[R & D]: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

IMOLITES: WHAT IS OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD?

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< Nigeria: African Countries Adopt Controversial Deadly Chemical, DDT, for Malaria Treatment By Tobore Ovuorie, 17 July 2013 Related Topics Nigeria "Exposure to DDT at amounts that would be needed in malaria control might cause preterm birth and early weaning... " Amidst staggering mortality and morbidity rates due to malaria in the African continent, African Heads of State and Government have adopted the use of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a controversial chemical, as the means of eradicating malaria in the continent, This came after several debates which commenced Wednesday July 10 at a meeting of Health Ministers of various African countries; and continued at meetings of Ambassadors and members of the Permanent Representative Council of the African Union on July 12. The final decision for DDT adoption was arrived at after another round of debate on Tuesday July 16, during a meeting of the African heads of state and government, which ended same day. However, long before its adoption by African leaders, concerns have been raised about the negative impact of the chemical on the health of humans. DDT is a tasteless, colourless chemical that was successfully used in the second half of World War II to control malaria among civilians and troops. It was then regarded as a contact poison against several arthropods; hence, was also used as an agricultural insecticide, while its production and use skyrocketed. The use of the chemical was first questioned by an American biologist, Rachel Carson, who wrote about the environmental impacts of the indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the United States and questioned the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment without fully understanding their effects on ecology or human health. The book, Silent Spring, published in 1962, suggested that DDT and other pesticides may cause cancer and that their agricultural use was a threat to wildlife and plants. Its publication birthed the environmental movement, and resulted in a large public outcry which eventually led to DDT being banned for agricultural use in the U.S. in 1972. More than 600,000 tonnes were applied in the U.S. before the 1972 ban. The chemical was subsequently banned for agricultural use worldwide under the Stockholm Convention, but its limited use in disease vector control continues till date, but remains controversial. Notwithstanding the controversies, 3314 tonnes were produced in 2009 for the control of malaria. In humans, medical researchers say it may affect health through genotoxicity or endocrine disruption. Genotoxicity involves the damage of the genetic information within a cell which then causes mutations, and which could lead to cancer. Further study results say it affects future generations of the primary affected person. Endocrine disruption on the other hand involves negative interference of the hormone system in humans. These disruptions, results of medical researches state, can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. This specifically, could lead to learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder, cognitive and brain development problems; deformations of the body (including limbs); breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid and other cancers; sexual development problems. Several African countries including Nigeria, however, argued that there were benefits in the use of the chemical. Nigeria, South Africa others approve Nigeria's Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, during the Abuja meeting, emphasized that the World Health Organization has cleared use of DDT in countries where mosquitoes are resistant to other insecticide, noting that the manner of usage is what matters. "Some countries are using them. In the health sector, it's to be used indoors, not outdoors. It is the Agricultural sector that doesn't need DDT. We are not here for rhetorics but to seek the way forward and the summit and African Union is primarily for that purpose," he stated. Also, the South African representative reiterated that it is important for all African leaders to eliminate malaria in Africa, thus, queried why DDT comes under attack annually whenever it is raised as a means of eradicating malaria. "If we stop using it, we are sentencing our people to death. Every other continent used DDT to eradicate malaria, so why is our turn different in Africa?" He said that within five years, South African had a 600 per cent increase in malaria rate from 1996 when the country stopped using DDT. "We had no choice but revert to it. DDT must remain here until a more effective chemical is discovered. We want to emphasize that it must not be removed from our agreed agenda on how to eradicate malaria in Africa," he said. The Commissioner, Social Affairs of the African Union Commission, Mustapha Kaloko, called for the inclusion of DDT as the means of eradicating malaria in the region. He however noted that it is not to be generally used while food items must be covered and kept away and "only walls and ceilings are to be sprayed". "DDT will remain in the agenda as the major means for the eradication of malaria in the continent," he said. Consequently, all African leaders except Central African Republic which sent no delegate adopted the inclusion of DDT as the chemical to be used in eradicating malaria in the region. Though DDT has been adopted by the African leaders as the key to eradicating malaria in the continent, fear still lingers even in Nigeria as well as other African countries over its usage. Delegates who are against its usage were however scared of having their names in print when PREMIUM TIMES spoke to them. One of the Nigerian delegates, who was against DDT being adopted, told PREMIUM TIMES that "I want malaria eradicated but I am really scared about the negative impact this would have on the health of Africans. DDT is a renowned controversial chemical with grieve impact on health of mammals; and humans are at the worst receiving end." Other delegates from countries like the Republic of Chad and Mozambique equally shared same views as their Nigerian counterpart. Effects of DDT on human health Studies from the United States, Canada, and Sweden link DDT to diabetes; while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that DDT exposure damages the reproductive system and reduces reproductive success in humans. These effects, the agency says, may cause developmental and reproductive toxicity. "Research has shown that exposure to DDT at amounts that would be needed in malaria control might cause preterm birth and early weaning ... toxicological evidence shows endocrine-disrupting properties; human data also indicate possible disruption in semen quality, menstruation, gestational length, and duration of lactation" The Lancet- a science journal also states. According to epidemiological studies on humans, exposure to DDT could also lead to premature birth and low birth weight, and may even harm a mother's ability to breast feed. Recently, other researchers from the United States, Canada, and Australia argued that these effects may increase infant deaths, thus, offsetting any anti-malarial benefits. A study carried out at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2006 indicated that children exposed while in the womb have a greater chance of development problems, while other studies have discovered that even low levels of DDT at birth are associated with decreased attention at infancy as well as decreased cognitive skills. In other related researches from around the globe, it was discovered that daughters of highly exposed women to this chemical may have more difficulty getting pregnant. This is called increased time to pregnancy, TTP, in medical parlance. Similarly, women who are exposed to the chemical in their first trimester of pregnancy (first three months) may have babies with retarded psychomotor development, while those who are unlucky could have a type of miscarriage called early pregnancy loss. Also, occupational exposure in agriculture and malaria control have also has been linked to neurological problems such as Parkinsons and asthma. More recent evidence from epidemiological studies, that is studies in human populations, indicate that DDT causes cancers of the liver, pancreas and breast, while contributing to leukemia, lymphoma and testicular cancer. DDT in the fight against malaria Amidst latest progress reports that malaria incidence has reduced by one-third in Africa, the preventable but killer disease remains a major public health challenge confronting the continent. As a result of this, public health officials rely on DDT to fight the disease due to its 'wonder working power'. In the 1950s and 1960s, WHO's anti-malaria campaign relied heavily on DDT and the results were promising, though temporary. Reviewing what went wrong, experts tied the resurgence of the disease to poor leadership, management and funding of malaria control programs; poverty; civil unrest; and increased irrigation. Like Nigeria's Minister of Health stated, the WHO in 2006, reversed a longstanding policy against DDT by recommending that it be used as an indoor pesticide in regions where malaria is a major problem. As of 2008, only 12 countries used DDT, including India and some Southern African states, as well as Namibia. With the African governments' adoption of the chemical on Tuesday in Abuja, the number is expected to rise. Effectiveness of DDT against malaria When it was first introduced in World War II, DDT was very effective in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. The WHO's anti-malaria campaign, which consisted mostly of spraying DDT, was initially very successful as well. For example, in Sri Lanka, the program reduced cases from about three million per year before spraying to just 18 in 1963 and 29 in 1964. Thereafter, the program was halted to save money and malaria rebounded to 600,000 cases in 1968 and the first quarter of 1969. The country resumed DDT vector control but the mosquitoes had acquired resistance in the interim, hence, the country switching to malathion, which though more expensive, proved effective. Today, DDT remains on the WHO's list of pesticides. The world health body's policy has shifted from recommending it only in areas of seasonal or episodic transmission of malaria, to also advocating it in areas of continuous, intense transmission. South Africa is one country that continues to use DDT under WHO guidelines. In 1996, the country switched to alternative insecticides and malaria incidence increased dramatically. Returning to DDT and introducing new drugs brought malaria back under control. Making a case for the pesticide, Namibia's Minister of Health, Richard Kamwir, told PREMIUM TIMES that "DDT is effective against resistant mosquitoes. Mosquitoes avoid DDT-sprayed walls and this is what we used in my country. DDT is the best pesticide for malaria control as resistant mosquitoes avoid treated houses". He further argued that for the pesticide to be effective, at least 80 percent of houses in any vicinity must be sprayed if not, its effectiveness would be jeopardized. "People don't like DDT because of the lingering smell and stains on the walls, but I can confidently tell you that it worked for us" he added. When to use DDT Many global research experts however urge that alternatives be used instead of DDT. An epidemiologist, Brenda Eskenazi, said "We know DDT can save lives by repelling and killing disease-spreading mosquitoes. But evidence suggests that people living in areas where DDT is used are exposed to very high levels of the pesticide. The only published studies on health effects conducted in these populations have shown profound effects on male fertility. Clearly, more research is needed on the health of populations where indoor residual spraying is occurring, but in the meantime, DDT should really be the last resort against malaria rather than the first line of defense." Donor agencies against DDT usage At the moment, the African continent is largely dependent on donor agencies for most of her programmes, including malaria control. As a result of this, there are fears that the decision to use DDT may witness some challenges. It has been alleged that donor governments and agencies shy from funding DDT spraying, or make aid contingent upon not using DDT. According to a report in the British Medical Journal, use of DDT in Mozambique "was stopped several decades ago, because 80 percent of the country's health budget came from donor funds, and donors refused to allow the use of DDT." Before now, many countries had been under pressure from international health and environment agencies to give up DDT or face losing aid grants. Belize and Bolivia admitted to have given in to pressure on this issue from United States Agency for International Development, USAID. The USAID has been the focus of much criticism. But the agency is currently funding the use of DDT in some African countries, though it did not in the past. The Agency's website states that "USAID has never had a 'policy' as such either 'for' or 'against' DDT for IRS. The real change in the past two years (2006/07) has been a new interest and emphasis on the use of IRS in general - with DDT or any other insecticide - as an effective malaria prevention strategy in tropical Africa." The website further explains that in many cases, alternative malaria control measures were judged to be more cost-effective that DDT spraying, and so were funded instead. The way forward A WHO study released in January 2008 found that mass distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and artemisinin-based drugs cut malaria deaths in half in Rwanda and Ethiopia- two countries with high malaria burdens. DDT, the study states, did not play an important role in mortality reduction in these countries. Vietnam as well has enjoyed declining malaria cases and a 97 percent mortality reduction after switching in 1991 from a poorly funded DDT-based campaign, to a program based on prompt treatment, bed nets, and pyrethroid group insecticides. A review of 14 studies on the subject in sub-Saharan Africa, covering insecticide-treated nets, residual spraying, chemoprophylaxis for children, chemoprophylaxis or intermittent treatment for pregnant women, a hypothetical vaccine, and changing front-line drug treatment, found decision making limited by the gross lack of information on the costs and effects of many interventions, the very small number of cost-effectiveness analyses available, the lack of evidence on the costs and effects of packages of measures, and the problems in generalizing or comparing studies that relate to specific settings and use different methodologies and outcome measures. The two cost-effectiveness estimates of DDT residual spraying examined were not found to provide an accurate estimate of the cost-effectiveness of DDT spraying; furthermore, the resulting estimates may not be good predictors of cost-effectiveness in current programs. However, a study in Thailand found the cost per malaria case prevented of DDT spraying ($1.87 US) to be 21 per cent greater than the cost per case prevented of lambda-cyhalothrin-treated nets ($1.54 US). Thus, casting some doubt on the unexamined assumption that DDT was the most cost-effective measure to use in all cases. The director of Mexico's malaria control program found similar results, declaring that it is 25 percent cheaper for Mexico to spray a house with synthetic pyrethroids than with DDT. However, another study in South Africa found generally lower costs for DDT spraying than for nets. A comparison of four successful programs against malaria in Brazil, India, Eritrea, and Vietnam does not endorse any single strategy but instead states, "Common success factors included conducive country conditions, a targeted technical approach using a package of effective tools, data-driven decision-making, active leadership at all levels of government, involvement of communities, decentralized implementation and control of finances, skilled technical and managerial capacity at national and sub-national levels, hands-on technical and programmatic support from partner agencies, and sufficient and flexible financing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- b>..Mass. girl, parents awarded $63M in Motrin lawsuit Mass. teenager who lost skin after adverse reaction to Motrin awarded $50M, parents get $13M By Rodrique Ngowi, Associated Press | Associated Press – 19 hrs ago....Email0Share10 BOSTON (AP) -- Health care company Johnson & Johnson has been told to pay a teenager and her parents $63 million after she suffered a life-threatening drug reaction and lost most of her skin when she took a children's pain reliever nearly a decade ago. Johnson & Johnson and its McNeil-PPC Inc. subsidiary should pay Samantha Reckis and her parents a total of $109 million, including interest, a Plymouth Superior Court jury decided on