Alcoholysis-polyesterification method was used in the investigation of utilization of Ximenia americana seed oil in the formulation of alkyd resins. The extracted oilseed gave an oil yield of 45.7% (w/w) and the physicochemical characterization indicated it is semi-drying in nature with iodine value of 152.3 g I 2 100 g -1. The fatty acid analysis of the oil carried out earlier revealed oleic and linolenic as dominant fatty acids, having values of 72.1 and 10.3% respectively. Four grades of alkyds were formulated at 40% (I), 50% (II), 60% (III) and 70% (IV) oil lengths. The reaction progression was followed by determining the acid value of the aliquots for the reaction mixture at various time intervals beside the volume of water evolved. Kinetic studies showed that the reaction was second-order with values of 3.12 x 10 -4 , 2.44 x 10 -4 , 2. The 40 and 50% oil length alkyd films were resistant to acid, brine and water with little resistance to alkali. Characterization of paint based on two alkyd resin derivatives, 40 and 50% oil lengths, gave values for surface drying and tack-free property of less than 2 and 5 hours respectively in respect of the 40% oil length.

The chemical composition and functional properties of snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) seed flour were studied. The effects of sample-solvent ratio, nature and concentration of solubilizing agents, extraction time as well as sample pre-treatment on protein solubility were studied. The crude protein in the flour (N% x 6.25) was determined to be 30.18%. The predominant mineral elements were potassium (121.60mg100 -1 g) and phosphorus (135.0mg 100 -1 g). Other elements found in fairly high amounts are Sodium, Magnesium and Zinc. Nitrogen solubility was pH dependent with a minimum value of 10% at pH 4.0 and a maximum of 40% at pH 11.0. Other functional properties, water and oil absorption, foaming and least gelation capacities, are comparable with most seeds and nuts reported in the literature. Of all the protein solubilizing agents tested, 0.03M NaOH solution at sample-solvent ratio of 1:10 and extraction period of 20mins was found to be the most effective solubilizing agent for the snakegourd seed flour protein.

Field trials were conducted during 2004 and 2005 to determine the effect of sowing seeds from plants with multiple heads and seeds from single headed plants of sunflower on seed yield, head characteristics and oil content of three widely grown open pollinated varieties (Funtua, Record and Isaanka) in the humid forest -savanna transition zone which is outside the current growing areas with a view to improving stability and sunflower productivity in this region. Seeds from multiple headed plants produced plants that flowered and matured 2-3 days later than plants from single headed plants. Apart from days to flowering in 2004, number of days to maturity and plant height were affected independently by variety and seed source factors. However, the seeds from single headed plants produced plants that recorded significantly (P < 0.01) higher head weight, head diameter, achene weight and number per head than plants from seeds of plants with multiple heads. Seed source had little effect on sunflower seed yield and oil content. However, Funtua produced significantly (P < 0.05) high seed yield (1956.0 kg ha −1 ± 76.06) when seeds from plants with multiple heads were sown, while Isaanka recorded comparatively high seed yield from seeds of plants from either multiple (1221.0 kg ha −1 ± 165.90) or single heads (1388.0 kg ha −1 ± 135.84) and Record (1201.0 kg ha −1 ± 96.97) when seeds from single headed plants were sown. Therefore, it is recommended that prospective sunflower growers who wish to cultivate Isaanka, can sow seeds from either the multiple or single head and preferably the multiple head for Funtua, and single head for Record.

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Thermal stabilization studies of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in the presence of lead, cadmium, barium, calcium and zinc carboxylates of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil (BSO) were carried out in air and under nitrogen atmosphere in the temperature range 170-190 ºC. The stabilizing effects of the metal carboxylates were assessed by measurements of the time for degradation to attain 1% conversion, t DH and the corresponding rate of degradation, R DH . Kinetic parameters determined under nitrogen were higher than those determined in air indicating that PVC degraded less in air within the temperature range employed. All metal carboxylates stabilized PVC under the conditions employed for the study and showed a relative order of stabilization of Cd-BSO > Ba-BSO > Pb-BSO > Ca-BSO > Zn-BSO. At higher temperature (190 ºC) deleterious effect of Zn-BSO manifested after prolonged heating. This is corroborated by data obtained from measurements of intrinsic viscosity of degraded PVC samples and thermogravimetric analysis. Synergistic effect was not exhibited by the compositions of binary mixtures of Ca/Zn carboxylates investigated while Ba/Cd carboxylates at 1: 9 ratio exhibited synergistic effect on PVC stabilization.