Sesamum indicum is considered an underutilized oil-bearing seed in the semiarid regions of Ghana.... more Sesamum indicum is considered an underutilized oil-bearing seed in the semiarid regions of Ghana. Nonetheless, it is a promising source of food with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties S. indicum seeds using different extraction solvents. The seeds were obtained from the local farmers and prepared for analysis. The bioactive compounds present in the seeds were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water and their yields quantified. Total phenolic content (TPC), Condensed tannin content (TTC) and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) , and DPPH radical scaveging assay were analyzed using standard methods. Antinutrients such as saponins, alkaloids, phytates and oxalates were also analyzed from the powdered seeds. Two chemometric methods; hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation were employed to evaluate the interdependence of the various parameters to result in their antioxidant properties. The results revealed that the solvents utilized had a significant impact on the extraction yield, phyto-chemical component concentration, and antioxidant activities. Hexane extracts of S. indicum seeds significantly exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). It was marked with the highest TAC value of 232.6 ± 6.267 mg/g AAE and a strong DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 of 52.81 ± 2.30 µg/mL. Correlations (p < 0.05) was established between TPC,CTC, TAC and DPPH radical scavenging activity) of the extracts. Antinutrients such as; phytate, oxalate, saponins and alkaloids were found to be 7.691 ± 0.8576, 1.501 ± 0.1375, 21.33 ± 4.619 and 317.33 ± 30.29 mg/g respectively. Data obtained suggest that S. indicum possess rich bioactive compounds that can be used in neutraceuticals and food products.
Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compou... more Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. This study looks at the optimization of factors that affect the efficiency for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the stem-bark of Funtumia elastica. Methods: Five independent variables (solvent concentration, time, the temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and pH) of the extraction process were selected. Single factor analysis as well as the response surface method was used to evaluate the impact of the selected factors on the total phenolic content. The effect of the extraction factors on the phenolic content was tested for its statistical significant (p <0.05). For the response surface method, a five/factor, five/level central composite design was used, and a fitted second-order polynomial regression model equation was used to show how the extraction parameters affected the total phenolic recovery. Results: The predicted value (R² of 0.5917) agreed with the adjusted value (R² of 0.7707). The residuals for response predictions were less than 5%. The optimal factors for the extraction were ethanol concentration of 75.99% v/v, extraction time of 193.86 minutes, temperature of 63.66°C, pH of 5.62, and solid-liquid ratio of 1:21.12 g/mL. Actual overall content of the phenolic compounds was validated at 82.83 ± 3.335 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) /g weight of extract, which agreed with the predicted response of 89.467 mg GAE/g of the dried extract under the optimal factors. Conclusions: The rich phenolic content of stem-bark of Funtumia elastica points to its potential as a functional medicinal product to alleviate diseases caused by oxidative stress such as asthma, breathing disorders, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. The results obtained indicate that, the studied optimal conditions support Open Peer Review Reviewer Status Invited Reviewers
The aromatic Spear grass Hyparrhena rufa (locally called "Limolanii") found in the Saboba Distric... more The aromatic Spear grass Hyparrhena rufa (locally called "Limolanii") found in the Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana is ingeniously used for dietary, medicinal, and other purposes. Focus group discussions were conducted in communities where "Limolanii" grows to assess the local perception of the importance of the grass and changing climate impacts on its continued existence. Findings indicated that the plant is of immense importance to the locals but has not been validated scientifically and reported for its current use. The communities are also hopeful of future socioeconomic benefits of "Limolanii" but expressed concern about the lack of remediation practices to address issues of climate change, increased use of agrochemicals, urbanization, etc., which can lead to the extinction of the grass. "Limolanii" was therefore evaluated for its nutritional and antinutritional content by proximate analysis and ethanolic extract evaluated for some medicinal properties. The extract was assessed for its anti-inflammatory property using the carrageenan-induced oedema in chicks' model while antioxidant property evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, Phosphomolybdenum (Total Antioxidant Capacity), Total Phenol (Folin-Ciocalteu), and Total Flavonoid Content (Aluminium-chloride colorimetric) assays. The plant showed good nutritional content, extract exhibited a dosedependent inhibition of oedema with maximal percentage inhibition of 41.05% at 300 mg/kg body weight and noticeable antioxidant activities. Flavonoids, coumarins, and other phytochemicals detected in the plant could be responsible for these activities, however, at certain levels, these phytochemicals could act as antinutrients. "Limolanii" exhibits medicinal properties backing its use traditionally as food supplements and herbs, hence the need to explore its possible commercial cultivation and embark on community sensitization to encourage people to protect and expand its production.