Wednesday. Samantha was 7 when she was given Motrin brand ibuprofen, family attorney Brad Henry said. She suffered a rare side effect known as toxic epidermal necrolysis and lost 90 percent of her skin and was blinded, he said. She suffered brain damage that "thankfully" involved only short-term memory loss, he said, and surgeons had to drill through her skull to relieve some pressure. The disease also seared Samantha's respiratory system, and she now has just 20 percent lung capacity, Henry said. The family filed the lawsuit in January 2007, claiming that Samantha was blinded by Motrin and alleging that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers that the drug could cause life-threatening reactions. The five-week trial ended on Wednesday when the jury awarded $50 million in compensatory damages to Samantha and $6.5 million to each of her parents. Samantha, now 16 years old, had previously taken Motrin without suffering any side effects. Her parents began giving her the medication to reduce fever that began the day after Thanksgiving in 2003. The resulting toxic epidermal necrolysis — a potentially fatal skin disease that inflames the mucus membranes and eyes and is marked by a rash that burns off the outer layer of skin — puzzled physicians. It inflamed Samantha's throat, mouth, eyes, esophagus, intestinal tract, respiratory system and reproductive system, forcing physicians to put her in a coma. The McNeil unit of Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., which is based in New Brunswick, N.J., said it disagreed with the verdict and was considering additional legal options. "The Reckis family has suffered a tragedy, and we sympathize deeply with them," it said in a statement. But the firm sought to defend Children's Motrin, saying it is "labeled appropriately" and when used as directed is "a safe and effective treatment option for minor aches and pains and fever." "A number of medicines, including ibuprofen, have been associated with allergic reactions and as noted on the label, consumers should stop using medications and immediately contact a healthcare professional if they have an allergic reaction," it said in the statement. Samantha, who lives in Plymouth, is an honor student but has to work twice as hard as other students to retain the same amount of information, Henry said. She doesn't want to let her plight hold her down, he said. In a similar case in Pennsylvania, a girl was awarded $10 million in 2011 after an adverse reaction to Children's Motrin caused her to lose 84 percent of her skin, suffer brain damage and go blind. ___ Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie contributed to this report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Herbal preparations boost male, female fertility . Thursday, 22 November 2012 00:00 CHUKWUMA MUANYA Features - Natural Health . Herbal preparations made of plants including ginger, sweet potato and cowhage have been shown to be effective in treating male and female infertility by several clinical trials. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes. SEVERAL studies have shown that the number of infertile couples is on the rise or rather the number of couples unable to achieve pregnancy at least three years after marriage. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines infertility as the failure to conceive after one year of regular unprotected intercourse with the same partner. Indeed, more men are firing blanks as a result of low sperm count and quality. The women are not faring better. More women are shedding fewer and poor quality eggs due to hormonal and menstrual disorders. Defects in sperms are associated with low sperm concentration (oligospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenospermia) or abnormal sperm morphology (teratospermia). These defects are collectively called as oligoasthenoteratospermia. Menstrual disorders include: oligomenorrhoea is infrequent menses occurring at intervals longer than 35 days; menorrhagia is excessive menses in amount (greater than 80 ml. blood loss per cycle) as well as duration (greater than five days); Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) is excessive uterine bleeding where the cause cannot be detected. Dysmenorrhoea is menstruation associated with severe pain. But herbal preparations made specifically for men and another for women have shown promise in clinical trials. A combination of plants extracts has been demonstrated to prevent premature ejaculation, and boost sperm quality, quantity and motility. A clinical study on Addyzoa, produced by Charak Pharmaceuticals India and marketed in Nigeria by Fidson Healthcare Plc, concluded that treatment with the drug is effective in improving the semen quality by increasing the sperm count and sperm motility. Also, clinical trial of another herbal preparation marketed as M2 Tone showed that it is very effective in the treatment of unexplained infertility in females; and in irregular menstruation, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea, sterility and menopausal disturbances such as leg cramps, irritability, lack of concentration, hot flushes. M2 Tone syrup is a herbo-mineral formulation blended with 47 natural chemically active ingredients, known for their efficacy in various gynaecological conditions. Addyzoa is made of plants such as Emblica officinalis (Phyllanthus embilica), Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Asparagus racemosus, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Mucuna pruriens, Sida cordifolia, and Ipomoea digitata. While M2 Tone is made up of plants such as Andropogon muricatus,Cuminum cyminum, Zingiber officinale, Caryophyllus aromaticus, Piper cubeba, Bombax malabaricum, Symplocos racemosa, Bryonia laciniosa, Terminalia chebula, Ficus bengalensis,, and Asparugas racemosus. Zingiber officinale is commonly called ginger. It is of plant family Zingiberaceae. Ipomoea digitata, commonly called sweet potato, belongs to the plant family Convolvulaceae. Mucuna pruriens is commonly called cowhage or velvet bean. It is known as werepe in Yoruba and agbala or agboloko in Ibo. The velvet bean plant is notorious for the spiky hairs on the mature bean pods that are very irritating to the skin. Tinospora cordifolia is a plant that belongs to the menispermaceae family. The common names of the plant include hearth leaves and moon seed. It is called epa ikun in Yoruba. Chroropphytum tuberosum belongs to Anthericaceae family. It is called albasar kwadi in Hausa. Asparagus racemosus belongs to the plant family Asparagaceae. The plant grows throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of India up to an altitude of 1500 metre. Withania somnifera belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is called burrwood, horse root, Winter cherry in English. It is called karama anta in Hausa. Sida cordifolia (bala, country mallow, heart-leaf sida or flannel weed) is a perennial sub-shrub of the mallow family Malvaceae. Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis), the Indian gooseberry, or aamla’, is a deciduous tree of the Phyllanthaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name. The clinical study on M2 Tone was conducted on 50 women of unexplained infertility at the final count. 50 per cent each were administered M2 Tone syrup and placebo to scientifically reassess efficacy at primary level. M2 Tone is also marketed in Nigeria by Fidson Healthcare Plc. The results of the clinical trials published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology showed “33.3 per cent conception rate with full safety in M2 Tone group, even though the duration of the trial was short, nine months. One conception was reported in the patients on placebo. Additionally, in 36.3 per cent women, M2 Tone cured menstrual irregularities. All the women with menorrhagia and hypomenorrhoea and 75 per cent with spasmodic dysmenorrhoea responded favourably. The mechanism by which M2 Tone acts is by its proven ‘estrogenic’ effect on the female reproductive system, either directly or through pituitary gonadotropins, as also by its ‘antioxytocic’ activity.” Another study titled “Role of an Ayurvedic Formulation M2-T0NE in Gynaecological Disorders” and published The Antiseptic A Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery concluded: “A short term clinical study using M2-TONE syrup was undertaken on 100 patients suffering from DUB, vaginal white discharge, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhoea, delayed puberty, sterility, menopausal syndrome. Immediate response seems encouraging in patients from irregular cycles, dysmenorrhoea, DUB, vaginal discharge, menopausal syndrome and raise hopes in sterility.” Researchers have also found that M2 Tone could be successfully used to enhance implantation Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)/ In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). Meanwhile, a double-blind, randomised controlled trial was planned to evaluate the efficacy of an antioxidant herbo-mineral formulation, Addyzoa in oligoasthenospermia in comparison with Ubiquinone published recently in Phytopharmacology & Therapeutic Values III concluded: “Treatment with Addyzoa is effective in improving the semen quality by increasing the sperm count and enhancing sperm motility and morphology. “Treatment with Addyzoa resulted in a larger increase in sperm count as compared to Ubiquinone, though the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, a significant increase of 1.5 to 2 times in motility was observed with Addyzoa and Ubiquinone treatment. Improvement in morphology was also observed in both groups. Thus, Addyzoa is a better option for treating male infertility as it also provides an advantage over Ubiquinone in terms of cost of therapy. Further trials in a larger number of patients are required to corroborate the findings of this study.” In previous studies, the efficacy and safety of Addyzoa in improving seminal parameters has been studied extensively. The effect of six month’s therapy with Addyzoa on sperm parameters was investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 200 men with idiopathic subfertility. The results indicated that Addyzoa resulted in statistically significant improvements in sperm density (368 per cent), motility (197 per cent) and morphology (183 per cent) as well as other routine sperm tests. Pregnancy rates among the subfertile couples, to which these men belonged, were found to be 25 per cent with Addyzoa over a two-year follow-up period as compared to two per cent with placebo. The effects of Addyzoa on male factor subfertility have also been compared with clomiphene citrate. In a six-month, randomized study of Addyzoa in 100 men in comparison with clomiphene, treatment with Addyzoa resulted in statistically significant improvements in sperm density, motility, morphology as well as other routine sperm tests. The study was published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- News / Africa Outdated Drugs Slow Nigerian Malaria Treatment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malaria patientsxMalaria patients Related Articles African Governments Urged to Increase Health Investment Study: Malaria Drugs Significantly Prevent Disease in AfricaMobile Phones Used to Track October 25, 2012 ANKA, NIGERIA — A large percentage of people killed by malaria each year are in Nigeria, and the disease is the country’s number one killer of small children. Health officials say modern life-saving drugs are available but the widespread use of out-dated drugs on a resistant strain of malaria continues to cost lives. In this hospital in Nigeria's Zamfara State, these small patients have malaria. Mothers travel for hours to get to treatment for their children because there is no medicine in their villages. "I brought the baby here because I noticed he had a high fever, and then he got diarrhea,” explains a mother. Aid workers say the current surge in malaria began over the summer, and patients continue to pour in. "At the end of July, my team called me and said, ‘Malaria exploded," says Chloe Wurr, a physician with Doctors Without Borders in the northern state of Sokoto. "We have so many children coming. Some of them arrived and we could barely keep them alive. They died before we could give them treatment." Wurr says one out of every 10 children with severe malaria here dies, and that's with the best of care. "Heath personnel are often very committed and want to help their community but they often don’t have the resources to treat people," she said. "If I do find any treatment present, it’s usually that that health worker has gone to a local pharmacy and purchased a drug and the drug they are most likely to purchase is chloroquine.” The doctor says chloroquine can treat malaria in some countries. But in Nigeria, the disease has been resistant to the drug since the 1980s. There are drugs that have been effective against malaria in Nigeria for the past decade and they are known as ACTs. However Doctors Without Borders says the vast majority of clinics they have visited in the country don't have them, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says they are not available to most Nigerians. The Nigerian government says it’s planning to increase ACT availability along with providing more bed-nets, which can keep the mosquitoes that transmit the disease from biting in the night. But with the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) saying that 250,000 Nigerian children under the age of five die every year from malaria, aid workers claim the program has a long way to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pharmacist unveils antimalaria herbal vaccine By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha 07/06/2012 00:00:00 A NATURAL health expert, Dr Benjamin Amodu, is exploring phyto-medicine to boost the treatment of malaria. According to him, his interest in research and development of his polyherbal formulation for the treatment of malaria, called SAABMAL, is based on the fact that many Africans use alternative medicine without informing their physicians. He said more than 80 per cent of the population in the underdeveloped and the developed countries depend on herbal medicines. He said: “The major problem with herbal medicines in Africa still remains their poor and sometimes unhealthy presentation, as well as scientific data supporting folkloric use. Standardisation of herbal medicines, therefore, should be a major interest for researchers, especially in Africa. “A major aspect of this standardisation process includes the assessment of the efficacy and safety of such herbal medicines, as well as development of suitable dosage forms and stability,” he said. Explaining the formulation, Amodu said studies were conducted on SAABMALA, “including a presentation on the standardisation of SAABMALA at the Fourth African Network for Drugs and Diagnostic Innovation (ANDI)/World Health Organisation(WHO) stakeholders’meeting and donors conference at a United Nations Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “In the study, SAABMALA, this is already a trademark and has been evaluated for its activity against chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK 65 strain) in their different experimental animal models for vivo antimalarial activities (prophylactic, suppressive and curative) in mice. “Chloroquine and pyriimethanine were used as standard drugs for comparison. The formulation showed significant (P<0.01) antimalarial activities that were either comparable or better than those of the standard drugs. The result obtained established the efficiency of this polyherbal formulation against malaria infection and suggests that, with proper scientific validation and standardisation, herbal medicines can be developed for integration into our health care delivery systems in Africa.” On the formulation of the polyherbal antimalarial and malaria vaccine, Amodu said the components are from Nigeria (precisely from Igala). “The constituents of the product are under scientific analysis at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Idu, Abuja. The poly-product contains seven different plants Allium sativum, Cymbopogon citrates, Vernonia amygdalina, Saccharun officinarum, Amaranthus caudatus, Aloe barbadensis and Sesamum indicatum,” he added. Malaria is not the only area of interest of this pharmacist-turned traditional-phytotherapist, but diverse health conditions, and all the ingredients are well-researched and clinically certified by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and development (NIPRID). He is operating under the name Halamin Herbal Products (a subsidiary of Halamin Chemicals Nigeria Limited). So far, honour has come the way of this industrial pharmacist, who is a Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence. For using herbal leaves, spices and roots to provide cure for diseases and ailments, the African Leadership Magazine conferred on him a Lifetime Achievement Award in Lagos. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigeria has technology that can remove tumours without open surgery – Surgeon

