Physiochemical Assessment Research Articles

Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Analysis of Matured Stems of Opuntia dillenii Grown in Nigeria

This study investigated the chemical composition and physiochemical properties of matured stems of Opuntia dillenii grown in Nigeria in accordance with standard procedures. The proximate analysis revealed moisture content (11.20%), crude protein (11.60%), carbohydrate content (64%) while the ash (3.33%), fat (4.42%) and crude fibre content (4.40%) were low. The phytochemical screening revealed that saponin (118.08±0.57µg/ml) was the most concentrated while oxalate and phytate had low concentrations. The physiochemical assessment of the matured stem oil demonstrated high peroxide value, acid value and low iodine value. The fatty acid analysis revealed high concentrations of myristic acid (41.66%) followed by linoleic acid (13.95%), heptadecanoic acid (11.32%) and stearic acid (9.25%). Unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid and linolenic acid were not detected. The study demonstrated that the matured stems of Opuntia dillenii contained nutrients that are nutritionally beneficial to human health and substantial amount of saponins that could be employed in the confectionaries and cosmetic sectors, however the fatty acid analysis demonstrated that these matured stems may not be rich in unsaturated fatty acids while the matured stem oil may be susceptible to auto oxidation and possess a low shelf life.

Hydrochemical characteristics and quality assessment of groundwater from shallow wells in Gboloko Area, central Nigeria

Physiochemical assessment of shallow groundwater in Gboloko area was carried out to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Eighteen (18) groundwater samples were collected from different rural communities’ wells and subjected field measurements of physical parameters followed by chemical analyses using ICP-MS, ICP-ES, Calorimetry and Turbimetry methods. The results show that pH of the groundwater ranged from 5.1 to 8.6 (mean 6.6) which indicates the groundwater is slightly acidic and slightly alkaline. EC and TDS varied from 60 to1367mg/L (mean 277.4mg/L) and 53 to 995mg/L (mean 206.5mg/L) respectively. The concentration of major cations were in the order of Ca 2+ >Na + > Mg 2+ > K + while that of anion were in the order of HCO 3 - >Cl - > SO­­ 4 - > NO 3 - .Five hydrochemical facies were delineated from Piper plot; they are CaHCO 3, CaNaHCO 3 , CaMgCl, CaCl, and NaHCO­ 3 water type. CaHCO 3 water is the dominant facies which represents water of recharge zone while CaNaHCO3 and CaCl are the least. The presence of NaHCO3 CaNaHCO3, and CaMgCl water type shows hydrochemical processes such as ion exchange and linear mixing. The drinking water quality assessment indicates the values for all the hydrochemical parameters are within the maximum permissible standard by WHO, 2006 except for two locations where nitrate concentrations are above the guideline value. The nitrate contamination observed at those locations may be attributed to leachates from domestic wastes and agricultural activities. Although nitrate contamination was expected to be rampant in groundwater of the area Irrigation water quality indices showed that the groundwater is ranged from mostly suitable to unsuitable.

Rainwater harvesting for drinking: a physiochemical assessment in Port Vila, Vanuatu

Rainwater harvesting for drinking purpose has been a great source for survival by many societies since ages and now scarcity in water resources has been forcing many others to follow. Even though, rainwater harvesting is an exploitative practice where there is abundance of rainfall, but the methods in which harvesting process are carried needs to be studied in detail. The present study was a systematic physiochemical analysis of harvested rainwater for drinking purpose in Port Vila, Vanuatu where 22 sites were studied for two consecutive seasons. Notable mean variations were observed in total dissolved solids (TDS) with 63.84 mg/L, pH 0.4 and electrical conductivity (EC) with 98.9 µS/Cm. The mean standard deviation of 3.6 mg/L in acidity of pre and post monsoon seasons was also been a noted concern. Timing, extent of rainfall along with the usage had shown variations in the constituent’s concentrations. The study revealed that the standards for the harvested drinking water are compromised at some sites either in one or multiple physiochemical parameters. People in Port Vila continue to consume the harvested water due to cultural practices and beliefs related to rainwater. It was observed that proper management and adaptation to new technologies would yield better quality of the harvested water.

Assessment of Some Biomarkers in Liver, Kidney and Stomach Following Pineapple Juice Administration

