Department of Chemical Science & Technology
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Item DETERMINATION OF THE QUALITY (ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS) FOUND IN COWDUNG(2019-04-15) . OGOLA, DONALD M.OThe study was aimed at determining the important elements in cow dung, which are necessary for plant growth. The samples were taken from two cattle bomas in the Ngong area and its aim was to investigate the advantages to which cow dung could have over inorganic fertilizer. The samples were taken for some chemical analysis, which involved percentage of Nitrogen ,Potassium and Phosphorous, which were recorded and graphically represented The Study showed cow dung.can be used as manure as an alternative for inorganic manure.Item DETERMINATION OF PRESERVATIVES (HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FORMALDEHYDE AND BORIC ACID) IN RAW AND PASTEURISED MILK(2019-04-15) NYANGOL, NEREAH ACHIENGComparative tests were carried out on several milk samples both raw and pasteurized to determine the presence of preservatives; Hydrogen peroxide, F ormaldehycle and Boric acid and their effects on the milk constituents. There were fourteen samples collected from different areas of production seven samples of raw milk and seven samples of pasteurized milk. The samples were collected from areas where dairy farming is more common and large amounts of milk is produced.Item COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS ~ IN CEMENT FROM EAST AFRICA AND BAMBURI PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANIES(2019-04-15) NYAKWAKA, OTIENO EMMANUELIn this project, cement samples were obtained from Bamburi and East Africa Portland cement factories situated in Machakos district. The cement sample were taken to the laboratory where they were analyzed. The methods employed for analysis were flame photometry, U.V spectrophotometry, gravimetry and titrimetry Comparison of analytical results between cement samples from Bamburi and East Africa is done in the discussion. The quality of cement will depend on the quality of material used for manufacture of the product.Item EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS FOR FUNGAL INHIBITION IN THE LEAVES OF Senna didymobotrya(2019-04-15) NYAATA, STANLEY OIREREAn Isolated fungus (Epicoccus Kaptagat) was used to investigate the effect of Senna didymobotrya on growth of fungi. The extract fractions obtained were mixed with petroleum ether and acetone in the ratio of 3: 1. This was introduced into the media (Mixture of agar and malt -ratio 1: 1 mlm) which was to be cultured together with fungus. Senna didymobotrya extract was separated into ten fractions by thin layer chromatography. These fractions showed inhibiting properties towards fungal growth and hence no more growth for some after five weeks as shown below. Fraction growth (cm) from the centre 1 3.05 5 3.90 7 3.80 10 2.30 Other fractions had overgrown showing that their inhibiting properties were not strong enough to overcome the growth. The only fraction that stopped this fungus from further growth was the tenth one. The fraction gave maximum inhibition in the first week (seventh fraction) if combined with the one that showed same properties in the second week (tenth fraction), maximum inhibition will be achieved as from beginning to the end. The thin layer chromatograms show that fractions with highest inhibition had a yellow colouration. This may be further studied to get the compound (yellow compound on the chromatograms) and see whether it can completely stop fungal growth on its own.Item COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PEROXIDE VALUE,IODINE VALUE OF GROUND NUT SOYA BEANS AND COCONUT OILS(2019-04-11) NGATIA, WARUGURU JOYCEA comparative study was carried out on coconut, groundnut and Soya bean °1-which was extracted from the name seed to determine quality and quantity. "1t was found that there was no significant difference on the quality -'the 3 types of oils. e amount of oil obtained from Soya beans was 75%, Groundnut 5197 0.'0 :;... Coconut 72 .83%. Soybeans has the highest percentage of oil followed by coconut and groundnuts.Item EXTRACTION AND EVALUATION OF SOILS FROM INDIGENOUS AND GRAFTED MACADAMIA NUTS FOUND IN MATHIOYA IN, MURANG'A DISTRICT(2019-04-09) WANGUI, MWANGI VIOLETAn extraction and analysis was carried out to compare oils obtained from indigenous and grafted macadamia nuts from trees found in Mathioya division, Murang'a district. In this project the word indigenous was taken as the original plant. This means that the chemical composition of the plant is not changed by ways of grafting for example , Grafting means the act of fixing a part of a shoot from one plant with desirable characteristics to another In macadamia, grafting is done to the indigenous plant when the plant is six months old This changes the productivity and multiplication of a plant. The study started right from the garden where the trees were grown , Some trees were found along the fence and others in the midst of other plants where they were well cared for. The trees together with other trees, The nuts were randomly picked in pairs of grafted and indigenous nuts from two stations within the division, Various problems were encountered since the farmers did not understand why one insisted on grov.rth and maturity of the nuts, There was also in availability of both types from one station, The grafted nuts were found to be of high oil content compared to the indigenous nuts, Their saponification value was also high, They were also found to contain reasonable zinc, The metal lead which cause lead poisoning was not found Macadamia oil was therefore found fit for human consumptionItem EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS OF OILS FROM AVOCADO FRUITS GROWN IN THIKA.