Assessment of anti-corrosion potentials of extract of Ficus asperifolia -Miq (Moraceae) on mild steel in acidic medium

FullThe inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extracts and four fractions of the stem bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. for the corrosion of mild steel were assessed using weight loss method, Fourier atomi absorption spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying immersion period,concentration of the inhibitors and temperatures for mild steel corrosion in 5 M HCl acid solution were carried out. A detailed kinetic reaction, thermodynamic (Ea, ∆H, ∆S) and adsorption isotherm studies were obtained. The crude extract of F. asperifolia (EFA) has the highest inhibition efficiency of 55%. The inhibitory efficiency of the four fractions of F. asperifolia (EFA) compared with the crude extract was in the order ethyl acetate > n-hexane > butanol > EFA > Aqueous. The inhibition efficiency was found to increase with increase in the extracts concentration but decreased with temperature. Corrosion rate increases with time but decreases with extracts concentration. The kinetic studies of the data followed a first order reaction. Thermodynamic studies revealed that corrosion inhibition may be due to spontaneous mixed adsorption of the plant constituents on the metal surface. Experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The plant investigated showed a good potential for green corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of phytochemical constituents showed that the extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins anthraquinones and reducing sugars

Studies on Co-Infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Salmonella Spp. in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Salmonella and Plasmodium infections are major health challenges especially in regions where malaria is highly endemic. Studies were carried out to determine the incidence of co-infection of Salmonella spp and Plasmodium falciparum among subjects that present with fever at the Covenant University Health Centre and Ota General Hospital between September, 2011 and May, 2012. Salmonella infection was detected by comparing two diagnostic methods: serology and culture on the blood samples collected. Widal test was carried out by detecting the ‘O’ and ‘H’ antigens in the blood and the blood samples were cultured using Thioglycolate broth and Salmonella Shigella agar. Plasmodium infection was confirmed through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin films of the same blood samples. Out of the 84 samples collected, 45.2% was positive for Salmonella and Plasmodium co-infection by Widal test with positive titre ≥ 1/80. Only 3.6% was confirmed for co-infection of Salmonella and Plasmodium Species when Salmonella infection was detected by culture. Among the 84 subjects 73.8% was positive for malaria alone and 67.9% for Salmonella infection alone. Laboratory confirmation of co-infection of malaria and Salmonella is essential to prevent wrong treatment and misdiagnosis

Studies on Co-Infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Salmonella Spp. in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Salmonella and Plasmodium infections are major health challenges especially in regions where malaria is highly endemic. Studies were carried out to determine the incidence of co-infection of Salmonella spp and Plasmodium falciparum among subjects that present with fever at the Covenant University Health Centre and Ota General Hospital between September, 2011 and May, 2012. Salmonella infection was detected by comparing two diagnostic methods: serology and culture on the blood samples collected. Widal test was carried out by detecting the ‘O’ and ‘H’ antigens in the blood and the blood samples were cultured using Thioglycolate broth and Salmonella Shigella agar. Plasmodium infection was confirmed through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin films of the same blood samples. Out of the 84 samples collected, 45.2% was positive for Salmonella and Plasmodium co-infection by Widal test with positive titre ≥ 1/80. Only 3.6% was confirmed for co-infection of Salmonella and Plasmodium Species when Salmonella infection was detected by culture. Among the 84 subjects 73.8% was positive for malaria alone and 67.9% for Salmonella infection alone. Laboratory confirmation of co-infection of malaria and Salmonella is essential to prevent wrong treatment and misdiagnosis

SCREENING AND PARTIAL PURIFICATION OF AMYLASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER ISOLATED FROM DETERIORATED TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL.) FRUITS

Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) are cellwall degrading enzymes associated with the pathogenicity of microorganisms in the spoilage of tomato fruits. The use of amylase in many industries has made it very important to optimize production process to achieve maximum yields. Screening and partial purification of Amylase from Aspergillus niger isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits was studied. Amylase producing fungi were isolated from fresh tomatoes kept at ambient temperature (28±1˚C). Isolates were characterized on the basis of their morphological and cultural techniques. Partial purification of amylase was carried out by ammonium sulphate precipitation. The enzyme activity was determined and optimum conditions were obtained. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase were determined by SDS PAGE method. A total of five isolates were obtained using basic screening technique for amylase activity, one of the isolates (Isolate code F2) exhibited maximum amylase activity. The fungi isolate code F2 was identified as Aspergillus niger. Optimum conditions for Amylase AMY F2 were ascertained at pH 6.0; temperature 30°C; substrate concentration of 0.3mg/ml, and time of heating of less than 10min. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase AMY F2 were found to be 55kDa and 35kDa respectively by SDS PAGE method. Microorganisms had been an encouraging means of economical production of enzymes in large scale for the food and drug industry

