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Mineralogy, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Adobes Stabilized with Cement and Rice Husk Ash
Issiaka Sanou,
Mohamed Seynou,
Lamine Zerbo,
Raguilnaba Ouedraogo
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019
Pages:
1-10
Received:
25 November 2018
Accepted:
20 December 2018
Published:
24 January 2019
Abstract: A Burkina Faso clay referenced SAB has been characterized to be used as raw material in the making of adobes. Mineralogical studies (by XRD, DTA-TG), chemical and geotechnical studies (Atterberg limits, particle size distribution) carried out on this clay have shown that it is composed of kaolinite (62 wt%), quartz (30 wt%) and goethite (18 wt%). It is a sandy-silty clay of medium plasticity containing no swelling minerals. Its particles are mainly clay (19 wt%), silt (36 wt%), fine and coarse sand (45 wt%). It is thus suitable for the development of adobes for habitats. The adobes elaborated with SAB clay have been stabilized with an optimal cement content of 10 wt%, which offers a mechanical strength greater than 2 MPa; minimum value for single-level constructions. In order to improve the physical properties (density, porosity, water absorption by capillarity, erosion resistance, compressive and flexural strengths) of these adobes and to reduce cement consumption as much as possible, the cement (10 wt%) was partially or totallysubstitutedby rice husk ash. This substitution contributed to the improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of the adobes, due on the one hand to the effect of micro-filling of the ash and on the other hand to the increase of the CSH resulting from the pozzolanic reactivity between the released portlandite by the hydration of the cement and the amorphous silica of the rice husk ash.
Abstract: A Burkina Faso clay referenced SAB has been characterized to be used as raw material in the making of adobes. Mineralogical studies (by XRD, DTA-TG), chemical and geotechnical studies (Atterberg limits, particle size distribution) carried out on this clay have shown that it is composed of kaolinite (62 wt%), quartz (30 wt%) and goethite (18 wt%). I...
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Effects of Vegetable Oil Reused for Frying on the Liver of Albino Rats
Maduelosi Ngozi Jane,
Obediah Gogo Appolos,
Ogbonna Ogechi Debora
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019
Pages:
11-14
Received:
9 November 2018
Accepted:
17 December 2018
Published:
30 January 2019
Abstract: The reuse of vegetable oils for food preparation has become a very common practice in both food outlets and homes. Several changes in flavor and taste are observed in the food prepared with reused vegetable oils. This research investigated the effects of vegetable oil used for frying akara balls on lipid profile and liver enzymes of albino rats. Twenty-one adult male albino rats (8-12 weeks old) were used for this research. The rats were divided into seven (7) groups, (3 rats per group). They were allowed to acclimatize for a period of one week. Group 1 served as the control group and was fed with feed mixed with unheated vegetable oil. Groups 2-7 were fed with feed mixed with 2mls of the oil used for frying for a period of two weeks. After the treatment period, they were sacrificed and their blood collected for laboratory analysis. Lipid profile and liver enzymes tests were performed on the collected samples. The results revealed high level of CHOL and LDL, and low levels of HDL, TRIG and VLDL in all the test groups over the control. The levels increased/decreased with frying time. The liver enzymes (ALT, ALP and AST) levels in the test groups were found to be high when compared to the control group. The increased level of enzymes, suggests hepatic injury in the animals fed with reused oil. This suggests that consumption of vegetable oil that has been repeatedly used for frying has harmful effect in the body.
Abstract: The reuse of vegetable oils for food preparation has become a very common practice in both food outlets and homes. Several changes in flavor and taste are observed in the food prepared with reused vegetable oils. This research investigated the effects of vegetable oil used for frying akara balls on lipid profile and liver enzymes of albino rats. Tw...
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Biofilm Formation Between Bacillus Subtilis and Escherichia Coli K-12 Strains at Acidic and Oxidative Stress
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019
Pages:
15-18
Received:
30 September 2018
Accepted:
24 October 2018
Published:
18 April 2019
Abstract: Biofilms constitute the predominant microbial style of life in natural and engineered ecosystems. At the harsh environmental conditions microorganisms accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially encountering a dangerous condition called oxidative stress. An investigation into the mechanisms activated by biofilms in response to different oxidative stress levels could have important consequences from ecological and economic points of view, and could be exploited to propose alternative strategies to control microbial virulence and deterioration. In this respect, the aim if this study is to evaluate the influence temperature and pH of the medium, its osmolality and the presence of heavy metal ions on the growth of the biomass of biofilm formed by B. subtilis 170 and E. coli K- 12 strains and their relationship in them. Тhis study was used the methods for a static cultivation of biofilm by co-cultures of B. subtilis 170 and E. coli K- 12 strains and determination of colony forming units in their structures to evaluate of the relationships between them. The results of the present study show that temperature of 20°C and pH-value in the range of 5.0-6.0 help to maximum growth of biomass of biofilm formed by co-cultivation of B. subtilis 170 and E. coli 1655 strains. The competitive relationships are observed at a temperature of 20°C, at pH-value in the range from 5.0 to 6.0 at low osmolality of the medium of 100 to 150 mM, at content of Fe+ 2 from 5 μM to 100 μM. The increase of the temperature above 30°C and the pH of the medium, the high osmolality of 200 mM triggers antagonistic interactions between B. subtilis 170 and E. coli K- 12 strains, while at content of Fe+ 2 of 50 μM was observed symbiosis in the structure of biofilms in this study.
