Properties of Bark Particleboard Bonded with Demethylated Lignin Adhesives Derived from Leucaena leucocephala Bark

Lignin extraction from bark can maximize the utilization of biomass waste,offer cost-effectiveness,and promote environmental friendliness when employed as an adhesive material in bark particleboard production.Particles of fine(0.2 to 1.0 mm),medium(1.0 to 2.5 mm),and coarse(2.5 to 12.0 mm)sizes,derived from the bark of Leucaena leucocephala,were hot-pressed using a heating plate at 175℃for 7 min to create single-layer particleboards measuring 320 mm×320 mm×10 mm,targeting a density of 700 kg/m^(3).Subsequently,the samples were trimmed and conditioned at 20℃and 65%relative humidity.In this study,we compared bark particleboard bonded with urea formaldehyde(UF)adhesive to fine-sized particleboard bonded with demethylated lignin adhesive.The results indicated that bark particleboards utilizing demethylated lignin and UF adhesives exhibited similar qualities.Coarse particleboard showed differences in modulus of elasticity(MOE)and modulus of rupture(MOR),while medium-sized particles exhibited significant variations in moisture content(MC)and water absorption(WA).Furthermore,the thickness swelling of coarse and medium-sized particles under wet and oven-dried conditions exhibited notable distinctions.Overall,the demethylated lignin adhesive extracted from L.leucocephala bark demonstrated similar quality to UF adhesive,with particle size correlating inversely to the strength of the bark particleboard.

Lithium-Metal Free Sulfur Battery Based on Waste Biomass Anode and Nano-Sized Li_(2)S Cathode

The realization of a stable lithium-metal free(LiMF)sulfur battery based on amorphous carbon anode and lithium sulfide(Li_(2)S)cathode is here reported.In particular,a biomass waste originating full-cell combining a carbonized brewer's spent grain(CBSG)biochar anode with a Li_(2)S-graphene composite cathode(Li_(2)S70Gr30)is proposed.This design is particularly attractive for applying a cost-effective,high performance,environment friendly,and safe anode material,as an alternative to standard graphite and metallic lithium in emerging battery technologies.The anodic and cathodic materials are characterized in terms of structure,morphology and composition through X-ray diffraction,scanning and transmission electron microscopy,X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies.Furthermore,an electrochemical characterization comprising galvanostatic cycling,rate capability and cyclic voltammetry tests were carried out both in half-cell and full-cell configurations.The systematic investigation reveals that unlike graphite,the biochar electrode displays good compatibility with the electrolyte typically employed in sulfur batteries.The CBSG/Li_(2)S70Gr30 full-cell demonstrates an initial charge and discharge capacities of 726 and 537 mAh g^(-1),respectively,at 0.05C with a coulombic efficiency of 74%.Moreover,it discloses a reversible capacity of 330 mAh g^(-1)(0.1 C)after over 300 cycles.Based on these achievements,the CBSG/Li_(2)S70Gr30 battery system can be considered as a promising energy storage solution for electric vehicles(EVs),especially when taking into account its easy scalability to an industrial level.

Evaluation of Phytochemical Contents and Antimicrobial Activities of Pandiaka heudelotii

The work investigated the secondary metabolites present in different parts of the Pandiaka heudelotii plant harvested from Ezira, Orumba south local government area of Anambra state, southeastern Nigeria as well as their antimicrobial activity. The objectives were to extract, determine the phytochemicals present, evaluate the antimicrobial potential and determine the zones of inhibition of the root, stem and leaf extracts of the plant. The emergence of antibiotics has decreased the spread and severity of a wide range of diseases. Plant extracts were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtelis, Pseudomonas aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The zone of inhibition of extracts was compared with that of standard drugs like Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Fulcin and Fluconazole. The result revealed the inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth with some test organisms. The microbial activity of the plant parts may be due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. The ethyl acetate extracts of Pandiaka heudelotii stood out with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 5 - 10 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 10 - 20 mg/ml against some test organisms. The plant can thus be worked upon to discover biologically active natural products that may serve as a prelude to the development of new pharmaceutical research undertakings.