(2019-04-09) MUTHONDU., PAUL NGUGIDespite the fact that a number of oil crops are grown in Kenya, few of thee crops have been exploited. For a long time the use of oil has been in practice but their significance has not been fully studied. In this project, extraction and subsequent analysis of oils from avocado fruit, botanically known as Pe[.'iea americana was the major objective. Solvent extraction method was used to extract the oils from mashed avocado pulp. Different types of solvent were tried in an attempt to see which one was the best solvent for avocado oil extraction. Petroleum ether was found to be the best both in yield and the ability to separate the solvent and the oil. Therefore oils extracted by petroleum ether were used for the analysis. Different parameters both chemical and physical were used so as to determine the quality of extracted oil. Trace metal analysis was also carried out and in this respect only three metals were analysed, that is, iron, copper and zinc which were all present but in low quantity. Attempt to determine the calorific value using adiabatic bomb calorimeter showed a great difference from those of pure oil Avocado oil showed that it is of superior quality and can be used as a substitute in the manufacture of salad and it can find its application in preparation of cosmetics.Item QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN SOIL, WATER AND CROPS (Sukuma-wiki and Arrow root) ALONG NAIROBI RIVER(2019-04-09) MUCHIRA, MARY WANJIRUUse of heavy metals in agriculture, industries and domestic has lead to environmental pollution assimilation of heavy metals by plants has changed with time. At present various individuals and organization have carried research on heavy metals to find the degree of pollution in the environment. The main aim of the study was to quantify the levels of heavy metals in various sample level of heavy metals are shown graphically in chapter three. The graph show that five elements were analysed in all the sample The residues levels found in the present study were below the maximum acceptable value set by various national laboratories. This indicated that the levels of heavy metals do not pose health risks to the ecosystem.Item DETERMINATION OF THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE MEDICINAL HERB ALOE SECUNDIFLORA(2019-04-09) MAUNDU, NAPHTALY KATANAThe crude aqueous extract obtained from boiling the leaves of the plant lD water was subjected to solvent extraction whereby active principles were isolated. Chemical analysis was done to determine the nature of the active constituents present in the solvent extract. Alkaloids and quinones were found to be the active principles of the plant.Item EXTRACTION AND EVALUATION OF OILS FROM CASTOR SEEDS AND COCONUTS.(2019-04-09) MAKAU, PIUS MUSYOKAIn this project castor seeds and coconuts were collected from different parts of the country. Castor seeds were collected from different farms in Makueni, Machakos and Taita Taveta. Coconuts were collected from different farms in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi. The samples of castor were husked then they were dried under the sun. The shells of coconut were mechanically cracked then the endosperm dried under the sun. In the laboratory oils from the crushed samples were extracted using the soxhlet extractor. After extraction the amount of oils produced per kilogram of dried castor and coconut copra were determined then the oils were refined. Analysis of both oils (from castor and coconuts}were done using different parameters such as saponification number, iodine value and free fatty acid values. At the end of extraction of the two oils, it was found that castor from drier parts of the country did produce more oils as compared to the the less drier parts. Coconuts did not obey this pattern but it did produce more oil than castor. The analytical parameters used showed that coconut oils of much superior quality compared to castor, due to its lower iodine value and a high saponification value. The high iodine value of castor accounted for its use in manufacture of industrial products . .Item DETERMINATION OF MERCURY AND HYDROQUINONE IN SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS SOLD ON THE KENYAN MARKET(2019-04-09) MABONG, GEORGE KALABAYIThe aim of the project was to determine the quantity of toxic substances; mercury . hydroquinone in skin lightening creams sold on the Kenyan market. Samples ed. prepared and analyzed showed a low concentration of the toxic of substances compared to the WHO standard although there is need for constant -k ing of the toxicity levels from time and again.Item DETERMINATION OF MERCURY AND HYDROQUINONE IN SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS SOLD ON THE KENYAN MARKET(2019-04-09) MABONGA, GEORGE KALABAYIThe aim of the project was to determine the quantity of toxic substances; mercury and. hydroquinone in skin lightening creams sold on the Kenyan market. Samples ed. prepared and analyzed showed a low concentration of the toxic P -('lIlCeS compared to the WHO standard although there is need for constant checking of the toxicity levels from time and again.Item EFFLUENT EVALUATION FROM CASTLE BREWERY FACTORY IN THIKA(2019-04-08) KONES, SAMWEL KIPNGETICHIn this project sample of the effluent from four parts of castle brewery factory's efficient treatment plant.