Luffa cylindrica is locally a source of food, medicinal substances and have other traditional application. This study investigated the proximate and mineral analysis of L. cylindrica. The result of the analysis showed that the seed contain principally protein (35.83%) and fat content (33.93%). The crude fiber, moisture and ash content are 4.58, 5.84 and 6.13% respectively, while 13.67% was found as the carbohydrate content which is determine by different methods. The mineral content showed that phosphorus is the most abundant mineral with 30.63 mg/100 g followed by Magnesium (28.93 mg/100 g). It also contains moderately high amount of other minerals such as Potassium (13.86 mg/100 g), Sodium (8.18 mg/100 g) while Chromium (0.25 mg/100 g) was found to be the lowest. The sample could be useful in preventing high blood pressure. Thus, the research suggests that L. cylindrica seed can serve as a potential source of vegetable protein and mineral in dietary formulation.
Evaluation of physicochemical parameters and heavy metal levels in surface water of the Miniokoro stream, Port Harcourt, Nigeria were investigated to determine its potability and pollution status at various stations along the stream. The physicochemical parameters analyzed in the water samples were: pH, Temperature, Salinity, Electrical conductivity, TDS, DO, BOD, Alkalinity, Chloride, NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, SO42- while heavy metals such as Nickel, lead, Iron, Zinc and Chromium were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results from the research showed an average concentration level of the physicochemical parameters such as pH (5.79-7.01), EC (136.43 - 960.67µS/cm), TDS (90.17 - 1517.67) and the spatial distribution of heavy metals: zinc (0.07 - 1.09mg/l), chromium (0.03 - 0.09mg/l), nickel (0.07 - 0.08mg/l) and iron (12.29 - 39.95mg/l). Water samples from various stations depicts the varying level of pollution along the stream when compared with national and international permissible limit. Thus, it suggests that the government should develop and implement an effective waste management plans due to environmental and other anthropogenic impacts on the stream.
Determination of heavy metal contents in edible clay (kaolin) from Enyigba in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State of Nigeria was carried out using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The quantitative analysis of heavy metal analyzed in the edible clay sample were 0.012 mg/kg for Co, 0.113 mg/kg for Cu and 0.712 mg/kg for Ni. This study shows that the levels of these heavy metals (Co, Cu and Ni) in kaolin are below the permissible limits as established by the regulatory organization (World Health Organization, WHO). Compared to the safety intake levels for these heavy metals recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM), and Agency for toxic substance and disease Registry (ATSDR), the dietary intakes of the three heavy metals from daily consumption of 20 g of kaolin should pose no health risk to human.
This study was aimed for investigating the influence of gender difference in learning chemistry using multiple representations which were spurred towards obtaining an improved academic achievement. The study employed a descriptive research design using a survey across the senatorial districts in Ondo state. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics while inferential analysis was carried out using Paired t-test Statistical Analysis. Findings from the study showed that there was no significant gender difference in the preferred effectiveness of multiple representation. However, female students showed more interest in the use of multiple representation in learning chemistry than male students. Based on the findings of this research, teachers should permit better student interactions and engagements in their classroom for a better understanding of chemistry context.
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