ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL, PHYTOCHEMICALS AND MINERALS CONTENT OF ROOT EXTRACT OF Physalis angulata Bawa Abubakar1, Yunusa Abdulqadir1 and Sambo Misbahu2 1Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State. 2Department of Biochemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. *Corresponding author: misbahusambo@gmail.com, 08031835607 ABSTRACT The continuous increase in the shift of interest from synthetic drugs to medicinal plants as source of drug necessitates the screening of traditional plants (that grow in North-eastern Nigeria) for their antioxidant potential, phytochemicals and minerals content. This is an attempt to pave way for the scientific identification of plants with proven medicinal values. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the antioxidant potential, phytochemicals and minerals content of the root extract of Physalis angulata, which is a herb commonly found even along road sides in the rural areas of North-eastern part of Nigeria. The antioxidant potential, phytochemicals and minerals content were determined using standard methods. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides and flavonoids. Quantitatively, the amount of the aforementioned phytochemicals was found to be 14.96+0.86% (alkaloids), 13.79+0.04% (terpenoids), 12.78+2.4% (saponins), 0.05+0.03% (glycosides) and 0.05+0.00% (flavonoids). The result of this research also showed that the extract contains magnesium (1101.50+2.12 ppm), sodium (407.20+0.42ppm), calcium (76.96+0.79ppm), zinc (4.95+0.07ppm), potassium (2.05+0.07ppm), manganese (1.84+0.05ppm), copper (1.10+0.14ppm), cobalt (0.63+0.04ppm) and selenium (0.20+0.01ppm). The result of the in vitro antioxidant activity of the terpenoid fraction showed that there was a dose dependent increase in the antioxidant activity as the concentration of the terpenoid is increased from 20 to 1000õg/ml. These results suggest that the extract may exert all the activities associated with the phytochemicals it contains, it may also serve as a source of minerals àwhich are essential for maintenance and perpetuation of life àfound in it, and it may also serve as an antioxidant. However, it is suggested that in vivo experiments be conducted to test for the activities that the root extract is assumed to possess due to the phytoconstituents it contains (as revealed by this research). Key words: Physalis angulata, Phytochemicals, Minerals, Drug, Antioxidant.
This paper presents the geochemistry and geotechnical properties of some clays deposited within sandstones of the Bima Formation in Girei and environs. The aim is to understand their economic potentials for national development. The study area falls within latitudes N to N and Longitudes ÂE to E with aerial extent of about 60k Field work was carried out systematically in the study area whereby clay samples within the Bima Sandstone were collected for the purpose of laboratory analysis. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and geotechnical analysis carried out on the samples showed the average concentration of silica to be (69.55%) while iron oxide (4.5%) and low water absorption, low plasticity index respectively. The concentration of the oxides suggests that the clays from the study area are unsuitable for refractory fired clays and production of high grade ceramic materials, however, they can be used for burnt bricks and traditional ceramics production.
An existing problem using integral technique to solve second order linear differential equations has been identified in this work. It is however; found that certain restrictions are placed hence making it impossible to use the existing criteria to solve problems for second order equations. A new set of oscillatory criteria is established to generalize all forms of solutions to second order linear ordinary differential equations using integral technique. It is also discovered that certain existing restrictions are removed. It is also found that the solutions to the second order ordinary differential equations are oscillatory under the new set of conditions. An example is constructed to test the applicability of the set conditions.
The effect of double treatments of Luffa fibre on properties of Luffa/waste low density polyethylene composite was investigated. The properties focused were physical, mechanical and morphological while sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and stearic acid (CH3(CH2)16COOH) were used for the treatment. The fibre was treated with 8 wt% NaOH and further treated with stearic acid at concentration of 0.5-2.5 wt% at interval of 0.5 wt%. Two roll-mills were used to compound the fibre and the wLDPE at 150oCwhile the composite compressed to 13.9 MPa. The fabricated composite was characterized based on mechanical (tensile, impact and flexural strengths), physical (density and water absorption) and morphological properties. The double treatment (8 wt% NaOH/0.5 wt% stearic acid) recorded increase in tensile, impact and flexural strengths of 65.1%, 76.6% and 13.3% respectively over the single treatment fibre reinforced composite. The physical properties were also improved but the morphological properties revealed more cracks and voids with chemical treatment concentration. Therefore, even though treatments may improve compatibility of fibre and matrix as well as improve overall mechanical properties, it should be carried out in a way to have minimum damage of fibre form and structure.
In the present study, bagasse and sweet potato peel reinforced polyethylene composites were compounded using an internal mixer with the filler content varying from 10% to 50% by weight of the composites. Three sets of composites were made with bagasse, sweet potato peel and a hybrid of bagasse and sweet potato peel respectively. Mechanical properties of the composites were investigated with respect to the filler content of the various polymer composites and compared to the unfilled polyethylene which acts as the control sample. There was obvious improvement of some mechanical properties due to the reinforcing ability of the fillers. The elastic deformation characteristics of the composites were investigated using different methods for determining load-elongation behavior of composites. The SPP-filled composites showed a better trend of behavior which is attributed to a better interfacial interaction. The SEM micrographs confirmed this by showing a significantly higher interfacial interaction between the components of the SPP-filled composites as compared to the bagasse-filled and the hybrid composites. On the basis of filler loading, 40% filler content gave the optimum set of mechanical properties for the composites produced.