(L.T.P) were physically and chemically analysed.These four areas are sedimentation pond,j, aeration pond, maturation pond and the final effluent tanks.The analysis was carried out as per the given procedures which • were found to be the most accurate the final effluent which is being drained Into the nearby rivers after undergoing various treatment procedures is the one that determines the pollution extend of the brewery of the water courses and the environment in genera From the analysis and the experience carried during the research the average contributions of the following parameters were obtained tllOCl181illCdi oxygen Dernalld (BOD) Cllerlliccd uxygen Demand (COD) ~Ll lplll(lt; cunC81111 atl enl -rotal suspended solids (TSS) Potassium, 1<+ . SOdIUlfI, Na 11011 1=82, Lt::dd 1-'1./' I (:;1111)t)fCJlllld 1:.1 f I CUlluuctlVlty IV 3<13 3 rngll 1'1"16 mg/l 560 ppm 999 mg/I 57 ppm 50 ppm 2 5 pplTI 2 0 pplll 28 "1°fc 87 12892mi2 Cln'l The above being major sources of water pollution, their values were noted to be far much above the recommended values for drinking water given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) eg the maximum level of BOD s should not be greater than 20 mg/l, comparing this to the BODs value of the final effluent of 343.3mg/l obtained, the level is far much greater. This trend also applies to the . other parameters whereby the set standard limits by W. H. 0 are very much below the values obtained from the analysis.Item EFFECTS OF DISPOSED USED ENGINE OIL ON SOIL IN JUA-KALI GARAGE AREAS(2019-04-08) SHADRACK, KIMANI KARANJAMany cases of heavy metaL poisoning has been reported and there is need to Identify potential sources of heavy metals For the current work used engine oil is the main focus Atomic absorption spectrophotometry v,as used for elemental analysis It was fund that disposable used engine oil contains high concentration of heavy metals due to engine wear and others are additives such as lead which is added as antiknock Toxic metals were at high concentration This gives an insight on how potential health hazard that used engine oil can be to human life and plants Due to hazardous effects of used engine oil on the em"ironment it is my view that people usually those in nJA K.!\Ll garage areas should device other safer methods for disposing used engine oil other than just disposing anywhere in the ]ua Kali garage area Besides that it is important to develop environmentally friendly engine oils or alternative ways' other than engine oils which do not produce hazardous waste productsItem ANALYSIS OF THE SOME OF THE ESSENTIALS MACRO-NUTRIENTS IN THE SOIL COLLECTED AT MUTHURWA ESTATE IN NAIROBI(2019-04-08) JOHN, GICHUKI KARANJAcollected at Muthurwa Estate in Nairobi. The macro-nutrients are Potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The soil was contained in polythene bags and zigzag method of sampling was employed. Three methods of analytical instruments were employed. Atomic absorption spectroscopy analysed calcium and magnesium levels in the soil solution. Ultra-Violet(visible) spectrophotometer, analysed phosphorus. Flame photometer analysed potassium levels in the solutions. The readings of the standards were used to draw calibration curves from which the level of the parameters are obtained by extrapolating the curve and eventually the contents of sample parameters are calculated taking into account the dilution factors and weight of the samples used. Results are tabulated in chapter three while conclusions and recommendations are in chapter four. Results for potassium, phosphorus and magnesium are given in parts per million(PPtv1) while results for calcium are in percentage. The results for sample parameters indicated that their levels are below the recommended standards and therefore correct amendments are given to correct the deviations in tenns of amount of fertilizer and manure to be added.Item COMPARISON OF PERCENTAGE CONTENT OF THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND GENERIC FANSIDAR TABLETS CIRCULATING IN KENYA MARKET(2019-04-08) KAPTICHIUP, RONO GEOFFREYrour samples of fansidar tablets collected florn various chemist shops around Nairobi area were analysed to check the percentage content of the active ingredients. Samples one, two and three were generics (Drugs manufactured by other manufacturers aner having consent froll1 the mother compony) while saillple four was original (drug manufactured by a company which first started manufacturing it). A standard was prepared in the same way as the samples for comparison. Once a sample and a standard are injected in High pressure liquid