Lithium-Metal-Free Sulfur Batteries with Biochar and Steam-Activated Biochar-Based Anodes from Spent Common Ivy

Lithium-sulfur batteries are emerging as sustainable replacements for current lithium-ion batteries.The commercial viability of this novel type of battery is still under debate due to the extensive use of highly reactive lithium-metal anodes and the complex electrochemistry of the sulfur cathode.In this research,a novel sulfur-based battery has been proposed that eliminates the need for metallic lithium anodes and other critical raw materials like cobalt and graphite,replacing them with biomass-derived materials.This approach presents numerous benefits,encompassing ample availability,cost-effectiveness,safety,and environmental friendliness.In particular,two types of biochar-based anode electrodes(non-activated and activated biochar)derived from spent common ivy have been investigated as alternatives to metallic lithium.We compared their structural and electrochemical properties,both of which exhibited good compatibility with the typical electrolytes used in sulfur batteries.Surprisingly,while steam activation results in an increased specific surface area,the non-activated ivy biochar demonstrates better performance than the activated biochar,achieving a stable capacity of 400 mA h g^(−1)at 0.1 A g^(−1)and a long lifespan(>400 cycles at 0.5 A g^(−1)).Our results demonstrate that the presence of heteroatoms,such as oxygen and nitrogen positively affects the capacity and cycling performance of the electrodes.This led to increased d-spacing in the graphitic layer,a strong interaction with the solid electrolyte interphase layer,and improved ion transportation.Finally,the non-activated biochar was successfully coupled with a sulfur cathode to fabricate lithium-metal-free sulfur batteries,delivering a specific energy density of~600 Wh kg^(−1).

Bio-Based Waterborne Poly(Vanillin-Butyl Acrylate)/MXene Coatings for Leather with Desired Warmth Retention and Antibacterial Properties

This study presents a solvent-free,facile synthesis of a bio-based green antibacterial agent and aromatic monomer methacrylated vanillin(MV)using vanillin.The resulting MV not only imparted antibacterial properties to coatings layered on leather,but could also be employed as a green alternative to petroleum-based carcinogen styrene(St).Herein,MV was copolymerized with butyl acrylate(BA)to obtain waterborne bio-based P(MV-BA)miniemulsion via miniemulsion polymerization.Subsequently,MXene nanosheets with excellent photothermal conversion performance and antibacterial properties,were introduced into the P(MV-BA)miniemulsion by ultrasonic dispersion.During the gradual solidification of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsion on the leather surface,MXene gradually migrated to the surface of leather coatings due to the cavitation effect of ultrasonication and amphiphilicity of MXene,which prompted its full exposure to light and bacteria,exerting the maximum photothermal conversion efficiency and significant antibacterial efficacy.In particular,when the dosage of MXene nanosheets was 1.4 wt%,the surface temperature of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsioncoated leather(PML)increased by about 15℃ in an outdoor environment during winter,and the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was nearly 100%under the simulated sunlight treatment for 30 min.Moreover,the introduction of MXene nanosheets increased the air permeability,water vapor permeability,and thermal stability of these coatings.This study provides a new insight into the preparation of novel,green,and waterborne bio-based nanocomposite coatings for leather,with desired warmth retention and antibacterial properties.It can not only realize zerocarbon heating based on sunlight in winter,reducing the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions,but also improve ability to fight off invasion by harmful bacteria,viruses,and other microorganisms.