ON FEBRUARY 13, 2012 • IN HEALTH

Abuja – Dr Celsius Undie, a Consultant Urological surgeon, has said that the technology that can remove cancer tumours without cutting open a patient, is available in Nigeria .
Undie, who disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, decried a situation where Nigerians spent huge sums going abroad for surgery.
He explained that in the past three years, Kelina Hospital, Abuja, had hosted a team of international surgeons who were in Nigeria to perform surgeries for free and to teach Nigerian surgeons.
The urologist said that the Surgical Aid Foundation (SAF), an NGO, and other stakeholders help subsidize the cost of these surgeries for patients.
“We invited a team from the Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU) and the president himself will be coming to work with our Nigerian surgeons in a week long endeavour in March.”
Undie stated that they would not be carrying out any surgeries outside the field of urology because of the type of equipment available and the specialty of the visiting surgeons.
“The people who are coming are also urological surgeon and we will do minimal access surgeries with urological equipment from this hospital.”
“We are going to do only minimal access surgery; there is no point in doing open surgery. Open surgery means cutting the body open, which is what everybody is doing in the country now.
“we have acquired a lot of equipment which some other hospitals do not have and we want to show people that we can do these surgeries.
“They don’t need to travel to Europe or North America or India to get these surgeries done; they can have them done in the country.
“We are bringing a team that has been doing these surgeries for a very long time, to expose ourselves so they can see what we are doing and see if we are doing it the way it supposed to be done, so that we don’t begin to think that we know everything.”
Undies stated that one of the reasons for not carrying out open surgery was to prove to Nigerians that they did not need to travel abroad to get such services.
He said that the time and money sick people wasted on getting visas and traveling abroad should go into improving the Nigerian health industry instead.
He said that endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical services, now available in the country, were not adequately covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Undie explained that as a result, such surgeries had remained expensive for people who did not qualify for the surgical outreach.
According to him, the cost can be compared to the amount of time and money that goes into traveling abroad for treatment or time wasted recovering from open surgery.
“What we mean by there’ll be no open surgery is that all the surgeries will be done endoscopically, laparoscopically. They will not cut the body open; we go through natural orifices in the body to get surgeries done inside the body, without cutting the body open.
“That is minimal access surgery; we are following the tract, where the urine passes to come out of the body to go into the prostate and remove it without a wound outside.
“We can go into the bladder and remove cancer from the bladder without any external wound; we can go into the urethra – urethra is a small tube that joins the kidney to the bladder and there may be stones there.
“We could use lasers or some other technology to break up the stones without cutting the body open. We could do all these surgeries without cutting open the body and the next day the patient is gone.”
Undie said that with such services, patients could be sure of speedier recovery.
He added that Kelina Hospital might consider doing another batch of surgeries later in the year depending on the outcome of the surgeries in March. (NAN)


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Novel Drug Shown to Slow Breast Cancer Growth Available in Markey Clinical Trial

Published: Jan 6, 2012 SHARE:

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2012) — A new drug that could slow breast cancer metastasis by several months is currently available in a clinical trial at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

The novel agent, everolimus/RAD001 (BOLERO-2), was given in conjunction with exemestane, a hormone therapy treatment that deprives tumors of estrogen to slow their growth. Everolimus works by inhibiting mTOR, a protein that often spurs tumor growth after tumors become resistant to hormone therapy.

The BOLERO-2 trial, presented this month at the San Antonio Breast Symposium, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that women who took both everolimus and exemestane had a median progression-free survival of almost 11 months compared with about four months for those who took a placebo plus exemestane.

Though everolimus isn't ready for widespread use yet — it needs FDA approval first— it is available as part of a clinical trial at the UK Markey Cancer Center for women with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer that has not responded to aromatase inhibitor therapy. The Markey trial combines everolimus with fulvestrant, another form of antiestrogen treatment.

Breast oncologist Dr. Suleiman Massarweh is the principal investigator for the project. The use of everolimus in conjunction with hormone therapy has been a major part of his work on endocrine therapy resistance for years now.

