL), oil and grease (5.60±0.00 mg/L±), dissolved oxygen (4.76±0.02 mg/L), COD (8900±0.00 mg/L), BOD (181.80±0.37 mg/L), free chlorine (0.25 mg/L), phosphate (9.418 mg/L), nitrate (387.60 mg/L). Heavy metals (mg/mL) included Mg (25.71), Zn (<0.0010), Pb (<0.0100), Cu (0.0100), Mg (0.0564), Ni (0.0064), and Cd (<0.0020). The total plate count was (238 cfu /100 mL), while the total coliforms count exceeded 1600 MPN/ 100 mL. Comparison with FEPA and NESREA discharge standards indicated that most parameters met regulatory limits, except TDS, TSS, alkalinity, nitrate, chloride, phosphorus, oil and grease, total coliforms, Fe, BOD, and COD, which exceeded permissible thresholds. The release of such inadequately treated effluents poses environmental and public health risks. Strengthened regulatory enforcement is recommended in industrial zones such as Lagos State, Nigeria.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

[1] D. O. Aderibigbe, A. R. A. Giwa & I. A. Bello, “Characterization and treatment of wastewater from food processing industry: a review”, Imam Journal of Applied Sciences 2 (2017) 27. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijas.ijas_11_17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijas.ijas_11_17

[2] V. Shrivastava, I. Ali, M. M. Marjub, E. R. Rene & A. M. F. Soto, “Wastewater in the food industry: treatment technologies and reuse potential”, Chemosphere 293 (2022) 133553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133553. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133553

[3] K. Jaszczyszyn, W. Góra, Z. Dymaczewski & R. Borowiak, “A comparative analysis of selected wastewater pretreatment processes in the food industry”, E3S Web of Conferences 30 (2018) 02003. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20183002003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20183002003

[4] A. G. Tekerlekopoulou, C. N. Economou, T. I. Tatoulis, C. S. Akratos & D. V. Vayenas, “Wastewater treatment and water reuse in the food industry”, in The Interaction of Food Industry and Environment, Charis Galanakis (Ed), Academic Press, 2020, pp. 245–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816449-5.00008-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816449-5.00008-4

[5] M. N. Abdallh, W. S. Abdelhalim & H. S. Abdelhalim, “Industrial wastewater treatment of the food industry using the best techniques”, International Journal of Engineering Science and Invention 5 (2016) 15. https://www.ijesi.org/papers/Vol%285%298/version-2/C0508021528.pdf.

[6] M. Zajda & U. A. Kwaterczak, “Wastewater treatment methods for effluents from the confectionery industry–an overview”, Journal of Ecological Engineering 20 (2019) 293. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/112557. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/112557

[7] A. A. Okunola, E. E. Babatunde, O. J. Temitope & O. O. Evelyn, “Assessment of environmental contamination by wastewater from a cocoa processing industry using genetic and reproductive biomarkers”, Journal of Toxicology and Risk Assessment 3 (2017) 008. https://doi.org/10.23937/2572-4061.1510008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23937/2572-4061.1510008

[8] E. O. Jatto, I. O. Asia, E. E. Egbon, J. O. Otutu, M. E. Chukwuedo & C. J. Ewansiha, “Treatment of wastewater from the food industry using snail shells”, Academia Arena 2 (2010) 32. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242412669_Treatment_Of_Waste_Water_From_Food_Industry_Using_Snail_Shell.

[9] N. Giannoulis, V. Maipa, I. Konstantinou, T. Abanis & L. Dimoliatus, “Microbiological risk assessment of Agios Georgios source supplies in Northwestern Greece based on faecal coliforms determination and sanitary inspection survey”, Chemosphere 58 (2005) 1269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.09.078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.09.078

[10] R. G. Price & D. Wildeboer, “E. coli as an indicator of contamination and health risk in environmental waters”, in Escherichia coli-Recent Advances on Physiology, Pathogenesis and Biotechnological Applications, Amidou Samie (Ed), IntechOpen, London, 7, 2017, pp. 125–139. https://doi.org/10.5772/67330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/67330

[11] A. Osho, O. Mabekoja & O. Bello, “Preliminary evaluation of wastewater effluents from two food companies in Nigeria”, African Journal of Microbiology Research 4 (2010) 1395. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR

[12] S. A. Adebisi & K. A. Fayemiwo, “Physicochemical properties of industrial effluents in Ibadan, Nigeria”, Nature and Science 8 (2010) 234. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3939108.

