Papers by Uche A B E L Augustine
Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2015
Herbs are extensively consumed in the United Arab Emirates for their flavoring and medicinal prop... more Herbs are extensively consumed in the United Arab Emirates for their flavoring and medicinal properties. This study aimed at determining the concentration of heavy metals in selected traditional herbs consumed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 81 samples of seven herbs, parsley (Petroselinum crispum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), sage (Salvia officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), mint (Mentha spicata), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), were purchased from the local market in Dubai and analyzed for their cadmium, lead, copper, iron, and zinc contents. Microwave-assisted digestion was applied for the dissolution of the samples and heavy metals concentration was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Metals were found to be present in varied concentrations in the herb samples. The concentration ranges were found as follows: less than 0.1–1.11 mg·kg−1for cadmium, less than 1.0–23.52 mg·kg−1for lead, 1.44–156.24 mg·kg−1for copper...
Journal of chemical society of Nigeria , 2025
Heavy metals (HMs) are natural environmental composition, but their geochemical processes and bio... more Heavy metals (HMs) are natural environmental composition, but their geochemical processes and biochemical equilibrium have been transformed by haphazard use for human purposes. The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of HMs (Cr, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd) from soil samples of selected farmlands within Ashangwa Rice Mill, Lafia LGA, Nasarawa State. The concentrations of HMs irrespective of a particular farmland ranged as follows: (Cr: 0.022-0.555, Pb: 0.200-0.857, Fe: 0.311-0.890, Zn: 0.100-0.809 and Cd: 0.014-0.565 mg/kg). The concentration of heavy metals in the soils were compared with FAO/WHO and US EPA maximum allowable limit and the results showed that only Cd from soil sample of farmland 1 (30 m away from rice mill) was above the US EPA maximum allowable limit of 0.480 mg/kg but the rest of the studied metals were below FAO/WHO and US EPA standards. The concentrations of HMs at sites 30 m away were higher than those of 45 and 60 m away from the rice mill but site 45 m away was just relatively higher than that of 60 m.
Journal of applied science and environmental management, May 24, 2024
Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of environmental management, aimed at mitigating the ad... more Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of environmental management, aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization and industrialization on water bodies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of wastewater characteristics, treatment methods, and disposal options by harvesting data from secondary sources. Data obtained reveals that various treatment processes are employed to remove or reduce contaminants from wastewater, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. This review underscores the importance of wastewater treatment in safeguarding water resources and public health, while also emphasizing the importance of considering the broader environmental implications of treatment and disposal practices.
Journal of applied Science and environmental management
Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of environmental management, aimed at mitigating the ad... more Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of environmental management, aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization and industrialization on water bodies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of wastewater characteristics, treatment methods, and disposal options by harvesting data from secondary sources. Data obtained reveals that various treatment processes are employed to remove or reduce contaminants from wastewater, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. This review underscores the importance of wastewater treatment in safeguarding water resources and public health, while also emphasizing the importance of considering the broader environmental implications of treatment and disposal practices.
Oriental Journal of Physical Sciences, 2024
Hydroquinone (HQ) is a whitening or therapeutic constituent in many cosmetic products, but only a... more Hydroquinone (HQ) is a whitening or therapeutic constituent in many cosmetic products, but only allowable at a very low concentration. The abuse of HQ via frequent and prolonged usage can lead to health issues such as damage to skin and the sensitive area on the face. In Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on its cosmetic products prohibition of bleaching agents regulations 2019, stated that no cosmetic products should contain more than 2 % of HQ alone or 1 % in combination with other lightening ingredients. This study aimed at qualitative and quantitative determination of HQ content in selected skin whitening cosmetics sold in Lafia. A total of twenty-four (24) various skin bleaching cosmetics were sampled from Lafia modern market. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and uv/visible spectrophotometry were used for qualitative (identification) and quantitative (quantitation) determination of their HQ concentration, respectively. Ethanol (96 %) was used to extract HQ, and then TLC analysis at two different laboratories. At the two laboratories,nine samples (same) out of 24 were found to contain hydroquinone. The uv/visible spectrophotometric analysis indicated that the concentration of hydroquinone ranged from 0.99 % to 1.47 % in the cosmetic products studied.This study revealed that some of the products were labelled free from HQ or not labelled, and yet contained HQ, unknown to the consumers. In general, percentage hydroquinone in all the samples was less than 2 % maximum permissible limit recommended by US FDA and NAFDAC.
Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, May 31, 2016
Soil, vegetation and atmospheric pollution have been a serious problem in recent years in Lafia, ... more Soil, vegetation and atmospheric pollution have been a serious problem in recent years in Lafia, especially among the communities living along the major highways due to increase in industrialization and vehicular movements. The level of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in Neem tree leaves, bark and soil along major roads in Lafia were determined using digestion and atomic absorption spectrophotometer methods. The leaves, trunk bark and soil samples were collected along Makurdi road (Tudun Kauri), Jos road (National Supply), Nasarawa state polytechnic site and Obi road (Maraba Akunza). The aim was to assess the level of the metals in the samples. The mean concentration of metals in the various locations along roads varied between Pb (0.028 to 0.570 mg/kg), Zn (0.061 to 1.326 mg/kg), Ni (0.028 to 0.261 mg/kg), Cr (0.013 to 0.201 mg/kg). Samples from Makurdi road (Tudun Kauri) indicated higher level of Zn, while sample from Jos road indicated the highest level of Pb. Levels of Cr and Ni in the various locations were obtained in minute quantities and were largely undetected in most of the samples. However, levels of all the metals obtained from the various locations along the major roads were below the WHO/FDA maximum permissible levels of heavy metals in plants. The Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) could be a good bioindicator of Pb and Zn.
International Journal of New Chemistry, 2023
The expanding use of cassava and its derivatives across industries in Nigeria has raised concerns... more The expanding use of cassava and its derivatives across industries in Nigeria has raised concerns about potential hydrogen cyanide (HCN) toxicity in inadequately processed cassava products. This study aimed to investigate and compare the hydrogen cyanide concentration in eight processed cassava product samples sourced within the period from January to March, 2023 from supermarkets and local markets in Lafia town, Nigeria, using the picrate in solution method. The samples included Niji® Foods Cassava Flour, IFGREEN® Odourless Fufu Flour, Ayoola® Fufu Flour, Aiteefills® Fufu flour, Niji® Foods Garri, Golden Penny Garri, GGEE® foods Ijebu Garri, and local brand cassava starch. Spectrophotometric measurements at 535 nm were used to determine the total cyanide content in mg HCN equivalents/kg dry weight, calculated as ppm by multiplying the absorbance by 396. The results were analyzed using Minitab version 20.0, employing one-way ANOVA, and pair-wise comparisons were made post hoc using Tukey t-tests. HCN concentrations in all samples ranged from 4.13 to 21.47 mg HCN equivalents/kg dry weight, exhibiting significant variation (p ≤ 0.05) among the samples.
Chemical Science International Journal
The extensive applicability of cassava and its derivatives in various industries in Nigeria is co... more The extensive applicability of cassava and its derivatives in various industries in Nigeria is constantly increasing, thus the necessity to evaluate the chemical composition in order to ascertain the nutritional value of these products. This study investigated and compared the proximate composition of eight samples of processed cassava products (Niji® Foods Cassava Flour, IFGREEN® Odourless Fufu Flour, Ayoola® Fufu Flour, Aiteefills® Fufu flour, Niji® Foods Garri, Golden Penny Garri, GGEE® foods Ijebu Garri and local brand cassava starch) obtained from supermarkets and local markets in Lafia town from January to March, 2023 using standard official methods for proximate analysis. The results were analyzed by Minitab version 20.0 by one way ANOVA and pair-wise comparison was made post hoc using Tukey t-tests. The moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fats and carbohydrate ranged from 4.34 – 12.70 %, 0.34 – 1.63 %, 1.30 – 10.06 %, 0.02 – 0.81 %, 4.01 – 12.53 % and 70.83 – 85...
Nigeria Research Journal of chemical Sciences, 2023
This study aimed at geochemical risk assessment and determination of the total concentration and ... more This study aimed at geochemical risk assessment and determination of the total concentration and speciation of Mn and Ni in water and different sediments' particle sizes from Hunki Ox-bow Lake in Awe L.G.A of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer during the dry and wet seasons. The mean concentration of Mn in whole (raw) sediment samples was higher than that of Ni irrespective of seasons. However, Ni was higher in water. Baseline levels of Mn and Ni in water samples (mg/L) were: Mn (0.129) and Ni (0.209) which revealed that Ni in water was higher than the WHO (2017) guidelines for drinking water quality. The baseline levels of Mn and Ni in sediment samples (mg/kg) were: Mn (75.085) and Ni (26.143) which showed that Ni was higher than interim sediment quality guidelineslow of 21 mg/kg but that of Mn was not specified. Results of the Tessier five-step sequential extraction procedure indicated that Mn dominated mostly the exchangeable fraction, while Ni dominated the residual fraction of the sediments more than other sequential extraction fractions in both seasons. This study revealed that Mn was more of ecological risk (more available to aquatic ecosystem) than Ni as affirmed by ecological risk indices evaluated.
Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria
This research aimed at assessment of the levels, speciation, risk assessment indices and seasonal... more This research aimed at assessment of the levels, speciation, risk assessment indices and seasonal variation of heavy metals (Cd and Cu) in water and sediments from Hunki Ox-bow Lake in Awe L.G.A of Nasarawa State, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), during the dry and wet seasons. The mean concentration of Cd in water samples of both dry and wet seasons was higher than that of Cu, but Cu was higher than Cd on the whole (raw) sediment samples. The baseline levels of Cd and Cu in water samples (mg/L) were as follows: Cd (0.354) and Cu (0.014), which revealed that Cd level in water was higher than the WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. The baseline levels of Cd and Cu in sediment samples (mg/kg) were as follows: Cd (7.149) and Cu (8.363) which showed that Cd and Cu were lower than Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines – High of (Cd: 10 and Cu: 270 mg/kg). However, Cd level from sediment was higher than Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines – Low of 1.5 mg/kg but that o...
Nanocellulose material was extracted from Pride of Barbados pods and Corn cobs agro waste materia... more Nanocellulose material was extracted from Pride of Barbados pods and Corn cobs agro waste materials and used as a gelling agent in the production of gel fuel. The gelling capacity, quantity and physicochemical properties of the nano material was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X – ray fluorescence (XRF). Ultraviolet and Visible Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) was used to determine the nano particle size nature of the cellulose while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) was used to ascertain the degree of purity of extracted Nanocellulose material that is devoid of contaminants like lignin, hemicellulose and other extractive. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to visualize the surface morphology. SEM images show that both Agrowaste contained abundance and long fibers. The use of the Nanocellulose from agro wastes in gelling the fuel will further reduce the overall cost of producing the fuel which will be providing an economically cheaper alternativ...
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020
The present study shows the seasonal and spatial changes of certain physicochemical parameters na... more The present study shows the seasonal and spatial changes of certain physicochemical parameters namely water transparency, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, free CO2, Alkalinity, total hardness, magnesium, calcium and sulphate hardness, nitrates and inorganic phosphates. All parameters were documented in every months of July to June in 2017-18 and 2018-19. It was found that no significant differences in the variability of physicochemical factors between surface and bottom water. The present water body was noted to have alkaline water throughout the year at all sites and seasons.
Flame Photometric Determination of Potassium with a Photomultiplier Tube
Agronomy Journal, 1956
This research focused on developing simple, reliable and cost-effective methods for the determina... more This research focused on developing simple, reliable and cost-effective methods for the determination of the amount of soot being emitted daily in to the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels. This was with the view of monitoring the level of environmental pollution or the impact assessment of soot emission on the environment. Two novel methods, A and B; based on the principle of adsorption on paper and liquid, both from a timed-running diesel and petrol-powered generating sets were used respectively. The difference in the weight of the adsorbed paper was expressed as the weight of the emitted soot. The results obtained showed that between 1-5 hours, the amount of soot ranged from 1.7587±0.1425 to 3.2260 ± 0.1231g for method A and from 0.1342±0.0606 to 0.5822±0.0322g for method B respectively. Though the mass of soot in method B was generally found to be much lower than that in method A, method B may not be said to be ineffective because gasoline, the fuel on which method B...
