Applied Chemistry

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.

A new semi organic nonlinear optical crystal, L-Alanine potassium nitrate has been synthesized and good optical quality single crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique. The growth conditions of the crystals are studied and the grown crystals are confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction studies. The grown crystal was characterized by using powderedXRD, FT-IR, UV–Vis–NIR, EDAX, and TG–DTA. The sharp peaks from powdered XRD spectrum shows high crystalinity of the grown crystal. The presence of various functional groups was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopic technique. The UV–Vis–NIR spectrum indicates that the crystal has very good absorption in the entire visible and near IR region spectrum suggesting the suitability of the material for NLO applications. The decomposition temperatures and mass loss have been estimated from the thermo gravimetric analysis. The presence of potassium in the compound and composition of grown crystals was confirmed on the basis of energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX).

The resin SHMF has been synthesized by the condensation of salicylicacid and hexamethylenediamine with formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid as catalyst. Thermal degradation curve has been discussed which shows four decomposition steps and detailed thermal degradation studies of the resin have been carried out to ascertain its thermal stability. Sharp–Wentworth and Freeman–Carroll methods have been used to calculate activation energies and thermal stability. The activation energy (Ea) calculated by using the Sharp–Wentworth (17.86 kJ/mol) has been found to be in good agreement with that calculated by Freeman–Carroll (18.96 kJ/mol) method. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (?F), entropy change (?S), apparent entropy change (S*) and frequency factor (Z) have also been evaluated on the basis of the data of Freeman–Carroll method. The order of reaction (n) is found out to be 0.99. Electrical conductivity measurements have been also conceded to ascertain the semiconducting nature of the resin.

Proximate and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compositions were analyzed in raw and smoked samples of two exotic fish species; mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) obtained from a local market in Umuahia, Nigeria. The fish were procured in triplicate and split into two equal parts. One part was analyzed raw while the other was smoked with firewood before analysis. Moisture content was higher in the raw samples compared to their corresponding smoked samples. Crude protein was higher in horse mackerel samples for both raw and smoked categories while other parameters were generally higher in mackerel. Horse mackerel had the higher value of 44.784 mg/kg for total mean PAH (?mPAH) but PAH4 (sum of the four indicators of PAH contamination; benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene) was similar in raw mackerel and horse mackerel. Mean BaP concentrations were higher than the EU limits (2 µg/kg) while PAH4 values were within the EU limit (12 µg/kg) in raw samples of both species. For the smoked samples, Mean BaP concentrations and mean PAH4 exceeded the EU maximum limits in the muscle of smoked fish and public health authorities are urged to take appropriate action.