[13] O. W. Oladepo, M. O. Ilori & K. A. Taiwo, “Assessment of the waste generation and management practices in the Nigerian food industry: toward a policy for sustainable approaches”, American Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 6 (2014) 12.

[14] WHO, “Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda”, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK579461/.

[15] USEPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, “Determination of turbidity by nephelometry,” Method 180.1, Revision 2.0, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1993. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/method_180-1_1993.pdf.

[16] APHA, AWWA & WEF, “5220 Chemical oxygen demand (COD)”, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 24th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C., 2023, pp. 5–22. https://www.standardmethods.org/doi/10.2105/SMWW.2882.103.

[17] APHA, AWWA & WEF, “5210B Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)”, in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Lipps WC, Baxter TE, Braun-Howland E (Eds), 24th ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, APHA Press, 2023, pp. 5–16, 5–23. https://doi.org/10.2105/SMWW.2882.102.

[18] B. Edet, G. A. Mohammed, B. B. Yawuri, A. B. Mohammed, A. Musa, A. M. Galtimari, H. L. Badawi, M. Ahmadu & F. A. Garra, “Microbial estimation and characterization of wastewater and sludge in awka metropolis, Nigeria”, International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy 5 (2017) 23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.s.2017050601.14.

[19] M. A. Ibekwe, P. M. Watt, P. J. Shouse & C. M. Grieve, “Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in irrigation water on soil and plants as validated by culture method and real time PCR”, Canadian Journal of Microbiology 50 (2004) 1007. https://doi.org/10.1139/w04-097. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/w04-097

[20] K. C. Ogbu, C. I. Ebenebe & C. Maduamaka, “Physico chemical characteristics of Ama brewery effluent and its receiving Ajali River in Udi, Enugu State, Nigeria”, Animal Research International 13 (2016) 2392. https://scispace.com/pdf/physico-chemical-characteristics-of-ama-brewery-effluent-and-uhh6dbqlfh.pdf.

[21] NESREA, “National environmental (Food, Beverages and Tobacco Sector) regulations: effluent limitation standards for food, beverages and tobacco sector”, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, 2009. https://nesrea.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Food_Beverages_and_Tobacco_Sector_Regulation-2009.pdf.

[22] P. Quinteiro, A. Dias, A. Araújo, J. Pestana, B. Ridoutt & L. Arroja, “Erratum to: suspended solids in freshwater systems: characterisation model describing potential impacts on aquatic biota”, The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 21 (2015) 1067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1128-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1128-3

[23] C. C. Egwuonwu, A. P. Uzoije, V. C. Okafor, N. C. Ezeanya & M. U. Nwachukwu, “Evaluation of the effects of industrial wastewater discharge on surface water (a case study of Nigeria Breweries Plc Enugu)”, Greener Journal of Physical Sciences 2 (2012) 56. https://www.gjournals.org/2012/09/18/evaluation-of-the-effects-of-industrial-wastewater-discharge-on-surface-water-a-case-study-of-nigeria-breweries-plc-enugu/.

[24] F. O. Ekhaise & C. C. Anyasi, “Influence of breweries effluent discharge on the microbiological and physicochemical quality of Ikpoba River, Nigeria”, African Journal of Biotechnology 4 (2005) 1062. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajb.v4i10.71272.

[25] M. Akharame & J. U. Ogbebor, “Effluent quality assessment and treatment efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant of a carbonated drink industrial facility located in Benin City, Nigeria”, NIPES Journal of Science and Technology Research 5 (2023) 253. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7745495.