Determination of Caffeine Content in Two Varieties of Kola Nut and Some Tea Products Sold in Lafia, North Central Nigeria
Kola nuts, tea, and beverages are some of the caffeine containing products which are widely consu... more Kola nuts, tea, and beverages are some of the caffeine containing products which are widely consumed all over the world. The caffeine serves as a stimulant and flavoring agent in food and pharmaceutical industries. This study investigated the amount of caffeine present in Kola nitida, Bitter kola, Lipton tea, Green tea, Milo, and Nescafe sold and consumed in Lafia town, North Central Nigeria. Caffeine contents were determined using standard method. From the results obtained, the amount of caffeine in kola nitida was found to be 1.15 mg/L. This was the highest compared to other sampled products. Others included Nescafe (0.41 mg/L), Lipton tea (0.22 mg/L), Green tea (0.21 mg/L), Bitter Kola (0.18 mg/L), and Milo (0.04 mg/L). All the samples analyzed were observed to be low in caffeine content. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends a daily intake of no more than 200-400 mg. Above this limit will result in health implications. The results from the sampled products indicates safety of several daily consumptions as bioaccumulation of caffeine may not fall below the 200 mg and will certainly not exceed the 400 mg threshold. Thus, it can be said that taking kola nuts or these beverages several times in a day may not pose any health problems.
International Journal of Sciences, 2022
Using an EWOD System.
This study evaluates the concentration of nitrate and nitrite in selected fruits and vegetables s... more This study evaluates the concentration of nitrate and nitrite in selected fruits and vegetables sold in Lafia, Nasarawa state. A total of 15 samples comprising two different fruits (orange and watermelon) and three vegetables (spinach, onion and pepper) were used for this purpose. Nitrate content was obtained by derivative spectrophotometric method and nitrite by colorimetric method. The results showed that all fruits and vegetables analyzed contained detectable levels of nitrate and nitrite except for the orange and watermelon purchased from seller B which had nitrate and nitrite content below the detection limit respectively. The mean nitrate concentrations of the samples were 1348.91 mg/kg for orange, 3539.98 mg/kg for watermelon, 3540.00 mg/kg for spinach, 1434.55 mg/kg for onion and 2669.27 mg/kg for pepper. In addition, the mean nitrate concentrations of watermelon, spinach and pepper were above the maximum level of 2500 mg/kg stipulated by EC, WHO and FAO as opposed to those of orange and onion which were below the specified maximum level. Mean nitrite concentrations which ranged from 0.00025 mg/kg to 0.00039 mg/kg for the fruits and 0.00037 mg/Kg to 0.00056 mg/kg for the vegetables were all below the 100 mg/kg maximum level specified by WHO.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L as optimum level of fluorides in d... more The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L as optimum level of fluorides in drinking water supplies to reduce the incidence of tooth decay, dental and skeletal fluorosis in man [1]. Concentrations higher than this can cause multidimensional health problems including mottling of teeth, dental and skeletal fluorosis and several neurological damages in severe cases [2]. Many epidemiological studies of possible adverse effects of the long-term ingestion of fluoride via drinking-water have been carried out. These studies clearly established that fluoride primarily produces effects on skeletal tissues (bones and teeth). Low concentrations provide protection against dental caries, especially in children [1]. The preand post-eruptive protective effects of fluoride (involving the incorporation of fluoride into the matrix of the tooth during its formation, the development of shallower tooth grooves, which are consequently less prone to decay, and surface contact with ename...
This research work investigated the adsorption of manganese (VII) ions from aqueous solution onto... more This research work investigated the adsorption of manganese (VII) ions from aqueous solution onto watermelon peels. The study was carried out to assess the possible use of watermelon peels as a low cost adsorbent. The influence of the following factors; contact time and initial metal ion concentration on the adsorption capacity has been studied. The percentage removal of the metal was observed to increase with increase in contact time; 10-40 minutes. The result indicated that activated watermelon peels could be effectively used for the adsorption of Mn(VII) ions from aqueous solutions. First order and second order kinetic studies were carried out. The kinetics study conformed to pseudo second-order model.
Ebiaji clay deposits in Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were characteri... more Ebiaji clay deposits in Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were characterized for its chemical composition and refractory properties. The chemical composition was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) procedure, whereas the physical property were carried using American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) standards at the department of Ceramics Research and Production Projects Research and Development Institute, Enugu State, Nigeria. The physical property analysed were as follows: Plasticity Index, Swelling Index, Linear Shrinkage, Refractoriness, Loss on Ignition, Water of Absorption, Bulk density, Apparent density and Chemical composition analysis. Results obtained showed that Ebiaji clay is abundant in oxides of silica (SiO2), Alumina (Al2O3) and Iron (Fe2O3) with other oxides in minute quantity. The chemical analysis carried out indicates that the clay deposit is of the aluminosilicate refractories that are under the class of kaoli...
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Papers by Uche A B E L Augustine