Browsing Research articles (Dept of Chemistry) by Issue Date
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Evaluation of methods for the isolation, detection and quantification of cyanobacterial hepatotoxinsMsagati, T A M; Siame, B A; Shushu, D D (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/aquatox, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Cyanobacterial hepatotoxins such as microcystins and nodularins have been responsible for the poisoning of both animals and humans who ingest or come into contact with toxic blooms. They are extremely stable in water due to their stable chemical structure and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH and salinity. Different methods for the extraction and detection of these compounds have been reported. Extraction methods utilizing both aqueous and organic solvent systems have been reported. The detection methods ranging from immunological or biochemical assays such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and enzyme activity assays, to chemicals methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and more sophisticated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) have been documented as well. We review some important aspects of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins and methods of analysis for these toxins. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/314 Files in this item: 1
Evaluation of methods for the.pdf (12.27Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N; Zvolinski, V; Luhanga, P V C; Mabbs, R; Ahmad, J (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The multi-banded fluorescence and laser properties of 11 new amino- and tosylamino derivatives of 2,5-di(phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and oxadiazole in various solvents at 293K are reported. All the compounds investigated possess intra-molecular hydrogen quasi-bond (IHB) of 4.6–5.2 kcal mol−1 in the ground state. In the excited state they can undergo protolytic dissociation or intra-molecular photon-initiated transfer of proton and reveal anomalous fluorescence which cannot be explained within the framework of the Kasha and Kasha–Vavilov rules. Depending upon the excitation wavelength, solvent, concentration and pH of the medium, the compounds studied show a single, double, triple or even a four-banded fluorescence, which has not been reported earlier. The nature of multi-banded fluorescence is explained in terms of the possible photochromic processes in excited states. Quantum yields and decay times of the different fluorescence bands are reported. Anomalous dependence of quantum yield upon concentration of the solution is observed. Laser properties of the compounds studied are carefully tested. Laser action based on the fluorescence of the so-called bi-radical molecules is reported. Various possible arrangements of singlet and triplet levels of compounds investigated are discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/247 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)Nijegorodov_SAa65_2006.pdf (2.225Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Zvolinski, V.; Luhanga, P.V.C.; Mabbs, R.; Ahmad, J. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The multi-banded fluorescence and laser properties of 11 new amino- and tosylamino derivatives of 2,5-di(phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole and oxadiazole in various solvents at 293 K are reported. All the compounds investigated possess intra-molecular hydrogen quasi-bond (IHB) of 4.6-5.2 kcal mol-1 in the ground state. In the excited state they can undergo protolytic dissociation or intra-molecular photon-initiated transfer of proton and reveal anomalous fluorescence which cannot be explained within the framework of the Kasha and Kasha-Vavilov rules. Depending upon the excitation wavelength, solvent, concentration and pH of the medium, the compounds studied show a single, double, triple or even a four-banded fluorescence, which has not been reported earlier. The nature of multi-banded fluorescence is explained in terms of the possible photochromic processes in excited states. Quantum yields and decay times of the different fluorescence bands are reported. Anomalous dependence of quantum yield upon concentration of the solution is observed. Laser properties of the compounds studied are carefully tested. Laser action based on the fluorescence of the so-called bi-radical molecules is reported. Various possible arrangements of singlet and triplet levels of compounds investigated are discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/176 Files in this item: 2
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Daka, P.S.; Obuseng, V.C.; Torto, N.; Huntsman-Mapila, P. (Water SA Pretoria; Water Research Commission; http://www.wrc.org.za/, October NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Deltamethrin concentrations were determined in 35 sediment samples collected from three different habitats: channel, lagoon and pool sites from Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta, NW Botswana. The samples were Soxhlet-extracted in acetone to extract deltamethrin residues and subsequently cleaned-up with silica gel 60. The final determination was carried out with a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The sample work-up and determination gave deltamethrin recoveries of 54 to 97%, and detection limits of 0.004 mg/kg dw. The concentration of deltamethrin residues in the sediment samples collected from the three sprayed areas in the Okavango delta ranged between 0.013 and 0.291 mg/kg dw, with the highest concentrations observed in samples obtained from the pool sites. Analysis of samples for organic matter content showed percentage total organic carbon (% TOC) ranging between 0.19% and 8.21%, with samples collected from the pool having the highest total organic carbon. The concentrations of deltamethrin residues and the % TOC in sediment samples showed a similar trend with the highest levels recorded in the pool samples. These data confirmed that a simple method based on GC-ECD, after Soxhlet extraction, was robust enough to enable quantification of deltamethrin in the sediments, because comparable results were obtained with a more sophisticated system consisting of a GC coupled to a mass spectrometer with a time of flight (TOF) analyser. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/140 Files in this item: 2