Rational design of natural leather-based water evaporator for electricity generation and functional applications

In recent years,water evaporation-induced electricity has attracted a great deal of attention as an emerging green and renewable energy harvesting technology.Although abundant materials have been developed to fabricate hydrovoltaic devices,the limitations of high costs,inconvenient storage and transport,low environmental benefits,and unadaptable shape have restricted their wide applications.Here,an electricity generator driven by water evaporation has been engineered based on natural biomass leather with inherent properties of good moisture permeability,excellent wettability,physicochemical stability,flexibility,and biocompatibility.Including numerous nano/microchannels together with rich oxygen-bearing functional groups,the natural leather-based water evaporator,Leather_(Emblic-NPs-SA/CB),could continuously produce electricity even staying outside,achieving a maximum output voltage of∼3 V with six-series connection.Furthermore,the leather-based water evaporator has enormous potential for use as a flexible self-powered electronic floor and seawater demineralizer due to its sensitive pressure sensing ability as well as its excellent photothermal conversion efficiency(96.3%)and thus fast water evaporation rate(2.65 kg m^(−2)h^(−1)).This work offers a new and functional material for the construction of hydrovoltaic devices to harvest the sustained green energy from water evaporation in arbitrary ambient environments,which shows great promise in their widespread applications.

The energy-chemistry nexus: A vision of the future from sustainability perspective

The changing energy-chemistry nexus is discussed in this perspective paper about the future of sustainable energy and chemical production to identify the priorities and open issues on which focus research and development. Topics discussed regard （i） the new sustainable energy scenario, （ii） the role of energy storage （from smart grids to chemical storage of energy）, （iii） the outlooks and role of solar （bio）refineries and solar fuels, （iv） how to integrate hio- and solar-refineries to move to new economy, （v） the role of methanol at the crossover of new energy-chemistry nexus, （vi） the role of chemistry in this new scenario, （vii） the role of nanomaterials for a sustainable energy, （viii） the use of nanocarbons to design advanced energy conversion and storage devices, and （ix） possibilities and routes to exploit solar energy and methane （shale gas）. The contribution provides a glimpse of the emerging directions and routes with some elements about their possible role in the future scenario, but does not orovide a detailed analysis of the state of the art in these directions

The Effect of the Challawa Industrial Estate on the Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Levels of Portable Water Supply in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

It has been observed that the portable water quality obtained from various locations in Kano Metropolis has shown greater variations in the recent past. Attempts have been made to ascertain the reasons for the variations even though the supplies were from only two treatments plants that obtain their raw water from the same source. A total of 92 water samples comprising of raw (from plants) and treated (from the plants and taps) were collected during rainy and dry seasons between April 2010 and May, 2012 and analyzed using standard analytical techniques. The results of analysis gave the physiochemical properties with range as follows: pH (0.06 ± 6.7 - 6.04 ± 0.02) conductivity (7.23 ±0.04 - 13.33 ± 0.22 S/Cm), turbidity (5.00 ± 0.01 - 449.22 ±1.32 NTU), suspended solids (107.33±3.45 - 712.11 ±5.33 mg/dm3), total dissolved solids (18.50 ± 0.85 -186 .78 ± 2.48 mg/dm3 ), alkalinity (12.53± 0.32 - 80.75 ± 1.23 mg/dm3) and hardness (29.50 ± 1.22 - 58.67 ± 2.34 mg/dm3). The pH values were generally acidic while the turbidity and total solid especially in some locations were higher than the permissible levels set by the World Health Organization for portable water. The concentration of heavy metals (mg/dm3) were found in the following ranges Fe (0.10 ± 0.04 - 0.30 ± 0.02), Cu (0.01 ± 0.001 - 0.03 ± 0.002), Zn (0.13 ± 0.06 - 0.39 ±0.02), Pb (0.03 ± 0.01 - 0.17 ± 0.02), Mn (0.03 ± 0.004 - 0.13 ± 0.003), Cr (0.10 ± 0.04 - 0.31 ± 0.03). The highest values of Fe, Cu and Mn were recorded along the older distribution channel of Challawa. The levels of Pb and Cr were generally high in both routes which are also observed in the raw water used at the two treatments plants. The results obtained from heavy metal concentrations fell within the maximum allowable limit set by the World Health Organization for portable water except in the cases of Pb and Cr. The high Fe, Mn, Cu levels as obtained in the Challawa route were attributed to leaching from rusting in the old galvanized metal pipe-work in the distribution channel. The levels of chromium and lead were similar in the two networks showing that the raw water used in the both treatment plants were responsible for the high values obtained and were not effectively removed by the treatment processes.

