Fibres from different parts of empty fruit bunch, which is a major solid waste from oil palm processing, were subjected to different pretreatments and characterised for variability in length and diameter, mechanical performance, and proximate and trace element composition. Morphology and surface composition of the fibres were determined using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray. The fibres were further treated with KOH-boric acid and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Fibre yield was higher for spikelet than stalk. Fibres from stalk were generally larger in diameter and showed significant differences in potassium and galacturonic acid content, strength, and rigidity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the widespread occurrence of silica bodies as well as significant differences in the microstructure of stalk and spikelet fibres. Stalk fibres showed a greater level of porosity than spikelet fibres in the section perpendicular to the major axis. The morphology of KOH-boric acid treated fibres suggested higher recalcitrance of spikelet fibres. The significant differences between fibres from stalk and spikelet suggest that EFB, used as feedstock for biobased industries, requires more systematic characterization and separation into stalk and spikelet, which may lead to a more judicious exploitation of this valuable waste.

Yakum Reneta Nafu

Josepha Foba-Tendo

Ebenezer Njeugna

Gossett Oliver

Kavian Omar Cooke

Extraction and Characterization of Fibres from the Stalk and Spikelets of Empty Fruit Bunch

Some physicochemical (insoluble content, ionic composition, density, and X-ray diffraction spectra) characteristics of Nigerien evaporites were investigated in this study. The results obtained showed that trona is the main mineral contained in Agadez, Dirkou, Niamey, and Zinder evaporites while thenardite and halite constitute the major minerals in Bilma and Tabalak evaporites, respectively. In addition, all evaporites samples investigated revealed the presence of quartz and halite. Other interesting minerals (calcite, gypsum, sylvite, aphthitalite, nahcolite, illite, burkeite, kaolinite, griceite, and talc) were also detected. The use of Agadez, Dirkou, Niamey, and Zinder evaporites as catalyst to accelerate cowpea cooking is due to bicarbonates ions present in trona. Bilma and Tabalak evaporites employed in animal feeding are due to the halite contained in a significant quantity.

Hassidou Saidou

Ahmed Hichem Hamzaoui

Adel Mnif

Insoluble Content, Ionic Composition, Density, and X-Ray Diffraction Spectra of 6 Evaporites from Niger Republic

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ZnO composites were prepared using melt mixing process. ZnO powder with size of 44&#x2009;nm was used as reinforcing particle. The electron beam irradiation effects on the dielectric behaviour of a polymer nanocomposite dielectric made of low density polyethylene filled with nanoparticles of ZnO were studied. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss values were determined by dielectric spectroscopy over a frequency range of 100&#x2009;KHz&#x2013;5&#x2009;MHz on plane samples of the tested nanodielectrics. The influence of filler concentration, between 2 and 8 wt.&#x25;, and the irradiation effects on the dielectric properties are also discussed in the paper.

Deepu Thomas

Simon Augustine

Jithin Prakash

Microtron Irradiation Induced Tuning of Dielectric Properties of LDPE-ZnO Nanocomposites

The sequential extraction of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn in atmospheric dust particles collected along ten high traffic roads in Kano metropolis was carried out. Analyses of metals in the extracts were done using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The samples analyzed for metals indicated high levels of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn in the atmospheric dust samples. The sequential extractions that showed significant amount of Cd were associated with <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-3.4278pt" id="M1" height="15.5059pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -12.0781 35.3857 15.5059" width="35.3857pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><path id="g190-68" d="M614 175C564 76 510 21 408 21C256 21 146 149 146 336C146 488 235 629 402 629C510 629 570 586 597 480L626 488C620 541 614 582 606 638C578 643 510 665 429 665C206 665 44 527 44 316C44 157 153 -15 402 -15C474 -15 558 5 586 11C604 45 629 119 643 165L614 175Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,9.043,0)"><path id="g190-80" d="M381 665C170 665 44 498 44 318C44 125 188 -15 369 -15C552 -15 703 117 703 333C703 534 550 665 381 665ZM359 629C491 629 601 517 601 306C601 114 502 21 390 21C249 21 146 158 146 346S248 629 359 629Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0095,0,0,-0.0095,19.202,3.264)"><path id="g50-52" d="M290 377C321 398 342 415 358 430C378 450 389 473 389 502C389 578 329 635 238 635H237C184 635 137 610 109 578L64 515L88 493C112 529 154 573 208 573S303 542 303 482C303 409 233 370 141 341L149 308C165 313 190 319 215 319C272 319 341 283 341 193C342 98 292 43 222 43C163 43 122 72 96 94C88 101 79 100 70 94C61 87 47 73 46 60C44 47 48 37 62 23C76 10 118 -12 165 -12C238 -12 430 62 430 223C430 297 379 359 290 375V377Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0095,0,0,-0.0095,24.336,-5.984)"><path id="g50-51" d="M414 144C384 79 371 75 317 75H135L276 221C367 316 408 376 408 465C408 570 327 635 237 635C179 635 131 609 100 575L42 494L67 471C94 510 138 565 205 565C277 565 321 517 321 435C321 348 258 270 195 195C146 137 88 81 33 26V0H411C423 44 433 88 446 135L414 144Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0095,0,0,-0.0095,28.954,-5.984)"><path id="g54-33" d="M556 236V289H56V236H556Z"/></g></svg> and Fe-MnO fractions especially during the dry seasons. For Cr and Ni, their occlusion in crystal lattice of the soil fraction exhibited the highest percentage. Pb in the particulate dust samples is significantly associated with the carbonate bound fraction with range of 8.81&#x2013;64.69&#x25; across the season. The behaviour of Cu is quite different from other metals in that percentage fractions are higher in the organic bound. As for Zn, significant amounts were associated with the residue fractions ranging from 0.96 to 87.50&#x25; across the seasons. This study revealed contamination of the particulate dust with Cd and Pb; this implies health risks to human, living or carrying out daily activities along the corridors of these roads.

O. J. Okunola

A. Uzairu

S. Uba

C. S. Ezeanyanaso

Y. Alhassan

Distribution Pattern of Metals in Atmospheric Settling Dust along Roads in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Quinolines, an important class of potentially bioactive compounds, have been synthesized by treatment of o-aminoaryl ketones and carbonyl compound utilizing niobium (V) chloride (NbCl<sub>5</sub>) as an available and inexpensive catalyst. The quinoline derivatives were prepared in glycerol, an excellent solvent in terms of environmental impact, with high yields (76&#x2013;98&#x25;) and short reaction times (20&#x2013;90&#x2009;min). Not only diketones but also ketones afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields. The reaction time of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone and dicarbonyl compounds was longer than that of 2-aminobenzophenone. The reaction of cyclic diketones took place faster than open chain analogues. These reactions also proceeded with acetophenone derivatives. In these cases the reaction times are longer.

Mohammad Ali Nasseri

Batol Zakerinasab

Sayyede Kamayestani

Proficient Procedure for Preparation of Quinoline Derivatives Catalyzed by NbCl<sub><b>5</b></sub> in Glycerol as Green Solvent

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Journal of Applied Chemistry