Search

This research investigated the design, chemical modification, characterization and biocidal evaluation of waxes. Tallow (animal fat), bee-wax (insect) and shea butter (plant fat) were first converted to carboxylates by metathesis and later transformed into urea and thiourea complexes. The transformation was monitored using UV–visible, FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. They were also screened for biocidal activities using two white rots (Pleurotus sajor-cajor and Pleurotus oestratus), two brown rots (Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizotonia solanii) and a soft rot (Cheatomium globosum). The UV–visible absorption peaks shifted to a longer wavelength for the complexes in relation to the carboxylates signifying lower energy and higher activities. Carboxylates showed very sharp peaks around 1700 cm−1 attributable to the carbonyl functional group (C=O) (Scheme 1), the carbonyl (C=O) peaks in the carboxylates were replaced by the appearance of another peaks in the urea and thiourea complexes at around 1600 cm−1 attributable to azomethine (C=N) (Scheme 2 and 3). None of the surface morphologies of the samples (crystalline) is identical. This result further confirmed the formation of the products. The result of fungi assay showed that tallow based carboxylate, urea and thiourea complexes greatly inhibited the growth of all the fungi species used. However, bees wax based carboxylate and its complexes as well as plant-fat based carboxylate and its complexes could not inhibit the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii. For insect and plant-based urea complexes, there were tiny growths (pin head) seen on the plates inoculated with P. sajor-cajor and P. oestratus, respectively. The findings of this work showed that urea and thiourea complexes performed better than carboxylates in fungi inhibition. Tallow-based products (carboxylates, urea and thiourea) showed the greatest anti-fungi properties.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder leading to high level of morbidity and mortality in human population and it has been identified as the leading cause of death from non-infectious diseases. The use of dexamethasone has been on the increase due to wide array of therapeutic effects it has and the use has mostly been without prescription, since it is a non- prescription drug. Therefore, the potential of dexamethasone to induce DM was studied. Some of the drugs currently used in the treatment of diabetes have their own problematic effects and also expensive, Annona muricata methanolic bark extract(AMMBE) was used in the treatment of dexamethasone-induced diabetes in rats. The research was carried out on albino rats in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan and lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. The rats were allotted into four groups (A, B, C and D). Group B, C and D were induced with glucocorticoid (Dexamethasone) (2mgkg-1) daily for seven (7) days intraperitoneally, while group A which was the positive control were given distilled water throughout without induction with glucocorticoid. Group B (the negative control) was induced with glucocorticoid with noAMMBE administration. Group C, was induced and treated with AMMBE at 400 mgkg-1for 14 days. While Group D, was induced with glucocorticoid and were treated with the standard drug (glibenclamide) at 2.5mgkg-1body weight of the rats daily for 14 days. Organ samples of liver, kidney and pancreas were collected for histopathological lesions evaluation. The result showed that dexamethasone induced diabetes after seven (7) days of intraperitoneal administration of 2 mgkg-1 body weights with the glucometer readings in most of the albino rats up to and above 129 mgdL-1. The average blood sugar levels in induced groups (B, C and D) were 132.0±4.05, 129.0±1.41 and130.0±2.93, respectively which were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After administration of AMMBE, the average blood sugar level for group B (126.0±1.41) was significantly different (P

Urea and thiourea derivatives: 1,3-bis[(E)-furan-2-yl)methylene]urea (BFMU) and 1,3-bis[(E)-furan-2-yl)methylene]thiourea (BFMT) were synthesized and characterized by spectrometry analyses (UV, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR). They were screened for antibacterial (Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas axonopodis and Streptococcus bovis) and antifungal (Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Cercospora zeae-maydis) activities. Quantum chemical calculations of frontier molecular orbital energies (EHOMO and ELUMO), and their associated global parameters were carried out by DFT levels of theory, with complete relaxation in the potential energy surface using 6-31G* basis set (DFT/B3LYP/6-31G*). Azomethine functional groups (C=N) appeared at δ 7.6 ppm and δ 7.0 ppm in the proton spectra, the peaks between δ 105 and δ 160 ppm of 13C spectra represent the methylene carbons (C=C). BFMU is a better inhibitor of P. aeruginosa and S. bovis, while BFMT is a better inhibitor of S. typhi, S. aureus and X. axonopodis and the fungi isolates (F. oxysporum, C. gloeosporioides and C. zeae-maydis) used. The global parameters agreed favorably with the experimental results, indicating the higher activity of BFMT.