[26] A. Rawlings & G. O. Ogbaji-Pat, “Assessment of wastewater quality discharged from some selected bakeries in Benin City, Nigeria”, Journal of Engineering 31 (2025) 1. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2025.08.01. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2025.08.01

[27] D. L. Shrock & M. D. Krasowski, “Methemoglobinemia due to dietary nitrate”, in Toxicology Cases for the Clinical and Forensic Laboratory, eds. H. Ketha & U. Garg, Academic Press, 2020, pp. 469–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-815846-3.00092-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815846-3.00092-2

[28] C. A. Mebane, A. M. Ray & A. M. Marcarelli, “Nutrient limitation of algae and macrophytes in streams: Integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data”, PLoS One 16 (2021) e0252904. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252904. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252904

[29] X. X. Wang, T. Y. Zhang, G. H. Dao, Z. B. Xu, Y. H. Wu & H. Y. Hu, “Assessment and mechanisms of micro algae growth inhibition by phosphonates: Effects of intrinsic toxicity and complexation”, Water Research 186 (2020) 116333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116333. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116333

[30] W. S. Beck & E. K. Hall, “Confounding factors in algal phosphorus limitation experiments”, PLoS ONE 13 (2018) e0205684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205684. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205684

[31] B. Murtaza, M. Rahman, C. Xu, T. Zhu & W. Qin, “Environmental impact associated with oil and grease and their emerging mitigation strategies”, Waste and Biomass Valorization 15 (2024) 3913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-024-02425-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-024-02425-3

[32] O. O. Oketayo, R. T. Akinnubi, F. O. Adeyemi, O. S. Ayanda & S. N. Nelana, “Assessment of drinking water samples around selected oil spillage and metal recycling company in Lagos State, Nigeria: Heavy-metals in drinking waters”, African Scientific Reports 1 (2022) 154. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2022.1.3.23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2022.1.3.23

[33] G. A. Idowu, “Heavy metals research in Nigeria: a review of studies and prioritization of research needs”, Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29 (2022) 65940. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22174-x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22174-x

[34] O. G. Femi, L. M. Owonire & U. R. Efe, “Evaluation of water quality and heavy metal concentration across two connecting tropical lagoons in Lagos, Nigeria”, Journal of Biological Research and Biotechnology 19 (2021) 1202. https://doi.org/10.4314/br.v19i1.3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/br.v19i1.3

[35] T. Bakare-Abidola, S. Etoniru, M. O. Akib & A. O. Adewale, “Integrated wastewater treatment and pollution monitoring system for sustainable water management in Lagos, Nigeria”, Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 24 (2025) 37. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2025/v24i6724. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2025/v24i6724

[36] A. R. Kukoyi, O. T. Fatunsin & J. O. Okorhi, “Addressing impacts of heavy metal pollutants on groundwater in E-waste locations: A case study of Alaba International Market and Olusosun Communities in Lagos State, Nigeria”, International Journal of Ecotoxicology and Ecobiology 10 (2025) 30. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijee.20251002.11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijee.20251002.11

[37] S. O. Salihu & N. K. A. Bakar, “Two-step one-pot speciation of chromium as Cr-APDC-and-NaEDTA complexes followed by ETA-AAS analysis”, Recent Advances in Natural Sciences 2 (2024) 43. https://doi.org/10.61298/rans.2024.2.1.43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61298/rans.2024.2.1.43

[38] O. L. Ijebor & N. I. Ihimekpen, “Performance evaluation of Oke-Afa wastewater treatment plant in Isolo, Lagos State, Nigeria”, NIPES - Journal of Science and Technology Research 5 (2023) 87. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10426207.

[39] H. K. Okoro, G. B. Adebayo, O. D. Saliu & A. O. Adebayo, “Factor analysis techniques for the assessment of water quality: A case study of Okun River, Ilorin, Kwara State”, Fountain Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences 8 (2019) 1. https://doi.org/10.53704/fujnas.v8i1.298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53704/fujnas.v8i1.298

[40] S. Uprety, B. Dangol, P. Nakarmi, I. Dhakal, S. P. Sherchan, J. L. Shisler, A. Jutla, M. Amarasiri, D. Sano & T. H. Nguyen, “Assessment of microbial risks by characterization of Escherichia coli presence to analyze the public health risks from poor water quality in Nepal”, International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 226 (2020) 113484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113484