This research considered the viability of groundnut shell ash (GSA) on lime-stabilized lateritic soil for highway structural works. Three samples of lateritic soil, named samples A, B, and C, were gathered from Idita-Mokuro, NTA-Mokuro, and ETF burrow pits, respectively, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Preliminary tests were completed on the samples in their natural states and when stabilized with optimum lime. Engineering properties were performed while 2, 4, and 6 % GSA contents were added to the soil samples at optimum lime. The Atterberg limit tests showed a significant reduction in the plasticity index for samples A and C when stabilized with lime. Compaction test showed a decrease in the maximum dry density from 1,685 to 1,590 kg/m3 for sample A, 1,599 to 1,512 kg/m3 for sample B, and 1,396 to 1,270 kg/m3 for sample C on stabilizing with lime; the introduction of GSA to stabilized lime soil diminished the maximum dry density for all the soil samples, with sample A reduced to 1,435 and 1,385 kg/m3 at 2 and 4 GSA contents, respectively. The addition of GSA improved the engineering properties of lime-stabilized soils as the unsoaked CBR esteems expanded for all soil samples. At an optimum lime dosage, the addition of 2 % GSA expanded the triaxial shear strength from 60.43 to 188.36 kN/m2 for sample A and, at 4 % GSA content, both soil samples B and C increased from 19.19 to 201.48 kN/m2 and 30.62 to 111.65 kN/m2, respectively. Conclusively, GSA improved the toughness and strength of lime-stabilized lateritic soil for highway structural works.

This study considered the practicality of groundnut shell ash (GSA) on laterite stabilized with lime for civil structures. Three site locations of lateritic soil named specimen I, II and III were assembled from Ifewara, Atakunmosa West Local Government Area, Ilesa East Local Government Area, and Ilesa West Local Government, all situated in Osun State, Nigeria. Preliminary tests were wrapped up on the soil specimens in their characteristic states and when stabilized with optimum lime. Compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and undrained triaxial shear strength tests were performed when fluctuating paces of 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, and 8 % of GSA were included to the soil specimens at optimum lime. The Atterberg limits tests showed a critical decrease in plasticity index for all the soil specimens when stabilized with lime. Compaction test showed a lessening in the maximum dry density from 1732 kg/m3 to 1651 kg/m3 for specimen I, 1874 kg/m3 to 1621 kg/m3 for specimen II and 1683 kg/m3 to 1655 kg/m3 for specimen III on stabilizing with lime, presentation of GSA to stabilized lime-soil decreases the maximum dry density for all the soil specimen with specimen I diminished to 1642 kg/m3, 1595 kg/m3, 1611 kg/m3 and 1611 kg/m3 at 2 %, 4 %, 6 % and 8 % GSA substances individually. Addition of GSA substances enhanced the engineering properties of laterite stabilized with lime as the unsoaked CBR values expanded for all the soil specimens. At optimum lime measurements, addition of 4 % GSA expanded the shear strength to 110.74 kN/m2 and 127.53 kN/m2 for specimens I and II individually while at 6 % GSA addition, the shear strength of specimen III was peak 118.24 kN/m2. The expansion in shear strength further affirms the improvement prior shown in the geotechnical properties of lateritic soil with the addition of groundnut shell ash. addition of 2 % GSA content extended the triaxial shear strength from 60.43kN/m2 to 188.36kN/m2 for specimen I, and at 4% GSA content, both soil specimens II and III expanded from 19.19kN/m2 to 201.48kN/m2 and 30.62kN/m2 to 111.65kN/m2 separately. Conclusively, GSA improved the durability and strength of lateritic soils stabilized with lime for civil structures.

Objective: Maize plants have been genetically engineered to produce genotypes with agriculturally desirable traits such as high starch content, pest resistance and increased nutritional value. Maize starch has been widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations. This study aims to produce sustained release ibuprofen tablets using starch obtained from different maize genotypes as polymers. Methods: Ibuprofen matrix tablets were prepared with the starches isolated from the maize genotypes and the unmodified plant. The mechanical properties of the tablets were evaluated using the crushing strength (CS), friability (FR) and CSFR. A 32 factorial design was applied using the time taken for 50 % (T50) and 90 % (T90) drug release as dependent variables while the polymer-drug ratio and polymer types were the independent variables. Results: The CSFR was significantly higher (p<0.05) in tablets formulated with the starches obtained from the modified cultivars. Drug release for all the formulations fitted the Higuchi model while the mechanism of release was generally by super case transport. The polymer-drug ratio and polymer type strongly interacted to increase the dissolution times (T50 and T90) and CSFR. Starches isolated from the genetically modified cultivars provided a more sustained release of ibuprofen from the tablet matrix through erosion and polymer relaxation. Conclusion: The results indicate that the genetic modification of maize can quantitatively affect the drug release modifying effects of maize starch in drug formulation.