Applied Chemistry

The UV photofragment spectrum of the dication sandwich complex Ca(Benzene)2]2+ had been recorded in the gas phase using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. From the DFT calculations, the optimised C2 and C2v conformers of Ca(Benzene)2]2+ were confirmed. Methane activation with calcium benzene dication complex ion resulted in the formation of methane calcium benzene dication complex ion [Ca(Benzene)2CH4]2+ and methane calcium benzene mono-cation [Ca(Benzene)CH4]+. The calculated charge on the metal centre was reduced by 40% in the optimised geometry of [Ca(Benzene)2CH4]2+ as compared to the charge of +2 assumed on Ca metal in the PEC calculation. The DFT calculated result reveal that the binding energy of methane to the metal dication complex ion was 13.28% lower compare to the value obtained on the PEC model.

Energy demand is increasing while fossil fuels, the main source of energy, threaten their depletion and consequently their market value increases. In addition to this crisis, climate change and air pollution caused by the combustion emissions of fossil fuels pose problems of increased greenhouse effect. Due to the environmental problems caused by the use of fossil fuels, attention has been paid to the production of biodiesel as an alternative to petrodiesel. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly alternative diesel fuel made from renewable resources made from vegetable oils and animal fats. It is a renewable energy source that seems to be an ideal solution for global energy needs. The current method of biodiesel production is the transesterification of the inedible oil with an alcohol (methanol or ethanol) in the presence of a catalyst or not. The transesterification reaction is very sensitive to the parameters and oil nature such as the acid composition and the free fatty acid content. Other variables include reaction such as temperature, ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil, catalyst, and intensity of mixing, purity of reagents. The development of biofuels creates new agricultural sectors and could offer new niche markets for farmers in exploitable areas. This study aims to make a comparative study transesterification processes for biodiesel production.

The comparative study of solvolysis of tetra ethyl lead in aqueous NaOH and aqueous KOH solution was studied with the help of ultrasonic velocity, viscosity, density and other parameters determined by using a single crystal interferometer at a frequency of 2 MHz. the ultrasonic study of tetra ethyl lead conforms that there is a significant interaction between the solute- solvent molecules and ions in aqueous alkaline solutions. The main motto of this paper is that tetra ethyl lead shows more effective interaction on which alkaline solution.

Proximate, amino acids and fatty acids compositions of the leaves, stem and root were determined in Moringa oleifera. The proximate composition was determined in fresh samples while other parameters were determined on dry weight basis. Both crude protein and total ash followed the trend of (g/100 g): leaves > root > stem but the soluble carbohydrate had a trend of root > stem > leaves. Leaves had the highest level of total amino acids (76.4 g/100 g) and followed by the root (70.9 g/100 g) while stem had 65.4 g/100 g. For the EAA, it was 35.4 g/100 g (leaves) > 28.4 g/100 g (root) > 26.3 g/100 g (stem). The total sulphur amino acid was generally low at 2.81-3.06 g/100 g but the % Cys in TSAA was slightly high at 48.5-51.6 %. In the amino acids scores, the following amino acids had scores greater than 1.0 in comparison with whole hen’s egg: Gly (1.56-1.97), Glu (1.15-1.28), and Cys (1.14-1.16) whereas Met was the limiting amino acid in each of the three samples with values of 0.31 (leaves), 0.23 (stem) and 0.30 (root); in the pre-school children requirements, these amino acids had scores greater than 1.0: Met + Cys (1.12-1.22), Phe + Tyr (1.04-1.11) and His (1.02-1.08) whereas Lys was the limiting amino acid with values of 0.57 (leaves), 0.64 (stem) and 0.63 (root); on the provisional amino acid scoring pattern, only Phe + Tyr had scores greater than 1.0: Phe + Tyr (1.17, leaves), 1.09 (stem) and 1.10 (root), Val was the limiting amino acid here: 0.63 (leaves), 0.62 (stem) and 0.69 (root). P-PER had values of 1.60-1.72 and EAAI had values of 0.86-0.93. The samples were basically acidic with pI values of 5.4 to 5.8. The most concentrated fatty acid was SFA with values of (%): 97.5 (stem) > 58.0 (leaves) > 53.8 (root). Predominant MUFA was in root with a trend of (%): 38.7 (root) > 4.61 (leaves) > 1.00 (stem) and in PUFA, trend was 37.4 (leaves) > 7.54 (root) > 1.20 (stem). Under the fatty acid parameters, leaves were best in 4/6 (66.7 %) in EPSI, PUFA, PUFA/SFA and MUFA + PUFA whereas root was best in 2/6 (33.3 %) in LA/ALA and MUFA/SFA.