Despite the crucial role played by informal markets in food distribution globally, the sector is ... more Despite the crucial role played by informal markets in food distribution globally, the sector is ignored and marginalized. This study examined vegetable traders, the trading infrastructure available to them in the market, and how they conduct their businesses to explain the high food safety challenges in the sector. This paper is based on a survey, a learning journey, and transformation labs with market traders in Kumasi, Ghana. The study revealed that most traders were self-employed women with low education who worked for long hours. Access to electricity, water, refrigerators, and storage facilities was limited in the market. Vegetable spoilage was the highest cost associated with their trade. Due to the high spoilage rate, the traders sold the best vegetables at high prices and sold the bruised and rotten vegetables to local eateries and animal farms. The women made no losses through these strategies but used unsafe food handling practices and highly-priced wholesome vegetables. ...
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a... more Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a wide range of diseases in West Africa. This study aimed at assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the stem bark of F. africana and F. elastica. The dried, milled stem barks of F. africana and F. elastica were extracted with water and 70% ethanol by cold maceration. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, and tannins were determined using standard methods. The extracts were tested against bacterial and fungal pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), activity index, and the total antimicrobial activity of the extracts on the organisms were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, anthocyanins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, quinones, tannins, and saponins. The ethanolic extract of F. elastica had the highest phenolic flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity. A positive correlation was observed between TPC with TAC (R = 0.893, p < 0.05) and TFC with TAC (R = 0.613, p < 0.05). The extracts were most active against E. coli and C. albicans and least active against B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. The data obtained from the study indicated that the barks of the two plants possessed both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Dyes are usually present in trace quantities in the treated effluents of many industries. The eff... more Dyes are usually present in trace quantities in the treated effluents of many industries. The effectiveness of adsorption for dye removal from waste waters has made it an ideal alternative to other expensive treatment methods. This study investigates sorption properties of Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Terminalia superba sawdust for the adsorption of Vat Yellow-4, Vat Red-1 and Natural dyes in water bodies. Physical parameters of the wood sawdust and textile dye such as pH and moisture content were determined. The dye removal capacities of the various wood species were also calculated. The pH of the dyes and wood sawdust ranged from 5.93 to 9.47; and 5.06 to 8.59 respectively. The moisture content (%) also ranged from 3.00 to 4.00 with an average of 3.50. The dye removal percentage (%) by Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Terminalia superba wood sawdust were respectively found to range from 18.39 to 44.46, 9.24 to 46.65 12.66 to 63.56 for the adsorption of the various dye ...
This study evaluated the nutritional and medicinal properties of seeds from Adansonia digitata (B... more This study evaluated the nutritional and medicinal properties of seeds from Adansonia digitata (BSF) and Balanite aegyptiaca (DDSF) plants. Proximate chemical composition, mineral elements composition, flavonoids, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory properties were studied. Results obtained revealed that DDSF had the highest moisture, crude fat, and crude protein content of 7.66 %, 42.80 %, 20.37 %, respectively, whilst BSF gave the highest ash, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content. Elemental analysis revealed BSF had the highest Mg content (313.65 mg/100g) and DDSF gave the highest Ca content (118.62 mg/100g). Additionally, DDSF gave the highest total phenolics (18.89 mg TAE/ 100 g), total flavonoids (8.80 mg QE/ 100 g) as well as the highest total antioxidant capacity of (19.62 mg AAE/ 100 g) dry of extract. Based on results obtained in this study, seeds obtained from the Adansonia digitata and Balanite aegyptiaca could be a potential source of functional food ...
The need for a green and more environmentally friendly energy production has led to recent resear... more The need for a green and more environmentally friendly energy production has led to recent research into the use of natural products in the production photovoltaic cells. In this study, TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using photo-sensitizers made from ten natural dyes extracted from different plant parts (i.e. seeds, stalks, peels and flowers) of some selected plants and using candle soot carbon as a counter electrode. The chemical composition of the materials was determined using basic phytochemical screening assays. The extracted dye materials were characterized using UV and IR methods after which they were used in developing DSSCs. The DSSCs were then characterized under AM 1.5 illuminations to measure their photo-electrochemical properties. The dyes containing carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups showed weak to large absorption under the visible light (400-700 nm) irradiation. The photo-electrochemical performance of the various cells gave an eff...
