Set Publisher
Not a member yet
1080 research outputs found
Sort by
Efficacy of Non-Linear Approach in the Study of Ozone Layer Depletion
Get PDFThe stratosphere is one of the constituents of thermal structure of the atmosphere. The maximum concentration of ozone is found at the stratospheric region where it is interacted by many species including chemical and physical processes. Atmosphere as a whole is an open system that is regarded as a non linear system and that seems to be complex. Therefore, a non-linear trend is plausible to explain phenomenon of ozone layer depletion (OLD).
In this manuscript we have paid our attention in the analysis of the major portion of historic data on stratospheric O3based on ground-based measurements by the Dobson Spectrophotometer. In this communication we have estimated parameters for describing non-linearity in the process using polynomial trend functions and predicted values are calculated for the period from 1960 to 1999. Future values for ozone depths are computed till 2006 and compared with the minor portion of the data set
Production of Tannase by Fungi Isolated from Different Soils
Get PDFTannases are enzymes that catalyze the production of gallic acid which is a versatile precursor of various chemicals used in food and pharmaceutical industries. This work is aimed at isolation and production of tannase from soil fungi. Moulds were isolated from soil samples that were collected from different sites in Ibadan Metropolis. Isolated fungi were screened on plate for tannase production. The best sets of fungi were selected to produce tannases under solid state fermentation using various substrates. Twenty (20) out of forty-two (42) isolated fungi were able to produce tannase. Isolates FR6, IAR15 and BG4 recorded highest zone of hydrolysis (20, 17 and 16 mm) on Tannic acid agar and were identified as Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus tamarii and Neosartorya fumigata respectively using their macroscopic and microscopic properties. Among different used substrates, highest production of tannase was observed when wheat bran (8.72 U/mL) was used as substrate which was followed by Moringa seed (7.90 U/mL). There was higher production of tannase by selected isolates when grown in used substrate (Wheat and Moringa seed) alone than when supplemented with tannic acid. Of all used carbon sources, Fructose and Maltose supported best production of tannase by the three fungi. NaNO3 was the best nitrogen source among all the nitrogen sources used with the yield of 15.88 U/mL by Aspergillus japonicus. Optimum production of tannase was either recorded at pH 6.0 or 6.5 with selected isolates. Aspergillus japonicus had a considerable higher production than other two selected fungi. Best production of tannase is achieved with 1% of fructose as carbon source, 1% of NaNO3 as nitrogen and Wheat bran as substrate at pH of 6.5
Characterization of Carotenoids Content and Composition of Saffron from Different Localities
Get PDFThe most essential carotenoids for humans are found in plants that are normally yellow, orange, and red coloured pigments. They are typically and mostly lipophilic in nature, but some unique plant species may yield water-soluble carotenoids. Saffron or Crocus sativus contains hydrophilic carotenoids named crocin. Thus, this paper will describe the extraction and characterization of hydrophilic and lipophilic carotenoids (colour properties) obtained from saffrons of different geographical origins. They are specifically the Iranian, Turkish, and Kashmiri saffron respectively. Maceration techniques have been employed to extract the targeted compounds, whereas the characterization of the compounds has been analysed using HPLC. The extraction and characterization of carotenoids in saffron from different geographical origins found that the amount of crocin content was substantially higher in Iranian saffron, which was 11414.67 ± 516.34 µg/g DW followed by Turkish and Kashmiri saffron. Lipohilic carotenoids (i.e. crocetin, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin) were detectable in Iranian and Turkish saffron but absent in Kashmiri saffron. Similarly, the highest amount of crocetin content was found in Iranian saffron at 1054.73 ± 50.31 µg/g DW, while the highest amount of β-carotene and zeaxanthin was found in Turkish saffron at 512.92 ± 79.98 µg/g DW and 252.04 ± 60.34 µg/g DW, respectively. There was a marked difference in carotenoid composition sourced from different localities. Various environmental factors like climatic conditions, agricultural practices, stigma separation, and storing and drying processes may play an important role to explain such difference
Review of Pharmacological Properties, Phytochemistry and Medicinal uses of Volkameria glabra
Get PDFVolkameria glabra (E. Mey.) Mabb. & Y.W. Yuan is a deciduous shrub or a small tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of pharmacological properties, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of V. glabra. Documented information on pharmacological properties, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of V. glabra was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study revealed that the bark, leaf and root infusion and/or decoction of V. glabra are mainly used as immune booster, protective charm, anthelmintic and ethnoveterinary medicine, and traditional medicine for convulsions, fractured bones, fever, wounds, gastro-intestinal problems, snake bite and respiratory diseases. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include aliphatic glycosides, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, iridoid, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. The V. glabra and compounds isolated from the species exhibited acaricidal, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobacterial, anti-collagenase, antidiabetic, anti-elastase, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antipyretic, cholinesterase enzyme inhibition, immune-stimulant and cytotoxicity activities. Volkameria glabra should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities
Baccharoides lasiopus: Review of its Medicinal uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties
Get PDFBaccharoides lasiopus is a woody shrub widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the pharmacological properties, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. lasiopus. Documented information on the pharmacological properties, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. lasiopus was collected from several online sources, which included Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the university library. The articles published between 1971 and 2020 were used in this study. This study showed that the leaves, roots, stems, whole plant parts, root and stem bark of B. lasiopus are widely used as galactagogue, purgative and anthelmintic, and traditional medicine for headache, liver diseases, skin diseases, respiratory infections, malaria, augment labour, convulsions, epilepsy, fainting, female reproductive problems, and gastro-intestinal problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include elemanolide type sesquiterpene lactones, alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and xanthines. Pharmacological research revealed that B. lasiopus extracts and compounds isolated from the species have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, antiplasmodial, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, haematological, hepatoprotective, hepatotoxicity, larvicidal, and cytotoxicity activities. Future research on B. lasiopus should focus on the possible biochemical mechanisms of action of both the crude extracts and identified phytochemical compounds including toxicological, in vivo, and clinical studies to corroborate the traditional medical applications of the species