dakaetal.pdf (463.1Kb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Ngamba, D.; Awouafack, M.; Tane, P.; Bezabih, M.; Abegaz, B. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/biochemsyseco, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Gladiolus psittascinus HOOK, an herbaceous plant, is propagated by its bulb. This onion-looking plant occurs in rocky places in western province of Cameroon. The bulbs are used to treat asthma, gonorrhoea, diabetes and intestinal parasites (Adjanohoun et al., 1990). The bulbs of G. psittascinus were collected in Dschang (West Province of Cameroon) in July 2005 and identified by Mr Francois Nana, a botanist at the National Herbarium, Yaounde where a voucher specimen (55925 HCN) is deposited. We report here the isolation and structural elucidation from the chloroform extract of two new anthraquinones namely: 1,6,7-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-8-methyl-anthraquinone (1) and 1-hydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxy-8-methyl-anthraquinone (2) along with four known compounds. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, mainly, 1D and 2D NMR and by comparing their physical (mp) and spectroscopic (Table 1) data with those reported in the literature. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/248 Files in this item: 4
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Kuete, V.; Metuno, R.; Ngameni, B.; Ngandeu, F.; Bezabih, M.; Etoa, F-X.; Ngadjui, B.; Abegaz, B.; Beng, V. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The crude methanolic extracts from Treculia africana and Treculia acuminata, three compounds isolated from T. africana and identified as, Phyllocoumarin (1), Catechin (2) and 6, 9-dihydroxy-megastigmane-3-one (3), four compounds namely 2, 3, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl-heptadecanoate (4), and Ferulic acid (5) isolated from T. acuminata were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gramnegative bacteria (12 species) and three Candida species. The micro-dilution method for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the Minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) was used. The MIC values obtained with the crude extracts varied from 78 to 156 à ¼g/ ml against 12 (57.14%) and 20 (95.24%) of the 21 tested microorganisms respectively for T. acuminata and T. africana. Apart from compound 2 that prevented the growth of all the tested microorganisms, other bioactive compounds showed selective activity. The obtained results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extracts as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/245 Files in this item: 2
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Kwaambwa, H.M.; Maikorera, R. (Elsevier B.V. www.elsevier.com/locate/colsurfb, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The fluorescence studies of coagulating protein extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds have been studied using steady-state intrinsic fluorescence. The fluorescence spectra are dominated by tryptophan emission and the emission peak maximum ( max = 343±2 nm) indicated that the tryptophan residue is not located in the hydrophobic core of the protein. Changes in solution pH affected the protein conformation as indicated by changes in the tryptophan fluorescence above pH 9 whereas the ionic strength had minimal effect. The exposure and environments of the tryptophan residue were determined using collisional quenchers. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/323 Files in this item: 1
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Kwaambwa, H.M.; Goodwin, J.W.; Hughes, R.W.; Reynolds, P.A. (Elsevier B.V. www.elsevier.com/locate/colsurfa, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Aseries of six well characterised homopolymers of cis-polyisoprene (PIP) ranging from 1180 to 115,000 molecular weight were utilised to explore viscosity and the scaling relationship between viscosity and concentration in dodecane (good solvent). For each polymer molecular weight, the relative viscosity of PIP in dodecane at 298K was measured at several polymer concentrations using capillary viscometry. The linear extrapolation of experimental data based on Huggins, Kramer, Martin and Schulz-Blaschke equations was used to find the intrinsic viscosity at infinite dilution for each polymer molecular weight. The single-point method of evaluation of the intrinsic viscosity was also used for comparison. The Mark-Houwink fit of the data gave power index of 0.72 indicating that dodecane is good solvent for PIP and the latter exists in solution as open flexible coil. Both the radius of gyration and critical chain overlap concentration, c*, were derived from measured intrinsic viscosities. Plot of the relative viscosities versus the scaled concentration c/c*, resulted in single curve with slope value 4.44×10−2 and correlation coefficient r2 = 0.996, indicating good linear fit. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/328 Files in this item: 1
Viscosity molecular weight.pdf (3.079Mb) -
Kapche, G.; Laatsch, H.; Fotso, S.; Kouam, S.; Wafo, P.; Ngadjui, B.; Abegaz, B. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/biochemsyseco, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The genus Lannea belongs to the family Anacardiaceae and consists of 40 species. Lannea nigritana (Sc. Elliot) Keay is a small tree of 3e6 m of height found in the tropical rain forest (Berhaut, 1971; Letouzey, 1972). It is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of various infectious diseases (Berhaut, 1971; Burkill, 1985). The stem bark of this plant was collected in Makenene, Centre Province of Cameroon in December 2003. The identification was done by Mr. Nana from the National Herbarium of Yaounde where a voucher specimen (N 40408/HNC) documenting the collection is deposited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/252 Files in this item: 2
