Developmnent of Mucuna sloanei and Brachystegia eurycoma Seeds as Sorbent: Effect of Some Physical Properties on Their Swelling Behaviour

Mucuna sloanei seeds (MSS) and Brachystegia eurycoma seeds (BES) were immobilized by mixing 50 cm3 of viscous layer of MSS/ BES and 50 cm3 of 4% stock solution of sodium alginate, the mixtures were transferred into a beaker containing 60 cm3 of 0.12 M calcium chloride solution allowed to stand for 2 h. The precipitates were filtered and dried for 72 h, giving rise to immobilized Bucuna sloanei seed (IMSS) and Brachystegia eurycoma seed (IBES). The swelling behavior of IMSS and IBES showed that the water uptake increases with increase in concentration, and pH, and decreased with increase in ionic strength and temperature in both IMSS and IBES. The contact time increases from 30 mins to 4 h and decrease gradually to 8 h for IBES and percentage water of IMSS increases as the contact time increases. Their swelling capacities were recorded as 350% for IMSS and 332% for IBES.