Eggshells are among the emerging hazardous waste from the food processing industry. This work sou... more Eggshells are among the emerging hazardous waste from the food processing industry. This work sought to valorize waste guinea fowl eggshells. Guinea fowl eggshells (GFEs) were evaluated in the production of CaO for chemical and industrial application. The functionality, thermal stability, elemental composition, phase distribution and surface morphology properties of uncalcined GFEs and GFEs calcined at 700˚C, 800˚C, 900˚C, 1000˚C and 1100˚C were systematically studied by FTIR, TGA, XRF, XRD and SEM-EDX respectively. The elemental analysis revealed Ca as the main element in the GFEs. The uncalcined GFEs showed intense peaks that corresponded to calcite (CaCO 3) phases. These transformed into Ca(OH) 2 as the temperature of calcination increased and finally to CaO in the FTIR analysis. In the XRD diffractograms, the main peaks at 2θ values were 29.466˚ for the uncalcined GFESs and at 37.377˚ for the sample treated at 1100˚C. The phases were confirmed as CaO when compared with JCPDS files. Using the Scherer equation, the CaO crystallite size for the sample calcined at 1100˚C was found to be 50.68 nm along the (2 0 0) orientation. All the samples showed multi-step decomposition patterns in the thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), with weight loss of up to 47% for the uncalcined GFEs sample, which was mainly due to the transformation of the calcite (CaCO 3) phase to CaO by removal of bound water, organic components, and CO 2. Samples calcined at 1100˚C showed mainly CaO phases in XRD analyses and fairly stable with 7% loss in weight after treatment at 800˚C. SEM images of samples calcined at 900˚C were irregular compared to samples treated at 1100˚C. EDX data revealed that the surface structure was 100% calcium and oxygen. GFEs are a potential source of pure calcium oxide for various industrial uses.
The leaves of Persea americana are widely used for ethno-medicinal purposes worldwide. This study... more The leaves of Persea americana are widely used for ethno-medicinal purposes worldwide. This study assessed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and petroleum ether leaves extracts of P. americana. Extracts displayed variable antimicrobial activities that were microorganism-specific. The methanolic extract displayed the most potent antimicrobial activities with the largest zones of inhibition (0-1.8 mm) in the agar diffusion assay and with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the broth dilution assay against a panel of microorganisms that included Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant potential with the lowest EC 50 of 4.15x10-30 g/ml for the peroxide radical scavenging activities. The data supports the ethnomedicinal use of the leaves of P. americana for the management of infections and for other symptoms whose etiology may be linked to oxidative stress.
A thesis presented to The Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University o... more A thesis presented to The Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, 2015
Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compou... more Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. Furthermore, phenolic compounds do not disperse evenly and may be connected to cell walls, carbohydrates, or proteins. This study looks at the optimization of factors that affect the efficiency for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the stem-bark of Funtumia elastica. Methods: Five independent variables (solvent concentration, time, the temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and pH) of the extraction process were selected. Single factor analysis as well as the response surface method was used to evaluate the impact of the selected factors on the total phenolic content. The effect of the extraction factors on the phenolic content was statistically significant (p <0.05). For the response surface method, a five/factor, five/level central composite design used, and a fitte...
Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a... more Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a wide range of diseases in West Africa. This study aimed at assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the stem bark of F. africana and F. elastica. The dried, milled stem barks of F. africana and F. elastica were extracted with water and 70% ethanol by cold maceration. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, and tannins were determined using standard methods. The extracts were tested against bacterial and fungal pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), activity index, and the total antimicrobial activity of the extracts on the organisms were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, anthocyanins, t...
