Abstract Chemical modification is a promising path to address the limitations of a natural dye, such as limited shades and inadequate fastness properties. This study investigated the modification of embelin (2, 5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) a plant-based benzoquinone compound from Embelia schimperi (Myrisinaceae family) with ninhydrin to get a semi-synthetic dye. The modified dye was applied to cotton fabric along with mordants to provide different shades. Optimum dyeing condition...
Abstract Currently, losses in crop yields caused by Ralstonia solanacearum have led to the overuse of synthetic pesticides, which are toxic and non-biodegradable hence detrimental to the environment. This study, therefore, investigated the in vivo antibacterial activity of ethanolic and hexane extracts from Tithonia diversifolia against R. solanacearum in tomatoes. Extraction was performed using the maceration method followed by evaluation of the extraction yields. During the in vivo greenho...
Abstract In this study, zinc oxide-activated carbon nanocomposite was used as the adsorbent for the remediation of dieldrin in aqueous media. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) were synthesized from Cissus quadrangularis (C. quadrangularis) leaf extract, and activated carbon was derived from maize cobs. Nanocomposites were formulated by mixing the ZNPs with the activated carbon in a ratio of 1 : 50. The UV-Vis spectra showed a complete reduction of Zn2+ to Zn0 with plasmon resonance bands i...
Abstract Aim: To determine the phytochemicals in Ocimum gratissimum leaves, their phenolic content, antioxidant potential and antiproliferative activity against human prostate (DU145), colon (CT26) and cervical (HeLa 229) cancer cells. Place and Duration of the Study: Leaves of O. gratissimum were collected from cultivated plants in Wakiso district of Uganda. The samples were analyzed at Directorate of Government Analytical Original Research Article Nassazi et al.; AJACR, 6(4): 1-18, 2020; A...
Abstract Phytochemicals in Rosmarinus officinalis leaves, their total phenolic content, antioxidant potential and antiproliferative activity against human prostate (DU145), colon (CT26) and cervical (HeLa 229) cancer cells were investigated. Extraction was done separately using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. A total of 32 compounds were identified, eight of which were reported for the first time. The highest phenolic content was 476.80 ± 0.69 µg/ml for the methanolic ...
Abstract Purpose Considered as one of the most unwanted species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Prosopis juliflora plant is a noxious and invasive weed. Recent studies suggest that the heartwood of the plant has an unusually high amounts of flavonoids with potential medicinal properties and dyeing potentials. In this work, acetonic extracts were successfully valorized into a natural dye. Design/methodology/approach After extraction and optimization of dyeing condit...
Abstract Objective Many studies on the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) using herbal medicines have been undertaken in recent decades in East Africa. The details, however, are highly fragmented. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the reported medicinal plants used to manage TB symptoms, and to analyze scientific reports on their effectiveness and safety. Method A comprehensive literature search was performed in the major electronic databases regarding medicina...
Abstract The search for novel therapies for tuberculosis continues due to the emergence of resistant strains, adverse drug reactions, and potential drug-drug interactions of antitubercular drugs. This study was undertaken to identify compounds from Entada abyssinica, a plant used by herbalists in East Africa for the management of symptoms of tuberculosis. An extract of shade-dried E. abyssinica stem bark was prepared by maceration in a mixture of acetone and methanol in the ratio of 3:2. Col...
Abstract Semi synthesis involves the use of chemical compounds isolated from natural sources as the starting materials to produce other distinct compounds with added value and improved chemical properties. Most modified dyes have been synthesized through chemical modification to increase solubility and fastness properties of the dyes. A semi-synthetic dye (vilangin) has been obtained through chemical modification of embelin (a benzoquinone) isolated from Embelia schimperi berries crude extra...
Abstract The nature of surface runoff and its effects in the watershed can be represented by the application of hydrologic and hydraulic models. In this study, the Geological Streamflow Model (GeoSFM) and the Muskingum Cunge (M-C) model were used to model the hydrologic processes of the Yala river network. The objective was to develop a flood early warning system to mitigate potential flood hazard risk exposed to the downstream inhabitants. Historical hydro]metric datasets of 1975] 2005 were...
Abstract Aims: To determine the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of Solanum incanum fruits against Ralstonia solanacearum. Study Design: Experimental design involving completely randomized design Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace studies, Moi University, Kenya, between January and June 2021. Original Research Article Karanja et al.; AJACR, 9(4): 1-16, 2021; Article no.AJACR.75...
Abstract The impact of injection and non-injection substance use in HIV infections is an area of great public importance especially with respect to hematologic and immune profiles. Evaluations of hematologic and immune status are critical for better disease classification and clinical management especially of HIV positive substance users. However, not much information is known about the hematologic and immune derangements in HIV infected injection and non-injection substance users. This stud...
Abstract Background. The HIV epidemic varies significantly across different groups in the SSA region, and complicates designing effective general interventions. We aim at uncovering temporal trends in HIV prevalence disaggregated by age, sex, and country. Method. We determined HIV prevalence trends among males and females aged 15-49 years for surveys conducted from the years 2003-2007 (period 1) and 2013-2018 (period 2) in SSA. Countries were divided into three clusters based on their socio-...
Abstract Volatiles are key constituents of mango fruit aroma and vital in defining fruit quality besides influencing consumer preferences. In this paper, volatiles of eight Kenyan mango varieties: Ngowe, Apple, Keitt, Boribo, Tommy Atkins, Van Dyke, Sabre and Kent were collected on porapak Q adsorbent filters (mesh 40-80μm) using air entrainment kit and analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to a Mass Spectrometer. Fifty-eight compounds, representing monoterpenes (66.1%), esters...
Abstract Background Effective remedies for disrupting Anopheles gambiae metamorphosis at the egg stage are crucial in suppression of the malaria vector populations that result in the reduction of disease burden. 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (the major component of Mondia whytei roots), its derivatives, structural analogues and their blends were evaluated against the eggs of An. gambiae in the search for ovicidal compounds with potential use in mosquito control programs. Methods Mature roo...