The application of a LC-nebuliser/spray chamber interface-flame ionisation detection has been demonstrated for the superheated water liquid chromatography of a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic analytes. The linearity and sensitivity of the response of volatile and involatile analytes have been compared. The response of the detector toward different analytes is similar to that in GC-FID and for volatile analytes was comparable to UV detection. However, the responses from involatile analytes, such as amino acids and carbohydrates, were poor and often lower than for a refractive index detector.

A nebuliser and spray chamber have been used to link a flow injection analyser to a flame ionisation detector, with the potential for the combination to be used as a universal detector for liquid chromatography. The hydrogen and air flows were adjusted to achieve a stable system. The detector responded to both volatile and involatile analytes and to compounds with and without chromophores, including alkanes, alkanols, aromatic amides and acids, phenols, amino-acids and carbohydrates and gave a linear response for many analytes. However, for involatile polar analytes it was necessary to add traces of acid or salt to the carrier stream to obtain a linear response.

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and plays important role and hence various expensive creams are formulated to care for it. People place much premium in using expensive creams with little or no knowledge of what less expensive creams (olive, palm kernel, and groundnut oils) can offer in respect of skin care. The aim of this research work was to assess and compare the levels of skin care compounds (Myristic acid, 9-octadecenol, stearic acid, oleic Acid, arachidic acid, Erucic acid) in olive oil, groundnut oil, and palm kernel oil by using gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy. The %concentrations of the skin care compounds in the samples were: groundnut oil (4-phenylbut-3-ene-1-yne (5.79), Myristic Acid (8.63), Palmitic Acid (22.51), 9-octadecenol (12.76), Stearic Acid (10.89), Oleric Acid (8.34), Arachidic Acid (18.37), Erucic Acid (7.46); palm kernel oil (4-phenylbut-3-ene-1-yne (5.83), Myristic Acid (9.21), Palmitic Acid (32.04), 9-octadecenol (21.86), Stearic Acid (18.21), Oleric Acid (9.23), Arachidic Acid (11.24), Erucic Acid (0.96); olive oil (4-phenylbut-3-ene-1-yne (5.79), Myristic Acid (8.63), Palmitic Acid (22.51), 9-octadecenol (12.76), Stearic Acid (10.89), Oleric Acid (8.34), Arachidic Acid (18.37), Erucic Acid (7.46). The levels of skin care compounds follow this order: Palm kernel oil ? Groundnut oil = Olive oil, except arachidic acid and erucic acid. 1,2,3-trimethylbensene, p-mentha-1,3,8-triene, and o-cymene were not found in any of the oils. These ingredients delay ageing, eradicate pimples, rashes and other minute diseases and therefore enhance smoothness of the human skin. Therefore, palm kernel oil is the best oil to be applied on human skin as body cream than groundnut oil and olive oil, since it contains the highest % composition of the following skin care compounds; myristic acid, palmitic acid, 9-octadecenol, stearic acid and 2,3-epoxycarane.

This study consist of chemical fractionation of Fe, Cu and Zn in two commonly consumed terrestrial and aquatic snails, and appraised the risk associated via consumption. The concentrations of the metals in each fraction were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results showed that, Fe accumulated higher than Cu and Zn in all the snails. Fe levels were highest in the residual fraction and the values were higher than standard maximum limits of M.A.F.F. and W.H.O./F.A.O. except I.A.E.A., while Cu and Zn levels were below their limits. Risk appraisement study showed that, Fe was a major risk contributor to the H.I. values, accounting over 70%. The study also revealed that, a daily consumption of 0.025 mg kg -1 -bw day -1 of Fe, Cu and Zn via these snails will not pose non-carcinogenic risk to consumers for now but, in light of metal toxicity and its bio-accumulative nature, moderate intake of these snails is advisable.

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