DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

Ficus capensis, a wild fig tree remains the most readily available remedy to many of human problems. The free oxygen we breathe in comes from plants and many more nutritional and health benefits which are yet to be discovered. This is why the proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, mineral content and the ethanol isolate of Ficus capensis stem bark extracts were investigated. The proximate analysis, phytochemical screening and mineral content analysis were carried using standard methods and the Ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration technique. The proximate analysis of the stem bark extracts revealed; 60.12%,
20.35% and 8.37% for carbohydrate, crude fibre and moisture content respectively. The presence of active phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, phenolics and eugenols were detected in the stem bark. Among the minerals present in the stem bark was potassium which gave the highest concentration of 17.7ppm respectively.
Others were Na (12.60ppm), Ca (5.62ppm), Mg (1.63ppm), Fe (5.30 ppm) and Cr (0.05 ppm). This study suggests that the plant samples have useful phytochemicals and minerals which can have useful pharmacological effects and also serve as nutritional supplement. The results of the ultraviolet-visible, gas chromatography spectral and infra-red analysis reveals the presence of
carboxylic acid and nitro functional group in the UV-VIS, for GC-MS spectra the compound detected were benzoic acid, 2-nitroso, acetic acid e.t.c and for IR analysis reveals the presence of Amines, alkyl group and alcohol functional group.

This study investigates the medicinal properties of the leaf extract of Morinda Citrifolia, commonly known as Noni, with a particular focus on its anti-diabetic potential, antioxidant activity, and biochemical composition. The research encompasses an in-depth analysis of the Morinda Citrifolia extract phytochemical composition, antidiabetic activity, elemental composition, heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition, and alkaloid and amino acid profiles. After
identifying bioactive components by phytochemical screening, the extract was tested in vitro for its potential as an antidiabetic and its capacity to prevent hemoglobin denaturation. In addition to
analyzing the alkaloid and amino acid profiles, elemental analysis was used to ascertain the concentration of both beneficial and detrimental components. An inhibitory assay was used to
measure the antidiabetic action, and absorbance measurements were used to identify heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition.
The extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and phenolic chemicals, according to phytochemical screening. With a maximal inhibitory activity of 49.10%
at a dosage of 0.5 mg/mL, the antidiabetic activity demonstrated a dose-dependent rise in inhibition. Significant action was shown by the heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition, which peaked
at 84.07% at 300 mg/mL. Essential elements including calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium were found by elemental analysis; dangerous elements like lead and chromium were not found in
any discernible amounts. The total protein or amino acid content in the extract was 111.58840, and there was 0.2 g of total alkaloids.
Morinda Citrifolia extract has significant biological properties, such as antioxidant and antidiabetic actions, as well as the capacity to prevent hemoglobin denaturation. The extract's possible therapeutic applications are further supported by the presence of vital components and bioactive phytochemicals. The presence of protein and amino acids, however, raises the plant’s nutritional and medicinal value. These results lay the groundwork for additional research into
Morinda Citrifolia’s active ingredients and potential medical uses

This work entails extraction, characterization and thermal stability studies with tigernut(Cyperus esculentus) oil. The Tigernut used in this work was obtained from an open market in Benin city. Oil extraction was carried out by soxhlet extraction using n-hexane as a solvent. Parameters studied were free fatty acid (FFA) content giving 0.48% as result, peroxide value(PV) with results of 1.96meq/kg and 7.80meq/kg for the raw oil and treated oil respectively, refractive index (RI) test- 69% and 69.5% brix for both raw and treated oil respectively and measurement of absorbance of the raw and treated oil at 234nm and 270nm. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the functional groups present in the oil. Findings indicate that the oil is thermally stable when treated with heat. Due to the highly nutritional properties of this oil, it has found wide usefulness in culinary arts, pharmaceutical products and even cosmetics

Particulate matter (PM) are basically released into the environment through anthropogenic activities such as combustion processes which includes vehicular emissions, combustion of fossil fuel, metal smelting, which significantly pollutes the environment, thereby having negative effects on man and its environment. Particulate matter comprises of different particles size, ranging from ultrafine particles to total suspended particulates and various composition, the major components are the organic and the inorganic (metals) and these are the once that have cause for health concern. Metals have divers of adverse effects on the environment and on the human body In this study, PM2.5 and TSP were collected during the dry and wet season using APEX2IS Casella standard pump coupled with conical inhalable sampler (CIS) head at a flow rate 3.5L/min for a sampling period of 8 hours per day. The weight of the sample collected were determined gravimetrically and analyzed for heavy metal concentration in PM2.5 and TSP using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method. The results obtained were subjected to Statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) for source identification, cluster analysis and correlation matrix.

Smoked beef is a common food sold on the streets in Nigeria, popularly known as ‘suya’. This project evaluates the levels of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and five heavy metals in smoked beef, aiming to determine PAH and heavy metal concentrations and compare them with regulatory limits. The study employed analytical techniques including gas chromatography for PAH analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for heavy metal analysis. Samples of smoked beef were collected from various locations around University of Benin axis (Ekosodin, Hall 2 and Maingate) which underwent solvent extraction using a sonic bath, followed by purification with a silica gel column and were analysed via Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector for their PAH levels. For heavy metals, samples were digested with nitric and perchloric acid and then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results revealed the presence of PAHs and various heavy metals, with concentrations varying among samples showed that the PAH levels were well within the regulatory standards while some of the heavy metals were above the regulatory standards. The findings provide valuable insights into the contamination levels of smoked beef and highlight the importance of monitoring and regulating food processing practices to ensure consumer safety.

