The Value Addition of Agricultural Waste (Pig dung) in Producing Activated Carbon for Use in Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture and Environmental Remediation: A Review

Abstract

The expansion of agricultural production has naturally resulted in increased quantities of livestock wastes, agricultural crop residues and agro-industrial by-products. Pig waste is a biomass that changes rapidly from the time of excretion thereby creating a serious pollution problem. The odor from pig dung is capable of diminishing air quality which brings tension and complaints between pig farmers and their neighbors resulting to litigations and risk of possible closure of farms. A review on agricultural wastes such as pig dung is desirable because of their contribution to environmental degradation and the need to convert them to value-added products such as activated carbon (AC). Activated carbon also called activated charcoal is a solid, porous, tasteless and black carbonaceous material prepared from a variety of carbon containing materials, including agricultural wastes. Activated carbon is capable of adsorbing various toxic substances which makes it suitable for use as universal poison antidote, feed additive, water purification, and environmental remediation.