ABSTRACTThis article reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol conten... more ABSTRACTThis article reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol content of shea butter fat, palm kernel oil, and peanut oil sold in the local Ghanaian market for their characterization and identification. Samples were dissolved in chloroform with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as the matrix. After subjecting the samples to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry, the spectra obtained showed the characteristic triacylglycerols as sodium adducts. Seven major triacylglycerol species were identified as dipalmitoyl olein, palmitoyl diolein, palmitoyl stearoyl olein, linoleoyl diolein, triolein, stearoyl diolein, and distearoyl olein in all three samples. Palmitoyl linoleoyl olein and tristearin were also identified. Oxygenated triacylglycerols and other species from the fragmentation of triacylglycerols were also obtained. The presence of the oxygenated triacylglycerols and the triacylglycerol fragments may be a result of poor handling and production p...
Rising rates of urbanisation in Africa, without attendant improvements in critical infrastructure... more Rising rates of urbanisation in Africa, without attendant improvements in critical infrastructure, have occasioned gaps in the provision of basic services in cities across the continent. Different systems and scales of service delivery — decentralised and centralised, public and private — coexist and often compete in urban spaces but rarely connect in ways that ensure the needs of the poorest are met. Our paper interrogates the value of transdisciplinary research for bringing actors in these systems together to co-produce knowledge for inclusive and sustainable outcomes. Drawing on empirical data from two complementary projects in four African cities, we demonstrate the possibilities for facilitating this kind of knowledge co-production among system actors in the food, water and energy domains. We show, through a comparative approach, elements of the co-production process that enable more responsive engagement by traditionally detached policy actors. From our findings, we generate a...
This study sought to explore the medicinal properties of extracts obtained from C. edulis seeds. ... more This study sought to explore the medicinal properties of extracts obtained from C. edulis seeds. The seeds were obtained from farms in the Upper East Region of Ghana, dried and milled into coarse powder. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol were used to extract the bioactive compounds present in the seeds by the cold maceration method. Antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated using the Phosphomolybdenum and DPPH free radical scavenging assays. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used to estimate the total phenol content and carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in chicks employed for the anti-inflammatory effects. The results showed that methanol extract had the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities while the petroleum ether extract showed the least activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract (31.3% oedema inhibition at 300 mg/kg body weight) was however lower than diclofenac (54.04% oedema inhibition at 100 mg/kg body weight), the re...
Sesamum indicum is considered an underutilized oil-bearing seed in the semiarid regions of Ghana.... more Sesamum indicum is considered an underutilized oil-bearing seed in the semiarid regions of Ghana. Nonetheless, it is a promising source of food with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties S. indicum seeds using different extraction solvents. The seeds were obtained from the local farmers and prepared for analysis. The bioactive compounds present in the seeds were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water and their yields quantified. Total phenolic content (TPC), Condensed tannin content (TTC) and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) , and DPPH radical scaveging assay were analyzed using standard methods. Antinutrients such as saponins, alkaloids, phytates and oxalates were also analyzed from the powdered seeds. Two chemometric methods; hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation were employed to evaluate the interdependence of the various parameters to result in their antioxidant properties. The results revealed that the solvents utilized had a significant impact on the extraction yield, phyto-chemical component concentration, and antioxidant activities. Hexane extracts of S. indicum seeds significantly exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). It was marked with the highest TAC value of 232.6 ± 6.267 mg/g AAE and a strong DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 of 52.81 ± 2.30 µg/mL. Correlations (p < 0.05) was established between TPC,CTC, TAC and DPPH radical scavenging activity) of the extracts. Antinutrients such as; phytate, oxalate, saponins and alkaloids were found to be 7.691 ± 0.8576, 1.501 ± 0.1375, 21.33 ± 4.619 and 317.33 ± 30.29 mg/g respectively. Data obtained suggest that S. indicum possess rich bioactive compounds that can be used in neutraceuticals and food products.
Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compou... more Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. This study looks at the optimization of factors that affect the efficiency for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the stem-bark of Funtumia elastica. Methods: Five independent variables (solvent concentration, time, the temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and pH) of the extraction process were selected. Single factor analysis as well as the response surface method was used to evaluate the impact of the selected factors on the total phenolic content. The effect of the extraction factors on the phenolic content was tested for its statistical significant (p <0.05). For the response surface method, a five/factor, five/level central composite design was used, and a fitted second-order polynomial regression model equation was used to show how the extraction parameters affected the total phenolic recovery. Results: The predicted value (R² of 0.5917) agreed with the adjusted value (R² of 0.7707). The residuals for response predictions were less than 5%. The optimal factors for the extraction were ethanol concentration of 75.99% v/v, extraction time of 193.86 minutes, temperature of 63.66°C, pH of 5.62, and solid-liquid ratio of 1:21.12 g/mL. Actual overall content of the phenolic compounds was validated at 82.83 ± 3.335 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) /g weight of extract, which agreed with the predicted response of 89.467 mg GAE/g of the dried extract under the optimal factors. Conclusions: The rich phenolic content of stem-bark of Funtumia elastica points to its potential as a functional medicinal product to alleviate diseases caused by oxidative stress such as asthma, breathing disorders, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. The results obtained indicate that, the studied optimal conditions support Open Peer Review Reviewer Status Invited Reviewers
The aromatic Spear grass Hyparrhena rufa (locally called "Limolanii") found in the Saboba Distric... more The aromatic Spear grass Hyparrhena rufa (locally called "Limolanii") found in the Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana is ingeniously used for dietary, medicinal, and other purposes. Focus group discussions were conducted in communities where "Limolanii" grows to assess the local perception of the importance of the grass and changing climate impacts on its continued existence. Findings indicated that the plant is of immense importance to the locals but has not been validated scientifically and reported for its current use. The communities are also hopeful of future socioeconomic benefits of "Limolanii" but expressed concern about the lack of remediation practices to address issues of climate change, increased use of agrochemicals, urbanization, etc., which can lead to the extinction of the grass. "Limolanii" was therefore evaluated for its nutritional and antinutritional content by proximate analysis and ethanolic extract evaluated for some medicinal properties. The extract was assessed for its anti-inflammatory property using the carrageenan-induced oedema in chicks' model while antioxidant property evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, Phosphomolybdenum (Total Antioxidant Capacity), Total Phenol (Folin-Ciocalteu), and Total Flavonoid Content (Aluminium-chloride colorimetric) assays. The plant showed good nutritional content, extract exhibited a dosedependent inhibition of oedema with maximal percentage inhibition of 41.05% at 300 mg/kg body weight and noticeable antioxidant activities. Flavonoids, coumarins, and other phytochemicals detected in the plant could be responsible for these activities, however, at certain levels, these phytochemicals could act as antinutrients. "Limolanii" exhibits medicinal properties backing its use traditionally as food supplements and herbs, hence the need to explore its possible commercial cultivation and embark on community sensitization to encourage people to protect and expand its production.
Despite the crucial role played by informal markets in food distribution globally, the sector is ... more Despite the crucial role played by informal markets in food distribution globally, the sector is ignored and marginalized. This study examined vegetable traders, the trading infrastructure available to them in the market, and how they conduct their businesses to explain the high food safety challenges in the sector. This paper is based on a survey, a learning journey, and transformation labs with market traders in Kumasi, Ghana. The study revealed that most traders were self-employed women with low education who worked for long hours. Access to electricity, water, refrigerators, and storage facilities was limited in the market. Vegetable spoilage was the highest cost associated with their trade. Due to the high spoilage rate, the traders sold the best vegetables at high prices and sold the bruised and rotten vegetables to local eateries and animal farms. The women made no losses through these strategies but used unsafe food handling practices and highly-priced wholesome vegetables. ...
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a... more Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a wide range of diseases in West Africa. This study aimed at assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the stem bark of F. africana and F. elastica. The dried, milled stem barks of F. africana and F. elastica were extracted with water and 70% ethanol by cold maceration. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, and tannins were determined using standard methods. The extracts were tested against bacterial and fungal pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), activity index, and the total antimicrobial activity of the extracts on the organisms were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, anthocyanins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, quinones, tannins, and saponins. The ethanolic extract of F. elastica had the highest phenolic flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity. A positive correlation was observed between TPC with TAC (R = 0.893, p < 0.05) and TFC with TAC (R = 0.613, p < 0.05). The extracts were most active against E. coli and C. albicans and least active against B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. The data obtained from the study indicated that the barks of the two plants possessed both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Dyes are usually present in trace quantities in the treated effluents of many industries. The eff... more Dyes are usually present in trace quantities in the treated effluents of many industries. The effectiveness of adsorption for dye removal from waste waters has made it an ideal alternative to other expensive treatment methods. This study investigates sorption properties of Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Terminalia superba sawdust for the adsorption of Vat Yellow-4, Vat Red-1 and Natural dyes in water bodies. Physical parameters of the wood sawdust and textile dye such as pH and moisture content were determined. The dye removal capacities of the various wood species were also calculated. The pH of the dyes and wood sawdust ranged from 5.93 to 9.47; and 5.06 to 8.59 respectively. The moisture content (%) also ranged from 3.00 to 4.00 with an average of 3.50. The dye removal percentage (%) by Tectona grandis, Ceiba pentandra and Terminalia superba wood sawdust were respectively found to range from 18.39 to 44.46, 9.24 to 46.65 12.66 to 63.56 for the adsorption of the various dye ...
