SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AS A TOOL FOR RE-SHAPING THE NIGERIA CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN THE AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

¹Azuaga, I. Chia, ²Otuonye, U.C and ¹Fariku, Samuel

¹Chemistry Department, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemical Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: kperan2000@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Sustainable Chemistry seeks to reduce the impact of Chemistry on the environment by preventing pollution and its source and using fewer natural resources. The focus of this paper, therefore, is to explain the role the chemist can play in assisting chemical industries in meeting the needs of society at the same time not harming the surrounding and invariably the people.

FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND PASTING CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOUR FROM FIVE VARIETIES OF NIGERIAN PIGEON PEA (CAJANUS CAJAN)

¹Adenekan, M.K, ³Awonorin, S.O, ¹Oguntoyinbo, S.I, ²Nupo, S.S and ¹Odunmbaku, L.A

¹Food Technology Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

²Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

³Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

E-mail: adenekanmonilola2011@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The functional and pasting characteristics of flour produced from five selected varieties of Nigerian Pigeon pea, namely, NSWCC-46, NSWCC-35, NSWCC-18, NSWCC-28, and NSWCC-32 were evaluated. The functional properties include: loosed bulk density (0.4g/cm³); packed bulk density (0.6 to 0.7g/cm³); water absorption capacity (119.0 to 125.0%); oil absorption (123.5 to 133.3%); foaming capacity (16.3 to 29.2%); foaming stability (13.6 to 34.3%); emulsifying property (0.2 to 0.4%); solubility (0.9 to 12.1%) and least gelation capacity (6.0 to 8.0%). The  pasting characteristics were:  peak  (3.53  to  61.83 RVU);  trough (1.67 to 56.1 RVU); breakdown  values (1.83  to  6.53  RVU), final  viscosities (11.43 to 92.08 RVU);  set back values (6.67 to7.03 RVU); peak time (9.75 to 23.83mins); and pasting temperature (94.13 to 95.45 ºC). The overall results of this study   have shown that the measured quality indices should provide base line data for value addition in the use of pigeon peas in food systems and enhance the production and utilization potentials of the crop, including food security for the country.

AN OVERVIEW OF BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM

CASSAVA FEEDSTOCK IN NIGERIA

Kura, A.M.

Department of Biological Sciences

Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria.

E-mail: amohammedkura@ymail.com

ABSTRACT

The production of bioethanol from cassava feedstock may hold great promises for the fact that cassava is easily accessible, abundant, and has relatively low cost of production. However the high output of cassava in the country is in fact due to government policies in providing improved varieties and enhanced production practices. Currently Nigeria being the leading cassava producer in the world, has decided to participate in the production of bioethanol mainly from Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) feedstock. However, there is need for the government to review both short and long term strategies for cassava production, in order to meet the extra demand for bioethanol production. Since Nigeria government has embarked on an ambitious program to promote the use of bioethanol as transportation fuel. Therefore it is concluded that due to large availability of cassava in Nigeria gives a great potential for biofuels production. The study offers suggestions, to serve as contributions for the bioethanol programme these include excise tax exemption for the biofuels production and income tax waiver for both local and foreign investors; introduce loans and subsidies for biofuel production etc.

INTESTINAL FLUID AND GLUCOSE TRANSPORT IN RATS TREATED WITH ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM

Alagwu, E.A.¹, Nwozor, C.M.², Umuakobong, A.U.³, and Osim, E.E.³

¹Department of Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri.

²Department of Physiology, Anambra State University, Uli.

³Department of Physiology, University of Calabar.

E-mail:corneliusnwozor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Effect of ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium on intestinal fluid transfer and glucose uptake across the small intestine of albino rats was studied using 12 male albino rats weighing between 140g-200g. The rats were randomly grouped into 2 (the control and test groups), six rats in each group. The test group was fed with ethanolic extracts of G. latifolium at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight for 60days and rat feeds. The control group was fed with rat feeds and equal volume of normal saline. Tap water was given to both groups. The feeds and volume of water intake were weighed, measured and recorded. At the end of the experiment, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation, the small intestine dissected out of each rat, cut into four segments of 10cm long (two from the jejunum and two from the ileum) and used for glucose and fluid uptake study, using the everted sac technique of Wilson and Wiseman (1954) as modified by Adeniyi and Olowookorun (1987). The results obtained showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in glucose uptake (2.82±0.57mmol/g sac/30mins) and intestinal fluid transfer (0.31±0.18ml/mg sac /30minutes) in the extract treated (test) rats compared with the control group (fluid transfer: 0.33±0.12ml/mg sac/30 minutes, glucose uptake: 2.29±0.36mmol/g sac /30minutes). However, there was significant increase (P<0.05) in the percentage weight gain (28.6%), percentage food intake (73.9%) and percentage water intake (35%) in the extract treated (test) rats compared with the control (percentage body weight gain, 20%, percentage food intake, 41.3%, percentage water intake, 23.5%). The results showed that administration of Gongronema latifolium leaf extracts does not significantly (P>0.05) affect glucose uptake and gut fluid transfer in rat but significantly (P<0.05) caused body weight gain as well as increased water and food intake in the test group.

CURCIN FROM JATROPHA CURCAS SEED AS A POTENTIAL ANTHELMINTHIC

Jummai, A.T¹ and Okoli, B.J²

¹National Biotechnology Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria. 

²Department of Chemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nassarawa State, Nigeria.

