Articles
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Open Access Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality and Phytochemical Properties of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, L.) Seed Flour(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-03-14) Audu, Saratu Stephen; Igwe, O.E.; Okanya, A.J.n this research, Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, L.) seed flour was analyzed for amino acids, and its phytochemical properties using standard analytical techniques for effective utilization of this crop in various food applications. Okra seed contained useful quantities of total essential amino acids (TEAA) of 47.32 % and Predicted-Protein Efficiency Ratio (P-PER) of 2.8. Okra seed also contained phytochemicals such as flavonoids (20.86 mg/lOOg), alkaloids (5.69 mg/lOOg), saponins (16.4 mg/lOOg), tannins (332.78 mg/lOOg), oxalate (0.43%) and phenolic compounds (27.05 mg/lOOg). These phytochemicals have health benefits and have been associated with lowering the incidences of diet related diseases. Phytochemicals have also been proven useful in attenuating infectious conditions. . The results showed that leucine was the most concentrated essential amino acid (7.87 mg/g). Generally, okra seed flour would be a good source of strengthening the immune system and also a source of essential amino acids in food formulation.Item Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON DERIVED FROM MILLET CHAFF AND ITS COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL ACTIVATED CARBON(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2021-03-09) Audu, Saratu Stephen; Shuaibu, B.S.; Madu, P.C.his work has examined the characteristics of activated carbon produced from millet chaff and a commercial activated carbon. The chaff is the waste generated from processing millet to produce pap (akamu) which is used as a weaning food in most families. Activated carbon' was produced from millet chaff using chemical and physical methods. The chemical activation was done ' with 1M phosphoric acid and was carbonised in a furnace at 6oo°C for an hour. The formed activated carbon was removed, rinsed with 0.1MHCI, washed with distilled water arid dried to obtain chemical activated carbon (ChAC). Direct heating of the chaff in the furnace at 400°Cfor 2 hours produced physical activated carbon (PAC). The produced activated carbons and a commercial activated carbon (CAC) were characterised for: pH, moisture content, ash content, pore volume, porosity and bulk density using standard methods. The resultsItem Open Access PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF RIND AND SEED OF WATERMELON ((Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2020-07-11) Abdulazeez, A.; Abdullahi, U.; Audu, Saratu Stephen; Ibrahim, I.L.; Kwoku, S.I.; Gimba, A.; Umar, M.T.; Babatunde, J.; Uthman, A.Citrullus lanatus belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and consists offour species are C. locynthis, C. ecirrhosus, C. lanatus and C. rehmii. Water melon plant is a trailing hairy annualplant with rough angular stems and dark green alternate leaves carried on fairly long petioles. Water are monoecious and unisexual with pale yellowflowers. The fruit is large and round or oblong with a hard-smooth rind with a size normally rangingfrom 1.5 to 15 kg. Citrullus lanatus have found to rich in vitamin, antioxidant and minerals. Therefore the aim ofthis work is to determine Proximate Composition ofthe rind and seed of watermelon Citrullus lanatus l. foursamples ofCitrullus lanatus were collected, identified as Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai,farm, Cecce, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University main gate and Gidan gwarifarm then were washed with distilled water to remove sandparticles, followed by slicing to separate the rind using a clean knife. The rind will be chopped into liny cubes. The seeds will be carefully removedfrom the pulp and washed. The rind was sun driedfor two daysfollowed by oven drying at 50°Cfor 24 hours. The dried samples will be ground using ceramic pestle and mortar. Finally, the powdered sample was usedfor all the analysis other than moisture in whichfresh sample was used. The valuesfor ash contents of the proximate constituent ofseed and rind of watermelon were found in (cecce, IBBUL, IBBL main gate and Gidan gwari) farm ranged between 6.60±0.03, 5.10±0.06, 5.00±0.10 and 4.90±0.00 while rind are 0.25±0.02, 0.25±0.11, 0.20±0.06 and 0.30±0.01, moisture, crudefibre, crudefat, crude protein and carbohydrate ranged between 10.40±0.05, ll-00±0.04, 10.82±0.04 and 11-00±0.01 while 93.66±0.01, 94..00±0.00, 94.00±0.03 and 92.80±0.06, 42.80±0.01, 45.00±0.03, 44.30±012 and 43.00±0.13 while 0.21±0.00, 0.30±0.05, 0.23±0.02 and 0.26±0.02, 14.40±0.02, 13.90±0.05, 14.12±0.05 and 14.10±0.11 while 0.13±0.03, 0.10±0.02, 0.13±0.02 and 0.15±0.00, 7.70±0-04, 8.00±0.01, 7.08±0.07 and 7.50±0.03 while 0.55±0.01, 0.60±0.03, 0.58±0.00 and 0.80±0.02 and J8.10±0.01, 17.00±0.01, 