"This is an exciting time for novel therapies in hormone positive breast cancer, an area that has been my focus of research for 10 years,” Massarweh said. "It is gratifying to see this field grow and impact patient care, and for us to be at the forefront of this research."

For more information on this clinical trial, patients or physicans can contact Massarweh directly at massarweh@uky.edu or (859) 257-3608. For more information on other clinical trials at the UK Markey Cancer Center, visit the Markey website.

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Nigeria spends N130b on importation of malaria drugs, says minister

FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2011 00:00 FROM JOKE AKANMU, ABUJA BUSINESS SERVICES - BUSINESS NEWS

THE importation saga that has been assailing the nation’s economy, also found expression in the country’s pharmaceutical sector, as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, recently disclosed that Nigeria spends N130 billion yearly on the importation of malaria drugs.
This development is coming on the heels of local manufacturers’ claim that they have enough capacity to satisfy the domestic market.
The minister gave the figure while receiving the management team of the Nigerian Medicinal Development Company, led by its Managing Director, Hajiya Zainab Sheriff, hinting that it was mobilising banks and private sector to invest in medicinal plants development in the country to curb importation of malaria drugs.
He said: “The global value of medicinal plants is put at $80 billion, and Nigeria spends N130 billion yearly on importation of malaria drugs alone. Artemisia which has been found to be very effective in the treatment of malaria will save the country a lot of money.”
“God has given us so much and we must start thinking of how to make money from these resources. China, India, Tanzania, Kenya and other countries have commercialised their medicinal plants and we cannot afford to be left behind,” he added
Adesina informed that his ministry would work closely with the company to ascertain the derivable value chain in the plants in order to attract investment from the banks and the rest of the private sector.
He emphasised the benefits of commercialising the medicinal plants saying it would in addition to ensuring a healthy nation create wealth and employment for the teaming unemployed particularly the women who constitute the greater percentage of the farming population.
He however, commended the commitment of the company in the strides made so far in the medicinal plants development.
Earlier, the Nigeria Medicinal Plants Development Company, Hajia Zainab Sherrif said the company has successfully cultivated Artemisia plants in large commercial quantities in the country and has discovered six additional medicinal plants that are grown in the six geo political zones of the country.
She revealed that Artemisia plant, which was, hitherto thought to be grown only in China, has been found to grow successfully in Africa, specifically in Tanzania, Kenya, Congo and Madagascar adding that Nigeria is the first country in the West African sub region to grow the crop.
Artemisia has been found to be very effective in the treatment of malaria.
Briefing the minister on the progress made by the company so far, the managing director said it was incorporated in 2007 for the sole purpose of developing the anti malaria drug, adding that the mandate of the company was later expanded to cover more areas than Artemisia.
“We have embarked on an advocacy campaign to sensitise the relevant agencies of government that are stake holders in this project to get them ready for our products which will soon be made available in the open market,” she said.
Sheriff averred that the world was going back to nature stressing that the global value of medicinal plants was $80 billion yearly but regretted that Nigeria was not a player on the global market.
She revealed that producing a new drug takes about 20 years and the expenditure inquired was over $50 million and urged Nigerians to embrace medicinal plants, which she said are environmentally friendly.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), said that the over 100 pharmaceutical manufacturing firms operating in the country have sufficient capacity to meet the demand for drugs.
Chairman of the group, Bunmi Olaopa, said that the sub-sector has been equipped with the wherewithal to meet local demand for quality drugs.
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Bristol-Myers Squibb And Gilead Sciences Announce Licensing Agreement for Development And Commercialization Of New Fixed-Dose Combination Pill For People Living With HIV

October 27, 2011
PRINCETON, N.J. & FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and Gilead Sciences, Inc.

(Nasdaq: GILD) today announced a licensing agreement for Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop and commercialize a fixed-dose combination containing Bristol-Myers Squibb's protease inhibitor REYATAZ®(atazanavir sulfate) and Gilead's cobicistat, a pharmacoenhancing or "boosting" agent that increases blood levels of certain HIV medicines to potentially allow for one pill once daily dosing. Gilead is currently studying atazanavir and cobicistat in Phase 2 and 3 studies in HIV-1 treatment-naïve patients.
"This agreement represents a shared commitment between Gilead and Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop multiple treatment options that can address individual patient needs."
REYATAZ is a prescription medicine used in combination with other medicines to treat people 6 years of age and older who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). REYATAZ should not be taken if patients are allergic to REYATAZ or to any of its ingredients.
Bristol-Myers Squibb will be responsible for the formulation, manufacturing, development, registration, distribution, and commercialization of the REYATAZ and cobicistat fixed-dose combination worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay Gilead an undisclosed royalty based on annual net sales of the product. Gilead retains sole rights for the manufacture, development and commercialization of cobicistat as a stand-alone product and for use in combination with other agents.
"This collaboration with Gilead builds on Bristol-Myers Squibb's longstanding commitment to develop medicines that have the potential to provide meaningful benefit to HIV patients, specifically aiming to enhance treatment options," said Elliott Sigal, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer & President, R&D, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "A REYATAZ and cobicistat fixed-dose combination has the potential not only to help simplify HIV therapy but also to address an unmet medical need in HIV for additional, innovative treatment options."
"Cobicistat provides us with the potential to co-formulate with a variety of commercially available HIV medicines that require boosting for optimal efficacy, such as the protease inhibitor atazanavir," said Norbert Bischofberger, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer, Gilead Sciences. "This agreement represents a shared commitment between Gilead and Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop multiple treatment options that can address individual patient needs."
Cobicistat is Gilead's proprietary potent mechanism-based inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), an enzyme that metabolizes drugs in the body. Cobicistat is an investigational product and has not yet been determined to be safe or efficacious in humans.

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Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria

JCSN, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2008

Homepage

Contents
Sorption of lead (II) from aqueous solutions using chemically modified and unmodified Dioscorea alata (Yam) and Manihot esculenta (Cassava) peels

B.O. Opeolu, O. Bamgbose, T.A. Arowolo and M.T.Adetunji


1

Mobility profile of heavy metals in selected automobile workshops in Anambra State, Nigeria

J.O. Ogbuagu, M. Orji and A.S. Ogbuagu
11

Evaluation of physicochemical and sensory properties of soybean-sweet potato supplementary foods

P.I. Akubor
15

Colorimetric determination of mebendazole using chloranilic acid

U. Ajali, B. Ezema and P.O. Ukoha
23

Baseline heavy metals concentration in river sediments within Okitipupa Southeast belt of the Nigerian bituminous sand field

Ademola F. Aiyesanmi
29

Temporal and spatial variations of benzene in the atmosphere

E.G. Olumayede, J.M. Okuo, E.E. Ukpebor and A. P. Oviawe
42

Chelation of zinc (II) metal ion from waste water with biopolymeric chitosan ligand produced from snail shell

S. Adewuyi, T.F. Akinhanmi, E.O. Taiwo and A. A. Adeyemi
46

Enhanced metal adsorption by groundnut husks modified with citric acid

M.E. Chukwuedo and F.E. Okiemen
50

The fluorides content of drinking water samples from Ndokwa Area, South - South Nigeria

S.H.O. Egboh and E.M. Emeshili
54

Elemental analysis of some cocoyam species marked in South-Esthern part of Nigeria

P.C. Njoku, A.A. Ayuk and O.N. Egwim
62

Synthesis of thiamine analogues for use as internal standards in the chromatographic assay of thiamine and its phosphorylated metabolites

Ndoni, Solomon Ameniyegba
65

Monitoring the possible effect of garlic additive on the properties of natural rubber vulcanzite

E.G. Olumayede and B.F. Adeosun
70

Evaluation of corn shealth, corn cob and plantain peels as potential alkali sources for soap production

S.O. Okoh, M.O. Oresanya, F. Ezebor, S. A. Ajani and A.S. Ahmed
79

Comparative study on the use of bronsted and lewis acids as dextrinization catalysts for sorghum starch. 1: HCl and FeCl3

Ikechukwu D. Anyaogu and Paul M. Ejikeme
83

Heavy metal concentrations in urban water-wells: A case study of owerri municipal

Chidi Edbert Duru, Victor Obinna Njoku and Chidi Obi
89

Dissolving pulp from corn husk via peroxyacetic acid delignification: effects of process time and temperature

Ikechukwu D. Anyaogu and Paul M. Ejikeme
94

Effect of storage temperature on rancidity in some commercial vegetable oils sold in Idah town, Kogi State

P.I. Akubor
100

Equilibrium studies of the reaction of 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) with the oxyhaemoglobin derivative of pigeon haemoglobin

O.V. Akpoveta and S.A. Osakwe
105

Fractionation of Ni and V in wetland soils and their distribution in tissues of the oil palm

P.O. Oviasogie, A.E. Aghimien and C.L. Ndiokwere
113

Solvent extraction of nigerian bitumen samples and the trace metal analysis of the produce water

H.O. Ogunsuyi, K.O. Ipinmoroti and O.O. Ajayi
124

Bleaching of red palm oil by local kaolin and activated charcoal in comparison with imported fuller’s earth

Atu Ausaji Ayuka and Victor Obi Njokub,*
130

Light fastness of natural dyes from Danta (Nesogordoia papaverifera) and Elem (Nimbodia nivea) on cotton, nylon 66 and acrylic fabrics

J. O. Otutu
135

Sequential fractionation of cadmium, copper, lead and chromium in soils around municipal solid waste dumps in Agbor, Nigeria

S.A. Osakwe and F. Egharevba
139

Levels of heavy metals in Uca pugilator and Drepane africana from Ase River, South-South Nigeria

E.M. Emeshili and S.H.O. Egboh
148

Studies on the tannins of breadfruit (Treculia africana) husks: Extraction and characterization

P.O. Ukoha, P. M. Ejikeme and C.C. Maju
152

Proximate analysis of three popular local varieties of rice

M.E. Chukwuedo and A. Odia
157

Rheological properties and state of cure of natural rubber compounded with blend of carbonized melon seed shell and carbon black