E-mail: okolibj@binghamuni.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

The study was done with the aim to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of curcin from Jatropha curcas seedusing adult earthworm Pheritima posthuma against Niclosamide (5 mg/mL) as standard references and normal saline as control. The activities of the possible crude curcin was determined on the tested parasites in this study so as to verify if the Jatropha curcas seed would be a potential sources of useful anthelminthic drugs by monitoring the time to achieve paralysis of the worms was determined. In the acute toxicity test, toxic signs were observed at 300mg/kg. However, the Pheritima posthuma displayed physical changes with LD₅₀ of 800mg/kg per body weight. The toxicity of curcin in Pheritima posthuma is high; however, caution should be exercised in its use especially at high doses.

PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND IN VITRO TRYPANOCIDAL EFFICACY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SEMI-ARID NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

¹Biu, A.A., ²Buratai, L.B., ²Amarachi, I.C., ¹Kyari, F., ¹Mohammed, A.,³Adawaren, E.O.,

⁴Fasuyi, F.H., ⁵Jegede, O.C.and ⁵Ejiofor C.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁴National Biotechnology Development Agency, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Veterinary Parasitology & Entomology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Qualitative phytochemical and In vitro trypanocidal studies of aqueous extracts of the leaves of Calotropis procera, Cassia sieberiana and Azadirachta indica were conducted using standard procedures. Bioactive compounds of saponins terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, pentoses, ketones, reducing sugars, and general carbohydrates were found in these plants. In vitro trypanocidal efficacy of graded concentrations of plant extracts in this study indicated a 100% Trypanosoma brucei mortality at 2.5mg/ml under one-hour incubation period. Thus, the parasite count was inversely proportional to the percentage inhibition as the extract concentration increases. Notably at lower extract concentrations of 0.875mg/ml, Cassia sieberiana was more effective with 94.6% mortality recorded compared with C. procera and A. indica  that had 71.8% and 66.7% respectively (p<0.05). In conclusion, these extracts possess phytoactive properties and have trypanocidal activity on T. brucei In vitro.

TIME COURSE KINETICS OF ACID PHOSPHATASE AND b-GALACTOSIDASE OF STARVED E. COLI CELLS

H. Zanna¹, M.A. Milala¹, A.J. Nok², P. Wuyep³ and E. Amlabu²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

³Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

E-mail: mohammedmilala@yahoo.com.

ABSTRACT

The time course for the production of acid phosphatase and b-galactosidase in starved E. coli was investigated. E. coli cells were starved by growing the cells in basic medium containing 2% glycerol. b-galactosidase production was induced by 0.002M lactose. Acid phosphatase and b-galactosidase activities were assayed using PNPP and ONPG respectively. Time course kinetics was monitored every hour for nine hours and solid (NH₄)₂SO₄ was used to precipitate the two enzymes at 30-55% and 20-35% respectively. SDS-PAGE of the crude and (NH₄)₂SO₄ of partially purified enzymes was also carried out. Results revealed no correlation in terms of the time course kinetics between the two enzymes. However, the two enzymes belong to the same group of proteins that can be precipitated by (NH₄)₂SO₄.

DOES MYZUS PERCISEAE REDUCE BOTRYTIS CINEREA INFECTION?

¹Yahaya, S.M. and ²Hauwa, Y.I.

¹Department of Biology Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria.

²Audu Bako School of Agriculture, Dambatta, Kano State, Nigeria

E-mail: sanimyahya@yahaoo.com

ABSTRACT

Direct and indirect interactions are the consequences that occur following attack on plants and their produce by pathogens and insect herbivores.  Here experiment was presented which shows that bi-directional interaction occur when systemic pathogen Botrytis cinerea Pears Fr (Helotiales Sclerotiniaceae) and an insect herbivore green peach aphid Myzus persicae share same host plant  lettuce Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae: Compositae). The bi-directional interaction result in reduction of B. cinerea lesion when compared with the infected but uninfested plants. Result also showed that infected uninfested plants showed reduced leaf number, internode length, fresh and dry weight of the plant than B. cinerea infected plants which were infested with M. persicae.

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF SPUTUM SAMPLES FOR STREPTOCCUS PNEUMONIAE

IN BENISHEIKH GENERAL HOSPITAL, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

^1*A.A.G Benisheikh, ²Yufusam .S. Kuburi, ³Isyaka M.T., ⁴Baba J.U., ⁵Abubakar M. and ⁶Zainab Y. Thamus

¹Biotechnology Centre, University of Maiduguri

²Department of Pre-ND Studies, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

³Department of Medical Microbiology University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Medical  Microbiology, University  of  Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Basic Science and Technology, Mohmed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri.

⁶Department of   Basic Science and Technology, Mohmed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri.

E-mail: abbabesheikh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae cause life-threatening disease of respiratory tract. It is the most important of all the tropical disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. Across-sectional study on relationship between Streptococcus pneumonia, age and sex was carried out at Benisheikh General Hospital, Kaga Local Government Area (L.G.A), Borno State, Nigeria. Variables assessed were sputum sample for Streptococcus pneumoniae, age (No. of years) and sex (male and female). A total of 211 patients were examined, comprising 118 (55.9%) male and 93 (44.10%) female, 122 (57.8%) of the study population were adult and 98 (42.2%) adolescent. One hundred and thirty 130 (61.6%) of the patient had Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in their sputum. Streptococcus pneumoniae infection of these 74 (35.1%) were males while 56 (26.5%) were female but the difference was not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05) infection rate was higher among the adult 82 (38.8%), than the adolescent 48 (22.8%) and the difference was not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05). The study indicated a strong correlation between age, sputum and prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thus, the information in this study is helpful in knowing the final solution of life-threatening disease and checking out to formulate the control strategy in future.