Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but the biotoxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. Hence, there is a need for proper understanding of mechanism involved, such as the concentrations and oxidation states, which make them harmful. This study determined the physical parameters and the mean concentrations of some heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Ca) in some analgesic syrups. The heavy metals presence in the syrups were estimated by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after digestion. All analyses were repeated three times for each sample and the mean concentration of the heavy metals taken. The physical parameters showed that the syrups are of red colour, which had a clear solution with sweet tastes. They also gave different pH and density range values. The level of nickel in the samples ranges from 0.49mg/l to 4.12mg/l, cadmium concentration ranges from 1.1mg/l to 3.5mg/l and chromium ranges from 0.04mg/l to 0.49mg/l. The concentration of zinc ranged from 0.04mg/l to 0.67mg/l, lead ranged from -0.1mg/l to 0.7mg/l and mercury concentration ranges from 0.23mg/l to 0.91mg/l. Calcium concentration was not detected in the four samples studied. The concentrations of the studied metals were lower than the W.H.O standard limits, hence the studied syrups are safe for human consumption.
Local clay deposits from Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State were characterized for its potential applications in the production of ceramics whitewares. XRF analysis of the clay revealed that it has high silica and alumina contents with some flux oxides. XRD analysis also revealed that of all the minerals present in the clay, quartz has the highest constituent followed by kaolinite and rutile. FT-IR analysis revealed that the bands corresponds to 3500 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 indicating the presence hydroxyl groups (OH) and Si-O symmetry vibration stretch at 1206.207 cm-1 which confirmed the kaolinite structure of the clay. The SEM study showed a finely distributed uniform surface with isolated patches of granulated texture which explained the physical behaviour of the clay. The EDS spectrum of the formulated fired Ukpor clay indicated the presence of O, Al, K, Ca, K, Fe, and Si. The study revealed that an increase in the firing temperature and feldspar contents of the clay increases its bulk density, while the apparent density decreases with increase in temperature. Apparent porosity showed that there was a decrease from 25% to 3%, and the water absorption increases with increase in the silica content and decreases with temperature and feldspar increase. The shrinkage increases with the increase in temperature. The results concluded that the clay sample could be utilized as an industrial raw materials for the production of ceramic whitewares.
A comparative study of the proximate analysis, fire characteristics, and mechanical properties of the papers produced from pretreated and untreated bagasse was carried out. The bagasse collected was washed, dried, depithed and ground to pass through a 5 mm sieve using an electric milling machine. A portion was pulped without pretreatment, while others were pretreated (acetylation) before pulping and washing. After which different mass (0,2,4,6,8 and 10 g) of potassium aluminum sulphate, KAl(SO4)2.12H2O (alum) as flame retardant was added. The proximate analysis, fire characteristics and mechanical properties were determined. Results show that cellulose content increased with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate, while hemicellulose content increased from 24%-34% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum. Lignin content also increased from 21.3%-63.2% for flame retarded paper with 0-10 g concentration of alum, respectively. Ash content varied with an increase in the concentration of potassium aluminum sulphate. Results from fire characteristics show that flame propagation and flame duration rate decreased with an increase in the concentration of alum, while ignition time and char formation increased in the concentration of alum. The mechanical properties, tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break were enhanced. Conclusively, pretreatment enhanced the properties of bagasse papers produced.
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