Applied Chemistry

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.

Honey is a natural product, it is used for different purposes as nutritional, medicinal and industrial and it is an important commodity in the local and international markets. This study has been carried out for honey analysis from four different regions in Sudan to determine the physiochemical characterization. The ash content in range 0.173 % to 1.013 % within Codex standard 0.6 %. Moisture content range was 13.936 % to 15.863 % the standard value 20%. The protein content range was 0.875 % to 1.750 %. Insoluble solids content ranged from 0.066 % to 0.337 %, with standard value 0.1%. Diastase activity content not detected in one samples and maximum value 10.241 Schade. The pH and acidity determined where pH ranged 3.81 to 4.77. Free acidity determined, results ranged from 16.00 to 33.50 meq/Kg, obtained within international standards 50 meq/Kg. Lactone content ranged from 118.50 to 297.00 meq/Kg. The total acidity was ranged from 134.5 to 314.5 meq/Kg. Analyzed honey samples are of high quality and conform to international standards. The variation of some compounds which detected in honey sample due to botanical origin of honey and other the parameters influence in honey quality.

Heavy organic deposition in the production and processing of crude oil has been a problem in the oil and gas sector. Although, some efforts have been made to minimise it such as changes in composition, pressure and/or temperature; this study attempts to address the Nigerian situation. The article investigated the onset of heavy organic precipitation by transmitting microscopy study of the precipitant volumes reported for single nC5; nC6; nC7 and nC8 alkane precipitants as 5.02ml, 5.05ml, 6.00ml and 7.10ml respectively to start precipitation in 1:1 (v/v) precipitant: toluene solution to 2±0.5g crude oil. Their varied binary mixtures nC5:nC6; nC5: nC7; nC5: nC8; nC6: nC7; nC7: nC8 showed onset of HO precipitation with ratios of 7:3, 1:1, 4:1, 3:2 and 9:1 respectively with no onset volume detected for nC6: nC8 within the ratio range being investigated. Hence, the outcome of these results of the precipitant volumes at onset of HO precipitation for single n-alkanes and volume ratios of binary mixture n-alkane solvents should not be altered or exceeded during injection of fluids for enhanced oil recovery or as diluents into Afiesere heavy crude oil to improve flow properties.

Cryogenic homogenized cotton samples were tested for mercury traces with very low concentrations we used analysis technique namely Cold Vapor/ Isotope Dilution ICP-MS. Target element is listed in Öko-Tex Standards and it should be absent or less than 0.02 mg/kg in the tested cotton samples for baby, direct skin contact and decoration products. Due to the presence of Hg in a very low concentration we need to measure it with high accuracy and low uncertainty sources testing method. In this work a previously homogenized Egyptian cotton samples were tested for total content of mercury. These samples included cotton varieties represent extra long staple (Giza 70 and 88) and long staple (Giza 89). The measurements were made using isotope dilution cold vapor inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ID-CV-ICP-MS) with Carius tube digestion. The results showed that the tested homogenized cotton samples have very low concentrations that cannot be detected by many other mercury analysis techniques. Uncertainty budgets also estimated in this work for all samples.

The Fourier transform Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectra of 4-chloro-3,5-xylenol (4C35X) have been recorded by using DFT calculations. The theoretical computational density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) was performed at 6-311+G** levels to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities. The complete vibrational assignment was performed on the basis of the potential energy distribution (PED), calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The Mulliken atomic charges and Dipole moment have been calculated. The first-order hyperpolarizability has been computed using quantum chemical calculations. Electronic excitation energies, oscillator strength and nature of the respective excited states were calculated by the closed-shell singlet calculation method for the molecule.

The batch tests enabled determination of the degradation of the compounds at different temperatures and times, using various sludge types after characterization. Removal rates of cocaine (91.0%), benzoylecgonine (90.6%), heroin (97.9%), morphine (99.7%), 6 monoacetylmorphine (93.3%) and diazepam (99.7%) were measured after 3 hours equilibration; partition coefficients (Kd) for these six substances ranged from 1.2 – 68.1 Kg L-1. The degradation of compounds at 19 ± 0.5o C was relatively greater but it still occurred slowly at 4 ± 0.5o C, at between 5 and 10%. Work encompassed in this study directly measures illicit drug removal rates in laboratory studies for the first time. The application of batch studies in calculating removal rates in sewage works is an improvement over prior studies where assumptions on removal rates at STW were made.

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.

Coordination compounds derived from N-phthaloylglycine and N-phthaloyltyrosine were synthesized. The ligands were formed by 1:2 molar condensation of phthalic anhydride with tyrosine and glycine respectively. The complexes were formulated as [Zn(PHG)2 (H2O)2] (OAc)2[1], [Ni(PHG)2 (H2O)2] (OAc)2 [2] and [Cu(PHT)2 ] (OAc)2 [3] characterized by melting point, conductivity, AAS , IR, Uv-Visible spectroscopies. Both ligands were found to be bidentate. For complexes [1] and [2] the metal ions coordinate through both oxygen of OH and C=O in the carboxylic group to give octahedral geometry whereas in the [3] the coordination of metal ion occurs through both oxygen of phenoxyl and carbonyl group resulting in tetrahedral geometry. The antimicrobial studies using four test organisms(P.aerugenosa, E.Coli, S. aureus and C. albicans) revealed that the metal complexes exhibit higher activity than their respective ligands.

The work aims to carry out a survey on the production and consumption of sausage in Benin. Indded, the sausage constitutes a source of protein and the surveys were carried out in the various communes of Benin, on the basis of a reasonable sample of 120 consumers and food sellers in each department of Benin. These surveys relate to the production of chicken sausage which is done according to the different stages which are the pre-treatment of raw materials, bonig, trimming, chopping, cutting, embossing, draining, druing and sterilization. These result showed that the majority of consumers surveyed use Minu and Morifresh brand sausages to accompany meals rich in protein. The results also showed that the different types of sausages are used to accompany several culinary dishes in Benin

Depending on the reaction conditions of palladium with tetramethylethylenediamine, first obtained and studied individual and mixed ligands with different composition and structure. Depending on the process conditions, one or two molecules of the tetramethylethylenediamine bidentate coordinated and form a five-star metalchelate cycle. In another obtained cation - anion complex ligand protonated in type of doubly charged cation and organizes the outer sphere of the complex. In the mixed ligands complex of 4 amino pyridine are having the effect of trans influence occurs forced cis-coordination. The study of the biological activity of the synthesized complexes has yielded positive results.