The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1M sulphuric acid solution by the ethanol extract of Commelina benghalensis (C. B) leaves was determined using gravimetric technique. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on the extract and the effect of extract concentration, temperature, immersion time and acid concentration on the corrosion process was determined. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of the extract increased with increase in the concentration of the extract and decreased with increase in temperature. Increase in temperature also increased the corrosion rate of mild steel in 1M sulphuric acid in the absence and presence of different concentrations of the extract. The adsorption of the plant extract obeyed Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The process of physical adsorption was proposed for the extract from the trends of inhibition efficiency with temperature and from calculated values of Gibbs free energy, activation energy and enthalpy of adsorption. Gibbs free energy values for the reactions were less than 20kJ/mol, indicating physical adsorption process and were also found to be negative, indicating that the adsorption process was spontaneous. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (% IE) of the plant extract was attributed to the phytochemical constituents (alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, steroids and cardiac glycosides) present in them. The results showed that Commelina benghalensis can serve as a good corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in acid medium, since it reached a corrosion inhibition efficiency (% IE) of 91.91% at 2.0g/L extract concentration.

Malnutrition is a major health problem for children in developing countries. This study examines the use of fonio and soya bean flours as locally and readily available raw materials for production and formulation of weaning foods. Weaning food was produced from fonio and soya bean flour in varying proportions. Four blends A, B, C and D were formulated respectively. Proximate, vitamin and mineral contents were determined using standard methods. The chemical compositions of the formulations were as follows, for samples A, B, C and D respectively. Moisture contents = 3.20%, 3.00%, 2.50% and 2.00%. Ash contents = 3.30%, 3.20%, 3.00% and 2.80%. Protein = 29.00%, 25.00%, 20.00% and 17.50%. Fibre contents = 3.50%, 3.30%, 3.00% and 2.70%. Fat contents = 11.00%, 10.00%, 10.00% and 8.00%. Carbohydrate contents = 50.00%, 55.50%, 61.50% and 67.00%. Energy contents (Kcal/100g) = 415.00, 412.00, 416.00 and 410.00 Kcal/100grespectively. The mineral content of the formulated weaning food were determined which confirmed the presence of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus. Vitamin A, B 1 , B 2 and C were also determined. These values fall within the Food and Agriculture Organization (1966) recommended values of food for infants. The complementary diet prepared from fonio and soya bean flour was also compared with Cerelac and Nutrend a commercial weaning food. Sample C was compared favourably with those of the commercial weaning foods. It is also complied with infant food specification established by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) which had agreeable appearance, light yellow colour, good flavour and taste and readily dispersed in hot water. Sample C is recommended as the best formulated weaning foods which can therefore used as alternatives to the weaning foods in the Nigerian market as well as other countries in the world to improve nutritional status of children and also help to curb protein-energy malnutrition.

Pharmaceutical effluents are wastes generated by pharmaceutical industries during the process of drug production.Pharmaceutical industry effluent is hazardous in nature due to its components such as toxic metals and active pharmaceutical ingredients and therefore should be treated before it is discharged into any water body or on to soil. But studies have shown that in most developing countries like Nigeria, industries dispose their effluents without treatment. The pharmaceutical effluents can be treated using inorganic or natural coagulants. This paper reviewed some studies on the treatment of pharmaceutical effluents using natural coagulants which are low-cost, under-utilized, economic friendly and readily available. The coagulants reviewed include Moringa oleifera, Citrullus lanatus (Seed of watermelon), Treculia africana (African bread fruit), Phoenix dactylifera (Date), Zea mays (Corn or maize), Banana peels, Sesamum indicum (Beniseed). The studies were critically reviewed with respect to the type of natural coagulant used, method of application to the effluents and result obtained. The results from the studies reviewed revealed that the treatment efficiency was maximally achieved in each case when the natural coagulants were used in combined form (either with another natural coagulant or inorganic coagulant) in appropriate ratios. Treatment efficieny of pharmaceutical effluents is obtained by using combined natural coagulant.

This study was aimed at investigating the synthesis and characterization of vinyl acetate grafted on Industrial Cellulose. Vinyl acetate monomer was grafted onto Industrial cellulose using benzoyl peroxide as initiator at varied temperatures. The Industrial cellulose-g-poly(vinyl acetate) was orange in colour. The effect of initiator concentration, monomer concentration and temperature on percentage grafting and grafting efficiency of the product was determined. Both percentage grafting and grafting efficiency increased with initiator concentration and monomer concentration for the industrial cellulose-g-poly(vinyl acetate). The percentage grafting and grafting efficiency increased with temperature from 60°C-70°C then decreased after 70°C for the sample. The graft copolymer was analyzed and characterized using various tests, which included Fourier transformed infrared spectrophotometer, physico-mechanical tests which were, hardness test with durometer shore hardness tester, density with Monsanto Densitron 2000, softening point tester with HDT/Vicat Test Station. Moreover, adsorption studies of bromothymol blue onto the sample was done with Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The results of the FTIR confirmed the presence of O-H of alcohol (3404 cm-1), C=O of esters (1645 cm-1), N-H of protein (2272 cm-1), C-H of methyl and methylene (2933 cm-1), and CO of esters (1122 cm-1) in the Industrial cellulose-g-poly(vinyl acetate). The result of the hardness showed that the Industrial cellulose-g-poly(vinyl acetate) was 87D, the density was 0.95mg/m 3 , and the softening point was 115°C-135°C. The percentage of bromothymol blue removed from aqueous solution was 72.4% for industrial cellulose-g-poly(vinyl acetate). The rate constants for the Industrial graft copolymer was determined using pseudo first order kinetics and it gave 3.59 x 10-2 min-1. The research showed that Industrial cellulose-g-poly(Vinyl acetate) could be used in the adsorption of bromothymol blue (dye) in aqueous solution.