The chemical composition of Persea americana pulp and seed was investigated. Edible and non-edible parts of the fruits (pulp and seeds) were compared considering their possible role in improving the sustainability of the food and pharmaceutical industries. The results obtained showed that the investigated samples contain minerals such as carbon (17.29±0.03), hydrogen (0.65±0.07), nitrogen (4.13±0.01), oxygen (76.88±0.09), sodium (51.47±0.02), potassium (28.02±0.01), calcium (27.13±0.02), magnesium (40.77±0.01), Iron (12.01±0.01), zinc (7.23±0.01), phosphorus (31.63±0.04) and sulphur (0.04±0.01) was found in the pulp while silicon, aluminum and chlorine was not detected. Proximate composition revealed that the seed of P. americana contains more of volatile matter and fixed carbon of 27.55±0.01 and 58.35±0.04 respectively; while the pulp has more moisture content of 81.69±0.01 and ash of 1.02±0.01. Ultimate analysis showed that the seed has more carbon and oxygen while the pulp has more nitrogen and hydrogen. Mineral contents of the investigated samples higher in seed than in pulp in terms of concentration. These various chemical compositions of the evaluated samples may be behind their importance in the therapeutical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Determination of the chemical composition of the bark of Erythrophleum ivorense A.chev showed some proximate compounds such carbohydrates, protein, lipids and vitamin C, and not absent in essential food fibre. Essential minerals of sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc in contents levels needed for a healthy life, except sodium, with a very high content level hence should be diluted properly when administered as a laxative. Some phytochemicals such as phenols, steroids, tannins, flavanoids, alkaloids, saponin and cadiac glycosides were present which gives credence to the medicinal benefits of the bark of the wood despite it wide timber used for construction and toxic nature.

Air pollution has been reported to induce biochemical changes in plants leaves. This study determined the effect of air pollution on chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids of leaf samples from three forest reserves in Edo state, Nigeria. The leaves of the plants were collected from mature trees and used to determine the values of Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and carotenoid using standard methods of analysis. Ogba Forest was found to be lowest in both chlorophyll-a and b in Dacryodes edulis (5.00±12.0 mg/100g) and Moringa oleifera (20.09±12.72 mg/100g). Chlorophylla was, however, highest in Hura crepitans (16.78±32.45 mg/100g) while chlorophyll-b was highest in Dacryodes edulis (46.25±8.97 mg/100g). While UNIBEN forest reserve recorded the lowest chlorophyll-a value in Moringa oleifera (4.42±24.93 mg/100g) and exhibited lowest value of chlorophyll-b in Albiza labbek (10.33+35.69 mg/100 g). Saponba forest reserve recorded lowest chlorophyll-a in Magnifera indica (7.05±11.48 mg/100g), it was however, highest in Irvinga garbonesis (14.61±18.14 mg/100 g). Its value in chlorophyll-b, however, ranged from 12.66±1.68 to 31.05± 20.14 mg/100g. Same trend was observed with the carotenoid contents across board. Ogba forest reserve indicated the lowest value from Dacryodes edulis (6.72±6.73mg/100g), it was highest in Hura crepitans (23.86±7.84 mg/100g). UNIBEN forest reserve recorded lowest in Magnifera indica (3.10±0.37 mg/100g) and highest in Dacryodes edulis (21.73±15.11 mg/100g). Saponba forest reserve was not different in trend, as its lowest value was recorded in Entadrophragma angolensis (0.04±2.23 mg/100g) and highest in Magnifera indica (11.17±3.20 mg/100g). Species lowest in both chlorophyll-a and b and carotenoids are therefore more susceptible to the impact of air pollution in their respective forest reserves.

Study on the electrical energy generated from a single fuel cell using a synthesized solid electrolyte membrane from polyisoprene that was impregnated with carbonanotubes was carried out. The initial functionalization of the polymer yielded an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 4.04, 7.82, 11.1 and 15.53 mmol/g with their corresponding degrees of sulphonation (DS) of 10.93, 21.1, 30.03 and 42.02 %, respectively. The later but highest DS achieved water uptake of 49.23 wt % and proton conductivities of 4.3 x 10-3, 1.2 x 10-3 and 2.6 x 10-2 S/cm for membrane of thickness 250, 215 and 120 mm, respectively. The performance testing of the membrane in a single fuel cell achieved an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 647.23 mV with the synthesised membrane of 35 wt % catalyst loading, 589.79 mV and 410.48 mV of 25 wt % and 15 wt % catalyst loading, respectively at constant DS (42.02 %). Their corresponding power densities achieved were 68.67, 49.20 and 35.83 Mw/cm2, respectively. Thus the functionalization of polyisoprene impregnated with carbon nanotubes through the process of sulphonation with chlorosulphonic acid resulted into the development of solid polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell application.

The aim of this study was to identify the chemical constituents of Elaeis guineensis (EG) using GCMS. EG fruits were purchased from a local market in Edo state and was identified, cleaned, boiled and extracted. The resultant crude extract was strained through filter paper and partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate before subjected to GC-MS analysis. Eighty-two (82) compounds were identified and the major components are hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (10.53%), oleic acid (25.92%). n-hexadecanoic acid (31.41%), cis-vaccenic acid (22.82%) and octadecanoic acid (13.16%). Plants fatty acids are important for growth and defence mechanism against pathogen, possess antimicrobial action, implicated in pathway elucidation and stimulation of resistance mechanism in plants. Long chain fatty acids exert their effect on membrane phospholipids by modifying its composition and potentially interfering with synthesis of lipid signalling molecules. Identification of EG fruits have provided an idea of its chemical composition of the extract of E. guineensis. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 19(2): 153-159, 2020 (December)