Applied Chemistry

Oxalate (soluble and total), phytic acid, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and tannin content of Lasienthera Africana (Editan), Heinsia Crinata (Atama) and piper quineensis (Adusa) were analyzed. The moisture content was first determined and results showed the highest level for lasienthera Africana as (7.52%) and the least (5.14%) for Heinsia Crinata. Standard analytical method was used to estimate the levels of the toxicants in the three vegetables. The result of the analysis showed that Heinsia Crinata, had the maximum total oxalate content of (10.40mg/10g) while piper quineensis had the minimum level of (2.50mg/100g). The highest value of phytic acid (743.00mg/100g) was found in piper quineensis and the minimum value (484.00mg/100g) was found in Lasintherra Africana. The maximum level of HCN (0.43mg/100g) was found in Heinsia Crinata and the minimum value (0.17mg/100g) obtained for piper quineensis. While Tannin recorded least (50.20mg/100g) for piper quineensis and maximum (63.40mg/100g) for Lasienthera Africana. When these result were compared with their respective, lethal does, and the values obtained for other edible leaves the leaves were found to be fit for consumption with respect to their toxicant contents.

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of trace elements in some selected fruit juices and carbonated beverages purchased in Accra metropolis, Ghana. The technique used in this study was Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Fruit juices considered in this study includes pineapple, strawberry, lemon and orange. Some carbonated drinks were also analysed in this analysis. The trace elements considered were Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Mg, Mn, Na, K, Cd, Co, and As. Generally, the trace elements in the fruit juices were found to be more than that of the carbonated beverages. As, Cd, Co and Br were not detected in any of the samples analysed. Also Ca, Mg, Mn were not present in all the carbonated drinks studied. The levels of trace elements in both the fruit juices and carbonated drinks were however within permissible levels.

This study investigated the fatty acid and amino acid compositions of one of the under-exploited tropical African seeds- Artocarpus heterphyllus (Jackfruit) seed. The seed oil was found to be composed of five fatty acids-palmitic (14.66%), palmitoleic (6.60%), stearic (50.59%), oleic (7.68%), linoleic (20.40%). The oil was composed of more of saturated fatty acids with a total value of 65.25%. The seed oil was composed more of short chain fatty acids and less of unsaturated fatty acids and expressed in the saponification number (132.81) and iodine value (42.5).The result showed a reasonable value of linoleic acid (20.40% ) and deficiency in linolenic acid. Seventeen amino acids,excluding tryptophan, were determined in Artocarpus heterophyllus seed protein and with aspartic (7.23 g/100g protein ) and glutamic (8.64g/100g protein) acids as the predominant amino acids and methionine (0.81g/100g protein) as the most deficient amino acid. The total essential amino acid composition of Artocarpus heterophyllus seed (25.64g/100g protein) represents 45.73% of the total amino acid composition of the seed protein. The values of the essential amino acids were found to be lower than their respective FAO/WHO/UNU(1991) reference standard values. However, the total essential amino acid composition of Artocarpus heterophyllus seed, just like other common members of the family, for example Treculia africana, was very low.

The molten salt electrolytes from which the polyvalent active metals are extracted are strongly structured at unusually long distances that increase the energy consumption of the electrowinning cell. Under influence of strong electrical pulses they are transferred to a non-equilibrium state with modification of the structure and intensification of electrochemical properties. The observed regularities in the electrolytes activation are due to stimulated dissociation of complex ions on the simpler and more mobile complex and elementary ions. This is confirmed by the disappearance of characteristic Raman peaks when the melts are activated. During the relaxation process in the non-equilibrium melts their electrochemical parameters and Raman peaks are seeking to recover their equilibrium values and pattern. All the observed regularities of the duration and the dynamics of the relaxation in non-equilibrium melts show that we definitely have deal with the structural relaxation in ionic.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of bleaching red palm oil with fuller’s earth, kaolin, charcoal and activated carbon on some of the physico-chemical characteristics. Each of the adsorbent materials was separately employed in the bleaching of the crude palm oil sample. In the removal of colour, fuller’s earth showed highest ability (67.23%) in the removal of carotenes (R-Band). Charcoal (56.50%) compared favourably to fuller’s earth in the removal of carotenes. However, the adsorbent materials- fuller’s earth (3.96%), kaolin (4.32%) and charcoal (5.04%) showed very poor, but comparable abilities in the removal of xanthophylls (Y-Band) from the palm oil sample. Bleaching of the red palm oil sample with the adsorbents resulted in total colour reduction of 58.20% with fuller’s earth, 40.14% with kaolin; 49.50% with charcoal and 38.87% with activated carbon. The lovibond tintometer scale was used in the colour measurements. Generally, bleaching with the adsorbents resulted to reductions in the colour mixture content, free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (POV) and the unsaponifiable matter content but increased the melting point (M.Pt.OC) and the cloud point of the bleached oil samples. The treatment with the adsorbents showed no pronounced effect on the saponification numbers, iodine values, specific gravities and the refractive indices of the bleached oil samples.

