Determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in selected water bodies in the Niger Delta

Several water bodies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where extensive crude oil production activities take place were analyzed for the presence of 16 US EPA priority polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) namely: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene,benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene dibenz(a,h)anthracene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene. The concentrations ranged from as low as 1.95 ug/L for relatively clean stream with practically no crude oil activity to10.9 ug/L for the most polluted. The analysis was carried out using GC/MS. The quantitation was done by means of internal standardization using four isotopically labeled internal standards namelyacenaphthene-d10, chrysene-d12, phenanthrene-d10 and perylene-d12. High molecular mass PAHs such asbenzo(ghi)perylene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene were mostly absent confirming low water solubility of these compounds and carcinogenic PAHs were general lower in concentrationthan the non carcinogenic ones

Assessment of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon content in four species of fish in the Niger Delta by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Analysis for the presence of sixteen priority polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene,  benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene,dibenz[a, h]anthracene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) was carried out on four different species of fish found in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The fish species included Parachanna obscura, Pseudolithuselongatus, Liza dumerillii and Clarais gariepinnus. Individual PAHs were identified through both retention time match with authentic standards and simultaneous maximization of several major ionsfrom gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data. Four isotopically-labeled internal standards namely D10-acenaphtalene, D12-chrysene, D10-phenanthrene and D12-perylene, were usedfor quantitation. All four species of fish were found to contain high levels of PAHs ranging from 0.41 to 39.64 ug/kg. The high molecular weight PAHs such as benzo[ghi]perylene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene andindeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were consistently present in much higher amount than other PAHs in all four species of fish studied, suggesting higher resistance of these compounds to degradation

Heavy metal levels in soil samples from highly industrialized Lagos environment

The effect of heavy metals on the environment is of serious concern and threatens life in all forms. Environmental contamination is correlated with the degree of industrialization and intensities of chemical usage. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent, human and industrial activities have affected the quality of soil due to contamination of soil with heavy metals and the consequent effects on the health status of the inhabitants. Twenty five sites representing 25 soil samples were collected from various manufacturing companies which include: Mattress manufacturing companies, artificial hair manufacturing companies, farm lands, soft drinks bottling companies, electrical/ electronics companies and pharmaceutical companies. Soil samples from these sites were air-dried and digested with nitric acid. Digested samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorptive Spectophotometry (AAS) with a lamp current set at 5-8 mA, reslope limits of 75-125%. The levels of cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium, iron and copper in mg/kg ranged from 0.56-4.2, ND, 2.10-12.50, 0.24-2.20, 1111-2216 and 2.20- 5.58 in all of the samples, respectively. These results show that the soil samples from dump yards, mattress manufacturing companies and soft drinks bottling companies had the highest concentration of heavy metals in them. Cadmium and iron levels exceeded that of the European Regulatory Standards (ERS).Key words: Heavy metals, environment, contamination, industrialization

Housing Tenure Effects on Child’s Educational Performance in Non-Residential Secondary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined the effects of housing tenure on child’s educational performance in non- residential secondary school system in Ogun State, Nigeria, and it provides vital information to aid families’ optimal decisions on pro-child’s educational performance school accommodation arrangement. The Null hypothesis (H0): there is no significant difference between home owner and non – home owner child’s educational performance in non – residential secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria was tested using , independent sample t-test statistic, and data gathered from two sets of questionnaire consisting of 391 and 170 copies administered to day students and parents respectively in nine selected secondary schools from three local government areas in Ogun State, Nigeria using random sampling technique. Frequency tables, mean item score statistics were also used for descriptive analysis.The study discovered that significant differences exist between home owner and non – home owner child’s educational performance in non – residential secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria with the students from home owner occupied families on one hand performing better (on a 5 points equidistant Likert Scale in which 1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Average, 4 = Good, and 5 = Very Good, p < 0.001 @ 95% confidence level) in arts subjects (mean score = 4.51), science subjects (mean score = 4.35), and junior secondary school (mean = 3.98) than their colleagues from tenancy occupied homes that scored mean values of 2.31, 3.48, and 3.49 in the same subject areas respectively.  While on the other hand, students from tenancy occupied families performed better (mean score = 4.12) in commercial subjects than their colleagues home owner occupied families that obtained mean score value of 3.26 in the same subject area.This study has presented contextual knowledge on the linkages between child’s educational performance and housing tenure from the outcome of the data analysis, it however, did not consider the quality of school teachers, teaching methods used and the quality of the learning environment all of which could significantly contribute to child’s academic performance. The study expands the frontiers of knowledge on the benefits of home ownership as the findings could enable parents/guardians to relate better with secondary school day students in domestic chores as well as being conscious of the impact of involving day students in family business on academic performance in school. This paper is original and fills a gap in knowledge as it draws for the first time in Nigeria, the attention of parents/guardians to the impact of housing tenure on child’s educational performance especially in specific subject areas. Keywords: Home ownership, Housing Tenure, Child’s Academic Performance, Ogun State Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-12-06 Publication date: December 31st 202

GC–MS profile, anti-seizure and anti-pyretic activities of palm kernel nut oil and its isolate, N-Octanoic acid from specially breed palm kernel Elaeis guineensis