J.U. Iyasele and F.E. Okieimen
162

Air quality assessment in a crude oil producing community with a flow station

S.A. Uzoekwe, E.E. Ukpebor and S.I. Ahonkhai
168


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SORPTION OF LEAD (II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING CHEMICALLY MODIFIED AND UNMODIFIED Dioscorea alata (Yam) and Manihot esculenta (Cassava) PEELS



B.O. Opeolu1, O. Bamgbose*1, T.A. Arowolo1 and M.T.Adetunji2,

1Department of Environmental Management & Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

2 Department of Soil Science and Land Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

(Received: 20th January, 2008; Accepted: 16th April, 2008)

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of D. alata and M.esculenta peels to remove lead (Pb2+) from aqueous solutions and industrial wastewaters. Effects of pH, contact time, agitation, adsorbate concentration, adsorbent weight and adsorbent modification were assessed. The experimental data obtained were analyzed in terms of Freundlich isotherms. Optimal adsorption for both peels was attained at pH 5, adsorbent weight of 16mgL-1 and a contact time of 2h. Under agitation at 150rpm, adsorption was optimal at 30 min for both residues. Adsorption rate constants for the unmodified yam and cassava biomass were 7.3 x 10-2L/min and 7.2 x 10-2L/min respectively. Pb2+ removal from battery and paint effluents for yam peels were 99.9% and 79.4% respectively at 2h contact time; corresponding values for cassava peel were 82.2% and 99.9%. Maximum sorption (100%) was however achieved for both effluents with yam peel when agitated for 30min at 150rpm while cassava peel achieved 86.2% and 100% sorption under similar conditions. Acid and alkaline modification of yam biomass did not enhance adsorption, more especially, for the effluents. However, alkaline modification of cassava peel increased adsorption. Percentage desorption was between 89.8 and 97.9 for yam peel while the values ranged between 56.6 and 99.2 for cassava peel. Characterization of the modified and unmodified biomass suggests a combination of physio-sorption and chemisorption mechanisms. The study concludes that unmodified yam and cassava peels are suitable for application in industrial wastewater remediation.
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MOBILITY PROFILE OF HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED AUTOMOBILE WORKSHOPS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA


J.O. Ogbuagu, M. Orji and A.S. Ogbuagu

Chemical Technology Unit, Production Technology Department,

Microbiology Department, Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka

(Received: 30th August, 2007; Accepted: 15th May, 2008)

Abstract

In this research work, samples of soils were collected at different depths from mechanic workshops located at Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka metropolis in Anambra State and analyzed for the heavy metal levels using a Bulk VGP 210 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed mean levels of 0.943mg/g for lead; 0.2574mg/g for Zn; 0.03858mg/g for Mg; 1.3640mg for Co; 2.1488mg.g for Ca; 1.121mg/g for Cu and 0.065mg.g for Cr. These results indicate various levels of soil pollution by heavy metals in these areas and call for concerns because of the health implication.
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EVALUATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF SOYBEAN-SWEET POTATO SUPPLEMENTARY FOODS


P.I. Akubor

Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 1037, Bida

(Received: 30th August, 2007; Accepted: 15th May, 2008)

Abstract

Supplementary foods were prepared from blends of raw (untreated) and fermented sweet potato flours, raw, fermented and germinated soybean flours. The chemical, functional and sensory properties of the supplementary foods were evaluated. The protein contents of raw soybean flour (RSBF) and raw sweet potato flour (RSPF) were 52 and 7%, respectively. Fermentation decreased the protein content of raw soybean flour (SBF) but improved that of sweet potato flour. Germination also decreased the protein content of RSBF. The protein contents of the blends ranged between 15.2 and 19.5%. The ash contents of the blends varied from 1.3 to 3.3%. The bulk density of RSPF and RSBF were 0.76 and 0.63 g/cm3; respectively and varied from 0.73-0.81 g/cm3 for the blends. All the flour samples had low value for hygroscopicity and values ranged from 0.33-5.07%. The particle density of RSBF and RSPF were 1g/cm3 and ranged from 0.95 to 1 g/cm3 for the blends. The water absorption capacity (WAC) of RSBF was 2-fold that of RSPF. Fermentation decreased the WAC of both RSPF and RSBF. The WAC of the blends varied from 94 to 98%. The reconstitution index of the blends ranged between 60 and 98ml. Sensory evaluation showed there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in colour among the supplementary foods. However, the sensory scores for texture and flavour differed significantly among the supplementary foods (P<0.05). The overall acceptability scores for the blends of RSPF and RSBF and germinated soybean flour (GSBF), FSPF and RSBF were higher than those of the other blends. All the supplementary foods were generally accepted by the panelists ------------------------------------------ COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF MEBENDAZOLE USING CHLORANILIC ACID



U. Ajali1, B. Ezema2 and P.O. Ukoha2

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

2Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

(Received: 15th January, 2008; Accepted: 2nd June, 2008)

Abstract

Spectrophotometric analysis of mebendazole-chloranilic acid complex was studied. Stable and instantaneous purple complex was formed on mixing mebendazole solution with chloranilic acid in dioxan at ambient temperature. The Job's plot of continuous variation method indicated a 1.1 stoichiometry for the interaction and the product exhibited maximum absorption band at 500 nm. The complexation attained equilibrium after 30min from time of mixing and was found to be stable-over a period of 2.5 h after which marked reduction was observed as there was decrease in absorbance. Beer's Law was obeyed over the concentration range of 3.4 x 10-5 -2.30 x 10-2 molL-1. The molar absorptivity was 1.43x10-4Lmol-1cm-1. The mean percentage recovery for assayed mebendazole tablet (vitameb ®) was 97.35%.
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BASELINE HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN RIVER SEDIMENTS WITHIN OKITIPUPA SOUTHEAST BELT OF THE NIGERIAN BITUMINOUS SAND FIELD


Ademola F. Aiyesanmi

Chemistry Department, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria.

(Received: 31st March, 2008; Accepted: 2nd June, 2008)

Abstract

Sediment samples from the course of four major rivers within the Okitipupa southeast belt of the Nigerian bituminous sand field were taken over three years and analysed for As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn using the atomic absorption spectroscopic method. Some specific physico-chemical characteristics, such as sediment particle size, pH and organic carbon content, which are known to influence the interactions and dynamics of metals within the sediment matrix, were also determined. Significant difference (p<0.05) in Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and V levels for dry and wet seasons’ results was recorded with significant seasonal variation in Pb and V concentrations. Different levels of variability in metal concentrations among the sampling points were also revealed in the calculated coefficient of variation, which ranged between 38.03% in As and 260.67% in Hg. The concentration ranges of metal (in mg/kg of dry sediment) measured were in the order of Fe(70.62 – 799.97) > Ni(15.48 – 133.47) > Cu(0.33 – 25.94) > Mn(0.88 – 15.72) > As(1.01 – 9.04) > V(nd – 2.59) > Cr(0.13 – 2.40) > Pb(0.08 – 2.18) > Hg(nd – 1.51) > Ba(0.09 – 1.19) > Zn(0.05 – 0.79 > Cd(nd – 0.08). The significant correlation (p<0.05), which, however, exists between some of the metals, suggests that they are more of lithological or crustal origin. Since bitumen exploitation is yet to commence in the area these data could serve as baseline information for future environmental performance evaluation of bitumen exploration and production processes. ----------------------------------- TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIATIONS OF BENZENE IN THE ATMOSPHERE


E.G. Olumayede1, J.M. Okuo*2, E.E. Ukpebor2 and A. P. Oviawe2

1Chemistry Unit, LEM Department, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State

2Air Pollution Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

(Received: 2nd February, 2008; Accepted: 4th June, 2008)

Abstract

The quantification of benzene in the ambient air of cities is important due to its carcinogenic effects in human’s health. Temporal and spatial variations of benzene distribution in Benin City have been assessed. Passive sampling approach (Diffusion tubes from Drager Safety, Lübeck, Germany) was adopted in this study. The samplers were exposed at a height of about 1.5m at the sampling sites and seven days sampling duration was observed. Measurement was done between February and July, 2007. One way analysis of variance (Anova) revealed significance difference (P < 0.01) in the spatial distribution of this carcinogens. Temporal variations were also significant, with higher benzene values measured in dry season. Quite remarkably, the European Union threshold benzene limit of 5mgm-3 was complied with at the sampling sites. ------------------------------------ CHELATION OF ZINC (II) METAL ION FROM WASTE WATER WITH BIOPOLYMERIC CHITOSAN LIGAND PRODUCED FROM SNAIL SHELL



S. Adewuyi , T.F. Akinhanmi, E.O. Taiwo and A. A. Adeyemi

Chemistry Department, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P M B 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

(Received: 10th April, 2008; Accepted: 6th June, 2008)

Abstract

A new bioligand chitin was extracted from snail shell and employed for the production of high purity and porous chitosan. The chitin and chitosan were analysed using IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis to show the efficiency of N-deacetylation. The prepared chitosan was investigated as a chelating material for zinc (II) metal ion from ZnO waste water by equilibrium method. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the milligram of chelated Zn (II) ion per gram of ligand molecule. At pH 4.5, the maximum chelation capacity was 6.5 x 106 mg of zinc per gram of chitosan over 24 hrs of the experimental duration.
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ENHANCED METAL ADSORPTION BY GROUNDNUT HUSKS MODIFIED WITH CITRIC ACID


M.E. Chukwuedoa* and F.E. Okiemenb

aDepartment of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State

bUniversity of Benin, Department of Chemistry & Centre for Biomaterials Research, Benin City

(Received: 6th April, 2008; Accepted: 10th October 2008)

Abstract

A method was developed to enhance metal ion adsorption of groundnut husks for wastewater treatment. Groundnut Husk were extracted with 0.1M NaOH and modified by treatment with 0.6M citric acid solution at 290C. Batch adsorption studies of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solution were carried out at ambient temperature. The effects of concentration and time on the metal ions uptake were investigated. The sorption data fitted Langmuir isotherm equation. The maximum adsorption capacities (xm) of the three metal ions were 5.49mgg-1,9.11mgg-1 and 16.34mgg-1 respectively. Base – extraction before citric acid modification of husks resulted in appreciable increase in the amount of cadmium and lead ions adsorbed and slight increase in the amount of nickel ion adsorbed. Citric acid modification of groundnut husks greatly enhanced metal ions removal which makes the citric acid modified groundnut husks suitable for metal ions removal from wastewater.
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THE FLUORIDES CONTENT OF DRINKING WATER SAMPLES FROM NDOKWA AREA, SOUTH - SOUTH NIGERIA.