The nutrient compositions of some of the most common cereal grains consumed in Eastern Nigeria were determined. The cereal grains used were white corn, yellow corn, popcorn and sorghum. The cereal grains had very reasonable values of carbohydrate. The carbohydrate values ranged from 66.30% in sorghum to 76.19% in popcorn. The protein values were low, ranging from 7.82% in popcorn to 14.99% in sorghum. They had very low values of crude fat, ranging from 3.03% in Sorghum to 5.01% in yellow corn. Sorghum had a better source of potassium (350.27±0.23mg/100g) and calcium (22.71±2.30mg/100g). Phosphorus was comparatively higher in white corn (279.45±1.24 mg/100g), yellow corn (288.85±0.26 mg/100g) and popcorn (289.78±0.83 mg/100g) than in sorghum. White corn, yellow corn and popcorn had very low values of copper and manganese while these minerals were not detected in sorghum. Popcorn (131.2±1.39 mg/100g) and yellow corn (126.4±1.39 mg/100g) had high values of magnesium while sorghum had the least value (4.00±1.39 mg/100g).The cereal grains had Na/K ratios less than one implying that their consumption would probably reduce blood pressure disease. The cereal grains had very low values of Vitamin C. Vitamin E was found in trace amounts in white corn, yellow corn and popcorn but vitamins A and E were not detected in Sorghum. Thiamin and riboflavin were present in the cereal grain samples in small amounts. However, yellow corn had the highest value of niacin (3.45±0.01 mg/100g). The anti-nutritional principles in the various cereal grains were very low. The very low values of these principles imply that their consumption will have no adverse health implications. Generally, blending of the various cereal grains in food processing will be of great benefit to human nutrition and health.

The cyclic voltammetric measurement and molecular interaction studies using ultrasonic technique of Cu(II),Ni(II) and Pb(II) complexes of  8-[2-Methoxy-5-(propane-1-sulfonyl)-phenylazo]-naphthalene-1-ol using DMSO, were carried out at 303 K. The cyclic voltammetric were carried out at a stationary platinum electrode in DMSO with 0.1M tetrabutylammonium per chlorate (TBAP) as a supporting electrolyte. The measured values of ultrasonic velocity, density, acoustical parameters, adiabatic compressibility and free length are evaluated. From the properties of these parameters the nature and strength of the interactions in these complexes and oxidation, reduction behaviors were discussed.

Prime Minister for India recently on 63rd Independence day addressing the nation from Red Fort said we need a new culture of energy conservation, since our natural resources are limited. India spent Rs. 3,40,572 cr. Excess Energy (8% loss in GDP) in 2007 compared to U.K. & Denmark. There was a saving of Rs. 65,000 cr. in 2007 by improving energy efficiency and energy conservation methods. India is facing energy shortage 12%-14% and peak power shortage of about 16%. GOI programmed 78,000 mw edition in 11th Plan. Hence energy shortage may be low in future by 12th Planning Ending. Direct loss on this account has been assessed to Rs. 43,205 cr. (1% loss in GDP) in 2008-09. This has posited the opportunity cost of the power shortage to a hopping some of Rs. 2,89,000 cr. i.e., (6% loss in GDP)., thus 15% loss in our National GDP of around Rs. 42,00,000 cr. has to be reduced. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, US., China, South Koria, have to improve energy conservation and energy affiances for better environment, since the energy intensity is from 0.419 to 0.194 kgoe for 1 US $ GDP in PPP Terms against UK at 0.115 kgoe.

Minerals trace elements, such as zinc, copper, iron, and several antioxidants like vitamins and ceruloplasmin, catalase, have significant influence on the health of pregnant women. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the relationship of trace elements, antioxidants and several antioxidants enzymes level in first trimester Iraqi pregnant women. The present study comprises of 50 normal pregnant women were selected in first trimester in attending for antenatal checkup to the hospital, and 30 non-pregnant women as control group. Venous blood (5 mL) was collected from pregnant women. In normal pregnancy, the copper and ceruloplasmin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and vitamin C concentration were statistically significantly increased in pregnant women group when compared to control group .The present study infers that iron is the most important micronutrient and it should be supplemented as a daily requirement in pregnant women. TIBC can be used as a diagnostic measurement and follow-up health status of women in pregnancy.

This study is focused on the fatty acid and amino acid compositions of the larva of oil palm weevil (Rhyncophorous ferrugineus). The fatty acid composition of the oil showed the presence of twelve fatty acids comprising of six known fatty acids (lauric acid 0.05%, myristic acid 0.41%, palmitic acid 35.80%, stearic acid 7.82%, oleic acid 50.04% and linoleic acid 4.28%) and six unknown fatty acids. The oil is composed of more of unsaturated fatty acids with a total value of 54.32%, predominantly oleic acid; 50.04%.The iodine value (41.67 + 0.26) and saponification number (191.64 + 0.33) compared favorably with values reported as standard values for tallow. The free fatty acid value of the oil (7.01 + 0.114 %) was very high when compared to reported values of 0.65% for lard or 1.25% for edible tallow. The specific gravity of the oil (0.7981) was lower than the values reported as standards for edible animal fats, such as lard, pork and tallow. The larva of the oil palm weevil (Rhyncophorous ferrugineus) protein showed a total of 17 amino acids (excluding tryptophan) and with glutamic acid (12.68g/100g) as the predominant amino acid. The amino acids have a total value of 77.53 g/100g protein. The essential amino acids, including arginine and histidine, make up 35.89 g/100g of the total amino acids. This value represents 46.29% of the total amino acids. The larva of the oil palm weevil has high values of phenylalanine (4.14g/100g), leucine (7.52g/100g) and arginine (6.47g/100g) but low value of lysine (4.51g/100g).The fatty acid composition of the larva of oil palm weevil oil indicated that the consumption of the larva of oil palm weevil would have no adverse health implications. The essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine+tyrosine had higher values than the FAO reference standard values. Methionine+cystine and threonine had reasonable values. Thus, the larva of oil palm weevil can serve as a substitute for beef meat and fish in the supply of fatty acids and essential amino acids necessary for good health.