Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria

SCREENING OF FUNGI FROM THE TRICHOCOMACEAE FAMILY (ASPERGILLI AND PENICILLIA) IN PRODUCTION OF HEXOSE SUGARS FROM AGRO-WASTE

U. Omoruyi, E. E. I. Irabor — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

As an alternative to crude oil, the production of hexose sugars from agro-waste may be viewed as an environmentally benign process for sustainable chemicals/fuels production. A range of high-value industrial chemicals and fuels can be accessed from biomass-derived hexose sugars. This work evaluated the production of hexose sugars from yam peels (agro-waste) via enzymatic hydrolysis using different fungi from the trichocomaceae family namely, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tamari, Pencillium citrinum, and Penicillium chrysogenum respectively. The agro-waste (yam peels) samples were inoculated directly with the respective fungi without any form of pre-treatment. Hexose yields of 8.75±0.07%, 8.10±0.07%, 2.75±0.25% and 2.75±0.25 were obtained for A. niger, A. tamari, P. citrinum, and P. chrysogenum respectively when the samples were sterilized for 20 minutes at 121oC. Under the same experimental conditions, the control sample gave a minimal yield of 1.50±0.35%. Regardless of the enzyme employed, the amount of hexose sugars produced increased steadily with an increase in sterilization time (40, 60, 80, and 100 minutes). Optimum hexose yields of 16.90±0.71%, 15.50±0.35%, 7.00±0.01%, 7.00±0.05% were recorded for A. niger, A. tamari, P. citrinum, and P. chrysogenum respectively at 100 minutes sterilization time. Generally, P. citrinum, and P. chrysogenum gave similar but low hexose yields while A.niger and A. tamari afforded high and distinct hexose yields. Amongst the different fungi screened, A. niger was the most efficient enzyme for the hydrolysis giving the highest hexose sugar yields under the different conditions employed. The performance of the different fungi was evaluated against three different concentrations (0.5M, 1.0 M, 1.5M) of HCl and H2SO4 acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the yam peels respectively. At 1.0 M concentrations HCl and H2SO4 respectively, the hexose yields of 6.40 ± 0.40 % and 7.60 ± 0.20% obtained were on par with those obtained for the enzymes P. citrinum (7.00±0.01%) and P. chrysogenum (7.00±0.05%) after 100 minutes sterilization time. Regardless of acid concentrations, A. niger, and A. tamari enzymes were more effective for the hydrolysis than the HCl and H2SO4 acid-catalysed process with A. niger being the most effective for the hydrolysis. Therefore, a combination of the A-niger and any heterogenous green catalyst is a promising strategy for further transformation of hexose sugars obtained from agro-wastes to higher value chemicals like levulinic acid in a one-pot synthesis. The extended sterilization time may also be a suitable pre-treatment alternative to mineral acids.

β-SITOSTEROL ISOLATED FROM ETHYL ACETATE LEAF EXTRACT OF Cissus populnea AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

A. H. Danladi, O. A. Ushie, P. A. Egwaikhide — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

β-Sitosterol was isolated from ethyl acetate leaf extract of Cissus populnea and characterized using H-NMR spectroscopy analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract was also investigated in this study. Column chromatography was used to fractionate the ethyl extract, and thin layer chromatography was used to monitor the fractions. The result of the study showed that all isolates of Cissus populnea leaf inhibited or exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities against tested microbes, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Cissus populnea fractions against tested microbes or organisms ranging from 6.25 to 100g/ml. The majority of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) activity levels were lower than the MBC levels. A lower MIC value indicates that fewer plant fragments (isolates) are needed to prevent organism growth.; thus, plants with lower MIC scores are more effective antimicrobial agents.

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LINOLEIC ACID FROM THE LEAVES OF Cnidoscolus aconitifolis (Miller) I. M. Johnston

E. K. Iheanacho, O. U. Igwe, P. E. N. OnyemachI — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Linoleic acid [9Z, 12Z)]-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid was isolated from the leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitlius, (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal plant widely used as vegetable and in folkloric medicine in Niger Delta area of Nigeria where it is known as “Hospital too far”. The air-dried and pulverized leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius was extracted with distilled methanol, using soxhlet apparatus. Isolation and purification were carried out using column and thin layer chromatographic technique. Structural elucidation using 1H-NMR, 13C-DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and with literature values confirmed the isolated compound as linoleic acid.