Solving the Periodic Toda-Type Chain with a Self-Consistent Source
Get PDFIn this article, we explore the periodic Toda-type chain. The aim of this work is to obtain representations for the solutions of the periodic Toda-type chain with self-consistent source within the framework of the inverse spectral method for the discrete Hill equation. An efficient method for integrating the periodic Toda-type chain with self-consistent source is presented. The results can be used in modeling special types of electric transmission lines
Microplastics Occurrence in Waters off the Northwest Coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A Spatial Difference
No full textMicroplastics pollution has been receiving extensive attention globally with its presence felt in both remote and pristine coastal marine environments. Defined as plastics with diameters of 5mm or less and originating from primary and secondary sources, its impact is still not fully understood. Our investigation was conducted along two northern states in Peninsular Malaysia, i.e. Pulau Pinang and Kedah, to quantify microplastics occurrence in the surface waters. Seawater samples were collected from different sampling stations using a 355µm manta net. The plastics was removed from the water samples by density separation, treated with hydrogen peroxide and were identified using a stereo microscope. Microplastics occurred at all sampling stations with numbers varying from 8 to 73 particles/L. Samples were dominated by fragment and filament shapes. Sizes (2 to 3mm) and white colouration were found to be dominant. Future research is suggested to the identification of polymer type and a better understanding of its impact on marine communities
Impact of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Status on the Academic Performance of Omani School Students
Get PDFIn a cross-sectional study, we determined the dietary patterns and nutritional status of Omani school students (12-15 years), and their association with student’s academic performance. A study questionnaire, including a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, was used to collect data. Results indicated that 36% of Omani school students regularly consumed breakfast, whereas only 21.7% had daily 3 meals. Similarly, 30.5% of students consumed fruits ≥ 2 serving/day, 26.6% consumed vegetables ≥ 3 serving/day, and 49.8% consumed fish ≥ 2 serving/week. Significant differences were observed regarding breakfast consumption among genders, regular intake of daily 3 meals, fruits, fish, avoiding soft drinks, nutritional knowledge, total energy and macronutrient intake. Based on BMI, 12.3 % of students were overweight, and 26.1% were obese. The students did not have enough nutritional knowledge and showed unhealthy dietary patterns indicated by their mediocre Omani Diet Scores. Daily energy and macronutrient intakes in males were significantly higher than females. Only fish intake, avoiding soft drinks, waist to height ratio (WHtR), and nutritional knowledge score showed significant associations with student’s academic performance. Healthy dietary patterns and improved nutritional status of school students showed a positive association with their academic performance, suggesting that more focus should be placed in developing healthy dietary patterns
Review of Botany, Nutritional, Medicinal, Pharmacological Properties and Phytochemical Constituents of Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, (Rhizophoraceae)
Get PDFBruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, popularly known as black Mangroves, is an economical and valuable medicinal plant that is commonly found in relatively distinct zones, which are controlled by factors such as salinity, tidal regime, soil type and seed predators.This study is aimed at reviewing the botany, nutritional and medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of B. gymnorhiza. A comprehensive literature search was done using electronic databases including journal articles, books, theses, scientific reports and internet sources.The most widespread direct use of B. gymnorhiza is for wood and other uses include food, medicines, dyes and environmental services. Different compounds such as β-sitosterol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, ursolic acid, stigmasterol, lupeol, taraxerol, bruguierol, oleanolic acid, gymnorhizol, bruguiesulfurol, isobrugierol and ellagic acid have been isolated from B. gymnorhiza. The leaves, dried roots,stem and barks of B. gymnorhiza have shown the presence of flavonoids, phenols, hydroquinones, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, gums, reducing sugars,phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and glycosides.These compounds are sterols and have shown high anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic, antioxidant and angiogenic effects, inducing apoptosis, hypocholesterolemic activity, anthelminthic and antimutagenic activities. B. gymnorhiza plant extract contains chemical constituents of pharmacological importance, which can play a significant role in the production of pharmaceutical products for future use
Eco-Friendly Tri-Sodium Citrate as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Synthetic Cooling Water System
Get PDFThe influence of an ecofriendly tri-sodium citrate (TSC) on the inhibition of mild steel corrosion in synthetic cooling water was studied by using potentiodynamic polarization (PP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The state of mild steel surface was characterized by scanning microscopy electron (SEM) analysis. It is found that TSC acts as an anodic type inhibitor where its inhibition increases with concentration to reach a maximum of 89 % at 10-3 M. Indeed, the EIS plots revealed that TSC increases the polarization resistance of mild steel confirming the current-potential measurement and indicated that the inhibition efficiency of TSC increase with immersion time until 24 h of immersion. SEM investigation demonstrated that the inhibition of mild steel in corrosive/TSC solution was realized by the TSC molecules adsorption onto mild steel to prevent the dissolution process by blocking the active sites on its surface. Thus, it is shown that the TSC obey to the Langmuir isotherm and it is adsorbed via both physical and chemical adsorption which can explain by potential of zero charge (PZC) technique