Lanneanol.pdf (2.606Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Nkoanea, B.B.M.; Wibetoe, G.; Lund, W.; Abegaz, B. (South African Journal of Science, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: BLEPHARIS ASPERA WAS COLLECTED FROM A copper–nickel mineralized area in Botswana and examined as a possible Cu–Ni indicator plant for biogeochemical prospecting. Different plant parts and the host soils were analysed using ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. All plant parts accumulated Cu and Ni in above-normal amounts, although not in hyperaccumulator concentrations. The leaf to soil Cu concentration ratio varied little with metal concentration in the soil. We propose Blepharis aspera as a Cu indicator plant. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/282 Files in this item: 1
Examination of Blepharis.pdf (1.160Mb) -
Kuete, V.; Ngameni, B.; Tsafack, A.M.; Ambassa, P.; Simo, I.K.; Bezabih, M.; Etoa, F.; Ngadjui, BT; Abegaz, B.M.; Beng, V.P. (Pharmacologyonline. http://www.pharmacologyonline.org/, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The crude extract from the twigs of Dorstenia elliptica (DET) as well one of the five compounds isolated from this extract namely O-[3-(2, 2-dimethyl-3-oxo-2H-furan-5-yl)-3- hydroxybutyl]bergaptol (5) were tested for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. The Agar disc diffusion test was used to determine the sensitivity of the tested samples while the well micro-dilution was used to determine the minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of the active samples. The results of the disc diffusion assay showed that DET prevented the growth of all the 22 tested microbial species while the two tested compounds showed selective activity. At the tested MIC interval ranged from 1.22 to 156.25 μg/ml for the crude extracts and 0.08 to 39.06 μg/ml for the compounds, the activity of DET was noted on 20 of the 22 microbial species. The antimicrobial activities of DET as well as that compound 5 are being reported for the first time. The overall results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the crude extract in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/287 Files in this item: 1
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE.pdf (4.398Mb) -
Mubyana-John, T.; Wutor, V.C.; Yeboah, S.O.; Ringrose, S. (Academic Journals. http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The influence of wild fires on microbial community structure, soil organic matter, sulphur oxidising and nitrifying microbial populations in the floodplains of the Okavango Delta of Botswana was assessed. Microbial community structure was assessed by phospholipids ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA) quantification while microbial sulphur oxidisers were assessed by Most Probable Number (MPN). Community structure assessment showed that burning shifted the microbial community structure from single cellular bacteria being the dominant groups to filamentous fungi and actinomycetes being the most dominant groups. Generally burning increased the fungal component (18:2 w6) matrix from 3.40 to 8.35 while the actinomycetes and sulphur reducing bacterial (10 Me 16:0) component also increased from 1.02 to 1.70 mostly in the floodplains. Generally, the organic matter content declined with burning. However, the influence of burning on soil pH was non conclusive. Soil microbial biomass carbon increased slightly after the fire. The number of heterotrophic and nitrite-oxidizing and sulphur reducing bacteria increased. Overall, these results indicate that burning significantly alters the microbial community structure as large above ground losses of nutrients during and after burning often results in low quantities of nutrients released into the soil. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/349 Files in this item: 1
Fire and.pdf (2.461Mb) -
Ngandeu, F.; Bezabih, M.; Ngamga, D.; Tchinda, A.; Ngadjui, B.; Abegaz, B.; Dufat, H.; Tillequin, F. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/phytochem, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Three prenylated rotenoids, elliptol, 12-deoxo-12a-methoxyelliptone and 6-methoxy-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin were isolated from the twigs of Millettia duchesnei, together with the known compounds, 6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin, 6-hydroxy-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin, 6-oxo- 6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin, elliptone, 12a-hydroxyelliptone and eriodictyol. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and comparison with information reported in the literature and with authentic specimens for some known compounds. The full NMR data of 6-oxo-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin and 6-hydroxy-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin are reported here for the first time. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/243 Files in this item: 2
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Metuno, R.; Ngandeu, F.; Tchinda, A.T.; Ngameni, B.; Kapche, G.D.W.F.; Djemgou, P.C.; Ngadjui, B.T.; Bezabih, M.; Abegaz, B.M. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/biochemsyseco, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Three species of the genus Treculia namely, Treculia acuminata Baill., Treculia africana Decne ex. Treà ´cul and Treculia obovoidea N.E.Br. grow in the humid rain forest of southwest Cameroon. They are also widely distributed in tropical Africa. T. africana is commonly known as African bread fruit. These three species are commonly used in folk medicine against skin diseases and dental allergies (Berg et al., 1985). The twigs, stem and wood of T. acuminata and the leaves of T. africana, whose chemical constituents are reported herein, were collected from Kumba, Cameroon, in August 2004, and identified by Mr Victor Nana of the National Herbarium in Yaounde, Cameroon where voucher specimens (N 2921/Srf/CAM and 29053/SRF/Cam, respectively) are deposited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/291 Files in this item: 1
