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Item Open Access ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN SCENT LEAF, WATER LEAF, AND BITTER LEAF VEGETABLES GROWN AROUND SOME DUMPSITES AND MECHANIC WORKSHOPS IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE.(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2021-07-08) Julius, Vivian EdoThis research work examined heavy metal levels in bitter leaf, scent leaf and water leaf grown around selected dumpsites and mechanic workshops in Keffi, Nasarawa state. Three dumpsite sites and three mechanic workshops were assessed for Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, Zn and Ni levels in both the soil as well as the vegetables using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry technique. Some physico-chemical properties (conductivity, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and available phosphorus) were also determined using standard methods. The results of analysis for the levels of heavy metals in soils from dumpsite and mechanic workshop revealed that the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn in vegetables and soil from mechanic workshops and dumpsites at Honda palace garage, along Keffi-Abuja road Keffi; Mercedes Benz garage Pyanku, along Keffi-Nasarawa road Keffi; Central garage, along Keffi-Kaduna road Keffi; ranged from 192.87±0.02- 1148.82±0.01 mg/kg, 7.08±0.01-23.22±0.04 mg/kg, 36.05±0.01- 489.03±0.01 mg/kg, 2.04±0.01-25.85 mg/kg and 49.05±0.01-174.17±0.01 mg/kg respectively. The levels of Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn in the dumpsites were significantly (p< 0.05) higher than in the soils from mechanic workshops. Based on the findings, phytoremediation is however recommended for removal of these metals from the contaminated soil before cultivation of vegetables.Item Open Access EXTRACTION AND APPLICATION OF SOME PLANT DYES AS COLOURANTS FOR FOOD AND TEXTILES(Department of Industrial Chemstry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-07-30) Idzi, Vincent DanjumaI wish to express my gratitude to the Almighty God, who made it possible for the success of this dissertation. Good counsel through my supervisor, Dr. Yahaya Mohammed, who did not only supervise the work but also guided me throughout this research, despite his tight schedules. I cannot thank you enough for your immense input in helping me realize this success. God richly bless you sir. I would like to appreciate Dr. S.I, Audu, a member of the Supervisory Committee and the PG Co-ordinator of the Department, who made good contribution for the success of this research. thank you sir. My appreciation also goes to Prof. B.W. Tukura, my Internal Examiner and the Head of Department of Chemistry, and all the staff of the Department of Chemistry Nasarawa State University Keffi, for their input in the course of my studies. Thank you all and God bless you. Also, I appreciate Dr. Jaafar Abdulrahaman, a colleague at the Aviation Medical clinic (AVMED) Kaduna Airport, who took his time in discussing some of the bench work and offered useful suggestions that led to the success of this research work. I sincerely appreciate Dr. Shaukat Ali from Fisalahad (Pakistan) and Mr. Obenewaa Korankye from Kumasi (Gana), your manuscripts were helpful.Item Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF SOAP PRODUCED FROM SHEA BUTTER AND PALMKERNEL OIL MIXTURE WITH SEED HUSK ASH DERIVED ALKALI(Department of Industrial Chemstry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-06-12) Mathew, Ejiatta PatienceThe research involved the production of soap from melon seed husk ash using shear butter oil (SBO) and palm kernel oil (PKO). Alkali was extracted from the melon seed husk and used for the purpose of soap production. The physicochemical parameters of the oils, the produced and commercial soap were analyzed for ash content, pH, foam stability, texture, moisture content, foam height, foam test, emulsification test and colour using standard methods prescribed by AOAC. The relative density values where 0.89g/ml (SBO) and 0.90g/ml (PKO), sponification value of the oils where; 175.30 mgKOH/g (SBO) and 189.08 mgKOH/g (PKO) while iodine values were 54.0 fe/lOOg (SBO) and 50.72 l2/100g(PKO), The Free fatty acid (FFA) content were 5.39mgKOH/g (SBO) and 1.62 mgKOH/g (PKO), Acid value;11.70 mgKOH/g (SBO) and 3.50 mgKOH/g (PKO). The result obtained compared well with standard value recommended by FAO. The relative density within the range of 0.89 - 0.91 g/ml , sponification value 189 - 199 mgKOFI/g and iodine value 50 - 55 fc/lOOg while the free fatty acid'< 20 mgKOH/g and acid value <30 mgKOHH/g and other reference finding meant for soap production . The soap produced by using the oils at a ratio of 50:50 (SBO: PKO) had very good properties and compared favourably with that of commercial soap. The soap was evaluated using 15 student respondents; the data where analysed using