Surgical Abdomen in School Age Children: A Prospective Review From Two Centers In SouthWestern Nigeria

Background: Surgical abdomen traverses all age groups. We sought to define the aetiology, patients’ characteristics, and outcome of management amongst children Methods: Two years prospective review of patients aged 5-15 years managed for surgical abdomen at the Wesley Guilds Hospital Ilesa and Mishmael Medical Centre Akure, Nigeria. Results: Fifty two patients were treated. The male: female ratio was 1:1. The age range was 5years to 15years (mean=11.25 ±2.24years). Mean duration of illness was 29.5hours (range 2-72hours). Gut perforation was the most common aetiology (n=39; 75%); with perforations due to infections most prevalent (n= 34; 87.2%). Ten cases (19.2%) were trauma related and showed male predominance. Obstructed gut accounted for 15.4% (n=8) of cases; and showed female predominance. Five out of the eight small bowel obstructions (62.5%) were due to post operation adhesions. Pre-operative and post-operative diagnoses were congruent in 90.4% (n=47) of cases. Major post-operative complications were surgical site infection (20; 38.5%), and pneumonia (5; 9.6%). The average hospital stay was 9days (range 4-21days). Mortality rate was 1.9% (n=1). Conclusion: Acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention is mainly infective origin. The male child is more at risk of abdominal trauma while gut obstruction was more common in females.Keywords: Surgical, Abdomen, Children, Emergenc

Reaction Kinetics for Nitrosation of DAF-2 in Air Saturated Nitric Oxide Solution

Staff PublicationUnderstanding the reaction rate constant of a probe compound with its target molecule is essential for its selection and use in biological and non-biological systems. Over the past decade, the probe, 4, 5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) has been widely employed for the detection and imaging of nitric oxide (NO•) in various media. However, the rate constant for the nitrosation of DAF-2 in air-saturated nitric oxide solution is far from being understood. For the first time, we have determined the second order rate constant for the reaction of DAF-2 with NO• (k2) in airsaturated solution using competition kinetics method. An alternative competition kinetics method which involves a reciprocal plot of the reactant (DAF-2) and triazolofluorescein (DAF-2T), the product formed from the reaction of DAF-2 with NO• was developed and compared to the standard competition kinetics method. Our particular approach in this system is based on the use of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO2), a potent scavenger of NO• against the DAF-2 which serves as the detector molecule. The product, DAF-2T, is separated from the reaction mixture by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and its fluorescence intensity signals were measured at excitation and emission of 495 and 515 nm respectively. The results showed that the second order reaction rate constant of DAF-2 with NO• in air-saturated aqueous solution are comparable, with the average value of (6.28 ± 0.45) × 10 6 M-1s -1 . Also, DAF-2 can react with NO• directly thereby by-passing the N2O3-mediated formation of DAF-2T at low NO• formation rate

Detection of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum from South-Western Nigeria

The widespread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum has led to a rise in malaria- associated mortality most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Falciparum malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood samples of patients who presented with fever in selected State Hospitals in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Molecular methods were employed to detect the markers of resistance of P. falciparum to Chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine,and artesunate in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. DNA was extracted from patient blood using the QiaAmp DNA Blood Minikit extraction method. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP) were used for the detection of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) and P. falciparum sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-dependent ATPase (SERCA) PfATPase6 genes. Pfcrt (K76T ) Pfmdr1 (mdr 1 ) Pfdhfr (S108N), and Pfdhps (K540E) resistant genes were detected among the isolates while resistant SERCAPfATPase6 gene which codes for artemisinin resistance was not detected in the population

Screening and partial purification of amylase from Aspergillus Niger isolated from deteriorated tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum mill.) fruits

Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) are cellwall degrading enzymes associated with the pathogenicity of microorganisms in the spoilage of tomato fruits. The use of amylase in many industries has made it very important to optimize production process to achieve maximum yields. Screening and partial purification of Amylase from Aspergillus niger isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits was studied. Amylase producing fungi were isolated from fresh tomatoes kept at ambient temperature (28±1˚C). Isolates were characterized on the basis of their morphological and cultural techniques. Partial purification of amylase was carried out by ammonium sulphate precipitation. The enzyme activity was determined and optimum conditions were obtained. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase were determined by SDS PAGE method. A total of five isolates were obtained using basic screening technique for amylase activity, one of the isolates (Isolate code F2) exhibited maximum amylase activity. The fungi isolate code F2 was identified as Aspergillus niger. Optimum conditions for Amylase AMY F2 were ascertained at pH 6.0; temperature 30°C; substrate concentration of 0.3mg/ml, and time of heating of less than 10min. The molecular weights  f the crude and partially purified Amylase AMY F2 were found to be 55kDa and 35kDa respectively by SDS PAGE method. Microorganisms had been an encouraging means of economical production of enzymes in large scale for the food and drug industry. Keywords: Amylase, Partial Purification, Enzyme, Tomato Fruits Rendement et purification partielle de l'amylase de Aspergillus Niger isolé à partir de tomate déterioré (Lycopersicon Esculentum mill.) fruitsLes amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) sont des enzymes dégradant les parois cellulaires associées à la pathogénicité des microorganismes dans la détérioration des fruits à la tomate. L'utilisation de l'amylase dans de nombreuses industries a rendu très important d'optimiser le processus de production pour obtenir des rendements maximaux. Le dépistage et la purification partielle de l'amylase d'Aspergillus niger isolés à partir des fruits à la tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Ont été étudiés. Les champignons producteurs d'amylase ont été isolés à partir de tomates fraîches conservées à température ambiante (28 ± 1 ° C). Les isolats ont été caractérisés en fonction de leurs techniques morphologiques et culturelles. La purification partielle de l'amylase a été réalisée par précipitation au sulfate d'ammonium. L'activité enzymatique a été déterminée et des conditions optimales ont été obtenues. Les poids moléculaires de l'Amylase brut et partiellement purifiée ont été déterminés par un procédé SDS PAGE. Au total, cinq isolats ont été obtenus en utilisant une technique de dépistage basique pour l'activité amylase, l'un des isolats (code isolé F2) présentait une activité amylase maximale. Le code isolant F2 des Fusions a été identifié comme Aspergillus niger. Les conditions optimales pour Amylase AMY F2 ont été déterminées à pH 6,0; température 30 ° C; concentration de substrat de 0,3 mg / ml et temps de chauffage de moins de 10 min. On a trouvé que les poids moléculaires de l'amylase brute et partiellement purifiée étaient respectivement de 55 kDa et 35 kDa par le procédé SDS PAGE. Les microorganismes ont été un moyen encourageant de production économique d'enzymes à grande échelle pour l'industrie alimentaire et pharmaceutique.Mots-clés: Amylase, Purification partielle, Enzyme, Fruits tomate

Biosorption of Cadmium (II) and Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solution by Chemically Modified Tithonia Diversyfolia Biomass

Staff PublicationThe search for alternative and innovative treatment technologies for the effective removal of heavy metals from aqueous wastes has been a research of concerted effort due to the inherent limitations exhibited by the conventional methods such as less efficiency, sensitive operating conditions, energy requirements and generation of toxic sludge or other waste products. Biosorption, the passive uptake of heavy metals by biomaterials has been studied recently because of its high efficiency and cost effectiveness. Therefore, the biosorption capacity of Tithonia diversyfolia biomass chemically modified with sodium hydroxide for the removal of cadmium and chromium ions from aqueous solution was investigated. The effects of temperature, contact time, initial concentration of metal ions, adsorbent dosage and pH on the biosorption of Cd2+ and Cr6+ ions were assessed. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) during the biosorption were evaluated. The results showed that the biosorption process of Cd2+ and Cr6+ by chemically modified Tithonia diversyfolia (CMTD) biomass was feasible and exothermic under the studied conditions. The equilibrium process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum biosorption capacity of 46.75mg/g and 48.00mg/g for Cadmium and Chromium ions, respectively. Kinetic studies indicated that the biosorption of metal ions followed a pseudo-second order equation

THERMAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATIONS OF NEWLY SYNTHESIZED HYBRID URETHANES FROM THEVETIA PERUVIANA SEED OIL

The thermal and antimicrobial properties of air drying polyesteramide-urethanes (hybrid) synthesized from Thevetia peruviana (a tropical and underutilized ornamental shrub) seed oil (TPSO) were evaluated. Physico-chemical characterizations (such as hydroxyl value, iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, inherent viscosity) of the resins were carried out using standard procedures. The polyesteramide was synthesized by reacting N, N'- bis(2- hydroxyethyl) Thevetia peruviana (I-IETA) [a product of aminolysis of TPSO] with Isophoronediisocyanate (IPDI). FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic methods were used in structural .elucidation of the air dried hybrid urethanes. Antimicrobial activities as well as thermal stability (using TGA and DSC) of the coating films were evaluated. The SEM micrograph of the hybrid film and corrosion inhibitive test was also exa.rilined