Analysis of the essential oil from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum, a potential medication for male infertility factor, by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry

Essential oil was extracted from the dried leaves of Sesamum radiatum by hydro-distillation and analyzed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. n-Hexadecanoic acid was found to be the major constituent and with three other fatty acids namely, 9,12,15-octadecanoic acid-(Z,Z,Z),dodecanoic acid and tetradecanoic acid constitute 40.64% of the oil. Other constituents include heptatriacontanol, estra–1,3,5(10)–trien-17á-ol, 1-(+)–ascorbic acid, 2,6-dihexadecanoate, ethyl isoallocholate, 18,19–secoyohimban–19-oic acid, 16,17,20,21-tetrahydro-16-(hydroxymethyl)-methyl ester, (15á, 16E)-trans-(2,3-diphenylcyclopropyl) methylphenyl sulfoxide, 1,1-[2-methyl-2-(phenylthio)cyclopropylidene]bis-benzene and phenolics. The presence of some of these constituents in the essential oil provides the scientific evidences for the observed cardiovascular and estrogenic activity as well as curative properties of the plant for male infertility factor, constipation, fungal and bacterial infections and bruises

Heavy Metal Assessment of Ground, Surface and Tap Water Samples in Lagos Metropolis Using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

The levels of heavy metal contamination in surface, ground and tap waters collected in some part of Lagos metropolis were determined using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV). The samples were analysed for their contents of lead, copper and cadmium and were also compared with the WHO (2008) specified contaminant levels for drinking water. The results obtained showed that all the well water and borehole water samples investigated contain high concentration of these heavy metals. Lead and cadmium concentrations were found to be above the WHO maximum acceptable concentration (MAC). However, none of the samples had copper concentration above the WHO MAC for copper. On the whole samples analysed, only the sample collected from Odo-Iyaalaro stream, Ojota showed no pollution of lead. Other samples showed pollution of all of the metals analysed. In general, the results show an indication of pollution hazards given the toxicity of these metals and mostly when the water sources studied represent the major sources of water for the teeming populace. DPASV results of the samples investigated were found to be comparable with results of same samples obtained from independent work carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Analysis of the essential oil from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Euphorbiaceae), a potential medication for asthma

Essential oil was obtained from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta, commonly called asthma plant. Analysis of the oil was carried out on a combined gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer fitted with an HP-5 MS (5% phenylmethyl siloxane) column at a temperature programme of 120°C (5 min) increased at5°C/min to 320°C and held for 5 min. The major components identified include 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone, hexadecanal, phytol and n-hexadecanoic acidadding up to 61.01%. Minor constituents include 2-butoxyethanol, tetradecane, phthalic acid, butyl tetradecyl ester, oleic acid,  13-heptadecyn-1-ol, 2-methyl-1-hexadecanol and 1,2-benzene dicarboxylicacid diisooctylester. The possible roles of the components in the treatment of asthma and other diseases are discussed. The oil may function as a repellent against Anopheles species and thus useful for malaria control

Electrochemical quantification of the levels of hydrogen peroxide in cassava using glassy carbon electrode modified with chitosan/silver nano-hybrid

This study correlates the production of hydrogen peroxide in cassava with its rapid postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD). Chitosan/silver nanohybrid was synthesized and immobilized on glassy carbon electrode for improved detection of hydrogen peroxide in electrochemical studies. The cathodic peak current for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen occurred at -550 mV and β-carotene contents of the cassava cultivars were quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy at a wavelength of 480 nm. No significant amount of hydrogen peroxide was found in the root tubers on the first, second, third and fourth day. However, the production of hydrogen peroxide from the different cultivars on the fifth and sixth day after harvest was found to correlate with their respective β-carotene contents. The cultivar with the highest β-carotene content (Yellow roots- IBA070593: 0.0044 mg/g) was found to have the lowest level of hydrogen peroxide on day 5 and day 6: 0.096 mmol/g FW and 0.037 mmol/g respectively; while that with the least β-carotene level (White roots- IBA980505: 0.0000 mg/g) demonstrated the highest level of hydrogen peroxide content on day 5 and day 6: 0.177 mmol/g FW and 0.096 mmol/g respectively; and highest percentage increase from the fifth to the sixth day of the PPD process. It is seen from this study that an increase in the level of hydrogen peroxide indicates PPD, and that antioxidants with hydrogen peroxide scavenging properties can help increase shelf-life of cassava cultivar

Analysis of Underground Water Samples from Polluted Wells in Baruwa Community of Lagos, Nigeria

Well water is the source of potable water in Baruwa, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. In 1994, some reddish non-polar liquid was found in one well and thereafter in several other wells in Baruwa. The pollutant was suspected to be due to leakage of petroleum products from nearby pipelines. Samplesof liquids from fifteen wells in Baruwa were collected over a three-month period and the ratios of non-polar liqiuds: water (volume:volume) were determined. The non-polar liquids in the water samples were analysed by distillation and found to contain 60-70% gasoline, 30%–40% kerosene, 5–8% diesel and 1.2–2% residue. Infra-red spectra of the non-polar liquid was similar to that of premium motor spirit. The environmental and health effects of such pollution is discussed. Routine monitoring of well waters in close proximity to petroleum pipelines is suggested

Physico-chemical and Microbial Studies on Sachet Water consumed in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Sixty samples of twenty brands of sachet water were assessed for their suitability for human consumption. The parameters determined were appearance, odour, pH, conductivity, acidity, alkalinity, total hardness, sulphate, chloride, iron, lead, arsenic, zinc and total bacterial count. All the samples were clear in appearance without objectionable odour. The pH values of seventeen brands (85%) were within the W.H.O. limits. The conductivities of only three brands (15%) were within the limits while the values of acidities for all the brands were above the recommended limit. The values of alkalinity of three brands (15%) and total hardness for fourteen brands (70%) were within the limits. All the values of sulphate and chloride were below the W.H.O. limits. Eight brands (40%) had values within the recommended limits for iron, sixteen (80%) within the limit for lead, thirteen (65%) within the limit for arsenic and all brands were within the limit for zinc. Only seven brands (35%) had zero coliform count while four brands (20%) had high bacterial load with coliform counts between 4.00 ± 0.34 and 6.00 ± 0.50/100cm3. Measures which can improve the quality of ‘pure water’ are proposed