chromatography (H.I)L.C) machine alternatively, they rroduce peak 's areas as shown in appendices 1,11,111 and IV The peak' s areas of the standard are compared with the peak's areas of the sample. Since the concentration of the standard is known, the concentration of the sample is then got by comparison taking il1to (ICCOUllt the dilutions madc. Theil the result is divided by the label claim (What the manufacturer is claiming the drug to contain for intance in this case, each uncoasted tablet contains sulfadoxine USP 500 mg and pyrimethamine USP 25 lIlg). To get percentages, the result is eventually multiplied by 100% as shown ill chapter three.Item DETERMINATION OF LEAD (Pb),CADMIUM(Cd) AND MERCURY (Hg) IN VEGETATION ALONG LANGATA ROAD(2019-04-03) GATHIRIMU, SAMUEL .M.ABSTRACT A project was carried out to determine the levels of mercury, lead and cadmium in vegetation along Langata road. The vegetation is a food source for both humans and animals and animals living in the proximity of the road. • Samples were collected during the month of July 2000 from different distances from the Langata road . The samples were grouped into five classes, those that were 0 1 6.0 metres, 6.1-12 .0 metres, 12.1 -18-0 metres, 18.1 - 24.0 and 24.1 - 30.0 metres from the road. The samples were dried, digested with acid and diluted to 50m!. The samples were then analysed using Varian spectra A Al 0 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) made in United Kingdom. The levels of the metals was determined and the levels of lead before dilution ranged between 45-15 p.p.m. The mean and mode concentration detected was 30 and 25 p.p.m respectively. This was higher than the W.HO maximum allowable levels of 7 p.p.m. The levels of cadmium ranged between 1.5 -1.0 p.p.m with a mean and mode concentration of 1.5, which was higher that the W.HO tolerable intake of 1.0 p.p.m. No mercury was detected in any of the samples. The vegetation along Langata road was therefore found to be unsuitable for both human and animal consumption. The level of lead decreased with increase in distance from the road, thus a distance of 50 metres from the road was considered to be a safe distance when planting food crops in the proximity of a busy road. lVItem PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF Tithonia diversifolia AND ITS EFFICACY AGAINST Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa(2019-04-03) APIYO, EVERLINE AKlNYIABSTRACT The leaves, stem barks and roots of Tithonia diversifolia are used by traditional medicine practitioners in Kenya to treat various diseases such as constipatIOn, stomach pains, indigestion, sore throat and liver pains. The medicine made from the plant is also claimed by traditional doctors to be a potent antimicrobial and antiparasItIc agent. Chemical analysis of the plant extracts using Thin layer chromatography revealed presence of phenolic and terpenoidal compounds In the leaves, stembarks and roots respectively. Saponin was exclusIvely present in the leaves in addition to the above compounds. Chrorofonn extracts or powdered stembarks yielded compounds rich in terpenOlds vvhile industrial methylated spirit extracts of the roots gave compounds rich in phenols. 100mg/mi of the ethanolic extract was prepared for each of the plant parts and doubly diluted LIp to 50 mglml. The efficacy of these concentrations was then tested against -standard strains of Escherichia coli (A TCC 25922); st(lphviocoCCllS QllrellS (A TC 25923) -- and pselldomollas (leruginosa (ATCC 27853). - The standard strains, exhibited resistance against the ethanolic extracts for both dilutions -and this was in comparison to the standard antibiotics used; tobramycIn (1 O)lg/m I) and - Gentamycin (I O~lg/ml) which the standard strains were sensistive to. The latter acted as - thepositive control. Kirby bauer method was used in the antimicrobial sensItivity testing. - In addition to showing antibacterial activity for upto 50)lg/ml concentration, compounds isolated from Tithonia Diversifolia have also antiparastic activity. Toxicological studies, - have also shown that the medicine is safe. These studies were not investigated for though the plant, is credited for its medicinal values.Item COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF WATERS & SULPHATE WATERS ON THE COMPOUNDS OF CEMENT(2019-04-03) ACHIA, PAUL OWUORABSTRACT The comparative study of the effect of water and sulphate waters was carried out on 2 sample as follows i) E.AP.C. Cement ii) B.P.C Cement It was found that the cement sample fell within the range of the standards. But the effect of water (pure was progressively slow that it could not be ignored. The sulphate waters (sodium, calcium and magnesium) had a very devastating effect on this cement and this was by reaction with the compounds of the cement thus reducing the strength of the cement. This led to the expansion and increase in the "' " volume of the solid solution hence cracks in concrete and mortars. It was found that this effect varied with composition of the raw materials used and the concentration of the sulphate waters. /' /" In prevention of the attacks the compound C3A was replaced by the compound C4AF which was resistant to sulphate attack. Steam curing also helped a great deal. iv