18.70±0.11 and 19.50±0.03 while 5.22±0.02, 5.50±0.05, 5.86±0.01 and 5-69±0,02. The Citrullus lanatus contains nutrients and mineral elements that are essential for life. These Citrullus lanatus rind may provide considerable medicinal, health and economic benefits if freshly consumed or utilized in food products and also supplementing human nutrition requirements for normal growth and adequate protection against defects associated to the malnutrition.Item Open Access Proximate, Mineral Contents and Physicochemical Properties of Chrysophyllum Albidum (African Star Apple) Kernel Flour and Oil(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2019-06-04) Audu, Saratu Stephen; Beetseh C.; Edward-Ekpu, DU; Ewuga, A.A.The flour and oil ofthe kernel of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum Albidum Linn.) sourced from Maraba Gurku township of Nasarawa state was analysed to determine their potentials for industrial and human consumption. Standards methods were used to determine the proximate and mineral contents ofthe flour and physico- chemical properties ofthe oil. The results obtained from the Proximate Analysis shows the kernel has a moisture content of 10.06±0.08 %, Ash content of2.72±007 %, Crude lipid of 13.31±008 %, Crude Protein of7.92±0.00 %, Crude Fibre of 1.59*0.00 % and Carbohydrate of65.41±0.05 %. This suggeststhat the flour can be a used as an alternative to cereals in compounding animal feed. The results from the Mineral Analysis showed the kernel has 0.01 mg/g ofcopper, 0.01 mg/g ofIron, 37.50 mg/g ofphosphorus, 57.37 mg/g ofcalcium and 0.44 mg/g magnesium. The Calcium-Potassium Ratio indicates the flour is a good source of calcium for bone formation. The Physicochemical analysis showed the oil has an Acid Value of33.12±0.25 mgKOH/g, a Saponification Value of 184.90±0.29 mgKOH/g, an Iodine Value of60.05±0.02 mgKOH/g, a Free Fatty Acid Value of 16.05±0.14 mgKOH/g, Peroxide Value of 2.10±0.10 m Eq/kg, Moisture of 3.36±0.08 %, Unsaponifiable Matter of5.26±0.05 g/kg and an Ester Value of 15I.78dk0.15 mgKOH/g. The quality ofthe kernel oil falls below the standard for edible oil but the oil may be useful in the paint and cosmetic industry.Item Open Access PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SOURSOP (Annona murlcata) PULP, PEEL AND SEED(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-06-09) Audu, Saratu Stephen; Aremu, M.O.; Beetseh, C.; Haruna, G.S.; Adoga, J.Traditionally the outermost parts of most fruits are peeled off and discarded as waste which can constitute environmental pollution. To reduce this, the society must be made to see the value of these parts that are traditionally discarded. This is the basis of this study aimed at investigating the preliminary phytochemical screening, antioxidant properties and mineral composition ofthe ethanol extract ofAnnona muricata pulp, peel and seed using standard procedures. The results showed the presence of tannins, phenols, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, resins, carbohydrates and phlobatanins in the pulp. In the peel, tannins, steroids, glycosides, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, resins, carbohydrates, phlobatanins and balsams were present while steroids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, volatile oils, carbohydrates, phlobatannins and balsams were present in the seed At highest concentration of 2 g/ml the pulp had 80.049±0.004% free radical scavenging ability; the peel had 86.797±0.001% while the seed had 77.586±0.002% while ascorbic acid had 54.433±0.001%. The result showed Fe concentration of 0.0138±0.0002 g/ml in the pulp, 0.1449±0.0001 g/ml in the peel and 0.0170±0.0002 g/ml in the seed. Mg concentration was 0.4999±0.0008 g/ml in the pulp, 0.8069±0.0009 g/ml in the peel and 0.7155±0.0002 g/ml in the seed, Cu was 1.0050±0.0002 g/ml in the pulp, 0.0044± 0.0009 g/ml in the peel and 0.0078± 0.0009 g/ml in the seed while Ca was 0.0309±0.0001 g/ml in the pulp, 0.6959±0.0002 g/ml in the peel and 0.3427±0.0016 g/ml in the seed. These results showed that the peel, pulp and seed were rich in phytochemical, mineral nutrients and antioxidant properties, hence the need to encourage their utilisation for pharmacological and nutritional usItem Open Access Assessment of Physicochemical Contaminants in Waters and Fishes from Selected Rivers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria(Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria., 2011-04-28) Aremu, M.O; Opaluwa, O.D; Atolaiye, B.O; Madu, P.C; Sangari, D.ULevels of physicochemical parameters (pH, phosphate, chloride, nitrate, bicarbonate, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, total hardness and total solid) and microbiological properties were determined in the water samples collected from Rivers Doma, Farinruwa and Mada in Nasarawa State, Nigeria using standard analytical techniques. Metals (Na, K, Ni, Cu, Mg, Fe, Ca, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se, Cr and Mn) were also determined