Review of Groundwater Potentials and Groundwater Hydrochemistry of Semi-arid Hadejia-Yobe Basin,North-eastern Nigeria

Understanding the hydrochemical and hydrogeological physiognomies of subsurface water in a semi-arid region is important for the effective management of water resources.This paper presents a thorough review of the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Hadejia-Yobe basin.The hydrochemical and hydrogeological configurations as reviewed indicated that the Chad Formation is the prolific aquifer in the basin.Boreholes piercing the Gundumi formation have a depth ranging from 20-85 meters.The hydrochemical composition of groundwater revealed water of excellent quality,as all the studied parameters were found to have concentrations within WHO and Nigeria’s standard for drinking water quality.However,further studies are required for further evaluation of water quality index,heavy metal pollution index,and irrigation water quality.Also,geochemical,and stable isotope analysis is required for understanding the provenance of salinity and hydrogeochemical controls on groundwater in the basin.

Reassessing Groundwater Potentials and Subsurface water Hydrochemistry in a Tropical Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria

This review presented a detailed re-assessment of the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Tropical Anambra Basin.It identified and discussed the major geological formations and their groundwater potentials.The geological examination showed that the Ajali Formation is confined in places forming an artesian condition;the potentials of this aquifer decline in the western basin due to a decrease in thickness.The sandstone associates of the Nsukka Formation are aquiferous and have produced high-pressure artesian boreholes along the Oji River.The Imo Shale is characterized by permeability stability all over much of the intermediate unit.The Bende-Ameki aquifer has a lesser amount of groundwater when equated to other formations;the geologic characteristics do not produce favorable hydrogeological conditions for groundwater occurrence.The stratigraphical and structural framework suggested the presence of an efficient throughflow in the basin.Based on physical and chemical parameters of water quality,the basin holds water of acceptable quality.While there are considerable investigations on the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry,studies are short of analysis of the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater,water quality index,heavy metals pollution index as well as total hazard quotient.Suitability of groundwater based on agricultural water quality indices(e.g.SAR)is also salient.Therefore,future studies should address these owing to increasing dependence on groundwater.

Re-examination of Hydrochemistry and Groundwater Potentials of Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo Intersecting Tropical Basins of South-South Nigeria

This review attempted a detailed description of geological and hydrogeological configurations of Cross River and Imo-Akwa Ibo basins.It presented a synthesis of hydrochemistry and a description of the hydrogeological configurations of the two basins.Hydrogeologically,most areas under Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo are poor in terms of groundwater potentials.Based on the hydrochemistry,the basins hold water of excellent quality.Groundwater sources fall in soft to moderately hard classes.The entire sources groundwater has a TDS concentration of less than 500 mg/l.Groundwater classification based on electrical conductivity(EC)showed EC levels were less than 500μS/cm.Most of the examined cations and anions are within WHO reference guidelines for drinking water quality.However,no broad analysis of water quality based on water quality indices.Also,studies modeling pollution or the impact of land use changes on groundwater quality are wanting.Thus,further analysis of the hydrochemistry of groundwater aquifers is recommended.

Mechanical densification synthesis of single-crystalline Ni-rich cathode for high-energy lithium-ion batteries

The intergranular microcracking in polycrystalline Ni-rich cathode particle is led by anisotropic volume change and stress corrosion along grain boundary,accelerating battery performance decay.Herein,we have suggested a simple but advanced solid-state method that ensures both uniform transition metal distribution and single-crystalline morphology for Ni-rich cathode synthesis without sophisticated coprecipitation.Pelletization-assisted mechanical densification(PAMD)process on solid-state precursor mixture enables the dynamic mass transfer through the increased solid-solid contact area which facilitates the grain growth during sintering process,readily forming micro-sized single-crystalline particle.Furthermore,the improved chemical reactivity by a combination of capillary effect and vacancyassisted diffusion provides homogeneous element distribution within each primary particle.As a result,single-crystalline Ni-rich cathode with PAMD process has eliminated a potential evolution of intergranular cracking,thus achieving superior energy retention capability of 85%over 150 cycles compared to polycrystalline Ni-rich particle even after high-pressure calendering process(corresponding to electrode density of~3.6 g cm^(-3))and high cut-off voltage cycling.This work provides a concrete perspective on developing facile synthetic route of micron-sized single-crystalline Ni-rich cathode materials for high energy density lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).