frequency distribution and percentage, the quality of the soap was also evaluated based on colour, odour, lathering ability and texture, it was found that the soap produced is good compared to commercial soap. The result obtained from the physicochemical analysis of the produced soap using shear butter and palm kernel oil ratio (50:50) with purified alkali made from melon seed husk ash was successfully achieved. The study showed significant acceptability of the locally made soap by respondent individuals and for these reason the use of raw materials from vegetable matter should be encouraged for soap production to save the country’s foreign exchange and it possibility of large scale production of this alkali should be evaluated over the high cost of imported alkali.Item Open Access LEVELS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF HEAVY METALS IN WATER AND SEDIMENTS OF RIVER AMBA, LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA(DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FACULTY OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, 2017-06-23) Patrick, Jonathan AgyaThe research was carried out to assess seasonal variations in the levels of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb) concentration in water and bed sediment of Amba River. The water and sediment samples were collected during rainy and dry seasons. Metal concentrations were quantified using Graphite Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GAAS). Results obtained indicated that water and sediment pH (6.70 - 6.80) were slightly acidic. Total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and alkalinity values of water decreased during the rainy season. Metal levels in water were higher during the rainy season, except for the decrease in Cr (0.80±1.69 mg/L) and Zn (0.04±0.08 mg/L) concentrations. Fe and Cu levels were highest amongst metals. Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn concentrations in water during rainy and dry seasons were significantly different (P≤0.05). Metal levels in sediment decreased during the dry season, however, concentrations of Cr (3.61±0.67mg/Kg) and Fe (4.25±1.83mg/Kg)increased during the same period. Metal levels were higher in water and sediment during dry and rainy seasons respectively. Sediment generally contained higher metal concentrations compared to water. Cr, Cu, and Mn levels in water and sediment were significantly different (P ≤0.05) for both seasons. Correlations among metal concentrations during the rainy season were positively strong for Cd-Fe (0.786) and Fe-Pb (0.834), while Fe-Pb (0.886) correlation was strongly positive in dry season. During the rainy season, there were excellent correlations between Cd-Mn (0.974), Mn-Pb (0.932), Cd-Pb (0.854) Cr-Zn (0.786), and Fe-Zn (0.720), while in dry season, Cr-Pb (0.670), Cu-Mn (0.791), Cu-Pb (0.776) and Fe-Zn (0.689) show strong associations. Correlations between metal concentrations in sediment and water were positively strong for Cu (0.960) and Zn (0.951) during rainy season and excellent for Mn (0.920) during dry season. Partition coefficient (Kd) values for the levels of metals in sediment and water were greater than 1 except for Cu (0.00) and Zn (0.99) in rainy season and Cr (0.72) in dry season. Pollution load index (PLI) values during rainy and dry seasons were less than 1which account for the unpolluted nature of the river water. Levels of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were within the WHO permissible limits for drinking water except for the metals Fe, Cd and Cr.Item Open Access ASSESSMENT OF BROMATE AND HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN SELECTED BREAD SAMPLES MARKETED IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE(Chemistry Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2019-11-01) Enoch, Ebijumoke DebbyBread is a staple food in many countries around the world and it is usually prepared from flour and food additives; one of which is potassium bromate, which promotes its various properties such as appearance, texture, shape and size. This work investigated the levels of potassium bromate and heavy metals in ten different bread samples produced and marketed in Keffi-Nasarawa. Bromate was determined using a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer and heavy metals with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results indicated that potassium bromate was present in all the samples with concentrations ranging from 2.82±0.375 - 24.3±0.525mg/kg which were higher than the WHO permissible limit of 0.02 mg/kg. The results of the heavy metals analysis also revealed that some bread samples contained high concentration of cadmium (cd), iron (fe), chromium (cr), and zinc (zn) while lead (pb), nickel (ni), copper (cu) were within the WHO permissible limits. The presence of bromate in all the bread sample use in this research shows that bakers seems not comply with the ban placed