CONDUCTIVITY STUDY OF SODIUM BROMIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE SALTS IN BINARY MIXTURES OFAQUEOUS AND ORGANIC SOLVENTS

G. A. Cookey, D. S. Iboroma — Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The effect of solvent composition on the conductivity behaviour of sodium bromide (NaBr) and sodium chloride (NaCl) salts in binary mixed aqueous and organic solvents was evaluated using conductivity measurement. The specific conductivities of the salts in methanol-water, ethylene glycol-water and ethylene glycol-methanol mixtures were determined at different solvent compositions (0, 0.1, 0.4, 0.7 and 1) and concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 M) of the salts with JENWAY 4510 conductivity meter at room temperature. The results show that the conductivities of the solutions of both salts in the mixed solvent systems were higher at lower organic solvent compositions and gradually decreased with increasing composition of the solvents. It was also observed that conductivity decreased as the hydrocarbon character of the organic solvent increased in all the binary mixtures. These results have been discussed on the basis of free-ion and ion-pair interactions as well as other chemical and physical properties of the single component solvents.

DEGRADATION OF TOTAL HYDROCARBON CONTENT OF OILFIELD PRODUCED WATER USING ACTIVATED COW BONE CARBON

E. A. Oyedoh, A. L. Adam-Urete — Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The adsorption capacity of activated cow bone carbon as adsorbent for the uptake of total hydrocarbon from oilfield produced water was investigated in this work. The physico-chemical properties of the produced water were determined and the activated carbon was characterized in terms of pH and surface characteristics. The effects of adsorption process variables on the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon were evaluated and optimized using response surface methodology. The adsorption process variables considered and their range of values are adsorbent dosage of 2.0 to 5.0 g, contact time of 30 to 60 mins and temperature of 35 to 60℃. The physico-chemical properties of the produced water before treatment revealed that the produced water was contaminated with high concentration of hydrocarbons and other contaminants. Elemental composition showed that the activated carbon contained predominantly CaO (52.61%) and P2O5 (43.05%). The BET surface area, pore volume and pore size of the activated carbon were found to be 321.79 m2.g-1, 0.1624 cm3.g-1 and 2.10 nm respectively which indicate activated carbon has a mesoporous structure. The maximum amount of total hydrocarbon content adsorbed was found to be 607.27 mg.g-1 which was achieved using activated carbon dosage of 2.00 g, contact time of 40.56 mins at a temperature of 35℃. The high and close R-squared values of the experimental and predicted values of the total hydrocarbon content indicate reasonable agreement and hence showed the effectiveness of response surface methodology in modeling the removal of total hydrocarbon content in produced water. The high amount of total hydrocarbon content adsorbed showed that activated cow bone carbon is effective and efficient as a low cost adsorbent alternative for the degradation of hydrocarbon in waste water streams.

EFFECT OF AMLODIPINE ON MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED CARDIAC OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Monosodium glutamate, MSG, induces oxidative stress which underlies many ailments including inflammation and heart dysfunctions. Amlodipine, AML, an anti-hypertensive could result to unknown effects on the cardiac oxidative function when co-taken with MSG. This study evaluated the effect of AML against experimental MSG-induced cardiac oxidative stress. Thus, rats orally and for 14 consecutive days received MSG (8000 mg/Kg/day). Cardiac oxidative stress bio-indicators: malondialdehyde, MDA, nitric oxide, NOX, glutathione peroxidase, GPX, superoxide dismutase, SOD, catalase, CAT, albumin, ALB, total protein, TP, magnesium, Mg, and zinc, Zn were determined. MSG significantly (p < 0.05) increased MDA and Zn but decreased others without altering NOX content compared to control rats in consistency with induction of cardiac oxidative stress in the rats. AML dose-dependently mitigated these MSG-induced oxidative effects. Thus, AML can protect against MSG-induced cardiac oxidative stress in the rats. Keywords: Monosodium glutamate, Amlodipine, Oxidative stress, Heart, Nitric oxide

PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL; EMPIRICAL REVIEW ON THE DEGREE OF SULPHONATION

C. A. Idibie — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Empirical review on the degree of sulphonation of polymeric materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was carried out. Fuel cell generally applies the principle of electrochemistry in which chemical energy is converted directly into electrical energy. Amongst the league of fuel cells, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell is the most promising. However, the central component of PEMFC is the ionic polymer membrane that must be rendered conductive. This study showed that the measure of sulphonation is pivotal in achieving conductivity of the polymer for fuel cell application. The study revealed that for an optimum conductivity to be achieved, optimum degree of sulphonation (DS) is needed. The recognized factors that affect the optimum degree of sulphonation were the type of sulphonating agent (as chlorosulponic acid achieved 39.04% and 50.21% differential increment over both sulphuric acid and fuming sulphuric acid, respectively), sulphur content (while the lowest Sc of 1.76% achieved 9.13% DS, the highest Sc achieved 20.04% DS), optimum acid concentration (as DS of 20.04 % was achieved with 1.6 mmol/g as against 2.0 mmol/g of 16.76 %), nature of the polymer base material (as more –SO3H groups attached to aliphatic polymers than aromatic), optimum time and stirring speed, optimum temperature, and optimum weight of the base polymer. The study was able to unravel that the degree of sulphonation can be determined via elemental sulphur analysis either by analytical or titrimetric method. The study also showed that the degree of sulphonation can be predicted correctly using a predictive model.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF NI(II) COMPLEX OF L-LEUCINE

N. Oladunni, I. B. Anweting, I. E. Okon — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Synthesis of [NiL2 ].2H2O (L = L-leucine) was carried out in basic solution and the complex was analysed using gravimetric analysis, molar conductivity measurements, UV-Visible and IR spectroscopies. Molar conductivity measurements showed that the composition of the metal complex corresponds to a metal-amino acid ligand ratio of 1:2. The IR spectrum showed that L-leucine functions as bidentate ligand with coordination involving the carboxyl oxygen and the nitrogen of the amino group. The result also suggests the presence of water of crystallization in the complex. Electronic spectrum and magnetic susceptibility measurements suggested a four-coordinate local symmetry around Ni (tetrahedral) ions. The results also intimate that the ligand, L-leucine, is a weak field ligand as it formed high spin complex with Ni(II) ions. Metal content and hydration water analyses showed that the complex of Ni contains two moles of water of crystallization. The results also hinted that the Ni(II) complex has no aqua ligand in their inner coordination sphere.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE POTENTIAL USES OF NONI (Morinda citrifolia) LEAVES AND STEM BARK

S. A. Shettima, A. A. Baffa, O. B. Uzoma, A. K. Akinlabi, A. A. Shettima — Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper investigates the potential uses of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) leaves and stem by examining their phytochemical components. The fresh Noni leaves and stems were processed using oven heat and air-drying methods, powdered, and stored to maintain sample integrity. The sample was then extracted with Acetone and tested for various compounds such as steroids, terpenoids, tannins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac, and glycosides. The results showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannin, carbohydrates, terpenoids, glycosides, and flavonoids in both the leaves and stem bark. Additionally, various secondary metabolites were detected in different organic solvents, indicating that M. citrifolia contains bioactive compounds with potential medicinal applications. These findings are contributing to the growing global interest in Noni and suggest that it could be a valuable natural resource for treating various diseases.

WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THREE DOMESTIC WATER SOURCES OF AWKA AND NNEWI TOWNS OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

D. O. Okeke, O. N. N. Okoye — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this study is to determine the quality of water samples from Nnewi and Awka areas and to ascertain their health risk and safety for human consumption. In this study the Canadian Council Water Quality Index [CCME WQI] methodology was used to determine borehole, well, and rainwater samples collected from Awka and Nnewi towns of Anambra. Nine parameters were used for the evaluation, namely: pH, electrical conductivity [EC], nitrates [NO3-], sulphates [SO42-], chlorides [Cl-], Copper [Cu], Iron [Fe], Lead [Pb] and Zinc [Zn] from 60 water samples. CCMEWQI values showed that the water samples were “Good”, therefore making the water samples gotten from these metropolises safe for human consumption.