This study looked into the physiochemical assessment of kidney, liver and stomach following pineapple juice (PJ) administration in normal Wistar rats. Thirty-two young male Wistar rats weighing between 180 - 200 g were used for this study. The juice was administered through oral cannula for 30 days. The animals were grouped into four (A-D). Group A received 3 ml of distilled water (Control), Group B received 3 ml/kg PJ, Group C received 6 ml/kg PJ administered at 3 ml twice daily and Group D received 9 ml/kg PJ at 3 ml three times daily for one month. Blood samples were collected a day post-administration through cardiac puncture for hematological and biochemical studies. Mucosal tissues were scraped from the stomach and homogenized to check for total protein and some other gastric enzymes. The study showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in cholesterol and triglycerides (113.4 ± 1.60-104.4 ± 1.66 and 104.4 ± 1.66-74.0 ± 2.95) while low density and high density lipoproteins showed no significant difference. Electrolyte concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine showed significant decreases. Liver enzyme parameters were significantly increased (P > 0.05) for ALP (40.0 ± 4.05 -79.4 ± 6.61 IU/L), AST (115.2 ± 1.46-178.4 ± 2.00 IU/L), ALT (86.0 ± 2.68-72.2 ± 3.90 IU/L) and ALB (3.16 ± 0.09 - 3.84 ± 0.02 IU/L). Results of Total Protein showed a significant increase while bilirubin is insignificantly different compared with the control. Results for SOD, TBAR, CATAL and MDA showed no significant differences. The study revealed that the hematological parameters assayed: Hb (11.85 ± 2.0 - 14.12 ± 1.5 g/100 ml), RBC count (6.27 ± 0.1-9.92 ± 1.5×106/mm3) and Total WBC counts (2.35 ± 0.6 - 4.47 ± 0.5 × 103/mm3) were significantly higher (P < 0.05). We concluded that the oral administration of PJ to Wistar rats for one month is beneficial by reducing cholesterol level and some toxic gastric enzymes. It also increased hematopoietic outputs, and served as an immune booster judging from the Total WBC count results while its effect on liver function is minimal based on this present study

Physio-chemical assessment of beauty leaf (Calophyllum inophyllum) as second-generation biodiesel feedstock

Recently, second-generation (non-vegetable oil) feedstocks for biodiesel production are receiving significant attention due to the cost and social effects connected with utilising food products for the production of energy products. The Beauty leaf tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) is a potential source of non-edible oil for producing second-generation biodiesel because of its suitability for production in an extensive variety of atmospheric condition, easy cultivation, high fruit production rate, and the high oil content in the seed. In this study, oil was extracted from Beauty leaf tree seeds through three different oil extraction methods. The important physical and chemical properties of these extracted Beauty leaf oils were experimentally analysed and compared with other commercially available vegetable oils. Biodiesel was produced using a two-stage esterification process combining of an acid catalysed pre-esterification process and an alkali catalysed transesterification process. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles and important physicochemical properties were experimentally measured and estimated using equations based on the FAME analysis. The quality of Beauty leaf biodiesels was assessed and compared with commercially available biodiesels through multivariate data analysis using PROMETHEE-GAIA software. The results show that mechanical extraction using a screw press produces oil at a low cost, however, results in low oil yields compared with chemical oil extraction. High pressure and temperature in the extraction process increase oil extraction performance. On the contrary, this process increases the free fatty acid content in the oil. A clear difference was found in the physical properties of Beauty leaf oils, which eventually affected the oil to biodiesel conversion process. However, Beauty leaf oils methyl esters (biodiesel) were very consistent physicochemical properties and able to meet almost all indicators of biodiesel standards. Overall this study found that Beauty leaf is a suitable feedstock for producing second-generation biodiesel in commercial scale. Therefore, the findings of this study are expected to serve as the basis for further development of Beauty leaf as a feedstock for industrial scale second-generation biodiesel production.

Spatial Analysis of the Groundwater Quality in the Peshawar District, Pakistan

High population growth and increased exploitation of groundwater resources causes the degradation of groundwater quality. To evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater pollution a GIS based study was conducted in Peshawar district. The objectives of the study were (a) physiochemical assessment of groundwater quality (b) geospatial analysis & mapping of groundwater pollutant distribution. In order to assess the objectives 105 water quality samples were collected from the study area. Spatial statistical techniques and spatial interpolation was applied to map the spatial and directional distribution of each parameter. All parameter except Nitrate and pH were found to be highly concentrated in the main city as well as in the North-East and South-East parts of the district. It is recommended that water treatment plants should be installed at various locations to facilitate the inhabitants for drinking purpose.

Evaluation of pH at the Bacteria–Dental Cement Interface

Physiochemical assessment of the parasite-biomaterial interface is essential in the development of new biomaterials. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to evaluate pH at the bacteria-dental cement interface and to demonstrate physiochemical interaction at the interface. The experimental apparatus with a well (4.0 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm deep) was made of polymethyl methacrylate with dental cement or polymethyl methacrylate (control) at the bottom. Three representative dental cements (glass-ionomer, zinc phosphate, and zinc oxide-eugenol cements) were used. Each specimen was immersed in 2 mM potassium phosphate buffer for 10 min, 24 hrs, 1 wk, or 4 wks. The well was packed with Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449, and a miniature pH electrode was placed at the interface between bacterial cells and dental cement. The pH was monitored after the addition of 1% glucose, and the fluoride contained in the cells was quantified. Glass-ionomer cement inhibited the bacteria-induced pH fall significantly compared with polymethyl methacrylate (control) at the interface (10 min, 5.16 ± 0.19 vs. 4.50 ± 0.07; 24 hrs, 5.20 ± 0.07 vs. 4.59 ± 0.11; 1 wk, 5.34 ± 0.14 vs. 4.57 ± 0.11; and 4 wks, 4.95 ± 0.27 vs. 4.40 ± 0.14), probably due to the fluoride released from the cement. This method could be useful for the assessment of pH at the parasite-biomaterial interface.