on the use of potassium bromate by NAFDAC, thus, bread consumers and bakers are at risk of exposure to potassium bromate and some heavy metal with health implications.Item Open Access PRODUCTION OF SILVER DOPED RICE HUSK ASH FOR DESULPHURIZATION OF RAW CRUDE FEED STOCK(DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FACULTY OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, 2019-11-17) Abatan, KayodeThe presence of sulphur compounds in petroleum is a cause of concern as it affects the products, unit operations, processes and environmental. Because of the importance of sulphur removal, various methods were used in time past for sulphur removal from petroleum products, recording there limiting factors, ranging from high cost to lower yield of sulphur removal. In this study, the removal of sulphur from Nigerian Escravos crude oil using silver doped rice husk ash was carried out. Methods of preparation of the adsorbent includes the collection of the rice husk, wet beneficiation of the sample, ashing and subsequently dosing of the silver nitrate solution. The resulting adsorbent vis-à-vis the raw material were characterized using proximate, ultimate analyses as well as XRD, XRF, SEM and BET for elemental, structural, morphological and surface area determination respectively. Other characterization properties includes pH, bulk density, particle size, pore volume, porosity, volatile matter content, moisture and ash content. The characteristic peaks from the XRD points to partial coverage of the rice husk ash with silver, while the XRF and SEM continued to change in the composition and morphology. The BET result gave an improved increment in the surface area and pore dimensions, capable of handling the molecular dimension of Sulphur and its compounds. Sulphur removal was done using design of Design of Experiment and subsequently applied for the removal of sulphur in a batch reactor connected to reflux condenser. The amount of adsorbent dosage of 2g, temperature at 99.990C and contact time of 78.72mins gave sulphur removal of 94.4885% from the Escravos crude oil, having a desirability value of 0.969. The adsorption process was modeled using Freundlich, Lagmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Floxy-Huggins isotherms. Langmuir isotherm gave a regression of 0.9856 and with KL value of 5.68L/g of adsorbent, indicating a very good adsorption capacity of the adsorbent with qm value of 23.81L/mg which is favourable for both low and high initial concentration of Sulphur. The adsorption kinetics was favourably described by the pseudo second order model with rate constant of 0.005g mg-1sec-1having R2 0f 0.9983. Based on the adsorption isotherms and kinetics considered adsorption mechanism proposed followed a physio-chemisorption process. Accordingly, Ag/RHA was found to be a competitive adsorbent for Sulphur removal from crude oil.Item Open Access PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OFBIO-BRIQUETTE DERIVED FROM MILLET CHAFF(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi., 2017-01-05) Obagu, AgunneBriquettes play significant roles in the production of eco-friendly fuels, and as substitutes for non-renewable sources of energy. But the selection of the right materials is essential for good briquette production. The selection of agro-wastes for domestic and industrial purposes depends on the proximate and ultimate compositions. This study assessed the physico-chemical properties of millet chaff briquettes. The physico-chemical characteristics of the briquettes were determined using standard methods. The results of the elemental analysis of the millet chaff biomass were 44.24 % carbon, 5.66 % hydrogen, 1.76 % nitrogen and oxygen 38.23 %.This study shows that the millet chaff can be densified into briquettes to be used as solid fuelItem Open Access EFFECT OF BOILING ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF DESERT DATE SEED FLOUR(Department of Industrial Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2018-01-01) Boman, MartinaDesert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is a species of tree, classified as a member of Balantaceae and it is traditionally used as food and in the treatment of various ailments such as jaundice, syphilis dysentery and constipation. Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) from Kawo market in Kaduna State, Nigeria was evaluated for the effect of boiling on the chemical composition of Desert Date seed flour (Balanites aegyptiaca) using standard methods. Samples were washed, pulverized using mortar and pistle. Samples were solvent extracted using methanol at 80 o C for 6 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure with the aid of rotary evaporator. Both extracts were analysed for mineral, antioxidant and cytotoxic contents. Eight (8) Minerals composition of fresh and boiled desert date flour (Balanites aegyptiaca) were analysed using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy). Amongst the mineral content analysed, magnesium (Mg) was the highest in amount (0.230 mg/g) in fresh sample of the desert date from Kawo market and chromium (Cr) was the least for the fresh sample while sodium (Na) recorded the highest in amount (0.900 mg/g) in boiled sample of the desert date from Kawo market and the least in amount (0.000 mg/g) were recorded for manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) respectively. This could be as a result of the solubility of the mineral in boiled water. Fresh desert date had higher antioxidant property for the three methods used in the determination of which DPPH Assay had the highest (50.46 mg/g). Cytotoxic activity against all analysed cancer cell lines, revealed that sample had highest inhibitory activity of the desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) after 24 hours in both boiled and fresh sample of amount (32.4 %) and (97.9 %) respectively. The results of this study showed the efficacy of Desert Date seed flour (Balanites aegyptiaca) extracts in the inhibition of the growth of cancer cells. This can be a very promising anticancer drug and an alternative for synthetic anticancer drug for human because of its cytotoxic efficacy, abundance and annual renewability.Item Open Access ASSESSMENT OF THE HEAVY METAL LEVEL IN SELECTED NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS SOLD IN ABUJA METROPOLIS(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-07-04) Florence, Anazia OluchkwuThe concentrations of Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cd were determined in five selected soft drinks bought from retail markets in Nigeria. The results obtained were compared with the recommended safe limits for drinking water set by WHO and USEPA, with a view to ascertaining whether or not the studied samples are contaminated by metals. The concentrations of Pb in the soft drinks ranged from 8.1 mg/1 - 11.55mg/l and the Cu contents ranged from 0.02 -I.43mg/1. Ni concentration ranges from not detected (ND) - 0.01 mg/1. Mn was in the range 0.0I-0.02mg/L. This study showed that 67.35% of the samples had Pb concentration above safe limits and Cd concentration exceeded acceptable limits in 7.14% of the samples. None of the soft drinks analysed had Ni concentrations above safe limits. The proportion of the samples that exceeded the set limits for NI, Mn and Cd were 20.83%, 16.67% and 29.17% respectivelyItem Open Access evaluation OF the level of heavy metals in soil, vegetable and WATER SAMPLES FROM SOME SELECTED LG As IN PLATEAU STATE(Department of Industrial Chemestry Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-04-01) Aminu, Bala AnzakuSoil, untreated mine water and vegetables collected from irrigation farmlands from Barkin Ladi, Jos South and Bassa local government areas of Plateau state Nigeria. Were evaluated for the level of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption spectrometry. Concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn) were determined in the samples from the three different Local Government Areas. The analysis was done to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in soil, water, and some selected vegetables. Zn concentrations in vegetables, soil and water from the three different Local Government Areas ranged from 1.598±0.002 to 0.609±0.001 mg/kg, 1.049±0.001 to 0.549±0.006mg/kg and 0.069±0.013 to 0.019±0.004 mg/1. Cd concentrations ranged from 0.490±0.010 to 0.013±0.001 mg/kg (vegetables), 0.130±0.010 to 0.063±0.007 mg/kg (Soil), and 0.168^0.003 to 0.047±0.001 mg/1 in water. The concentrations of Pb in vegetables, soil and water ranged from 1.664±0.005 to 0.140±0.003 mg/kg, 1.631±0.009 to 0.289±0.009 mg/kg and 0.805±0.002 to 0.362±0.001 mg/1 respectively. The level of Mn ranged from 3.429±0.001 to 0.043±0.002 mg/kg, 3.359±0.002 to 1.124±0.001 mg/kg and 0.226±0.002 mg/1 to not detected. Cd had the highest bioaccumulation index (3.769) for tomato fruit from Bassa LGA while Pb had the lowest bioaccumulation index (0.315) for tomato leaf from Jos south. Zn and Mn concentrations in the samples from the three different Local Government Areas were within the WHO/FAO recommended limit but Cd and Pb concentrations in some vegetables and untreated mine water samples exceeded the recommended limits thus posing danger for human consumption. Cd was not detected in green pepper from Barkin Ladi L.G.A.Item Open Access PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND HEAVY METAL LEVEL OF IMPORTED CHOCOLATES, CANDIES AND CANNED TOMATO PASTE CONSUMED IN NIGERIA(DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FACULTY OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, 2018-12-15) Jiroro, AnthoniaThe present study was curried out to assess the levels of different heavy metals and proximate composition of imported milk candy, milk chocolate and canned tomato paste consumed in Nigeria using Standard analytical