Applied Chemistry

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast elements causing the cancer cells used in MRI and heat therapy are extensive. However, the effects of nanoparticles on human health has not been fully investigated. Objectives: In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles effects on thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and TSH in adult male Wistar rats were studied. Materials and methods: Three experimental groups of mice daily for 15 days, with concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles ?g/kg20, ?g/kg50 and ?g/kg150 was dissolved in one ml of distilled water, by gavage tube. Results: Serum T3 levels in experimental and control groups showed no significant change Serum T4 levels in the experimental group receiving the highest dose showed a significant increase compared to control group. Also Yrmy TSH hormone concentration in the groups receiving the medium and maximum doses significantly lower than the control group shows. Conclusion: Experimental results show that iron oxide nanoparticles at high concentrations inhibits the Ndkryny pituitary axis - the hypothalamus And thyroid gland can cause malfunctions Appear to be iron oxide nanoparticles at high concentrations is toxic effect on thyroid function.

The Schiff base, 3-{[(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)imino]methyl}-5-nitrophenol, formed by condensation of 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenol; and its metal(II) complexes{where M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd} have been synthesized and characterized by %metal, melting points, IR and electronic spectroscopies. The complexes analyse as [ML(NO3)] with the exception of the Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes which analyse as [MLCl(H2O)] respectively. The IR data confirm that the Schiff base coordinates via the imine nitrogen and phenol oxygen atoms; while the electronic data support a 4-coordinate tetrahedral/squareplanar geometry for the metal complexes. The metal complexes are air-stable solids, which melt/decompose on heating in the temperature range 228-390 oC; while the metal–free Schiff base melts at 208-210 oC. The in-vitro antibacterial studies reveal that the Schiff base, its Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Pseudomona aeuriginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis with inhibitory zones range of 14.0-22.0mm.

The potential of Mobola Plum seed to serve as raw material for industrial applications, domestic consumption was examined by this study. The moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate were 5.11 %, 33.10 %, 5.15 %, 1.60 %, 2.65 % and 52.39 % respectively. The seed is a veritable source for Carbohydrate and protein, which enhance its potential usage for food and feed formulation. The fatty acids profile of the oil showed that it contains high level of unsaturated fatty acids. The Mobola Plum seed oil could be a good source of edible oil for human consumption.

Nanocrystalline PbS thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method by varying synthesis temperatures. The influence of the synthesis temperature on the structure and optical properties of PbS nanostructures were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the PbS nanostructures correspond to the various planes of a single phase cubic PbS. It was observed that the decrease in the synthesis temperature resulted into extra diffraction peaks which may be due to the presence of the impurity phases. The morphological properties of the films are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization. UV-Visible spectroscopy is done to measure the absorption and transparent properties of all the prepared systems. The optical band gap of all the prepared systems is also calculated and correlated with the structural properties.

Two tetradentate Schiff base ligands, N,N´-bis(2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone) ethylenediimine (MaenH₂) and N,N´-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) ethylenediimine(MbenH₂) were formed by 1:2 molar condensation of ethylenediamine with 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone respectively. These Schiff base ligands formed complexes (1:1 molar ratio) with Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Oxovanadium ions. The complexes were characterized by Infrared, Electronic Spectra and elemental analysis. The spectra data of the ligands and their complexes were discussed based on the structural changes which occur due to complexation. The results suggest that the metal is bonded to the ligand through the phenolic oxygen and the imino nitrogen.

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medicinal plant of the mimosaceae family. The fruits have drawn much research attention and to the neglect of the seeds. Therefore, this study was focused on the comparative study of the chemical compositions of the seed and fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera. The results revealed very reasonable values of all the nutrients in both the fruit and seed. However, the seed had higher values of crude fat (9.72 ± 11.1%), ash (8.61 ± 0.81%), carbohydrate (62.95 ± 1.15%) and energy (383.92 ± 6.84g/cal) than the fruit and lower, but comparable, value of crude protein (11.16 ± 0.3%). The seed had higher values of calcium, sodium, potassium and all the trace mineral elements than the fruit. However, magnesium and phosphorus were not detected in the seed. The seed and the fruit were found to be very rich in the B-group vitamins but poor in vitamin C. The seed had higher values of riboflavin (21.2 ± 0.05mg/kg) and niacin (3.4 ± 0.01mg/kg) while the fruit had higher values of ascorbic acid (5.5 ± 1.5mg/100g), thiamine (10.8 ± 0.05mg/kg) and vitamin A (115.50IU/100g). High values of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids were also revealed in both the seed and fruit. However, the fruit had higher values of alkaloids (4.4 ± 0.02%), flavonoids (8.66 ± 0.08%) and oxalates (0.56 ±0.01%) while the seed had higher values of tannins (2.28 ± 0.05%), Saponins (1.44 ± 0.2%) and HCN (0.22 ± 0.01mg/kg). The varied biological and pharmacological properties of the fruit have been attributed to the presence of such principles as tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. Therefore, the presence of all these principles in the seed, as well, suggests that the seed can equally serve some medicinal as well as food purposes.

The performance of the Barekese Water treatment plant situated near Kumasi in Ghana has been evaluated. The raw water that feeds the plant was found to be weakly acidic (pH6.3), high in turbidity (4.8 NTU) and high in iron content (2.7 mg/L). The values however reduced tremendously in the final treated water. With the exception of acidity which decreased only marginally (pH6.4), turbidity decreased to 0.8 NTU and the concentration of iron was below the detection limit. The results of the study suggest the water treatment plant performed well in terms of reducing the levels of some other contaminants to levels below the WHO guideline limits. The water treatment plant was also able to reduce the faecal coliform levels to zero which is within the WHO permissible limits

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.