Synthesis, Characterization, Anti-nematocidal, and Computational Study of Copper(II) Complex Derived from Fluoro-substituted Schiff base Ligand.

Herein, Schiff base was synthesized via reaction between 2-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)aniline and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The ligand was reacted with Cu(II) salt to obtain complex. The compounds  were characterization using various techniques.

Inventory analysis and environmental life cycle impact assessment of hotel food waste management for bio-circular economy development in Zimbabwe.

This study is an inventory analysis and environmental life cycle assessment of hotel food waste management that seeks to inform efforts towards the development of bio circular economy in Zimbabwe. An audit of food waste generation and an inventory analysis of the prevailing food waste management practices at three selected hotels was undertaken. The greenhouse gas emissions from the prevailing disposal of food waste at dumpsites and the proposed biological treatment of food waste were evaluated using the Tier 1 FOD method and Tier 1 method of biological treatment using the 2019 refined 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines.

Bioaccumulation, Bioindication and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Cape Horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and Slinger Seabream (Chrysoblephus puniceus) in the Durban Basin and Cape Vidal, South Africa.

The bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in marine fish is a growing global concern due to potential human health risks. The study analyzed HM in the muscle tissue, gills, and gut of adult male and female cape horse mackerel and slinger seabream caught in the polluted Durban Basin and pristine Cape Vidal from April 2018 to February 2019. Results revealed interspecific, spatial, and organ-specific variability in HM levels.

Effect of extraction methods on phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of de-kernelled Sclerocarya birrea seeds.

Background: Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is an indigenous African fruit-bearing tree with many commercial uses; however, de-kernelled seeds generated from marula fruit-processing are wasted. The phytochemical constituents of de-kernelled marula seeds have not been investigated previously and its extract/tea may potentially serve as a promising source of antioxidants and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction methods (maceration and decoction) on the recovery of phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants from de-kernelled marula seeds.

Leaf extract of ameliorates biomarkers of neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit in N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats.

Purpose: commonly known as Cashew is a plant that is widely used in African traditional medicine. It is endowed with phytochemical constituents that are responsible for its medicinal properties.

Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: Control (Group A), Group B (L-NAME 40 mg/kg), Group C (100 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME), Group D (200 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME) and Group E (10 mg/kg of Lisinopril plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME).

Medicinal plants with anti-SARS-CoV activity repurposing for treatment of COVID-19 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) has emerged as a significant threat to public health with startling drawbacks in all sectors globally. This study investigates the practicality of some medicinal plants for SARS-CoV-2 therapy using a systematic review and meta-analysis of their reported SARS-CoV-1 inhibitory potencies. Relevant data were systematically gathered from three databases, , Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus.

The assembly of silica species with alkylamines: Mechanism of wastewater-free synthesis and the application of gel as a catalyst.

Silica species generated by the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) could assemble with alkylamines to form silica gel. Herein, it was evidenced that part of the added amines, including butylamine (BA), octylamine (OA) or dodecylamine (DA), was protonated in the mixture of water and ethanol. Therefore, besides the hydrogen bonding between neutral silica species and the micelles composed of the non-protonated amines (Tanev and Pinnavaia, 1995), there existed strong electrostatic attraction between negatively charged silica species and the micelles composed of the protonated amines.

Anticancer properties of Tulbaghia violacea regulate the expression of p53-dependent mechanisms in cancer cell lines.

Cancer is an enormous burden of disease globally. Today, more people die from cancer than a combination of several diseases. And in females, breast and cervical malignancies remain the most common types.

Investigating Industrial Effluent Impact on Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Vaal, South Africa.

Industrial effluents with high concentrations of toxic heavy metals are of great concern because of their persistence and non-degradability. However, poor operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment infrastructure is a great concern in South Africa. In this study, physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals (HMs) concentration of wastewater from five different industries, Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) inflow and effluent, and Vaal River water samples were monitored between January and September 2017, to investigate the correlation between heavy metal pollution and the location of industries and ascertain the effectiveness of the municipal WWTP.

Influence of polysiloxane as nanofiller on the surface, optical and thermal properties of guar gum grafted polyaniline matrix.

Mesoporous silica containing nanocomposites of in situ polymerised aniline grafted on guar gum (GG), were synthesised by sol-gel technique. Characterization of samples with respect to SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR, BET, UV-vis, and PL illustrated the optically active materials with diverse morphologies. Microscopic analysis rendered transitional changes from smooth GG to coated PANI grafts and dense clusters of polysiloxane nanocomposites.

Functional Roles of microRNAs in Agronomically Important Plants-Potential as Targets for Crop Improvement and Protection.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression, mainly through cleavage and/or translation inhibition of the target mRNAs during or after transcription. miRNAs play important roles by regulating a multitude of biological processes in plants which include maintenance of genome integrity, development, metabolism, and adaptive responses toward environmental stresses. The increasing population of the world and their food demands requires focused efforts for the improvement of crop plants to ensure sustainable food production.

Screening of Cyanobacterial Peptide Toxin, Microcystins in Hyperscum Water Samples from an Inland Sub Saharan Drinking Freshwater Reservoir.

A study which probed the occurrence and quantitative variations hepatotoxic microcystin in a Sub Saharan drinking freshwater reservoir was carried out between November 2014 and March 2015. Results reveal the presence of MCYST-YR, MCYST-LR, MCYST-RR, MCYST-LA and MCYST-LF variants either in cells collected directly from bloom or toxic isolates cultured under laboratory conditions. Two minor microcystin congeners (MCYST-(H)YR) and (D-Asp, Dha) MCYST-RR) were identified, but not quantified.