techniques. The heavy metals: Pb, Cu, Co. Cd. h'e and Zn and the proximate analysis parameters: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, total carbohydrate, total ash and moisture content were all investigated. The result obtained for the heavy metal screening of milk candy was (l. 88 mg/kg) and (0.26mg/kg)for Co and Cd respectively while for milk chocolate: (6.68 mg/kg), (5.32mg/kg) and (l 9.8 2 mg/kg) for Co. h'e and Zn were detected. Canned tomato paste showed the presence of Co and h'e (4.94mg/kg) and (50.71 mg/kg) respectively. The metals: Pb and Cu were not detected. The proximate values for the samples had range of 2.8 - 72.0 % moisture content, 4.20 - 25.0 % crude protein, 11.6 - 31.25% crude fat, 6.16-7.1 % crude fiber, 13.70 - 46.54 % total carbohydrate and 2.15-4.8 % total ash. Of all the samples canned tomato paste has the highest moisture content at 72%> while milk candy has the lowest (2.8%>). It was observed that milk candy has the highest crude protein (25.0%) while canned tomato paste has the lowest (4.20%)) respectively. It was also observed that the crude fat content in milk chocolate was much higher (31.25%) and canned tomato paste has the lowest. The value indicates that the levels of investigated metals and proximate values in the analyzed samples were within the permissible levels of metal and proximate recommended as dietary intake in milk candy, milk chocolate and canned tomato paste by W.H.O.Item Open Access ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF BOTTLED/SACHET WATER COMMONLY MARKETED IN KEFFI METROPOLIS(Deparment Of Chemistry, Faculty Of Natural And Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-03-01) Ashika'a, Bernard TernaThe production of sachet and bottled water for drinking is on the increase in Nigeria due to the scarcity of natural portable drinking water sources especially in a metropolitan settlement like Keffi. Ten different brands of sachet water and ten different brands of bottled water were bought in Keffi metropolis and conveyed to the laboratory for determination of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphates, nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron to ascertain the safety of the drinking water in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standards. The results obtained for the mean values of the physicochemical parameters for sachet and bottled water were, pH values ranged between 7.13±0.41 and 7.76±0.12, EC values ranged between 152.50±44.11 and 54.30±6.13 pS/cm, turbidity ranged between 3.20±1.14 and 0.23±0.22 NTU, alkalinity values ranged between 38.70±6.29 and 27.60±7.66 mg/dm3, hardness values ranged between 71.00±17.15 and 20.40±3.84 mg/dm3, TDS values ranged between 102.20±29.50 and 36.50±4.17 mg/dm3, sulphates values ranged between 0.05±0.16 and 0.00 mg/dm3, nitrates values ranged between 1.23±0.76 and 0.68±0.38 mg/dm3, phosphates values ranged between 0.75±0.20 and 0.36±0.23 mg/dm3, chloride values ranged between 5.50±3.02 and 0.99±0.29 mg/dm3, sodium values ranged between 0.03±0.01 and 0.02±0.01 mg/dm3, calcium values ranged between 2.80±1.17 and 0.90±0.40 mg/dm3, magnesium values ranged between 1.80±1.11 and 1.25±0.54 mg/dm3, iron values ranged between 0.17±0.06 and 0.14±0.03 mg/dm3 respectively. These results reveal that for all the parameters considered the values obtained are within the recommended limits of the WHO and Nigerian Standards therefore indicating quality assurance to the consuming public. ANOVA between the sachet and bottled water samples indicates significant variation especially in the metal contents which is higher in the sachet water samples suggesting that special attention is given to the treatment of bottled drinking water.Item Open Access EFFECTS OF WASTE ENGINE OIL SPILLAGE ON GROWTH AND GERMINATION OF AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS AND CELOSIA ARGENTEA(DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FACULTY OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, 2021-01-19) Tumba, Terry YohannaThis study investigated the effect of waste engine oil contaminated soil on the germination and growth performance of Amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea in Nasarawa state University, Keffi, (NSUK). The seedling emergence percentage, heights and growths were studied to determine the growth performance of the crops in waste engine oil contaminated soil. The soil samples for the experiment were weighed and 1kg of soil was transferred to each sample bag whore they were contaminated with waste engine oil at 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations, with the exception of the control sample (0%). The seeds (30) of amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea were planted in bags containing the 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations of the waste engine oil. Germination was adequately affected by spent engine oil, the number