The search for non-wood fibers as alternative to the limited wood fiber resources is highly imperative in the pulp and paper-based industries. This is due to growing environmental concern as a result of excessive deforestation. This study aimed at investigating the pulp and paper potentials of pineapple crown (Ananas comosus), sandbox (Hura crepitans), pino macho (Pinus caribaea), elephant grass (Pennissetum purpureum) and teak (Tectona grandis) leaves. Chemical properties (holocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, ash contents, hot water and 1% NaOH solubilities) were determined using the relevant TAPPI test and chlorite methods, while the physical properties were determined after the pulping processes. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analyses of intrinsic functional groups of the paper sheets produced from the pulps of the waste plant leaves were determined. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX) analyses of the morphological characteristic and elemental compositions of the resulting hand sheet surfaces were also examined. P. caribaea has the highest lignin (80.22 ± 0.012%) and cellulose (72.30 ± 0.012%) contents with lowest 1% NaOH solubility (15.20 ± 0.05%) values. A .comosus has the highest hemicellulose (21.73 ± 0.1%) and moisture (75.00 ± 0.12%) contents with lowest ash values (5.01 ± 0.15%). The fibre lengths and the Runkel ratio of the resulting pulps were of the order, A. comosus > P. purpureum > P. caribaea > H. crepitans > T. grandis and A. comosus

The continuous havoc wrecked by tuberculosis among humans worldwide remains colossal. In this work, twenty-one (21) 2-(quinoline-4-yloxy)acetamide analogues were observed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (This enzyme shields bacteria from poisonous drug-like molecules) (PDB ID: 1sj2 ) using density functional theory method, QSAR study using material studio software and docking method via PyMol, AutoDock Tool, AutoDock Vina and Discovery studio 2017 as well as ADMET study via admetSAR2. Twelve descriptors were obtained from the optimized compounds which were used to develop valid QSAR model. More so, the binding affinity between 2-(quinoline-4-yloxy)acetamide analogues and Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (PDB ID: 1sj2 ) via docking method were reported. ADMET properties of some selected compounds were also examined.

Chitosan is an abundant bio-polymer obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin in the exoskeleton of crustaceans. Chitosan was found to be an attractive alternative to other bio materials due to its significant physicochemical behavior and ability to selectively bind to transition and post transition metals. In order to improve the performance of this bio-polymer, chemical modification of chitosan composite and its derivatives have gained much attention. In this study, a new biopolymeric ligand was synthesized by functionalizing chitosan with eriochrome black T (EBT) and sudan III (S3) dyes. The functionalized compounds were interacted with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions at varied concentrations leading to complex formation. Both the new ligand and the complexes obtained at high yields were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Uv-Vis Spectroscopy. The FT-IR spectra revealed a possible hydrogen bonding between chitosan and the azo dye. It also suggests an interaction between the N=N of the ligand with the metal ions. In addition, the Uv-Visible spectra studies showed that on reacting various concentrations of metal ions with ligand the absorbance increases with decreasing concentration of the metal ions and was able to interact with as low as 0.001 M of the studied metal salts.

The use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for fabrication of sensors and biosensors has increased considerably over the past decade. This review covers the progress and advances made during the years (2014-2018) in the utilisation of carbon nanotubes for fabrication of electrochemical biosensors. The focus of the review is on reported CNT-based biosensors for detection of, important substances, such as glucose, H2O2, (DNA), ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, metal ions, and pesticides. The review starts by first discussing the structures and properties of CNTs, followed by discussion of some of the synthetic methods for CNTs preparation. The working principles and performances of CNT-based biosensors are then discussed. Considerations for future developments in CNT-based biosensors are also outlined.

Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition (MMPT) pore is a major player in cell death and it is considered to contribute substantially to the regulation of normal mitochondria metabolism. It has therefore emerged as a promising target for drug development because the release of cytochrome c upon the opening of the pore is a point of no return for mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis to occur. Heliotropium indicum (HI) is as an anti-tumor and wound healing agent frequently used in traditional medicine. It is not known whether its mode of action involves the induction of apoptosis. Mitochondria, isolated from male albino rats (about 100g), were exposed to varying concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90µg/ml) of Chloroform (CFHI), Ethlyacetate (EFHI), Methanol (MFHI) Fractions and Crude Methanol Extract (MEHI) of HI. In the absence of Ca 2+ , CFHI, EFHI, MFHI and MEHI induced the opening of the pore in a concentration-dependent manner with CFHI having the highest induction fold of 26 and MFHI as the lowest having 6.6. All the fractions inhibited lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. Also these fractions induced the release of cytochrome c with CFHI having the highest effect and the least by MFHI. Mitochondrial ATPase activity was enhanced by all the fractions with CFHI having the highest stimulatory effect. Interestingly, intra-peritoneal administration of CFHI and EFHI at 2, 5, 10 and 20mg/kg body weight for 21 days resulted in opening of the pore, the release of cytochrome c and activation of caspases 3 and 9. All these effects were highest with 20mg/kg body weight. These findings therefore suggest that CFHI is the most potent fraction and therefore possibly contains the bioactive agent(s) that induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. The fraction will therefore be useful for further studies for drug development in diseases requiring up-regulation of apoptosis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been identified as the leading cause of death from non-infectious diseases. The use of dexamethasone is on the increase due to wide array of its therapeutic effects. Therefore, the potential of dexamethasone to induce DM and ability of Annona muricata methanolic bark extract (AMMBE) to treat DM were studied. Methods: The research was carried in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan and lasted for twenty eight (28) days. Rats were allotted into four groups. Group B, C and D were induced with Dexamethasone (2mgkg-1) daily for 7 days i.p, while A was positive control group. B was induced without AMMBE administered, C was induced and treated with AMMBE at 400mgkg-1 and D induced and treated with glibenclamide (2.5mgkg-1b/w) for 14 days. Liver, kidney and pancreas were collected for histopathology. Results: Dexamethasone induced diabetes after 7 days. Average blood sugar in induced groups (B, C and D) were 132.0±4.05a,129.0±1.41aand130.0±2.93a respectively. After administration of AMMBE, average blood sugar for C and D were 91.0±1.72b and 87.0±2.97c respectively. Clinical signs of alopecia, dehydration, paw-licking etc was seen. Massive loss of pancreatic cell mass after induction was seen. Liver lesions ranges from no visible lesion, accentuation and marked vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in periportal areas. Kidney degeneration and multifocal coagulation necrosis of tubular epithelium were observed. Blood sugar post exposure to AMMBE and Glibenclamide were drastically reduced. Conclusions: It could be concluded that prolonged use of dexamethasone has potential of inducing diabetes and AMMBE has antidiabetic effect which could be fully explored. Disclosure T.A. Oladipo: None. Y.D. Adeoye: None. O.O. Oladipo: None. J.O. Olukunle: None.

The adsorption characteristics of ternary dye system (TDS), comprising of a mixture of congo red, methyl orange and methylene blue, on formaldehyde-treated melon husk (FMH) were investigated with respect to the changes in initial pH of TDS, contact time, and initial TDS concentration. The surface of FMH was studied by investigation using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorption equilibrium of TDS was rapidly reached after 45 minutes of contact time and pH of 8.5. The equilibrium adsorption data were interpreted using the following isotherm models Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), HarkinJura and Halsey and the goodness of fittings were monitored using linear regression analysis (R 2 ), sum-ofsquare-error (SSE) and chi-square (χ). The results indicated that the isotherm could be interpreted by Freundlich model as it was the best fitted of all the models used, (R 2 = 0.998) suggesting multilayer adsorption. The kinetics of the adsorption process were analyzed using three kinetic models; pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order and intraparticle diffusion models and the Original Research Article Giwa et al.; ACSj, 7(1): 7-25, 2015; Article no.ACSj.2015.057 8 adsorption data followed the pseudo second-order model more closely (R = 0.998 – 1). The calculated values of thermodynamic parameters such as ΔGo and ΔSo were positive, indicating the presence of an energy barrier in the adsorption process. The positive values of ΔHo for biosorbent indicated that the adsorption mechanism was endothermic. The adsorption capacity of TDS was found to be 26.42 mg/g.