S.H.O. Egboh and E.M. Emeshili

Chemistry Department, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

(Received: 23rd October, 2007; Accepted: 11th June, 2008)

Abstract

Dental caries and fluorosis have been observed as major adverse effects of the insufficient or excess presence of fluorides in drinking water and general diets of man. Fluoride concentrations present in the drinking water sources from Ndokwa area were studied and analysis of samples done using Standard Methods according to American Public Health Association. Values obtained is 0.15 ± 0.002mgL-1 in surface waters while underground water shows values of 0.139 ± 0.010 mgL-1. These values falls below the 1.5 mgL-1 optimum guideline expected of drinking water sources. This study therefore calls on all tiers of government and relevant agencies on the need for the fluoridation of the water supplies to the Ndokwa communities.
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ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SOME COCOYAM SPECIES MARKED IN SOUTH-ESTHERN PART OF NIGERIA


P.C. Njoku, A.A. Ayuk and O.N. Egwim

Department of Chemistry Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

(Received: 15th January, 2007; Accepted: 11th June, 2008)

Abstract

The three edible cocoyam species (Xanthasoma, Colocasia, and Grant Taro were analyzed for their oxalate contents and level of some elements using unicam 919 absorption spectrophotometer. The oxalate content obtained were 0.378µg/g for Xanthasoma Sagittifolium (Ede Uhie), 0.252µg/g for colocasia esculenta (Ede Ocha) and 0.433µg/g for Gaint Taro (Ede Okoriko). The results obtained showed that Xanthasoma sagittifolium specie contained 14.00µg/g of Cu, 60.00µg/g of Fe, 6.25µg/g of As; 0.85µg/g of Be, 0.20µg/g of Hg and 3.33µg/g of Pb. Ni, Cd, Mn and Zn were not detected. The colocasia esculenta specie contained 22.00µg/g of Cu; 65.00µg/g for Fe, 12.50µg/g of As, 1.70µg/g of Be, 0.10µg/g of Hg, 6.00µg/g of Mn; 94.50µg/g of Zn and 3.36µg/g of Pb. Ni, and Cd were not detected. The Gaint tairo specie contained 18.0µg/g of cu, 55.0µg/g of Fe, 18.75µg/g of As, 0.85µg/g of Hg and 10.00µg/g of Pb. Ni, Cd, Mn and Zn were again not detected. Results show that the Giant tairo specie contain the highest level of oxalate which makes it least edible than other species.
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SYNTHESIS OF THIAMINE ANALOGUES FOR USE AS INTERNAL STANDARDS IN THE CHROMATOGRAPHIC ASSAY OF THIAMINE AND ITS PHOSPHORYLATED METABOLITES

Ndoni, Solomon Ameniyegba

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK

(Received: 16th March, 2008; Accepted: 13th June, 2008)

Abstract

Internal standards are very useful in high performance liquid chromatographic methods, as it gives a fair comparison of elution time and peak. For the determination of thiamine and its phosphorylated metabolites, an internal standard which has the properties and structure closely similar to thiamine is required. Chloroethylthiamine and O-acetylthiamine meets this criterion. They were prepared successfully, and applied to the assay of thiamine and its metabolites. Chloroethylthiamine in the HPLC analysis gave a single peak of retention time 19.07 min, eluting last as a thiochrome derivative from the column (4 μm ODS column, 3.9 x 150 mm) with a pre-column sentry guard (3.9 x 20 mm). O-Acetylthiamine was degraded to thiamine in the column. The NMR and ES-MS chromatograph were as expected. The yield for O-acetylthiamine however, was low, but was enough for the application to the column.
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MONITORING THE POSSIBLE EFFECT OF GARLIC ADDITIVE ON THE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL RUBBER VULCANZITE

E.G. Olumayede1*and B.F. Adeosun2

1Chemistry Uint, Liberal & Extra Mural Studies Dept., Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, P.M.B 1019 Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

2 Science Tech. Dept., Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B 5351, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

(Received: 16th March, 2008; Accepted: 13th June, 2008)



Abstract

The effects of garlic additive and part replacement of sulphur in the conventional curative systems (mercapto benzothiazole – sulphur) MBT/S, (cyclohexyl benzothiazole sulphenamide-sulphur) CBS/S, and semi 0 EV on the mechanical and cure properties of natural rubber compound have been studied. Results show that the addition of garlic powder at content less or equal to 6pphr to the conventional MBT/S mix improves the tensile strength of natural rubber compound. Part replacement of sulphur with garlic powder in the conventional MBT/S system in which sulphur has been replaced with garlic up to a level of 1.5pphr show comparable reversion resistance, cure rate index and scorch resistance to the conventional MBT/S systems containing less or equal to 6pphr garlic.

Addition of 2pphr garlic powder to semi-EV system improves tensile strength, while tensile strength depress on the addition of 2pphr garlic powder to the CBS/S system. It appear advantageous therefore to include garlic powder in the corresponding formulation of natural rubber compound.
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EVALUATION OF CORN SHEALTH, CORN COB AND PLANTAIN PEELS AS POTENTIAL ALKALI SOURCES FOR SOAP PRODUCTION

S.O. Okoh, M.O. Oresanya, F. Ezebor, S. A. Ajani and A.S. Ahmed

Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria

(Received: 7th November, 2007; Accepted: 16th June, 2008)

Abstract
Corn sheath, corn cob, peels of ripe and unripe Plantain which are some of the common agro-wastes in Nigeria were collected from markets at Oshodi, Oke-Arin ,Alimosho and Mushin in Lagos state. They were sun dried and ashed at 150o C. Their suitability as alkali source for soap production was evaluated.

Chemical analysis showed that the liquid extracts of these different agricultural wastes contain varying quantities of magnesium, potassium and sodium compounds that can be used for soap production.

The common active ingredients in the four agro wastes were Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) 2.76 ± 0.04% for corn sheaths, 2.56±0.01 for corn cobs 1.67±0.03% for unripe plantain peels and potassium hydroxide (KOH) 1.60 ± 0.03% for corn sheaths and 0.07 ± 0.04% for unripe plantain peels.
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COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE USE OF BRONSTED AND LEWIS ACIDS AS DEXTRINIZATION CATALYSTS FOR SORGHUM STARCH. 1: HCl and FeCl3

Ikechukwu D. Anyaogu a and Paul M. Ejikeme*

Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

(Received: 14th April, 2008; Accepted: 19th June, 2008)

Abstract

Dextrinization of starch from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grains were effected with varying quantities of HCl (Bronsted acid) and FeCl3 (Lewis acid) at 1100C for 30min. The catalysts load varied from 0.004-0.005mmole per gram of starch. The resulting dextrins were used to formulate adhesives tackified with KOH. The adhesives were evaluated for viscosity, drying time and peel strength. Results indicate that FeCl3 catalysed dextrins generally gave adhesives which have superior properties with respect to flow and strength while the HCl catalysed types gave faster drying adhesives. The load levels of catalysts required for optimum adhesive performance was 0.004mmole HCl and 0.002mmole FeCl3. At the optimal load of catalysts, the dextrins obtained gave adhesives that had relative viscosities of 3.37 and 9.4; set-to-touch times of 7 and 12min; and relative peel strength of 320 and 430g for HCl and FeCl3 catalysed dextrins respectively.
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HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN URBAN WATER-WELLS: A CASE STUDY OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL


Chidi Edbert Duru 1*, Victor Obinna Njoku 2 and Chidi Obi 3

1 Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State.

2 Department of Chemistry Imo State University, Owerri, P.M.B. 2000, Owerri Imo State.

3 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, River State.

(Received: 26th March, 2008; Accepted: 19th June, 2008)

Abstract

Heavy metal concentrations in water-wells were determined in six areas within Owerri municipal using an Atomic Absorption/Emission Spectrophotometer. The average concentrations (mg/L) of the heavy metals Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn respectively were: Ugwu-Orji Layout:- 0.08, <0.04, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.24; New Market Layout:- 0.04, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.06; Prefab/Uratta Estate:- 0.07, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.10; World Bank Housing Estate:- 0.06, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.05; Ikenegbu Layout:- 0.05, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.06; Amakohia/Akwakuma Layout:- 0.16, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01 and 0.16. The results obtained showed that heavy metal concentrations were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for drinking water quality, and are indicative of the near zero pollution level of groundwater in these areas investigated. ------------------------------------------ DISSOLVING PULP FROM CORN HUSK VIA PEROXYACETIC ACID DELIGNIFICATION: EFFECTS OF PROCESS TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Ikechukwu D. Anyaogua and Paul M. Ejikeme*

Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

a Present Address: Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, Federal Polytechnic, PMB 001 Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

E-mail: ikeanyaogu@yahoo.com

(Received: 17th March, 2008; Accepted: 19th June, 2008)

Abstract

Peroxyacetic acid delignification of corn husk was carried out. Two series of pulps were obtained through two sets of multilevel experiments. The first series of pulps were obtained with cooking temperature fixed at 900C while cooking time was varied at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min. In the second series, setting the cooking time at 30 min. and varying the temperature at 50, 60, 70, 80, and 900C obtained pulps. The pulps obtained in the first series had yield, alpha-cellulose content, kappa number, and lignin content in the ranges of 34-20%, 86%, 3.9-1.5, and 0.59-0.247%, respectively, while the same parameters in the second series ranged as follows: 38-20%, 86-93%, 10.9-3.1, and 1.64-0.23%, respectively. A general decrease in the yield, kappa number, and lignin content of pulp was observed with increase in cooking time for both series. The alpha-cellulose content remained constant at 86% for the first series, and a maximum of 93% obtained at 60-700C in the second series. Pulps obtained in both series gave good quality cellulose nitrate (CN) and cellulose acetate (CA).
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EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON RANCIDITY IN SOME COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE OILS SOLD IN IDAH TOWN, KOGI STATE