The nutritional compositions of Hunteria umbellata were examined in this study. Proximate, mineral and inorganic elements of dehulled Hunteria umbellata seed (DHUS) and whole Hunteria umbellata seed (WHUS) were analyzed. The proximate composition (%) of the DHUS and WHUS seed are as follows; crude protein (13.65) and (9.0), crude fibre (26.79) and (2.74), crude fat (2.87) and (14.97), ash (3.89) and (3.45), moisture (9.57) and (10.95) and carbohydrate (43.23) and (58.88). Hunteria umbellata are good source of macro and micro nutrient (mg/100g) with Potassium (1130) and 1150, Magnesium(180) and (189), Calcium (76) and (78), Sodium (87.5) and (90), Iron (60) and (63), Manganese (5) and (7) also present in appreciable quantities. The result of inorganic element (mg/100g) also revealed in Hunteria umbellata; Nitrogen (7.14) and (2.11), Carbon (52.1) and (68.4), Hydrogen (4.22) and (6.11), Sulphur (2.33) and (2.26) and Oxygen (34.3) and (21.1) respectively. Nitrogen content was determined by micro-Kjeldahl method. Total carbohydrate was calculated by the difference method while mineral analysis was carried out after acid digestion using spectrophotometer and flame photometry. The high value obtained for potassium, carbohydrate, and carbon reveal that Hunteria umbellata seed has potential of serving as supplement for food, source of synthetic and antimicrobial drugs, and traditional herbal medicine. 

The comparative nutritional values of bambara nut obtained from major market in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria were determined using standard analytical methods. The parameters investigated in proximate composition include protein, fat, fibre, moisture, carbohydrate and ash contents, The moisture content values ranged from 2.86±0.22 – 3.43±0.31%; crude protein 29.83±0.11 – 31.20±0.52%; crude fat 7.21±0.03 - 8.09±0.34% and ash content 3.20±0.17 - 5.98±0.40%; crude fibre 3.76±0.03 – 4.70±0.09 and total carbohydrate 48.82±0.16 – 51.56±0.21 % for bambara nut from the three markets respectively. The three samples contain reasonable amount of essential minerals such as Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Copper, Manganese, Iron and Zinc while Lead content was below the detection limits. Base on the mineral contents obtained from this work, it shows that, these samples can be use to meet the daily recommended intake value for man and his animal. This study therefore suggested that bambara nut can serve as a reliable foodstuff which can provide the basic nutrient we need in our body.

To evaluate chemical composition, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity of Pinus wallichiana essential oil. The oil was extracted by hydro-distillation which was analysed through GC-MS. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method and antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH assay while as anticancer activity was evaluated through MTT method. Beta-pinene and alpha-pinene were the major constituents present in the oil. This oil showed significant antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity.

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 amino acid composition of the muscle and skin of the matured female guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was determined on a dry weight basis. The total essential amino acids ranged from 30.4 g/100g to 43.5 g/100g crude protein or from 49.7% - 51.2% of the total amino acid. The amino acid score showed that lysine ranged from 0.66-1.17 (on whole hen’s egg comparison), 0.75-1.31 (on provisional essential amino acid scoring pattern) and 0.71-1.25 (on suggested requirement of the essential amino acid of a preschool child). The predicted protein efficiency ratio was 1.81-2.25 and the essential amino acid index range was 0.87-1.28. The correlation coefficient (?xy) was positive and significant at r = 0.05 for the total amino acids, amino acid scores (on whole hen’s egg basis) and other parameters in the two samples. Results have good comparison with whole hen’s egg protein.

Thevetia Nerrifolia and Jathropha Curcas seed oils were extracted from their oil seeds by soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether (40-60 oC) as solvent. The oils were characterized and the oil yield, refractive index acid value, saponification value, iodine value, colour and relative density were found to be 47.77%, 1.464, 4.365 (mg/KOH), 125.62 (mg/KOH), 98.48 (wij), 4+ and 0.926 for Thevetia Nerrifolia seed oil and 46.56%, 1.496, 33.65 (mg/KOH), 175.12 (mg/KOH) 105.43 (Wij), 3 and 0.913 for Jathropha Curcas seed oil respectively. Dimer acids were prepared from these seed oils by heating 200g of each of the oils under nitrogen inert atmosphere in a four necked resin kettle at a temperature of 300oC for 12 hours. The Dimer acids were thenreacted with 1,2- phenylenediamine at 210 ± 10oC in an inert atmosphere for 2 hours to give a fatty polyamide of Thevetia Nerrifolia and Jathropha Curcas respectively. Analysis of the fatty polyamide in term of physicochemical properties shows that their properties compare favourably with those prepared from dimer acids from well known vegetable oils in the fatty polyamidesynthesis.