This study evaluated the nutritional and medicinal properties of seeds from Adansonia digitata (B... more This study evaluated the nutritional and medicinal properties of seeds from Adansonia digitata (BSF) and Balanite aegyptiaca (DDSF) plants. Proximate chemical composition, mineral elements composition, flavonoids, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory properties were studied. Results obtained revealed that DDSF had the highest moisture, crude fat, and crude protein content of 7.66 %, 42.80 %, 20.37 %, respectively, whilst BSF gave the highest ash, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content. Elemental analysis revealed BSF had the highest Mg content (313.65 mg/100g) and DDSF gave the highest Ca content (118.62 mg/100g). Additionally, DDSF gave the highest total phenolics (18.89 mg TAE/ 100 g), total flavonoids (8.80 mg QE/ 100 g) as well as the highest total antioxidant capacity of (19.62 mg AAE/ 100 g) dry of extract. Based on results obtained in this study, seeds obtained from the Adansonia digitata and Balanite aegyptiaca could be a potential source of functional food ...
The need for a green and more environmentally friendly energy production has led to recent resear... more The need for a green and more environmentally friendly energy production has led to recent research into the use of natural products in the production photovoltaic cells. In this study, TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using photo-sensitizers made from ten natural dyes extracted from different plant parts (i.e. seeds, stalks, peels and flowers) of some selected plants and using candle soot carbon as a counter electrode. The chemical composition of the materials was determined using basic phytochemical screening assays. The extracted dye materials were characterized using UV and IR methods after which they were used in developing DSSCs. The DSSCs were then characterized under AM 1.5 illuminations to measure their photo-electrochemical properties. The dyes containing carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups showed weak to large absorption under the visible light (400-700 nm) irradiation. The photo-electrochemical performance of the various cells gave an eff...
Eggshells are among the emerging hazardous waste from the food processing industry. This work sou... more Eggshells are among the emerging hazardous waste from the food processing industry. This work sought to valorize waste guinea fowl eggshells. Guinea fowl eggshells (GFEs) were evaluated in the production of CaO for chemical and industrial application. The functionality, thermal stability, elemental composition, phase distribution and surface morphology properties of uncalcined GFEs and GFEs calcined at 700˚C, 800˚C, 900˚C, 1000˚C and 1100˚C were systematically studied by FTIR, TGA, XRF, XRD and SEM-EDX respectively. The elemental analysis revealed Ca as the main element in the GFEs. The uncalcined GFEs showed intense peaks that corresponded to calcite (CaCO 3) phases. These transformed into Ca(OH) 2 as the temperature of calcination increased and finally to CaO in the FTIR analysis. In the XRD diffractograms, the main peaks at 2θ values were 29.466˚ for the uncalcined GFESs and at 37.377˚ for the sample treated at 1100˚C. The phases were confirmed as CaO when compared with JCPDS files. Using the Scherer equation, the CaO crystallite size for the sample calcined at 1100˚C was found to be 50.68 nm along the (2 0 0) orientation. All the samples showed multi-step decomposition patterns in the thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), with weight loss of up to 47% for the uncalcined GFEs sample, which was mainly due to the transformation of the calcite (CaCO 3) phase to CaO by removal of bound water, organic components, and CO 2. Samples calcined at 1100˚C showed mainly CaO phases in XRD analyses and fairly stable with 7% loss in weight after treatment at 800˚C. SEM images of samples calcined at 900˚C were irregular compared to samples treated at 1100˚C. EDX data revealed that the surface structure was 100% calcium and oxygen. GFEs are a potential source of pure calcium oxide for various industrial uses.