of seeds that germinated for Amaranthus hybridus specie were 15 out of 30 in the control bags, 10 seeds in 10% concentrations, 5 and 3 seeds in the 20% and 30% respectively. Celosia argentea germinated a day later than Amaranthus hybridus and only 9 seeds germinated the first day; The number of seeds that germinated increased, after two days mortality of some plants was observed. The growth (heights) of the seeds that germinated in the control sample bag with 0% concentration showed higher values in both Amaranthus hybridus (5.9 cm) and Celosia argentea (3.3 cm). It was observed that higher concentration of waste engine oil caused decreases in germination rate and growth (heights) of plants studied, however, it was more prominent on Celosia argentea. As the concentration of waste engine oil increased from 10%, 20% to 30%, the plant heights decreased from 5.0cm, 3.8cm and 2.7cm respectively for Amaranthus hybridus and 3.1cm, 2.1cm and 1.7cm for ('elosia argentea. Both plant species were adversely affected by waste engine oil, but the effect was more prominent in Celosia argentea than Amaranthus hybridus. Also, the total hydrocarbon content was analyzed and an increase in hydrocarbon content was observed as concentration of waste engine oil increased in soil samples. This also contributed to abnormality in growth and high mortality rate of plants as concentration of the waste engine oil increased. Therefore, contamination of agricultural soils with waste engine oil should be avoided and public awareness should be created on the detrimental effects of waste engine oil pollution in our terrestrial ecosystem.Item Open Access EVALUATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND ANTI-TERMITE PROPERTIES OF SOME WOODS, CHARCOALS AND COAL OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA(Department of Industrial Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-06-17) Ndijiekwu, Moses EbenezerLafia-Obi coals, woods and charcoals from Keffi, Marke and Shamagay in Nasarawa State were evaluated for the presence of PAHs using standard methods. 200-mesh size pulverized and saw milled samples were solvent extracted using n-hexane and dichloromethane at 80o and 30o for 48 h and fractionated in alumina column. Both fractions were characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) that showed a total of 16 PAHs in the samples. Naphthalene was the highest in amount (0.583mg/kg) in the dichloromethane extract of Lafia-Obi Coal while benzo(g,h,i)perylene was the least in amount with approximately (0.000mg/kg) in n- hexane extract for all sample analyzed except Lafia- Obi Coal (0.001mg/kg) for n- hexane extract. In all the samples, the amounts of PAHs were below their toxic levels. Anti-termite activities of wood samples were investigated by treating the wood extractives from the Shanjini (Pterocapus erinaceus) and Marke (Anogessus leocarpa) on softwoods that are prone to termite attack on the field for 12weeks. The results showed that the efficacy of wood extractives to control termite was higher in Shanjini (Pterocapus erinaceus) than Marke (Anogessus leocarpa) in terms of resistance to termite attack.Item Open Access EFFECTS OF pH AND PROCESSING ON THE CYANOGEN POTENTIALS OF IRISH POTATO (Solanum tuberosum) USING CYANOMETHAEMOGLOBIN COMPLEX(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State university, Keffi., 2018-07-12) Babatunde, Muraina olanrewajuThis study was aimed at determining the cyanogen potentials of raw, cooked, parboiled, roasted and baked Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Effect of pH on the cyanogen potentials of the processed Irish potato was carried out. The examination was carried out at pHs values ranging from 5.6 to 9.0, at intervals of 0.2 using a colorimeter through the formation of cyanomethemoglobin. There was variation in the cyanide concentration with respect to the pHs difference. The highest cyanide concentration (1.18 ± 0.2316 mg/kg) was recorded in raw potatoes at pH 8.6. The lowest cyanide concentration (0.26 ± 0.0034 mg/kg) was recorded in boiled Irish potato at pH of 6.2. Among the processed samples, the roasted Irish potatoes recorded the highest value of cyanide concentration (1.12 ± 0.0289 mg/kg) at pH of 8.6 followed by parboiled (1.05 ± 0.0600 mg/kg) Solanum tuberosum at pH 8.6 and then baked (0.79 ± 0.1179 mg/kg) Irish potato at pH 7.8. The highest mean cyanide concentration (0.83 mg/kg) was recorded at pH 8.6 (basic medium) while the lowest mean cyanide concentration (0.54 mg/kg) was recorded at pH 5.6 (acidic medium). These values were lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and International Standard Organization (ISO) maximum accepted standard of 10 mg of HCN /10 kg body weights). This study however provides information on the toxicity level of cyanide in raw and processed potatoes. It also shows that the processing methods can further lessen the cyanogen potentials of potatoes