Assessment of the Proximate and Elemental Composition of the Leaves, Stem Bark and Roots of Bobgunnia fistuloides
Samuel Egwu Anwani,
Muhammed Binin Etsuyankpa,
Sule Philip Ivoms Ogah
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
57-64
Received:
23 October 2020
Accepted:
5 November 2020
Published:
16 November 2020
Abstract: Bobgunnia fistuloides is a leguminous plant which belong to the family of fabaceae. Ethno-medicinally, Bobgunnia fistuloides parts (leaves, bark and roots) have been used by the Nupe communities, Niger State, Nigeria to treat various diseases for decades. This research assessed the proximate composition and elemental composition of the leaves, stem bark and roots of Bobgunnia fistuloides. The Ca, Mg and Fe content in the plant parts were investigated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer while as the Na and K content were assessed using flame photometer. More so, the proximate compositions of the leaves, stem bark and roots were analyzed using standard methods. The results of the proximate analysis, in percentages, revealed the values of 10.01±0.15, 9.40±0.46, 10.61±0.18; 32.40±0.16, 36.20±2.47, 33.00±0.20; 2.71±0.16, 10.13±0.26, 11.27±0.08; 3.28±0.22, 2.91±0.13, 3.50±0.44; 0.88±0.01, 1.06±0.02, 1.08±0.02 and 50.73±2.51, 40.30±1.87, 40.25±1.09 respectively for the moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat and crude carbohydrates contents of leaves, stem bark and roots of the plant. On the other hand, the nutritive values in mg/kg were: K (822.20±0.20, 756.13±0.06, 652.67±3.05); Na (507.24±0.08, 496.13±0.06 and 252.83±0.04), Ca (2405.48±0.43, 1208.64±0.02 and 977.36±0.57), Fe (102.07±0.05, 70.44±0.04and 6.17±0.31), Mg (580.20±0.07, 448.54±0.29 and 206.35±0.25) respectively for the leaves, stem bark and roots of this plant. These results indicate that the roots of Bobgunnia fistuloides contain relatively lowest amounts of the elements determined followed by the stem bark while the leaves have the highest. These results also reveal that the carbohydrates, calcium and potassium contents of the leaves were the highest compared to those of the other parts analyzed. The results also reveal that since such parameters including the ash contents among other parameters investigated were high, all the parts of this plant could serve as good sources of nutrients when properly utilized.
Abstract: Bobgunnia fistuloides is a leguminous plant which belong to the family of fabaceae. Ethno-medicinally, Bobgunnia fistuloides parts (leaves, bark and roots) have been used by the Nupe communities, Niger State, Nigeria to treat various diseases for decades. This research assessed the proximate composition and elemental composition of the leaves, stem...
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Biodiesel Synthesis from African Pear (Dacryodes edulis) Oil Using Catalyst Assisted Transesterification Process
Akpan Uwem Isong,
Akpabio Ukana Davies,
Owhoeke Elechi,
Ekpo Idongesit Effiong
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2020
Pages:
65-69
Received:
15 December 2020
Accepted:
29 December 2020
Published:
18 January 2021
Abstract: This study examines the synthesis of biodiesel from African pear oil using catalyst assisted transesterification (One-step) process. The D. edulis used in this study were obtained from Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The pulp oil was extracted and subjected to physicochemical analysis and gas chromatography was used to check the free fatty acid content. The yield of the oil was 47% which is highly significant. Gas-chromatographic analysis of the oil extract showed free fatty acid content as palmitic acid 26.41%, stearic acid 24.56%, oleic acid 2.20% and others 46.83% for the pulp. The physicochemical parameter of synthesized oil revealed density; 0.98 ± 6.01 mg/dm3, saponification number; 199.16 ± 6.09 mgKOH/g, acid number; 1.85 ± 0.08 mgKOH/g, iodine number; 74.98 ± 2.83 wijs, and peroxide value; 11.80 ± 0.29 mEq/kg. The African pear showed almost same level of saturation and unsaturation. Biodiesel yield of the pulp oil attained optimum yield of 87% at the oil/methanol molar ratio of 1:6 and temperature of 60°C. The properties of the produced biodiesel were specific gravity 0.89 ± 0.12, kinematic viscosity was 2.80 ± 0.14 mm2/s, water and sediment 0.020 ± 0.0021%, the acid number was 0.15 ± 0.020 mgKOH/g, cetane number 63, pour point -13°C, flash point 137°C and sulphur contents 0.02%m/m. These values were within standards for petrodiesel. It therefore shows that the D. edulis oil could serve as a good source of feedstock for biodiesel synthesis.
Abstract: This study examines the synthesis of biodiesel from African pear oil using catalyst assisted transesterification (One-step) process. The D. edulis used in this study were obtained from Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The pulp oil was extracted and subjected to physicochemical analysis and gas chromatography was us...
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