Studies have associated demographic characteristics as strong determinants of utilization of health care services; however, not much has been done to explore the dynamics of these variables in Nigeria. This empirical study explores the link between demographic factors and the use of health care services. 543 respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. The findings showed that a majority (56.9%) of the respondents were female while (50.3%) were married. Testing the demographic characteristics regarding where people will prefer to go for treatment with multiple regression, it is only sex as a demographic variable that indicates positive association, with 0.08 level of significance. Variables such as age and education did not indicate any strong correlation with health care services utilization in the study area. This result corroborates the reality in many parts of African society where it is the father that dictates the cause of action. That means gender plays an important role in the utilization of health care delivery.

This work presents the quantum chemical studies of the effects of substituents and solvents on the ground state molecular geometry, dipole moments, polarizabilities and frontier orbital energies of aniline (A), N-methylaniline (NMA), N-ethylaniline (NEA), N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and N,N-diethylaniline (DEA) towards understanding their structure–property relationship. The ground state molecular geometry, dipole moments, polarizabilities and frontier orbital energies of A, NMA, NEA, DMA and DEA were computed by use of the ab initio restricted HF–DFT self-consistent field method (B3LYP) with 6-31G* basis set in vacuum, ethanol and tetrahydrofuran. The results of the B3LYP/6-31G* calculations revealed that these properties are enhanced upon successive substitution with size and number of alkyl groups at the amino group of the molecules, and as the dielectric constant of the solvents decrease. It was also found that for all the molecules, the enhanced ground state molecular geometry, dipole moments and polarizabilities upon substitution or solvent effect are associated with a decrease in the EHOMO − ELUMO (optical) gap. The lower optical gap, higher dipole moments and polarizabilities with increased size and planarity illustrates increased reactivity and ground state electro-optic (non-linear optical) activity of the molecules upon substitution, and as the dielectric constant of the solvents decreased. Of the studied molecules, DEA was found to exhibit the most electro-optic activity and reactivity.

Reactive oxygen species detoxification potentials of Sorghum bicolor polyphenolic extract was investigated in the liver of N-nitrosodiethylamine-treated rats. Male rats, weighing (135±5.5)g were completely randomized into 7 groups (A–G) of five rats each. Rats in C, D, E and F were administered orally once daily at 24-h interval for 7d with 500, 125, 250 and 500mg/kg body weight of polyphenolic extract of S. bicolor, respectively. Group G was given 100mg/kg body weight of vitamin C. On the sixth day, groups B, D, E, F and G were administered with 100mg/kg body weight N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). Group A, which served as the control was treated like the test groups except, that the animals received distilled water only. Reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) activities were significantly (P

This study examined the influence of microbial contamination on the antioxidant composition and free radical scavenging effects of fresh and decaying spices: Lycopersicon esculentum , Capsicum frutescens S , Capsicum frutescens T and Capsicum annum used by food vendors. Microbial load was enumerated with potato dextrose agar (PDA) using the pour plate technique, phytochemical components were determined using Folio-Ciocalteu, Aluminium chloride, acetone-hexane methods for phenolic, flavonoids and β -carotene & lycopene respectively while free radical scavenging capacity was determined using DPPH method. Decaying L. esculentum had highest microbial population of 7.14 X 10 5 cfu/g and fresh C. annum had the lowest microbial population of 0.72 X 10 1 cfu/g. Microbial population in decaying spices were generally significantly higher than fresh spices. Aspergillus spp were found in all decaying spices and in fresh C. frutescens T . Microsporum spp were found in all fresh spices except in C. frutescens T and in decaying spices except in C. annum . There were significant decreases (p

Background: This study investigates the protective role of polyphenolic-rich extract from Sorghum bicolor against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced redox imbalance in rat microsomes. Methods: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging potentials of the polyphenolic extract from S. bicolor (0.2 – 1.0 mg/mL) was investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and ferric ion reducing system. The detoxification of ROS was evaluated in DEN-induced redox imbalance in rat microsomes. Results: Sorghum bicolor polyphenolic extract at 1.0 mg/mL scavenged the DPPH, superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical at 75 % , 76 % , 79 % , and 81 % , respectively; it also reduced ferric ion significantly. The polyphenolic extract significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated DEN-mediated decrease in the activities of ROS detoxifying enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). The concentrations of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxide, protein carbonyl, and percentage DNA fragmentation in DEN-treated microsomes were significantly reduced by the polyphenolic extract. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that S. bicolor polyphenolic extract possessed in vitro antioxidant activity and protected microsomes from DENmediated oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and ROS scavenger and inducer of ROS detoxifying enzymes.