A review on photo-, electro- and photoelectro- catalytic strategies for selective oxidation of alcohols

Traditional conversion of alcohols into carbonyl compounds exists a few drawbacks such as harsh reaction conditions,production of large amounts of hazardous wastes,and poor selectivity.The newly emerging conversion approaches via photo-,electro-,and photoelectro-catalysis to oxidize alcohols into high value-added corresponding carbonyl compounds as well as the possible simultaneous production of clean fuel hydrogen(H_(2))under mild conditions are promising to substitute the traditional approach to form greener and sustainable reaction systems and thus have aroused tremendous investigations.In this review,the state-of-the-art photocatalytic,electrocatalytic,and photoelectrocatalytic strategies for selective oxidation of different types of alcohols(aromatic and aliphatic alcohols,single alcohol,and polyols,etc.)as well as the simultaneous production of H_(2) in certain systems are discussed.The design of photocatalysts,electrocatalysts,and photoelectrocatalysts as well as reaction mechanism is summarized and discussed in detail.In the end,current challenges and future research directions are proposed.It is expected that this review will not only deepen the understanding of environmentally friendly catalytic systems for alcohol conversion as well as H_(2) production,but also enlighten significance and inspirations for the follow-up study of selective oxidation of various types of organic molecules to value-added chemicals.

Scalability of biomass-derived graphene derivative materials as viable anode electrode for a commercialized microbial fuel cell: A systematic review

Microbial fuel cell(MFC) is an advanced bioelectrochemical technique that can utilize biomass materials in the process of simultaneously generating electricity and biodegrading or bio transforming toxic pollutants from wastewater. The overall performance of the system is largely dependent on the efficiency of the anode electrode to enhance electron transportation. Furthermore, the anode electrode has a significant impact on the overall cost of MFC setup. Hence, the need to explore research focused towards developing cost-effective material as anode in MFC. This material must also have favourable properties for electron transportation. Graphene oxide(GO) derivatives and its modification with nanomaterials have been identified as a viable anode material. Herein, we discussed an economically effective strategy for the synthesis of graphene derivatives from waste biomass materials and its subsequent fabrication into anode electrode for MFC applications. This review article offers a promising approach towards replacing commercial graphene materials with biomass-derived graphene derivatives in a view to achieve a sustainable and commercialized MFC.

Profiling the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques on the physicochemical attributes of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins

There is a constant search for biomaterials from natural products like plants for food and industrial applications.The work embodied in this report aimed at investigating the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction(MAE and SE) techniques on the functional physicochemical quality characteristics of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins extracts. M. oleifera seeds were ground to fine powders and oil was extracted by microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques using petroleum ether. Quality attributes including yield percent, moisture content,iodine, saponification, specific gravity, viscosity, p H, thiobarbituric acid, acid and peroxide values were measured. Mineral and vitamin contents, chemical/functional groups, fatty acid(FA) composition, and reducing power of the oil were evaluated. Metabolomics of protein extracted from the defatted powders were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). M. oleifera oil from MAE and SE methods had good yield(34.25 ± 0.0%,28.75 ± 0.0%), low moisture content(0.008 ± 0.0%, 0.011 ± 0.0%), non-drying and unsaturated, moderately saponified, less dense(0.91 ± 0.01, 0.92 ± 0.02 g m L^(-1)), had Newtonian flow, were weakly acidic, showed good content of FAs, recorded strong potential for long shelf-life, showed stability against oxidative rancidity and enzymatic hydrolysis, had very rich deposits of micro-and macro-nutrients as well as water-soluble and lipidsoluble vitamins, and functional groups in the oil were reflective of its content of long-and medium-chain triglycerides(LCT and MCT). Monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids(MUFA and SFA) were detected and the oil has excellent ferric ion reducing power. NMR metabolomic assay revealed the presence of nine essential amino acids(EAAs) in the protein extract. MAE technique is a feasible and acceptable alternative for high throughput extraction of M. oleifera oil with high yield and excellent quality attributes. The study revealed that MAE did not impart any remarkable advantage(s) on the physicochemical properties of M. oleifera seed oil and protein compared to SE technique.

