The effects of storage of Ogbona seed flour (Irivingia gabonensis and Irivingia excelsa), at ambient condition (30±20C, 65-74% RH) for 0-4 months on some physical characteristics were investigated. The samples were subjected to storage in air tight polyethylene bags for up to four months. Samples were removed at intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months for analysis. The chemical: proximate constituents, free-fatty acids and peroxide values; selected functional properties: water/oil absorption capacity, foam capacity and viscosity and sensory attributes of the samples were investigated. The result shows that there was no observable change in the chemical composition, selected functional and sensory properties of the two varieties of Ogbona seed flours when stored up to two months but decreased from third to fourth month during storage at ambient temperature. Therefore, storage at ambient temperature (30±20C, 65-74% RH) could extend the shelf life of the samples for up to two months in air-tight polyethylene bags of 0.7mm thickness without losing its quality characteristics.

Noodles are strips or strands cut from a sheet of dough made from flour, water and either common salt or a mixture of alkaline salt. Noodles consumption represents about 40% of the total wheat flour which are mainly consumed by school children. The use of composite flour has been encouraged since it reduces the importation of wheat. Utilization of locally available, inexpensive materials like cocoyam that can substitute a part of wheat flour without adversely affecting the acceptability of the product will be a product development. This study therefore studied the chemical composition and organoleptic properties of instant noodles from the blend of wheat and cocoyam starch. Cocoyam starch was substituted into wheat flour at 20, 40, 60 & 80%. Analysis revealed higher carbohydrate (63.50-70.05)%, moisture (4.54-5.07)% and vitamin A (10.01-30.47) mg/100g, B1 (11.43-32.15) mg/100g but lower protein (4.56-8.79)%, phosphorus (0.34-0.52)%, calcium (1.83-0.98)%, iron (0.15-0.32) % and ash (1.19-3.20)%. The composite noodles revealed higher carbohydrate and mineral but lower protein than the commercial noodles. The sensory analysis revealed that 20% cocoyam compared favourably with the commercial noodles in terms of all the sensory attributes evaluated. This shows the possibility of producing noodles from cocoyam tubers which serves as novel food. This will further help to promote and improve utilization of cocoyam tuber.

Calcium is the most common element in the tooth’s structure. In addition, calcium is one of the elements that are effective in maintaining dental health. As a result of calcium deficiency, the tooth becomes brittle and begins to rot. Calcium deficiency usually occurs in acidic beverage consumption and during canal treatment. A study was conducted to determine the degree of calcium removal in the root canal dentin after 17% EDTA, 17% EGTA, 15% EDTAC and 1% tetracycline-HCl treatment; later with or without 2.5% NaOCl [1]. Extracted single-rooted human teeth were bisected longitudinally and the root halves (n = 100) were isolated with nail varnish, leaving the root canal exposed. The samples were immersed in the test solutions for 1 and 5 minutes, after which the amount of calcium ion (Ca2+) release into the solutions was determined by flame photometry. The calcium ions (Ca2+) present in hydroxyapatite crystals are one of the main inorganic elements of dentin [2]. It has been reported that some chemicals used for endodontic irrigation are capable of causing alterations in the chemical composition of dentin [3-6]. MethodsDetermination of calcium in the tooth’s structure is very important. Calcium determination, Flame Emission Spectrofometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) methods can be performed. These methods can be analyzed in a short time without interference effects. In both methods, the calcium in the tooth is stimulated and the emission intensity it emits is measured as it becomes basic. These emission intensities are directly proportional to the calcium concentration. Also, in these methods, calibration graph or standard addition method is used for calcium determination. The roots were then bisected longitudinally, and the pulp tissue was removed with a toothbrush. All root halves (n = 100) were dehydrated in a sterilizer at 120 °C until they reached a fixed weight, as verified by consistent readings using a precision scale (Sartorius, Gotingen, Germany; precision = 0.0001 g). Thereafter, the specimens were covered with two consecutive layers of nail varnish, leaving the root canal surface exposed. The samples were randomly distributed into the following treatment. Groups: Group 1: 2.5% NaOCl Group 2: 17% EDTA Group 3: 17% EGTA Group 4: 15% EDTAC Group 5: 1% Tetracycline-HCl Group 6: 17% EDTA _ 2.5% NaOCl Group 7: 17% EGTA _ 2.5% NaOCl Group 8: 15% EDTAC _ 2.5% NaOCl Group 9: 1% Tetracycline-HCl _ 2.5% NaOCl Group 10: Distilled water (negative control) In each group, the specimens were immersed in a magnetic stirrer bath containing 10 ml of test solution for 1 and 5 minutes. In groups 1 and 10, the same samples (n = 10) were used for 1- and 5-minute treatments. Calcium is measured between 10 and 1000 ppm (mg/L) with Flame emission intensity. Calcium at a lower concentration cannot be measured. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is a widely used method recently. ICP-OES is an advanced high-end method of flame emission spectrophotometer. In this method, the energy source required for excitation is provided by plasma and its temperature is between 4000 and 10000 ⁰C. There is a certain wavelength of light to which each element is stimulated. The wavelength of the light used for calcium is 455,531 nm. At this wavelength, a calibration graph is prepared from standard solutions of calcium. Calcium in the tooth is measured using the calibration chart. The sensitivity of this method is high. Calcium analysis in ppm (mg/L) and ppb (µg/L) concentration can be analyzed with ICP-OES. In this method, the analysis takes minutes. Therefore, it is used in routine analysis. ConclusionUsing these methods, you can easily analyze the calcium found in the structure of the tooth. Also, disinfectant like hypochlorite used during canal treatment increases the calcium release of the tooth. Therefore, the released calcium can also be analyzed using these methods. Here, each sample takes at least 5 measurements and gives the results in accordance with the scientific representation.

