Aflatoxins in maize and groundnuts on markets in Accra and consumers risk.

This study presents the results of aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnuts in major markets in Accra and assesses the population's exposure to aflatoxins. Raw maize and groundnuts from 6 major markets in Accra were sampled and analysed for their aflatoxin content. A total of 92 samples comprising 48 maize and 44 groundnuts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography, after extraction with methanol/water and cleanup on an immunoaffinity column.

Vulcanization kinetics and reinforcement behaviour of natural rubber-carbon black composites: Addition of Shea-butter versus aromatic oil as plasticizers.

This work is a comparative study between Shea butter (SB) and treated distillate aromatic extract oil (TDAE) as plasticizers in the vulcanization of natural rubber (NR)- carbon black (CB) vulcanizates (-CB-S-NR-). The plasticized -CB-S-NR- composites extended scorch (Ts2) and optimum (T90) curing times. The delays in crosslinking reaction were suspected to be due to the increased viscosity (ML) and insulation of the reacting species (NR, CB, Sulfur and other curing aids) by the films of plasticizers.

Adsorbents for water decontamination: A recycling alternative for fiber precursors and textile fiber wastes.

The exponential growth in textile fiber production and commensurate release of textile waste-based effluents into the environment has significant impacts on human wellbeing and the long-term planetary health. To abate these negative impacts and promote resource circularity, efforts are being made to recycle these waste materials via conversion into adsorbents for water decontamination. This review critically examines plant- and regenerated cellulose-based fibers for removing water pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceutical and petrochemical wastes.

Exploring Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on (5,5) Aluminum Nitride Nanotubes for Enhanced Sensor Applications: A DFT Study.

This study examined the sensitivity of single-walled (5,5) aluminium nitride nanotubes ((5,5) AlNNTs) to carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO) gas molecules by performing DFT calculations using a hybrid functional, specifically, B3LYP (Becke's three-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr) exchange-correlation functional at a 6-31G* basis set. This research investigates the adsorption behavior of CO and CO molecules on pristine and silicon-doped aluminum nitride nanotubes (AlNNTs) and examines their implications for sensor applications. The study assesses each system's adsorption energy, sensing potential, and recovery time to gain insights into their binding strength and practical viability.

Eggshell Based Nano-Engineered Hydroxyapatite and Poly(lactic) Acid Electrospun Fibers as Potential Tissue Scaffold.

Nanocomposite electrospun fibers were fabricated from poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and needle-like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles made from eggshells. The X-ray diffraction spectrum and the scanning electron micrograph showed that the hydroxyapatite particles are highly crystalline and are needle-liked in shape with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and lengths ranging from 100 to 200 nm. The microstructural, thermal, and mechanical properties of the electrospun fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile testing techniques.

Sorption and degradation of neonicotinoid insecticides in tropical soils.

Neonicotinoids are the most widely applied class of insecticides in cocoa farming in Ghana. Despite the intensive application of these insecticides, knowledge of their fate in the Ghanaian and sub-Saharan African environment remains low. This study examined the behavior of neonicotinoids in soils from cocoa plantations in Ghana by estimating their sorption and degradation using established kinetic models and isotherms.