from two different fish species (Tilapia zilli and Clarias lazera) caught from these three rivers using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results of physicochemical analyses showed that phosphate and nitrate ions were not present in the water samples during dry season but present in the wet season. Other physicochemical parameter values fall within WHO standard limits. Microbiological tests revealed that Rivers Doma and Mada were not safe for drinking. Magnesium had the highest concentrations in the bodies of two fish species irrespective of the season when the fish was caught followed by calcium while the least concentrated metal was arsenic. Lead and cadmium in the fish samples were not within the detectable range of AAS. Nickel level in the fish sample from Mada River during dry season exceeded the WHO maximum tolerable limit. Therefore, source protection is proposed for these bodies of water for the benefit of mankind because they were not safe for human consumption.Item Open Access Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water, Fish and Sediments from UKE Stream, Nasarawa State, Nigeria(Department ofChemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria., 2012-09-12) Opaluwa, O.D; Aremu, M.O; Ogbo, L.O; Magaji, J.I; Odiba, I.E; Ekpo, E.RThe levels of lead, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, cadmium and mercury were determined in various body parts of two species of catfish; Clarias gariepinus and Synodontis schall, water and sediment samples from Uke stream using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. The results obtained showed that iron (Fe) had the highest concentration with average of 8.78 mg/g and 7.51 mg/l in sediment and water respectively followed by Zn with 4.79 mg/g (sediment) and 3.19 mg/l (water) while Cd had the lowest concentration of 0.035 mg/g and 0.023 mg/l in the sediment and water respectively. In the two fish species, zinc (0.17 – 3.25 mg/g) was the most highly concentrated in the various matrices while lead (0.011 – 0.031mg/g) was the lowest. Metal levels in the various body parts of the two species of fish studied were found to be more concentrated in either, the head, gills or the intestine. In both species zinc had the widest variability while lead was the least. The metal levels determined in water and sediment are all above the tolerable limits recommended by regulatory bodies which is an indication that this ecosystem is contaminated with heavy metals which would eventually end up in the food chain. The metals determined in various body parts of two species of catfish were below deleterious level; however there is the need for regular monitoring of the heavy metal load in this water body and the aquatic organisms in there because of the long term effects.Item Open Access PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER SOURCES IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA(Department of Industrial Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2009-04-22) J. O, Awokoya.; A, Osinaike.Samples of well and borehole waters were collected from Ijagun, Ijeleand Imaweje communities in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun state in south-west Nigeria. The samples were analyzed physico-chemically using standard methods to ascertain the polability of these sources of water. (A total of five groundwater samples comprising four boreholes and one well were monitored). Results from this study revealed that 95 % of the physicochemical parameters investigated conformed to WHO standards for drinking water while 5% showed a little deviation. It was therefore recommended that a comprehensive survey that will involve both the physico-chetnical and bacteriological analysis be conducted on all the sources of groundwater available in all the villages where most students reside. Also, the medical records of the students in relation to the source of water intake be conducted in order to compliment the result of this study.Item Open Access SOLAR PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF BENZOIC ACID USING MECHANOCHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED ZnO NANOPARTICLES.(Department Of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2016-03-03) Hamza, Abdulhamid; Oloruntoba, Oriolowo; Mukhtar, BelloZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized via mechanochemical route, and characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pH at point of zero charge (pHZPC), and specific surface area analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO was evaluated by monitoring the kinetics of solar photocatalytic degradation of benzoic acid. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are highly crystalline with a crystallite size of 34.86 nm, specific surface area of 19.5m2/g, and a pH at point of zero charge (pHPZC) of 8.8.The solar photocatalytic degradation of benzoic acid obeys pseudo-first order kinetic model with an apparent first order rate constant (kapp) of 0.0105 min.