Vol 11, No 3 ,2010,: African Scientist

Isolation and Characterization of Lipoxygenase from Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca)

Lipoxygenase (Linoleate: oxygen oxidoreductase EC.1. 13. 11. 12), a dioxygenase catalyzing the hydroperoxidation of fatty acids containing a cis,cis- 1,4-pentadiene structure was isolated from defatted whole and dehulled seeds of Luffa aegyptiaca ,a local plant found growing wildly in waste lands and rubbish dumps. Several properties of the enzyme including effect of pH, substrate concentration and heat treatment were investigated and lipoxygenase activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 234nm.

Spectroscopic investigation of heavy metals in waste water from University students’ halls of residence

Although there is increased global concern on sustainable environmental and human health management, the African countries are still unserious which should not be the case considering the potential consequences of harmful chemicals discharge into our environment from domestic and other anthropogenic activities. We are therefore reporting in this paper a spectroscopic assessment of heavy metals in wastewater generated from students’ halls of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

Energetic Advantages of Pause-Travel At Low Speeds

Some larval fish species do not swim continuously but forage using intermittent locomotion pattern which consist of relatively high speed swimming interspersed by pauses. This type of locomotion is known as pause-travel. In this paper, a mathematical model that examines the advantages of pause-travel over continuous swimming is developed. The results of the present calculations show that pause-travel is an efficient strategy to adopt over certain range of travel speeds.

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A method of assay for the estimation of sulphadimidine in tablets

A simple and rapid titrimetric method (Back Titration) was used in the assay of Sulphadimidine in commercial tablets. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of Sulphadimidine to form the corresponding acid. This was followed by back titration of the excess alkali using phenolphthalein as indicator. The results of this assay method were compared with those obtained from the official nitrite titration method. Both methods yielded similar results with high percentage recoveries. The proposed method gave results that agree well with the labeled contents.

Behavioural patterns of rats in an open field following treatment with Artesunate plus Amodiaquine combination

Artesunate (AS) plus amodiaquine (AQ) combination is a potent artemisinin-base antimalrial drug is commercially available with different trade names. Several adverse effects including neurotoxic complaints have been ascribed to this combination. This study was to determine the behavioral pattern of rats treated with this drug in an open field. Forty matured male Wistar rats weighing 150-180g were equally grouped into four. Group A was the control and the animals received tap water placebo, while groups B, C and D were the experimental.

A replacement problem of n unit parallel system with minimal repair options

We consider a replacement problem of n units parallel system, where a component failure is rectified by minimal repairs. We exchanged the system preventively before failure if the number of minimal repairs reaches m r m m − − − ,..., 2, 1 and is preventively replace if the sum of minimal repair reaches threshold value m . Keywords: minimal repairs, parallel system, failure,

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Forest conservation policy in Edo State: An assessment of roles of forestry taskforce in realising the set objectives

The study examined the roles of task force forest in conservation in Edo state with the use of data collected from both primary and secondary sources. The data were obtained through the use of well structured questionnaires administered to 90 respondents in 15 communities and forests reserved, based on sampling intensities of 50% to elicit information on activities of task force in forest conservation. Secondary data were obtained from ministry of environment and task force head office.