The experiment was carried out to produce ginger powder from fresh ginger rhizomes using sun drying technique. The fresh rhizomes were collected from Forestry market, Benin City, Edo State. The ginger was then examined for its proximate, phytochemical and mineral element composition. These tests were carried out on the ginger before and after processing. The phytochemicals examined were alkaloids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, tanins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, quinones and steroids. Specifically, the absence or presence of these phytochemicals were determined. The results from the mineral element test on the fresh ginger showed the following values in mg/L; Magnesium (0.75), Iron (1.0), Calcium (0.50), Zinc (0.80), Potassium (19.70) and Sodium (2.20). The processed ginger powder showed; Iron (1.60), Magnesium (1.08), Calcium (0.30), Zinc (1.20), Potassium (61.10) and Sodium (11.40). MBased on this study, the sun drying technique proved effective in reducing the moisture content of the ginger thereby improving its shelf-life, and its overall consumer desirability. The processed ginger powder is also a good source of the aforementioned minerals.

This study determined and compared the values of exchangeable cations Mg2+,Ca2+,Na+,K+,and cation exchange capacity(CEC) of clay soil samples in Nigeria, using different pH media (4,5,7,8).Two different clay soil were analysed. Ammonium acetate displacement method was used for the analysis. The chemical analysis were performed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry(AAS),to determine the Mg2+,Ca2+content;Flame photometer to determine Na+,K+,content andColorimeter; used to determine ammonium nitrogen content.The result showed that Sample 1,Exchangeable cations (E.C) for Mg 2+had its highest at pH 7(0.198±0.03) and its lowest value at pH 4(0.142±0.04), Ca2+ had its highest at pH 7(2.692±0.08) and its lowest value at pH 5(1.188±0.16), Na+had its highest value at pH 8 (1.884±0.05) and its lowest value at pH 5(0.409±0.03), andK+ had its highest value at pH7(0.926±0.09) and its lowest value at pH 8 (0.415±0.03)The result showed that Sample 2, Exchangeablecations (E.C) for Mg2+, had its highest at pH 5(0.047±0.002) and its lowest value at pH 8(0.032±0.003), Ca2+had its highest at pH 8(1.339±0.08)and its lowest value at pH4(0.349±0.06),Na+had its highest value at pH8(2.185±0.04) and its lowest value at pH 4(1.598±0.08), and K+ had its highest value at pH 8(0.693±0.06) and its lowest value at pH 5(0.415±0.07). Generally there was a decrease in CEC as the pH increased in the acidic media from pH 4 to 5 and an increase in the CEC as the pH approached neutral, and also a decrease when the pH was increased to 8(basic medium).From the results obtained,it is evident that pH is animportant soil property,because when the clay sample was treated at different pH,the values of the cations as well as their exchangecapacity was greatly was affected i.e they had different pH values when subjected to different medium

Quinoline or benzopyridine, a nitrogen containing compound has been known to possess antimalarial, anti-bacteria, and anti-fungal properties. In this study, a derivative of quinoline-N-oxide-4-thiol was obtained by a five step reaction. The compounds synthesized in the stepwise reactions were: quinoline-N-oxide, 4- nitroquinoline-N-oxide, 4-chloroquinoline-N-oxide and quinoline-N-oxide-4-thiol. Furthermore, the latter was coupled with benzoyl chloride under basic condition to obtain quinoline-N-oxide-4-benzoylsulphide. The physical properties of the compound obtained are percentage yield 1.86%, melting point 96-98 oC, and retention factor value 0.83.

This study utilized cellulose for the adsorption of Zn(II) from aqueous solution via batch adsorption process. The effect of the adsorption parameters: Adsorbent Dosage, Initial Concentrations, and Contact time were investigated. examined under various conditions using heavy metal ion (Zn 2+ ) as the adsorbate. The amounts of Zn(II) adsorbed were estimated by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was found to obey the langmuir isotherm as it gave the best fit to the isotherm data. The result of kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process obeyed pseudo-second order. After the completion of the adsorption process of Zn(II), the result obtained shows that cellulose can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Zinc ion (Zn 2+ ) from aqueous solution

This study is to assess heavy metal content in three leafy vegetables. Telfairia occidentalis (Pumpkin leaf), Amaranth green (Green leaf) and Celosia argentea (Shoko leaf). Samples were collected from Uselu market, Egor local government area of Benin city in Edo State, Nigeria in the month of February. The samples were prepared using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method. The level of five different heavy metals namely Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr) and Iron (Fe) were
analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Result obtained from the analysis shows that Pumpkin leaf contained a mean value of 2.00mg/kg Fe, 0.01mg/kg Cr, 2.11mg/kg Zn, while Cd and Pb were below detection limit (BDL). Shoko leaf had a mean value of 3.85mg/kg Fe, 0.04mg/kg Cr, 1.52mg/kg Zn, 0.01mg/kg Cd and Pb was below detection limit (BDL). Green leaf had a mean data of 7.70mg/kg Fe, 0.03mg/kg Cr, 1.64mg/kg Zn while Cd and Pb were below detection limit (BDL). Among
the three samples, the mean value of all the heavy metals are below standard regulatory limit of 425.50mg/kg Fe, 0.03mg/kg Cr, 99.40mg/kg Zn, 0.20mg/kg Cd and 0.30mg/kg Pb except for Cr in Shoko leaf which mean value is slightly above that of standard regulatory limit. The samples are safe for human and animal consumption, but attention should be paid to Shoko leaf to avoid the level of Cr to be higher than it is by being mindful of the site for cultivation of the crop.