Abstract: Biofilms constitute the predominant microbial style of life in natural and engineered ecosystems. At the harsh environmental conditions microorganisms accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially encountering a dangerous condition called oxidative stress. An investigation into the mechanisms activated by biofilms in response to different o...
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Nutritional Composition of Fatty Acids and Amino Acids of the Fermented Scomberomorus tritor in Benin
Mahouglo Barnabé Houéssou,
Chimène Agrippine Rodogune Yélouassi,
Wilfried Zanmenou,
Issiakou Mossi,
Fidèle Suanon,
Pierre Dossou-Yovo
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019
Pages:
19-25
Received:
26 February 2019
Accepted:
10 April 2019
Published:
7 May 2019
Abstract: In Benin fermented fish (lanhouin) are often considered as food reserved for poor people, so these are commodities considered as by-products of fishing. To get the population to consider fermented fish as first choice food products, we decided to determine the fatty acid and amino acid composition of fermented Scomberomorus tritor. For this, after fermentation and drying of Scomberomorus tritor, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC / MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used as methods of analysis. The results of these analyzes revealed thirty-five (35) fatty acids, including fifteen (15) saturated fatty acids (SFA), nine (09) monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and eleven (11) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and seventeen (17)) amino acids including nine (09) non-essential amino acids and eight (08) essential amino acids counted in fermented Scomberomorus tritor. Therefore, these results show a very large richness in nutrients (fatty acids and amino acids) of the fermented Scomberomorus tritor.
Abstract: In Benin fermented fish (lanhouin) are often considered as food reserved for poor people, so these are commodities considered as by-products of fishing. To get the population to consider fermented fish as first choice food products, we decided to determine the fatty acid and amino acid composition of fermented Scomberomorus tritor. For this, after ...
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Assessment of Selected Nutrients and Toxic Chemicals in Ethiopian Khat
Melaku Masresha Woldamanuel
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2019
Pages:
26-35
Received:
14 February 2019
Accepted:
25 March 2019
Published:
17 May 2019
Abstract: Heavy metal pollution is among the leading health concerns all over the world because of their long-term cumulative effects. khat (Catha edulisforsk), a plant used as a stimulant is grown in certain areas of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula this day it is a known cash crop in Ethiopia. Due to increased demand and value, many farmers have not only begun growing it but have also adopted modern farming methods which include application of fertilizers, pesticides, compost manure, and irrigation. Yet some of these agricultural practices such as application of fertilizers and pesticides are known to increase the concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in the soil. Some of these heavy metals such as Pband Cd are toxic even at low concentrations while Zn, Cu, Fe and Cr though essential in the body, are toxic at high levels This call for monitoring to make sure that the levels of heavy metals in khat do not exceed the threshold limits recommended by WHO due to their adverse health effects to man. This study therefore assesses selected chemical nutrients and toxic metal in khat that is available in Ethiopia. khat samples were collected from16 sits of the three main khat growing regions namely Oromiya, South Nation and Nationality and Amhara regional state Known weights of oven dried khat samples were digested using nitric andPerchloric acids. The digests were analyzed for selected heavy metals using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The following concentration ranges in dry weight (μg/g) were obtained in khat: Zn (25.15-73.95), Cu (0.10-41.80), Cr (ND-39.50), Cd(ND-0.90) and Pb (0.50-13.00). Cd was only detected in khat samples from Oromiyaare more susceptible to adverse effects of Pb than adults. The results suggested that there was significant different (p 0.05) in the levels of heavy metals between khat from various regions. Levels of studied heavy metals in khat were below the maximum limits recommended by WHO except for Pb and Cr Therefore children should be discouraged from chewing khat since they are more susceptible to adverse effects of Pb than adults.
Abstract: Heavy metal pollution is among the leading health concerns all over the world because of their long-term cumulative effects. khat (Catha edulisforsk), a plant used as a stimulant is grown in certain areas of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula this day it is a known cash crop in Ethiopia. Due to increased demand and value, many farmers have not only...
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