P.I. Akubor

Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 1037, Bida

(Received: 5h November, 2007; Accepted: 24h June, 2008)

Abstract

Samples of five commercial vegetable oils were selected randomly from various locations in Idah township, Kogi state. Some portions of the oil samples were cooled to 100C and 200C, respectively in a refrigerator. The other portions were heated in aluminum pot over stove fire to 300C, 400C and 500C, respectively. The peroxide values (PV) and acid values (AV) of all the treated samples were determined. The iodine values of the untreated samples (control) were also determined. The results showed that at 100C, life vegetable oil (LVO), Avop vegetable oil (AVOP), soybean oil (SBO), corn oil (CNO) and groundnut (GNO) contained 2, 3, 10, 13 and 8meq/kg peroxide values (PV). The PV of the oil samples increased steadily with increase in temperature. For every increase in temperature, CNO had higher PV (13-22meq/kg), than the other oils (2-17.5meq/kg). This was closely followed by SBO (10-17.5meq/kg) and then GNO (8-15meq/kg). The LVO (2-8meq/kg) and AVOP (3-9meq/kg) were more stable at all the temperatures evaluated than the other oils. The stability of the vegetable oils was related to the iodine values of the oils, values being 50, 54, 134, 127 and 94 for LVO, AVOP, SBO, CNO and GNO respectively. The vegetable oils had low acid values which ranged from 1.0-2.5mgKOH/g.
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EQUILIBRIUM STUDIES OF THE REACTION OF 5,5'-DITHIOBIS

(2-NITROBENZOIC ACID) WITH THE OXYHAEMOGLOBIN DERIVATIVE OF PIGEON HAEMOGLOBIN



O.V. Akpoveta1 and S.A. Osakwe2*

1Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

(Received: 4th July, 2007; Accepted: 30th June, 2008)

Abstract

Equilibrium constant (Keq) for the reaction of the oxyhaemoglobin derivative of pigeon haemoglobin with 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) [DTNB] was determined experimentally at various pH values (pH 5.7 to pH 9.0). The study was carried out with the aid of a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The Apparent Second order forward rate constant (KF) for this reaction has previously been determined as a function of pH. However, the determination of the Apparent Second order reverse rate constant (Kr) for this reaction is not feasible from kinetic experiment. Therefore, a knowledge of the equilibrium constant will enable the determination of the Apparent Second order reverse rate constant (Kr) as a function of pH. The equilibrium constant (Keq) was calculated on the basis of an equation relating Keq to the concentrations of the species involved in the reaction. The pH dependence of Kr was found to be simple and increased by almost three orders of magnitude between pH 5.7 and 9.0 for the oxyhaemoglobin derivative reaction with D.T.N.B. The results show that the reactivity of Cys F9(93)β sulphydryl group with DTNB is faster than that of Cys B5(23)β since its reaction gave higher values of Kr over the entire pH range.
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FRACTIONATION OF Ni AND V IN WETLAND SOILS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN TISSUES OF THE OIL PALM


P.O. Oviasogie*1, A.E. Aghimien2 and C.L. Ndiokwere3

1,2 Chemistry Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Nigeria

3 Chemistry Department, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria

(Accepted: 2nd July, 2008)

Abstract

In the present study, the concentration of Ni and V in their various fractions (soluble, exchangeable, carbonate, plant available, bound to Mn-oxide, bound to amorphous Fe-oxide, bound to crystalline Fe-oxide, organic and residual) in the wetland soils of the Niger delta region were determined using a modified chemical fractionation method. Also assessed were the amount of these metals in various tissues (leaves, mesocarp, endocarp and endosperm of the ripened fruits) of oil palms of ages 2 – 10, 15-32 and >60 years. From the results obtained, a weighed mean of 6.13 mg/kg Ni was obtained in the carbonate fraction while 4.64 mg/kg was detected in the ‘plant available’ fraction. There were high variations in the amounts of Ni associated with the different fractions in the soil horizons. Ni was not detected in the tissues of palm of 2 – 10 and 15 – 32 years respectively. However, between 0.1-0.6 mg/kg Ni was detected in the palms >60 years old. Similarly, 4.47 and 1.43 mg/kg weighted mean of V were obtained in the exchangeable and ‘plant available’ fractions respectively. Vanadium was not detected in the various tissues of the palms irrespective of their age. From the study conducted, it can be inferred that the varied binding associations between Ni and V in the different fractions and their concentrations in the tissues of the palm suggest that bioaccumulation does not necessarily or explicitly indicate bio-availability.
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SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF NIGERIAN BITUMEN SAMPLES AND THE TRACE METAL ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCE WATER

H.O. Ogunsuyi, K.O. Ipinmoroti and O.O. Ajayi

Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M. B. 704, Akure, Nigeria

(Received: 15th June, 2008; Accepted: 10th July, 2008)

Abstract

Solvent extraction involving Soxhlet and Dean and Stack procedures were employed in the extraction of bitumen samples from three bitumen deposits in Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo - State. The samples were extracted differently with toluene and chloroform solvents. Optimum yields of bitumen were obtained with toluene solvent using soxhlet extraction and these amounted to 92.50%, 88.50% and 46.75% for borehole, near – surface and tar sand respectively compared to their corresponding lower yields of 87.56%, 87.13% and 43.00% with chloroform solvent under this same extraction procedure. On the other hand, Dean and Stack procedure with toluene yielded 90.25% for borehole; 85.13% for near - surface and 44.38% for tar sand sample, these yields were comparatively lower than their respective yields of 82.25%, 78.75% and 40.62% obtained with chloroform.With either procedure toluene was a better solvent for optimum yield. Soxhlet extraction procedure did not involve any co-extracted water; however, appreciable amount was obtained with Dean and Stack method. The yields of the co – extracted water from this method were comparable for the two solvents, with values ranging between 24.14 and 24.32% for borehole sample, 25.21 - 26.79% for near surface and 4.83 – 4.94% for tar sand. Trace metals analysis conducted on the produce - water associated with the borehole and near – surface bitumen showed that the concentrations at which most of the metals determined were present could constitute environmental pollution during exploitation of the mineral.
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BLEACHING OF RED PALM OIL BY LOCAL KAOLIN AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL IN COMPARISON WITH IMPORTED FULLER’S EARTH


Atu Ausaji Ayuka and Victor Obi Njokub,*

aDepartment of Chemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology ,P.M.B. 1526 Owerri, Nigeria

bDepartment of Chemistry, Imo State University, P.M.B. 2000 Owerri, Nigeria

(Received: 18th January, 2008; Accepted: 10th July, 2008)

Abstract

The bleaching of red palm oil by local kaolin clay, activated charcoal and a 1:1 mixture of kaolin and activated charcoal were studied in comparison with two commercial brands of fuller’s earth. The percent colour reduction of red palm oil was monitored spectrophotometrically while the free fatty acid (FFA) removal was determined titrimetrically. Kaolin alone and the 1:1 mixture of kaolin and activated charcoal were found to be effective in both colour and FFA removal and compared favourably with commercial fuller’s earth. Local kaolin alone gave 65.20 % maximum colour reduction while the 1:1 mixture of local kaolin and activated charcoal showed 62.74 % maximum colour reduction. This is comparable to 62.94 and 71.99 % in Fulmont and Tonsil bleaching earths respectively. The bleaching performance of activated charcoal was poor with a maximum colour reduction of 8.12 %. The FFA content of the unbleached palm oil was determined to be 31 %. The percent FFA removal from oil bleached with various bleaching earths as a function of the quantity of bleaching earth showed that the percent FFA removal increased with the quantity of bleaching earth. The percent FFA removal achieved with kaolin and 1:1 mixture of kaolin and activated charcoal also were comparable to those of the commercial fuller’s earth. Charcoal alone again exhibited a poor performance in terms of FFA removal.

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LIGHT FASTNESS OF NATURAL DYES FROM DANTA (Nesogordoia papaverifera) AND ELEM (Nimbodia nivea) ON COTTON, NYLON 66 AND ACRYLIC FABRICS

J. O. Otutu

Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, P.M.B. 1, Abraka, Delta State

(Received: 2nd February, 2008; Accepted: 14th July, 2007)

Abstract

Cotton nylon 66 and acrylic fabrics were dyed with natural dyes extracted from Danta plant (Nesogordonia papaverifera) and Elem plant (Nimbodia nivea). Light and wash fastness of the dyed samples were studied. Pre treatment with metallic salts and dyeing of pre treated samples was also studied. The dyeing properties of the dyes on cotton (a natural fibre) were compared with those of nylon and acrylic (synthetic fibres). The results of the study show that mordanting generally improve light and wash fastness. It also showed that the danta derived dye has affinity for nylon and acrylic fibres while the elem derived dye has affinity for cotton fibre.
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SEQUENTIAL FRACTIONATION OF CADMIUM, COPPER, LEAD AND CHROMIUM IN SOILS AROUND MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DUMPS IN AGBOR, NIGERIA

S.A. Osakwea* and F. Egharevbab

aDepartment of Chemistry, Delta State University, Abraka

bDepartment of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

(Received: 7th July, 2008; Accepted: 5th August, 2008)

Abstract

Speciation patterns of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Cr) in the soil profiles were investigated using Tessier’s five steps sequential extraction technique, in order to evaluate their potential bioavailability and degree of contamination. The metal concentrations in the four investigated soils fit in the typical ranges for unpolluted soils. The speciation results revealed that Cd was predominantly associated with Fe-Mn oxide fraction, Cu with organic fraction while Pb and Cr were associated with residual fraction. Significant amounts of Pb and Cr were found on carbonate fraction. Mobility factors were calculated and their values are in the range of 13.89 to 41.7, indicating low mobility and bioavailability of the metals studied. The mobility factors for the metals in all the sites follow the order Cd > Pb > Cr > Cu. The results from the speciation patterns observed in this study indicate that the metals are not readily available for plants uptake.
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LEVELS OF HEAVY METALS IN Uca pugilator AND Drepane africana FROM ASE RIVER, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