ASSESSMENT OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM Cocos nucifera HUSKS-CLAY COMPOSITES IN THE REMOVAL OF METALS FROM AQUEOUS-MEDIA

I. P. Adigwe, J. L. Konne, G. A. Cookey — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Varying percentages (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 g) of Kono-Boue pure clay (control) and acid activated carbonized Cocos nucifera husk clay composites (AACCHCC) respectively were assessed for their effectiveness in the removal of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cr2+ from aqueous media by batch adsorption technique using AAS-analyzer. The adsorbents were characterized using Energy-dispersive X–Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorption parameters were determined based on optimal conditions of adsorbent dosage (0.90 g), initial adsorbate concentration (10.00 mg/L), pH (7.00), contact time of 60.00 mins (AACCHCC) and 80 mins (control) and at 300 rpm. Optimum percentage adsorptions of 98.29, 88.71, 99.47 and 60.30% respectively were obtained when the control was used as adsorbent and 99.99, 99.93, 99.80 and 86.15% respectively for the AACCHCC. EDXRF showed that AACCHCC was richer in K, Ca, and Ce than the control while SEM showed wider dispersed polycrystallites. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms used to describe the equilibrium data showed better fits for Langmuir (a monolayer homogenous model) while the kinetic studies fitted the pseudo-second order kinetic better. The study has shown that AACCHCC is a more effective adsorbent with a shorter uptake time of 60 mins than the control.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ILLICIT TABLETS FROM FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE SEIZURE

K. Umaru, I. Scowen — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Ecstasy is the common name for illicit street drugs that contain 3,4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine (MDMA) or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine hydrochloride (MDMA.HCl) as the active ingredient. It has a number of effects on the user from affecting mood to disrupting brain and liver functions. There are a number of impurities in ecstasy tablets which are present due to the synthesis route used or the addition of other ingredients that may enhance or dampen the effect of MDMA when consumed. Raman spectra and PXRD diffractogram results showed that none of the samples analysed contained MDMA despite being marketed as such; therefore, user of ecstasy are exposing themselves to other chemical compounds that are potentially harmful to them.

PERFORMANCE OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF Kalanchoe crenata LEAVES ON CORROSION OF MILD STEEL IN 5.0 M ACID MEDIUM.

P. O. Emole, A. I. Obike, C. N. Emeruwa, P. O. Ukaogo — Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The inhibitive performance of the methanol extract of an eco-friendly green inhibitor Kalanchoe crenata (KC) leaves on the corrosion of mild steel in 5.0 M H2SO4 solution with inhibitor concentrations of 1 g/L, 2 g/L, 3 g/L, 4 g/L and 5 g/L, at the temperatures of 333 K and 353 K was studied using gravimetric (weight loss) and gasometric (hydrogen evolution) techniques to determine its inhibition efficiencies as well as to depict the mechanism of inhibition of the inhibitor. The gravimetric technique was done for 5 Hours. Results indicate that the leaf extract inhibited the corrosion process efficiently. The extract showed inhibition efficiency of 84.95% and 84.24% (333 K) for gravimetric and gasometric analysis respectively. The Inhibition efficiency was found to increase with an increase in the extract concentration and also increased with an increase in time but decreased with increase in temperature. Thermodynamic considerations revealed that the activation energy, Ea increased in the presence of the plant extract. The kinetic data confirmed the reaction process to be first order. Adsorption of the plant extract on mild steel surface is an exothermic process and spontaneous as deduced by negative Qads mean value (-10.39 kJ/mol) and negative ∆Gads values (-11.54 and -10.49 kJ/mol). The mechanism of adsorption proposed for the plant extract on the mild steel surface is physical adsorption. Experimental data obtained fits the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

FLUORESCENT COPPER NANOCLUSTERS

H. H. Oyem — Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Clusters of coinage metals like silver and gold have been studied for their opto-physical properties and interesting applications. These nanoscale materials are usually synthesized from their salts by reduction usually in aqueous solution at ambient conditions. Copper nanoclusters were synthesized from copper (II) salts using sodium borohydride as reducing agent in aqueous solution. The resulting sample was observed to be luminescent with emission bands at 346 and 428 nm. Confocal microscopy images of the sample showed small, seemingly spherical “particles” that were visibly fluorescent and photostable. Mass spectrometry data revealed that the clusters had a molecular mass of m/z = 575.8 and a molecular formula of [Cu7B3O5.H2O]¯. These clusters can be applied in the areas of catalysis, optical electronic devices, chemical and biosensors in in vitro systems.