PURPOSE: Palm kernel nut oil (PKNO) from palm fruit of a rare breed of Elaeis guineensis (virescens), and one of the species belonging to the Elaeis genre of arecaceae family was subjected to Gas chromatography - Mass spectroscopic studies as well as anti-seizure and anti-pyretic studies. It is used in South-Eastern part of Nigeria as antipyretic and anti-seizure agents especially in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical contents of PKNO using GC-MS and to investigate the antiseizure and antipyretic properties of PKNO using animal model.METHOD: 1500 g Palm Kernels (PK) of the rare breed collected from Abia State were cracked open and the nuts (1000 g) poured into steel vessel and heated until oil was produced after charring the nuts. The oil (PKNO) was analyzed using GC-MS to determine its chemical composition. Yeast induced hyperthermia method was used for anti-pyretic studies while strychnine sulphate induced method was used for anti-seizure studies. PKNO and Octanoic acid (0.5 mg/kg ,1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (IP).Paracetamol (0.15mg/kg) was used as reference standard for anti-pyretic assay while epilim and tegretol (0.14mg/kg, resp.) were used as reference standards for anti-seizure assay.RESULTS: The major component identified in the extract include: Dodecanoic  acid,2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester(19.36 %),n-Hexadecanoic acid(15.49  %),Dodecanoic acid( 12.51 %),Myristic acid ( 6.47 %), Dodecanedioic acid (3.93 %),n-Acetylpyrrolidone (3.67 %) , Thiazole (0.98 %) and Octanoic acid, OA ( 3.19 %).The anti-seizure results showed that doses of PKNO and OA used had Significant (p<0.02) anti-seizure activities by delaying the on-set of seizure from time of induction to time of first seizure observed. In yeast induced hyperthermia model, PKNO exhibited good level of anti-pyretic activities by direct reduction of pyrexia with the highest dose, 2.0 mg/kg. The PKNO and OA are proven to be safe till 3000 μl/kg as indicated by LD50 results.CONCLUSION: PKNO and its components mainly fatty acids, thiazole, and n- acetylpyrrolidone are potent and promising agents with anti-pyretic and antiseizure activities.Keywords: Anti-Seizure, anti-pyretic, Octanoic acid, elaeis virescens, GC-MS, Palm kernel nut oil (PKNO

Crown ethers: novel permeability enhancers for ocular drug delivery?

Crown ethers are cyclic molecules consisting of a ring containing several ether groups. The most common and important members of this series are 12-crown-4 (12C4), 15-crown-5 (15C5), and 18-crown-6 (18C6). These container molecules have the ability to sequester metal ions and their complexes with drugs are able to traverse cell membranes. This study investigated 12C4, 15C5 and 18C6 for their ability to increase solubility of ocular drugs and enhance their penetration into the cornea. Phase solubility analysis determined crown ethers’ ability to enhance the solubility of riboflavin, a drug used for the therapy of keratoconus, and these solutions were investigated for ocular drug permeation enhancing properties. Atomic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated crown ether solutions ability to sequester Ca2+ from corneal epithelia and crown ether mediated adsorption of riboflavin into the stroma was investigated. Induced corneal opacity studies assessed potential toxicity of crown ethers. Crown ethers enhanced riboflavin’s aqueous solubility and its penetration into in vitro bovine corneas; the smaller sized crown ethers gave greatest enhancement. They were shown to sequester Ca2+ ions from corneal epithelia, doing so loosens cellular membrane tight junctions thus enhancing riboflavin penetration. Induced corneal opacity was similar to that afforded by benzalkonium chloride and less than is produced using polyaminocarboxylic acids. However, in vivo experiments performed in rats with 12C4 did not show any statistically significant permeability enhancement compared to enhancer-free formulation

Analysis and identification of oils from seed extract of Anthonotha macrophylla using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

The volatile components obtained from the seed extract of Anthonotha Macrophylla were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Prior to GC-MS analysis, Soxhelt extraction was carried out from the seeds of A. Macrophylla. Agilent GC-MS system comprising 6890GC model coupled with 5973 n mass selective detector was used for analysis. The GC is equipped with Agilent 7673 autosampler and a 30 m 0.25 id DB-1 MS dimethylpolysiolaxane capillary column. The MS source temperature was set at 230C and electron energy at 70V. The ionisation mode was electron ionization and the mass range was 50 to 550 while the scan time was 1 scan/min. The different compounds were identified by matching their mass spectra with the MS spectra in the NIST library. Various compounds were separated and identified but eight of these were at an elevated level. These include: n-hexadecanoic acid, n-octadecadienoic acid; cis-vaccenic acid; octadecanoic acid; hexadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester; campesterol; stigmasterol and gamma-sitosterol.Keywords: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, determination, evaluation, composition, Anthonotha macrophylla, seedAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(22) 2260-226

A Screen for Benzo(a) Pyrene, A Caranogen, in the Water Samples from the Niger Delta using GC-MS

Epidemiological studies in several countries have indicated that exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons especially benzo(a)pyrene increases the risk of cancer. A study by the World Health Organization recommended a guideline value of 0.7ug/liter for benzo(a)pyrene in drinking water, corresponding to an excess life time cancer risk of 10-5. Benzo(a)pyrene being a component of crude oil, we studied 18 water samples from crude oil polluted Niger Delta region for the presence of this compound. The analysis was carried using a gas chromatograph coupled with ion trap mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Two – third of the studied samples were found to contain benzo(a)pyrene. The highest concentration found in samples was 4.0ug/liter.NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 288-29

Polychlorinated biphenyl in fish samples from Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

Several fish samples from the Lagos lagoon, Nigeria were analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The fish species analyzed include Tilapia zilli (red belly Tilapia), Ethmalosa fimbriata(Bonga shad) and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (catfish). Eight PCB congeners were identified and quantified in muscle of the species analyzed. The concentration of total PCBs in samples ranged from 0.56 to 2.94 ppm. The study shows that concentrations of PCBs were higher in adult than in juvenile of most of the fish, and there was no correlation between fat content and total concentration of PCBs. The concentration of PCBs found in fish samples in this study were above the WHO residual limit of 0.2ppm. The concentration levels in this study were compared with the levels detected in other parts of the world. The study confirms PCBs persistence in Lagos Lagoon, despite its ban several decades ago