Chemical constituents of Treculia.pdf (2.209Mb) -
Kuete, V.; Metuno, R.; Ngameni, B.; Tsafack, A.M.; Ngandeu, F.; Fotso, G.W.; Bezabih, M.; Etoa, F.; Ngadjui, B.T.; Abegaz, B.M.; Penlap, B.V. (Elsevier Ireland Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/jethpharm, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The crude extract from Treculia obovoidea was subjected to purification by repeated chromatography. Eight compounds were isolated from Treculia obovoidea and identified as Psoralen (1), Bergapten (2), 7-methoxycoumarin (3), 7-hydroxycoumarin (4), 4,2 ,4 -trihydroxychalcone (5), 4,2 ,4 -trihydroxy-3-prenylchalcone (6), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (7) and O-[3-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-2H-furan-5-yl) butyl] bergaptol (8). These compounds together with the extract were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (six species), Gram-negative bacteria (12 species) and three Candida species using micro-dilution methods for the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC). The MIC values obtained with the crude extracts varied from 78.12 to 156.25 g/ml against 17 (80.95%) of the 21 tested microorganisms. All the isolated compounds showed selective activity. The antimicrobial activity of this plant as well as that of compounds 6 and 8 is being reported for the first time. The obtained results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of these crude extract as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/288 Files in this item: 1
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Mbongwe, B.; Mmereki, B.T.; Magashula, A. (Elsevier Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/404/description#description, March 12, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Healthcare waste management continues to present an array of challenges for developing countries, and Botswana is no exception. The possible impact of healthcare waste on public health and the environment has received a lot of attention such that Waste Management dedicated a special issue to the management of healthcare waste (Healthcare Wastes Management, 2005. Waste Management 25(6) 567-665). As the demand for more healthcare facilities increases, there is also an increase on waste generation from these facilities. This situation requires an organised system of healthcare waste management to curb public health risks as well as occupational hazards among healthcare workers as a result of poor waste management. This paper reviews current waste management practices at the healthcare facility level and proposes possible options for improvement in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/223 Files in this item: 2
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Chacha, M.; Mapitse, R.; Afolayan, AJ; Majinda, R.R.T. (Natural Product Inc. http://www.naturalproduct.us/, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Investigation of the roots of Ceriops tagal led to the isolation of a new isopimarane, together with the known diterpenes isopimar-8(14)-en-15,16-diol and erythroxyl-4(17),15(16)-dien-3-one. The structure of the new compound was identified as isopimar-8(14)-en-16-hydroxy-15-one. These structures were determined from extensive spectroscopic data analysis. The isolates were screened for antibacterial activity using the agar dilution method against ten test bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus kristinae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella pooni, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Streptococcus pyrogens). Isopimar-8(14)-en-16-hydroxy-15-one exhibited activity, with MIC values of 0.5 mg/mL against Streptococcus pyrogens; 0.25 mg/mL against Salmonella pooni and 0.1 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/224 Files in this item: 2
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Magwaza, A.O.; Meijboom, R.; Muller, A.; Mavunkal, I.J. (Elsevier B.V. www.elsevier.com/locate/ica, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Mono- and bis-substituted phosphite complexes [Ru3(CO)12 x Lx] (L = tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite; x = 1, 2) were synthesized by simple substitution reactions, and were characterized by spectroscopic methods. The monosubstituted ruthenium complex disproportionates in acetone producing a mononuclear ruthenium complex as one of the decomposition products. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis established the molecular structure of this new compound. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/259 Files in this item: 2
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Chola, J.; Masesane, I.B. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/ locate/tetlet, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Stereoselective syntheses of racemic (1S,2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)- and (1S,2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxy derivatives of 2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid have been achieved by a stereospecific Diels–Alder reaction between furan and maleic anhydride, a Curtius rearrangement and hydroxylation reactions. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/325 Files in this item: 1
Stereoselective sythesis of 3.pdf (1.100Mb) -
Kapche, G.D.W.F.; Fozing, C.D.; Donfack, J.H.; Fotso, G.W.; Amadou, D.; Tchana, A.N.; Bezabih, M.; Moundipa, P F; Ngadjui, B.N.; Abegaz, B.M. (Elsevier Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/phytochem, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Five prenylated arylbenzofurans, moracins Q–U, were isolated from Morus mesozygia (Moraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Along with these compounds, 3b-acetoxyurs- 12-en-11-one, marsformoxide, moracin C, moracin M, moracin K, artocarpesin, cycloartocarpesin, morachalcone A were also isolated. Four of the five compounds, (moracins R–U) displayed potent antioxidant activity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/315 Files in this item: 1
Prenylated arylbenzofuran.pdf (3.853Mb)