E.M. Emeshili* and S.H.O. Egboh

*Examination and Standards, Ministry of Education, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

Chemistry Department, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

(Received: 21st November, 2007; Accepted: 8th August, 2008)

Abstract

Levels of heavy metals accumulation in selected fauna were studied using standard methods. Uca pugilator and Drepane africana were used as bioaccumulative indicators. Result showed heavy metals concentration in the following order; Fe>Cu>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cr>Cd and Fe>Cu>Zn>Mn>Cr>Pb>Cd in the two organisms respectively. The bioaccumulation factor follow the order Mn>Zn>Fe>Cu>Cr>Pb>Cd for Uca pugilator while Drepane africana showed an order of Zn>Mn>Fe>Cu>Cr>Pb>Cd. These two organisms are thus useful indicators for the monitoring of Zinc and Manganese.
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STUDIES ON THE TANNINS OF BREADFRUIT (Treculia africana) HUSKS: EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION

P.O. Ukoha*, P. M. Ejikeme* and C.C. Maju+

*Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

+Department of Leather and Leather Products, Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria

(Received: 19th June, 2008; Accepted: 13th August, 2008)

Abstract

70% aqueous acetone extract of breadfruit husks was concentrated to obtain the reddish brown solid tannins. Qualitative tests, including one and two-dimensional paper chromatography ascertained the tannins to be of condensed type (catechin). Ultraviolet and Infra red spectra of the extract confirmed the presence of polyphenols. The paper chromatography ran with n-butanol-glacial-acetic acid-water (4:1:5), Toluene- acetic acid–water (4:1:5), conc. HCl-acetic-acid-water (4:1:5), as well as 90% formic acid-3MHCl (1:1) gave retardation factors which indicated the presence of cyanidin and catechin in the tannins.
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PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THREE POPULAR LOCAL VARIETIES OF RICE

M.E. Chukwuedoa* and A. Odiab

a, bDepartment of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria

(Received: 4th May, 2008; Accepted: 18th August, 2008)

Abstract

Rice is one of the most popular cereals in the world and its popularity has been ascribed to its carbohydrate content which is up to 84% and even higher in some cases. Proximate analysis of three local varieties of rice, namely; Ekpoma long grain, Ekpoma short grain and lllushi grain were determined. The overall analysis of the total carbohydrate, soluble carbohydrate, fibre, crude protein, ash and dry matter contents respectively were found to be significantly (P<0.05) different. The effect of par boiling paddy before milling on the nutrient composition was also determined. The results obtained were compared with the United Kingdom rice standard and it was observed that the protein, fibre, ash and carbohydrate (both soluble and total) contents of the par boiled rice were higher than the raw rice but compared favourably with the standard one. ---------------------------------------- RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND STATE OF CURE OF NATURAL RUBBER COMPOUNDED WITH BLEND OF CARBONIZED MELON SEED SHELL AND CARBON BLACK

J.U. Iyasele* and F.E. Okieimen

Agricultural waste research laboratory, University of Benin, Benin City

Abstract

Carbonized melon seed shell (CMSS) was prepared by burning melon seed shell at 350OC in the absence of air, powdered and sieved through a mesh of size 150µm. It was blended with carbon black (N330) and used as filler in natural rubber (NR) compound. The proportion of CMSS in the blend with N330 is 40per hundred rubber (phr), 37.5phr, 30phr, 20phr, 10phr, and 2.5phr. The total filler loading of the blend in all the mix is 40phr. A laboratory two roll mill was used for mixing. The rheometry readings and the cure characteristics of the mixes were determined at 160OC using a moving die Mosanto rheometer model MDR 2000. The Mooney viscosity was determined on MKIII Mooney viscometer. There is a marginal increase in viscosity in CMSS and N330 blend filled NR but higher with higher percentage of N330 in the blend .The torque–time curve obtained from rheometer reading of all the mixes followed similar pattern. The induction time decreases with a decrease in N330 content in the blend of N330 and CMSS filled natural rubber. The addition of the filler blend increases the rate of scorch over the gum rubber. The rate of cure increases with increase in the percentage of CMSS in the blend. However, the more the N330 in the mix, the higher the maximum torque. Comparatively, blending of CMSS with N330 improves the torque and other cure characteristics of filled natural rubber.
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AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN A CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITY WITH A FLOW STATION

S.A. Uzoekwe*, E.E. Ukpebor** and S.I. Ahonkhai**

*Basic Sciences Department, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City

**Chemistry Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

The quality of air in Gelegele community, with a flow station, has been assessed in both wet and dry seasons by using NO2. In this survey which was carried out between September 2002 and August 2003, Palmes diffusion tubes were used to determine NO2 concentration in ambient air of the studied area. A NO2 range of 8.75 – 48.52µgm-3 was obtained for the five locations studied. This upper limit of this range has slightly exceeded the WHO regulatory limit of 40µgm-3 annual average. Spatial and temporal variations were noticed in the NO2 distribution. The principal component analysis identified two factors with factor 1 (gas flaring) contributing over 73.0%. Finally, temporal cluster membership of the data was identified.
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Review

Finding a better path to drug selectivity

Yuko Kawasaki, Ernesto Freire ,

Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Available online 2 August 2011.

Extremely high affinity and selectivity are two of the most sought-after properties of drug molecules. Selectivity has been difficult to achieve, especially for targets that belong to large families of structurally and functionally related proteins. There are essentially two ways by which selectivity can be improved during lead optimization: a chemical modification of the lead compound that improves the affinity towards the target to a higher extent than to off-target molecules; and a chemical modification that lowers the affinity of the lead compound towards off-target molecules. Maximal selectivity is achieved when both mechanisms can be combined synergistically. As we discuss here, analysis of several protease inhibitors that vary in a single functionality indicates that nonpolar functionalities preferentially follow the first mechanism, whereas polar functionalities follow the second, and that those features are imprinted in their thermodynamic signatures.
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Review

Empowering industrial research with shared biomedical vocabularies

Lee Harland1, 10, , , Christopher Larminie2, Susanna-Assunta Sansone3, Sorana Popa4, M. Scott Marshall5, Michael Braxenthaler6, Michael Cantor7, Wendy Filsell8, Mark J. Forster9, Enoch Huang10, Andreas Matern11, Mark Musen12, Jasmin Saric13, Ted Slater14, Jabe Wilson15, Nick Lynch16, John Wise17, Ian Dix18

1 Connected Discovery Ltd., 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX, UK
2 GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Biology, 2F157 Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
3 Standards and Data Sharing Infrastructure Team, e-Research Centre, University of Oxford, 7 Keble Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG, UK
4 Knowledge Management and Information Science, R&D Information, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
5 Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
6 Pharma Research and Early Development, Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., 340 Kingsland St, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
7 Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 235 E 42nd ST, MS 150/5/60N, New York, NY 10017, USA
8 Unilever R&D, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
9 Syngenta R&D Information Systems, International Research Centre, Jealott's Hill, Berkshire RG42 6EX, UK
10 Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 35 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA
11 Thomson Reuters Life Sciences, 22 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210, USA
12 Stanford University, Stanford University, 251 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5479, USA
13 Scientific Information Centre, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
14 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115-5727, USA
15 Science & Technology, Corporate Markets, Elsevier Pharma and Biotech Group, Elsevier, 32 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK
16 AstraZeneca UK, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
17 The Pistoia Alliance1

18 Knowledge Management & Information Science, R&D Information, AstraZeneca, 26F17 Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
Available online 22 September 2011.

The life science industries (including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and consumer goods) are exploring new business models for research and development that focus on external partnerships. In parallel, there is a desire to make better use of data obtained from sources such as human clinical samples to inform and support early research programmes. Success in both areas depends upon the successful integration of heterogeneous data from multiple providers and scientific domains, something that is already a major challenge within the industry. This issue is exacerbated by the absence of agreed standards that unambiguously identify the entities, processes and observations within experimental results. In this article we highlight the risks to future productivity that are associated with incomplete biological and chemical vocabularies and suggest a new model to address this long-standing issue.
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The continuing evolution of the drug discovery process in the pharmaceutical industry

Emiliangelo Ratti , , David Trist

Glaxo Wellcome SpA Medicines Research Centre, Verona, Italy
Available online 13 April 2001.

Abstract

Many early discoveries in the pharmaceutical industry were through serendipity. Later, targets were mainly identified in animals and systematically exploited through the identification of potent and selective molecules. A disease association was normally obtained through the clinical testing of candidate molecules in patients. The technological advances in the last few years offer the possibility of knowing more about the disease, and this is driving the industry towards a disease-based approach where understanding the disease becomes central to the process. This is now possible thanks to the recent explosion in molecular and cellular biology, together with the application of genetics and genomics. New screening technologies have also revolutionized the identification of chemical leads. Now, high throughput screening allows a wide chemical diversity to be applied in order to obtain tractable leads, which can then be optimized by the medicinal chemist. It is envisaged that these trends of continuously searching for process improvement will continue, being driven by the need to find medicines that add value in treating unmet medical need.
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Review

Medicinal chemistry strategies in follow-on drug discovery

Hongyu Zhao1, , , Zongru Guo2
1 R4CP,
Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 60064, USA
2 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
Available online 5 March 2009.

Drug discovery targeting novel mechanisms has become extremely expensive and risky. The annual first-in-class drug approvals have not been satisfactory in the past decade (two to six per year) despite an increased R&D budget. Follow-on programs targeting proven mechanisms are less risky and costly but can produce drugs with meaningful differentiations and thus can play an important supporting role. This article will discuss the medicinal chemistry strategies that have been utilized by the pharmaceutical industry to exploit validated therapeutic targets.

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