DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

This study was design to investigate the adsorption capacity of ascorbic acid on organo-bentonite clay by studying the adsorption capacity of organo-bentonite clay. Kinetic parameters such as time and pH from the result obtained, amount adsorbed with time increase with increase with time until equilibrium was attained, while for pH increase in pH leads to increase in amount adsorbed while equilibrium was attained at pH 8 to 10. From the result obtained it will be seen that adsorption capacity varied with different parameter.

The research project investigates the phytochemical profile of the oil fraction derived from Justicia carnea leaves, utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Methanolic extraction through maceration, followed by rotary evaporation for concentration, was employed to isolate the phytoconstituents of the plant material. A portion of the concentrated crude extract was subjected to a detailed phytochemical screening, which identified bioactive classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, indicating the plant's rich chemical composition. For further analysis, another fraction of the crude extract underwent vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) using a gradient of solvent systems. The hexane:ethyl acetate fraction was selected for GC-MS analysis, where phytol, a diterpenoid alcohol, was identified as the major compound with a retention time of 23.74 minutes and an abundance of 67.286%. Phytol, a well-documented diterpene, plays a significant physiological role and is associated with multiple biological activities, including anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The convergence of phytochemical screening and GC-MS results underscores the chemical complexity and pharmacological relevance of Justicia carnea's oil fraction. These findings support further bioactivity-guided studies of this botanical source, which may yield novel bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential for addressing human health concerns

This study focused on the growing environmental concern over conventional petroleum-based plastics by the development and characterization of biodegradable starch-based bioplastic films from carboxymethyl cassava starch. The starch powders were extracted from cassava by cold extraction method which gave a yield percent of 17.3%. The physicochemical properties of the extracted starch resulted in a moisture content 12.3%, pH, 6.0 and gelatinization temperature, 65oC. The cassava starch
was modified to carboxymethyl starch (CMS) for improved mechanical properties. The percentage yield of CMS from the native starch was 59%, degree of substitution and gelatinization temperature gave 0.27% and 50oC. The modified CMS was characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The FT-IR results showed the presence of O-H, C-H, C-O-C stretching and CO-C ring vibration of carbohydrate, and contained a more intense peaks around 1203-1241cm-1, 1417cm-1 and 932cm-1 which are consistent with the presence of new functional groups which indicates chemical modification of the native cassava starch. The CMS bioplastic films were prepared using casting method by varying ethylene glycol plasticizer (2g, 3g, 4g, 5g) and varying kaolinite filler (0g, 0.5g and 1g) for each weight of the ethylene glycol. The moisture absorption, acid absorption and water absorption showed similar trend of increased absorption as plasticizer levels increases. Films with no filler absorbed more, while filler addition lowered absorption. Solvent solubility showed that bioplastics were soluble in 1M NaOH and showed no significant change (mass and colour) in absolute ethanol. Mechanical testing such as thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break percent and yield percent of prepared bioplastic films were also evaluated. It was discovered that Increasing ethylene glycol improved flexibility but reduces tensile strength, whereas kaolin enhances strength at low plasticizer levels but reduces flexibility. Based on the mechanical testing, the most suitable sample in terms of strength and elongation occurred at 3g plasticizer with 0.5 and 1g filler. Biodegradable ability of prepared bioplastic films were also investigated using the soil burial method and all the films were found to have totally degraded after three weeks. The decomposition nature of prepared biodegradable CMS films was investigated by TGA/DTA. Analysis indicated thermal stability up to 180 – 200oC with kaolin contributing to improve heat resistance. This study demonstrates that CMS based films reinforced with
kaolin and plasticized with ethylene glycol offer an environmental friendly and functional alternative to conventional plastics showing strong potential for sustainable packaging applications.

Schiff bases and their complexes are versatile compounds synthesized from the condensation of an amino compound with carbonyl compounds and widely used for industrial purposes and also exhibit a broad range of biological activities including antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiproliferative, anti inflammatory, antiviral, and antipyretic properties. Many Schiff base complexes show excellent ca alytic activity in various reactions and in the presence of moisture. Over the past few years, there have been many reports on their applications in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. The high thermal and moisture stabilities of many Schiff base complexes were useful attributes for their application as catalysts in reactions involving at high temperatures. The activity is usually increased by complexation therefore to understand the properties of both ligands and metal can lead to the synthesis of highly active compounds. The influence of certain metals on the biological activity of these compounds and their intrinsic chemical interest as multidentate ligands has prompted a considerable increase in the study of their coordination behaviour. Development of a new chemotherapeutic Schiff bases and their metal complexes is now attracting the attention of medicinal chemists.

Carrot (daucus carota) is an important root vegetable, which has various bioactive compounds like carotenoids and dietary fibers with appreciable levels of several other functional components having significant health-promoting properties. The consumption of carrot and its products is gaining rapid attention because it has been identified as an important source of natural antioxidants having anticancer activity. Apart from carrot roots being traditionally used in salad and preparation of many cuisines, carrots could commercially be converted into nutritionally rich processed products like juice, concentrate, dried powder, canned, preserve, candy, pickle, and gazrailla. Carrot pomace containing about 50% of β-carotene could profitably be utilized for the supplementation of products like cake, bread, biscuits and preparation of several types of functional products. This research work highlights the nutritional composition, health promoting phytonutrients, functional properties of carrot and by-products utilization of carrot along with the potential application of these products. It has been shown that the carrot has a moisture content of 25.34%, ash content 8.21%, crude fibre 3.08%, crude fat 5.07%, protein 4.15%and carbohydrateof54.15% these findings proves that the carrot is of good quality. The presence of mineral elements such as Zinc (2.5mg/kg) Manganese (0.6mg/kg), Iron (2.09mg/kg), Magnesium(20.6mg/kg), Calcium (18.50mg/kg). indicates its safe consumption while the presence of bio active compounds such as glycosides, saponins, phenolics, eugenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins all contribute to its nutritional values.