The leaves of Persea americana are widely used for ethno-medicinal purposes worldwide. This study... more The leaves of Persea americana are widely used for ethno-medicinal purposes worldwide. This study assessed the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and petroleum ether leaves extracts of P. americana. Extracts displayed variable antimicrobial activities that were microorganism-specific. The methanolic extract displayed the most potent antimicrobial activities with the largest zones of inhibition (0-1.8 mm) in the agar diffusion assay and with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the broth dilution assay against a panel of microorganisms that included Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the most potent antioxidant potential with the lowest EC 50 of 4.15x10-30 g/ml for the peroxide radical scavenging activities. The data supports the ethnomedicinal use of the leaves of P. americana for the management of infections and for other symptoms whose etiology may be linked to oxidative stress.
A thesis presented to The Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University o... more A thesis presented to The Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, 2015
Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compou... more Background: The recovery of phenolic compounds is seen as an arduous task because phenolic compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. Furthermore, phenolic compounds do not disperse evenly and may be connected to cell walls, carbohydrates, or proteins. This study looks at the optimization of factors that affect the efficiency for the extraction of phenolic compounds from the stem-bark of Funtumia elastica. Methods: Five independent variables (solvent concentration, time, the temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and pH) of the extraction process were selected. Single factor analysis as well as the response surface method was used to evaluate the impact of the selected factors on the total phenolic content. The effect of the extraction factors on the phenolic content was statistically significant (p <0.05). For the response surface method, a five/factor, five/level central composite design used, and a fitte...
Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a... more Funtumia africana and Funtumia elastica belong to a group of invaluable plants used in managing a wide range of diseases in West Africa. This study aimed at assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the stem bark of F. africana and F. elastica. The dried, milled stem barks of F. africana and F. elastica were extracted with water and 70% ethanol by cold maceration. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids, and tannins were determined using standard methods. The extracts were tested against bacterial and fungal pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), activity index, and the total antimicrobial activity of the extracts on the organisms were evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, anthocyanins, t...
ABSTRACTThis article reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol conten... more ABSTRACTThis article reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol content of shea butter fat, palm kernel oil, and peanut oil sold in the local Ghanaian market for their characterization and identification. Samples were dissolved in chloroform with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as the matrix. After subjecting the samples to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry, the spectra obtained showed the characteristic triacylglycerols as sodium adducts. Seven major triacylglycerol species were identified as dipalmitoyl olein, palmitoyl diolein, palmitoyl stearoyl olein, linoleoyl diolein, triolein, stearoyl diolein, and distearoyl olein in all three samples. Palmitoyl linoleoyl olein and tristearin were also identified. Oxygenated triacylglycerols and other species from the fragmentation of triacylglycerols were also obtained. The presence of the oxygenated triacylglycerols and the triacylglycerol fragments may be a result of poor handling and production p...
Rising rates of urbanisation in Africa, without attendant improvements in critical infrastructure... more Rising rates of urbanisation in Africa, without attendant improvements in critical infrastructure, have occasioned gaps in the provision of basic services in cities across the continent. Different systems and scales of service delivery — decentralised and centralised, public and private — coexist and often compete in urban spaces but rarely connect in ways that ensure the needs of the poorest are met. Our paper interrogates the value of transdisciplinary research for bringing actors in these systems together to co-produce knowledge for inclusive and sustainable outcomes. Drawing on empirical data from two complementary projects in four African cities, we demonstrate the possibilities for facilitating this kind of knowledge co-production among system actors in the food, water and energy domains. We show, through a comparative approach, elements of the co-production process that enable more responsive engagement by traditionally detached policy actors. From our findings, we generate a...
This study sought to explore the medicinal properties of extracts obtained from C. edulis seeds. ... more This study sought to explore the medicinal properties of extracts obtained from C. edulis seeds. The seeds were obtained from farms in the Upper East Region of Ghana, dried and milled into coarse powder. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol were used to extract the bioactive compounds present in the seeds by the cold maceration method. Antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated using the Phosphomolybdenum and DPPH free radical scavenging assays. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used to estimate the total phenol content and carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in chicks employed for the anti-inflammatory effects. The results showed that methanol extract had the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities while the petroleum ether extract showed the least activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract (31.3% oedema inhibition at 300 mg/kg body weight) was however lower than diclofenac (54.04% oedema inhibition at 100 mg/kg body weight), the re...
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