Recycling Carbon Resources from Waste PET to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emission:Carbonization Technology Review and Perspective

Greenhouse gas emissions from waste plastics have caused global warming all over the world,which has been a central threat to the ecological environment for humans,flora and fauna.Among waste plastics,waste polyethylene terephthalate(PET)is attractive due to its excellent stability and degradation-resistant.Therefore,merging China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals would be beneficial.In this review,we summarize the current state-of-the-art of carbon emission decrease from a multi-scale perspective technologically.We suggest that the carbon peak for waste PET can be achieved by employing the closed-loop supply chain,including recycling,biomass utilization,carbon capture and utilization.Waste PET can be a valuable and renewable resource in the whole life cycle.Undoubtedly,all kinds of PET plastics can be ultimately converted into CO_(2),which can also be feedstock for various kinds of chemical products,including ethyl alcohol,formic acid,soda ash,PU,starch and so on.As a result,the closed-loop supply chain can help the PET plastics industry drastically reduce its carbon footprint.

Nigerian Biomass for Bioenergy Applications:A Review on the Potential and Challenges

Nigeria,often referred to as“the giant of Africa,”boasts a sizable population,a thriving economy,and abundant energy resources.Nevertheless,Nigeria has yet to fully harness its renewable energy potential,despite its enormous capacity in this field.The goal of this review paper is to thoroughly examine the difficulties and untapped opportunities in utilizing biomass for bioenergy production in Nigeria.Notably,Nigeria generates substantial volumes of biomass annually,primarily in the form of agricultural waste,which is often either discarded or burned inefficiently,resulting in significant ecological and environmental damage.Therefore,an efficient approach to reducing pollution and transforming waste into wealth involves converting these biomass resources into energy.This work critically examines the status of biomass utilization for energy applications in Nigeria and highlights the bottlenecks that impede its widespread adoption.The review emphasizes the economic and ecological advantages of biomass utilization over traditional waste treatment methods.Additionally,it underscores the appeal of biomass as an industrial fuel source,particularly considering the current high cost of fossil fuels in contemporary Nigeria.Relevant literature on biomass,energy,agricultural waste,fossil fuel,and calorific value in the context of Nigeria was reviewed by utilizing a thorough search technique in key scientific databases.The analysis did not include any non-English publications.The findings of this research provide valuable insights into the challenges faced in maximizing Nigeria’s biomass potential and offer strategic recommendations to promote the use of biomass for bioenergy development.This review paper will assist a wide range of local and international readers,as well as industries interested in green and bioenergy,in making informed decisions regarding the most suitable types of biomass for biofuel production.

A Comparative Study of Transesterification of Hydnocapus weightiana Seed Oil Using Calcined and Acid Activated Natural Heterogeneous Catalyst and Its Kinetic Study

