In this work, the reducing power of three reductants: hydrazine (chemical), ascorbic acid (mild) and the extract of Amaranthus hybridus (green) were investigated. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by modified Hummer's method and was reduced by hydrazine (RGO-HZ), ascorbic acid (RGO-AA) and the extract of Amaranthus hybridus (RGO-AH). GO, RGO-HZ, RGO-AA and RGO-AH were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet visible spectrometry. The FTIR spectra showed the presence of oxygen functionality groups in GO which were reduced in all RGOs. The morphological properties showed that RGOs sheets were exfoliated forming clusters with roughened surfaces while the optical energy band gaps of 2.19, 3.90, 3.60, and 3.20 eV were estimated for GO, RGO-HZ, RGO-AA and RGO-AH respectively. It can be concluded that the three reductants demonstrated good reducing capacities. The ascorbic acid and the extract of Amaranthus hybridus, apart from being environmentally friendly, can also be good substitutes for the dangerous chemical hydrazine.
This study assesses the natural radioactivity as well as their derived health implication in locally produced palm kernel oil in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 16 samples were collected from eight major factories in four towns in the study area. Thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI (Tl)) scintillation detector was used to determine the activity concentration of these radionuclides and the results obtained were used to calculate radiological impact parameters. The results show that the radionuclides detected and quantified in this study came from the naturally-occurring radionuclides 238U and 232Th decay series, as well as non-series 40K. The overall mean concentrations for 40K, 232Th and 238U in all the samples were 14.68 ± 1.55, 6.03 ± 1.74 and 5.55 ± 2.09 Bq L-1, respectively. The range of measured activities in the palm kernel oil varies within the same factory which may be due to the fact that the production processes and most especially the source of the palm kernel used by the factories and nature of the soil where the palm tree is planted varied. The estimations of all radiological impact parameters were found to be lower than their respective world average values. These low values imply that the probability of suffering serious radiation hazards is low in the areas.
This study investigates the heavy metals content presents in locally produced Palm Kernel Oil in Osun State, Nigeria. 16 samples were collected from four major factories in four towns in the study area. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) was used for the concentration of the heavy metals analysis in the samples. The results show the contents of the heavy metal present were 0.022, 0.018, 0.090, 0.071, 0.166 and 0.010 ppm for Cd, As, Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb, respectively. The range of measured concentration of heavy metal contents in the palm kernel oil varies within the same factory which may be due to the fact that the production processes and most especially the source of the palm kernel used by the factories and nature of the soil where the palm tree is planted varied. The mean concentration of Cd, Zn, As, Fe and Pb were below the bio-recommended limit published by joint FAO/WHO. Only Cu is well above the permissible limit.
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