This non-systematic review outlines the current knowledge concerning provenance, chemical composition and properties of apple cider vinegar, its general health effects, as well as the currently available knowledge concerning its action on fat storage, physiological mechanisms of its effects, as well as its safety and recommended dosage for treatment of obesity. 

Blood vessels that supply and feed the central nervous system (CNS) possess unique and exclusive properties, named as blood–brain barrier (BBB). It is responsible for tight regulation of the movement of ions, molecules, and cells between the blood and the brain thereby maintaining controlled chemical composition of the neuronal milieu required for appropriate functioning. It also protects the neural tissue from toxic plasma components, blood cells and pathogens from entering the brain. In this review the importance of BBB and its disruption causing brain pathology and progression to different neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease (HD) etc. will be discussed.

In this article, the chemical compounds, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the volatile oil from leaves of Olea Europaea L. cultivar from Ethiopia has been studied. The essential oil was provided with a dry distillation apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS/FID. This analysis leads to the detection of 128 compounds representing 89.4% of the total oil. The major constituents were methyl ester hexadecanoic acid (4.10%), 2,4-dimethoxyphenolAa (4.05%), 2-methoxy-phenol (3.25%), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxytoluene (3.20%), 2-methoxy-5-methyl phenol (3.19%), 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-methyl benzene (2.93%), 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol (2.70%), 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (2.60%), trans-Isoeugenol (2.45%) and (E) -2,6-dimethoxy-4- (prop-1-en-1-yl) phenol (2.25%). The composition of essential oils was dominated by phenolic compounds.

The study aimed to examine the chemical composition of Acacia melanoxylon wood as a potential raw material for pulp and paper manufacturing. Samples of Acacia melanoxylon were taken systematically based on tree height at the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%) of market height. The sample was sorted, dried, milled, and sieved, and all chemical compositions were determined by the standards outlined in ASTM except cellulose and hemicellulose, which were determined by the Kurschner-Hoffer and alkali extraction methods, respectively. The results of the study showed that the overall average values of chemical composition along tree height levels were 45.02%, 21.94%, 23.79%, 5.52%, 3.24% and 0.48% for cellulose, hemicellulose, Klason lignin, hot-water solubility, alcohol-benzene extracts, and ash content, respectively. Except for hot-water extractives, the chemical composition of the bottom and top portions differed significantly. Generally, this study suggests that the chemical composition of Acacia melanoxylon wood is well suited for pulp and paper production.

A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the microbiological, nutritional, biochemical and essential oil characteristics of three Egyptian traditional cultivars seeds, namely, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandum sativum) spices as well as basil whole herb (Ocimum basilicum) collected from different Egyptian export centers as being ready for export. The found values for humidity in dry seeds of cumin (7.4%) and coriander (6.4%), as well as total ash and ash insoluble in acid (in cumin 7.7% and 0.74%, but in coriander 5.3% and 0.55%, respectively), were lower than the maximum limits indicated by the Egyptian Specification Standards (ES) and by International Standards Organization (ISO) for cumin and coriander seeds. Analysis of essential minerals in seed spices and herbs indicated that they were rich in K, Ca, Na, Fe and Zn. The total bacterial count was low content in seeds of cumin and coriander as well as fresh whole basil herb. The microbiological load in all tested seed spices and herbs was found lower than those indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seeds. Yields in hydro-distilled essential oils (EOs) were the highest in cumin seeds (3.762%), while both coriander and basil herbs had lower amounts (0.285% and 0.686%, respectively). EOs contents were found higher than the maximum limits for cumin (1.5% - 2.5% on a dry weight basis), but within the limits for coriander (0.1% - 0.5% on a dry weight basis) as indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seed oils. Gas chromatography of extracted EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander as well as basil herbs indicated the presence of 41, 35 and 47 compounds, respectively, where cumin aldehyde was the major component in cumin volatiles but was linalool in volatiles of both coriander seeds and basil herbs. EOs of basil herbs grown in Egypt were of the high linalool chemotype which was characterized by high contents of linalool and relatively lower amounts of eugenol. However, the major compounds in the three tested EOs from seeds or herbs grown in Egypt are in accordance with literature reports from different parts of the world. Volatile oil components in EOs of the three tested Egyptian spices and herbs were classified into groups, based on the relative area (%). The proportion of the major and the other main components in EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander cultivars were within the ranges indicated by both the ES and ISO for cumin seed oils (cumin aldehyde between 15% - 46%) and for coriander seed oils (linalool between 65% - 78%). The aim of the present work was to Assessment study certain commonly used Egyptian spices and herbal products for characterizing their physical, biochemical and microbiological properties.

Jatropha dioica sesse ex cerv is a specie native to Mexico and Texas, commonly known as “sangre de drago“, its name is due to its colorless juice turning dark at exposure to the wind. This mini-review aims to collect information about the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Jatropha dioica. The phytochemicals identified are diterpenes, (citlalitrione, jatrophone and riolozatrione), β-sitosterol, oxalic acid and ellagic acid. The stems, whole plant, or the root of J. dioica in traditional medicine are used to avoid hair loss, as an antibacterial, and antiviral, to strengthen teeth, and to heal some injuries among others uses. Among the biological activities attributed to Jatropha dioica are found in antiviral activity, antifungal, antimicrobial, chemopreventive, anti-hyperglycemic and cytotoxic. However, the little information about the chemical composition of this species and the scarce scientific studies validating its pharmacological properties make J. dioica an interesting species to study.