The world’s total fossil fuel consumption has been significantly increasing with consequential increased environmental catastrophes. A hunt for an alternate energy source was stimulated. Biofuel is a plausible option in this pursuit due to its ideal qualities which included but are not limited to renewability and environmental friendliness. However, the pump price of biodiesel is still very high due mainly to the high cost of the production of the commodity which is influenced by the feedstock and the homogeneous nature of catalyst used. Heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by using Pila globosa sea snail shells prepared by calcination (CP8) and by acid activation (PTW1M). Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil (Non-edible feedstock) was extracted using the soxhlet extraction method and was used for biofuel production with a methanol oil ratio of 3:1. Agitation speed 800, 600 rmp, reaction temperatures of 70°C, 60°C, catalyst concentration (3.00, 2.00 wt%) and reaction time (70 and 60 min) was maintained for CP8 and PTW1M respectively. The rate of the reaction followed a reversible second-order reaction rate. Re-usability accessed. From TGA analysis, the best calcination temperature was 800°C. SEM results showed improved surface morphology after calcination, especially for CP8. FTIR analysis showed the elimination of volatiles and formation of CaO and CaO4Te after calcination. The reaction rate constant at different temperatures was 0.0287 at 30°C, 0.1200 at 50°C and 0.1142 at 70°C and activation energy of the ethyl ester was 49.49 KJ/mol. Using CP8. Most of the fuel properties met with ASTM 6751 standard. The result of the re-usability showed that the biodiesel yield declined as follows: 92, 86, 80, 73 and 69 % for CP8 and 85, 84, 81, 76, 65. For PTW1M. After the fifth regeneration cycle, both CP8 and PTW1M samples of Pila globosa sea snail shell catalyst proved effective in transesterification reaction of Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil using ethanol. It was observed that the calcined catalyst (CP8) showed a superior catalytic performance.

Detailed Quantum Mechanical QSAR Analysis of Certain Aminopyrimidoisoquinolinequinones with Anticancer Activity

A detailed quantum mechanical analysis of electronic disposition of five aminopyrimidoisoquinolinequinones (APIQs) was performed after extraction of this subset of compounds from a larger data set of APIQs via a reported clustering methodology (Elfaki, et al. 2020). Both semi empirical PM3 method and DFT quantum mechanical methods were used to calculate global and local quantum mechanical descriptors (QMDs) to define the electronic environment of these molecules in attempt to rationalize their observed anti-cancer response variability. The biological response is the anticancer activity against human gastric adenocarcenoma (AGS) cell line. The correlation matrix between the calculated global electronic descriptors and biological activity demonstrated that the global dipole moment gives the highest correlation. The local electronic environment was analysed by The Mullikan charges (MC) and Fukui functions for N-5, C-6, C-8 in addition to the N atom of phenylamino side group at C-8. MCs furnished no useful information as each of these atoms had almost identical MC values for all the five compounds with exception of C-6 which gave varied values. Regressing MCs of C-6 against the response traces 60% of the latter variability. As C-6 is an extra annular methyl carbon adjacent to N-5 in isoquinoline residue of APIQ, we reasoned that the chemical reactivities of 4 out of the 5 APIQs might be due to a Chichibabin-type tautomerism implying a possible alkylation aspect in their mechanism of action. The corresponding Fukui functions (f-, f+ and f0) showed a considerable consistency with the patterns of chemical reactivity exhibited by this small set of APIQs.

Phytochemical Screening and Chromatographic Purification of Bauhunia semibifida ROXB Hexane-Dichloromethane Leaf Extract

Bauhunia semibifida is among the several plants that have been studied for their medicinal properties. Bauhunia is native to India. However, some species have been found in Africa. It has several important uses, such as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous. This study is aimed primarily at carrying out a preliminary phytochemical screening to ascertain the classes of bioactive compounds present in Bauhunia semibifida and ascertain the solvent system(s) for their separation. Several solvents were used for the extraction as well as in the chromatographic profiling of all the products of extraction. Thin layer chromatography was performed on silica gel-coated glass plates using several mobile phase protocols (Hexane: Ethylacetate, Dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol). Further purification of the extracts was done using classical column (CcSiO2) and gel filtration chromatography. TLC profiling of DCM and Hexane extracts shows the same Rf values of less than 1 and are thus combined to give the Hexane/DCM extract, which gave two compounds following isocratic elution from column chromatography. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Alkaloids, Flavonoids and Phenolic compounds. Hexane/DCM extract thus contains phytocompounds which can further be studied.