The present study was carried out to determine proximate analysis andselectedmineral contents of “2mm grade of selected fish feeds”, (Na, K, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, Co, Mn, Mg, Pb, Cd). The research was performed to qualify the nutrient andtoassessthe content of ash and moisture and the mineral contents. Proximate compositionwas determined on the homogenous basis. The percentage of protein indif erentfeed ingredients ranged from 46.16 + 0.18 to 51.50+ 0.02%. The highest proteincontent (51.50%) was recorded from the blue crown fish feed and the lowest value(46.18%) was recorded from the allerqua fish feed. The percentage of fibre, ashand moisture were recorded Fibre (0.34% to 0.54%), Ash (4.20 %to 6.20%) andMoisture (4.01% to 7.15%) respectively. The highest amount of moisture (7.15%)was found in Blue crown and the lowest amount (4.01%) was found in Aqualisandthe determination of selected Mineral contents. To maintain the optimumnutrientcontent and ultimately rapid growth in the aquaculture farms, the farmer shouldtake proper initiatives for measuring the nutrients in feed usually of eredinfarms.

The result for proximate analysis on Ginger( Zingiber officinale) showed carbohydrates 59.97± 0.41, crude fibre 3.65± 0.05, Ash 6.23 ± 0.10, Crudefat8.66±0.35, protein 11.90 ±0.15, and moisture 9.47±0.09. From the results, ginger has high carbohydrate content and contain low value of moisture indicating a longer shelf life.The Phytochemical screening of ginger showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, phenolics, terpenoids, saponin, glycoside, steroids, and the absence of tannin, phlobotanin, and anthraquinone. Antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to the presence of the phytochemicals present

Air and water pollutants are often treated with activated carbon. This project inspects this sorbent for heavy metal or inorganic compound removal. Production of activated carbon. Physical and chemical activation and raw material pyrolysis are discussed. Biochar has a surface areaof226.380m2/g and a modified Biochar of 248.650m2/g, pore volume of 0.134cm3/gand0.150cm3/g, pore size of 2.08nm and 2.118nm distribution, and chemical surface structure. Biochar and modified biochar FTIR spectra were analyzed for functional groups. Spectrum intensity enhanced with acid alteration. Peaks at 3200-3550 cm−1 indicate O-H stretching vibrations, as well as C=C stretching vibrations of alkane functional group at 1600-1660cm−1and -=CH3 group at 1430-1470 cm�� Modified biochar improved wastewater treatment and soil remediation by increasing specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a rough modified biochar structure, increasing adsorption sites. Modification increased FTIR intensity, indicating functional group changes. Adsorption testing indicated that modified biochar eliminates Pb and Cd from water. Adsorption efficiency depended on initial concentration, pH, dose, and contact time. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model fit the data better than the Freundlich model, implying monolayer adsorption onto a homogeneous surface. These studies demonstrate that acid-modified biochar can remove heavy metals from water.

Ascorbic acid plays a critical role in various metabolic activities such as the absorption of iron from nonheme products and negates the formation of reactive oxygen, a major product responsible for oxidative stress and recent studies has shown that it is thermally labile. The effect of heat on its content in fruit juices has been successfully investigated. Fresh fruit samples were obtained from New Benin market and the juice extracts were obtained using mechanical press after which temperatures of 40,
60, 80, and 100°C were applied and the ascorbic acid contents of the fresh juice extracts and after treatment were determined using iodimetry at interval of 24 hours for five days. From the results obtained, the ascorbic acid content was found highest for
mango juice extract with a value of 11.40mg. The values obtained for grape, lemon, and tangerine are 10.42, 5.86, and 4.98mg respectively. From the values, it was obvious that heating played a major role in the ascorbic acid content of the extracts. This was demonstrated by plotting the contents in mg as functions of time from where it was seen that Lemon fruit juice had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.9918 at 60°C while the least was found for grape fruit juice at 40 and 80°C with a value of 0.9205.

This study focuses on the development and characterization of biodegradable packaging films produced from acetylated cassava starch reinforced with kaolinite and plasticized with ethylene glycol. Cassava starch was extracted, chemically modified through acetylation, and confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The acetylated starch spectrum displayed a distinct absorption peak around 1740 cm⁻¹, attributed to the carbonyl (C=O) stretching vibration of ester groups, confirming acetylation. An additional peak at 1230–1260 cm⁻¹ corresponds to C–O stretching of the acetyl ester linkage. The observed decrease and narrowing of the O–H stretching band intensity around 3400 cm⁻¹ reflects the replacement of hydroxyl groups by acetyl moieties, reducing intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Slight intensity variations in the 1000–1150 cm⁻¹ region also indicate modifications to the starch backbone. Acetylation lowered the gelatinization temperature from 65 °C to approximately 51 °C, indicating reduced structural order and enhanced thermal processability. Bioplastic films were formulated using varying concentrations of ethylene glycol (2–5 g) and kaolinite filler (0–1 g) through a solution casting technique. The physicochemical analysis shows that the extracted starch had a high yield (62.3%), a moisture content of 12.3%, and a gelatinization temperature consistent with high-quality cassava starch. Film characterization revealed notable variations in colour, thickness, solubility, and absorption behaviour across formulations. Water, moisture, and acid absorption increased with higher plasticizer content (2g – 5g), while kaolinite reduced uptake due to its barrier-enhancing layered structure. All samples were soluble in 1 M NaOH, confirming the susceptibility of acetate ester linkages to alkaline hydrolysis, but remained insoluble in ethanol