Abdullahi Ola Rajee^1*, Abdulbasit Anoze Aliyu², Halimah Funmilayo Babamale³, Amudat Lawal⁴, Sheriff O. Ayinla⁴, Wahab A. Osunniran⁵ & Joshua A. Obaleye^1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
²Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi, Nigeria
³Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
⁴Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria
⁵Department of Chemical, Geological and Physical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara, Nigeria

Abstract
Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of methionine with polypyridine co-ligand formulated as [Mn(MET)(bpy)2] (1), [Cu(MET)(bpy)2] (2) and [Zn(MET)(bpy)2] (3) (MET = methionine, bpy = 2,2-bipyridine) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques(Infrared, Electronic and ESI-MS). Electronic absorption spectra data of the complexes are characteristic of octahedral structures. The infrared data revealed that the ligand (MET) behaved as a bidentate anionic ligand. It coordinated to the metal ions via oxygen and nitrogen atoms with exhibiting peaks for υ(NH2) at 3365 cm-1, υas(COO-) and υas(COO-) at 1410 and 1621 cm-1 respectively. The 2,2-bipyridine coordinated to the metal center characteristically via the polypyridyl nitrogen. The compounds showed moderate solubility in distilled water and in some common organic solvents. In vivo evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of the metal complexes and the ligands showed greater activity against some micro-organisms when compared to the parent compounds. For instance, MET has a highest growth inhibition zone diameter of 14 mm whereas (1), (2), (3) has a diameter of inhibition zones at 23, 28 and 28 mm against C. albicans, A. niger and C. albicans respectively.

Keywords:

antibacterial, mixed ligands, methionine, polypyridyl

Rajee et al. JKCS 13-1 (2020) 16-21

SUPPORTING INFORMATION – Rajee et al. JKCS 13-1 (2020) 16-21

Geoffrey Otieno, Joab O. Onyango, James J. Owuor, Pauline W. Mbugua, Peter M. Ndangili, Fred. W. Sawenja, Simon O. Adede, Austin O. Aluoch and Patrick M. Shem*
School of Chemistry and Material Science, The Technical University of Kenya,
P.O. Box 52428 – 00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract
The study assessed level of training of staff, skills gap, physical facilities and socio-economic factors affecting teaching and learning of chemistry in secondary schools in Narok and Kajiado counties in Kenya which have a large population of nomadic pastoralists. The study involved 20 teachers, 10 technicians and 196 students from 19 schools. Data was collected using questionnaires, observations and oral interviews. The results showed that schools in both counties experienced growth in student enrolment between 2013 and 2017 without a matching increase in facilities and resources for curriculum implementation and evaluation. All the teachers were qualified to teach in secondary schools, however, the average teacher to student ratio in both counties was 1:137 way above the recommended 1:40. The data indicates that the performance in chemistry has been declining in the national examination with 81% of the candidates scoring 31% and below. The poor performance is attributed to inadequate number of teachers and technicians, inadequate laboratory facilities and student absenteeism due to socio-cultural practices. The results indicate an urgent need to address the causes of the declining performance in chemistry.

Keywords:

Nomadic pastoralists, chemistry curriculum, chemistry examination, laboratory facilities, socio-economic practices

Otieno et al. JKCS 13-1 (2020) 28-35

Michael Ndikau¹, Naumih Noah^2*, Dickson Andala³ & Eric Masika^1
1Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi-Kenya
²School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, United States International University-Africa, P.O Box 14634-00800, Nairobi-Kenya
³Department of Chemistry, Multimedia University of Kenya, P.O Box 15653-00503, Nairobi-Kenya

Abstract
The increased resistance of microbes to current antibiotics calls for development of new effective antimicrobial agents. Metal nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles have continued to attract increased research interest in the recent past because of their wide range of applications such as in the areas of chemical sensing, nanomedicine and electronics. In this work, spherical AgNPs (17.96 ± 0.16 nm in diameter) synthesized via a green method using Citrullus lanatus (water melon) fruit rind extract were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Salmonella typhi (S.typhi) bacteria using the disc-diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value of the nanoparticles was found to be 45.00 ± 0.01 g/ml for S.typhi and 38.50 ± 0.00 g/ml for E.coli while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value was found to be 60.00 ± 0.05 g/ml for S.typhi and 50.00 ± 0.00 g/ml for E.coli. This study demonstrated that these two bacterial strains were susceptible to the green synthesized AgNPs.

Keywords:

Green synthesis; Antimicrobial activity; Silver nanoparticles; Citrullus lanatus.

Ndikau et al. JKCS 13-1 (2020) 22-27

Humphrey L. Mudoga^1*, Patrick Kuloba¹, Fredrick Kengara², Chrispine Kowenje^2
1Department of Research Technology and Innovation, Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute,
P. O. Box 30650–00100, Nairobi, Kenya
²Chemistry Department, Maseno University, Private bag, Maseno, Kenya

Abstract
Six bagasse based carbons and two commercial activated carbons (AC) were evaluated for efficiency in the level of decolourisation of sugar syrup. The effect of bagasse activated carbon dosage in the range 0.2 –1.0 g per 100 ml syrup was determined. The Braunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) specific surface area, pore size and pore volume of the samples were determined using the N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The bagasse activated samples were analysed using standard methods including UV-Visible spectroscopy to evaluate the effectiveness for percent colour removal from sugar syrup and compared with the two commercial activated carbons. The colour removal capabilities of all carbons were measured at 1/100 (w/w) dosage. The results showed activated carbon from bagasse activated for 5h at a temperature of 6000C (600/5) was comparable to commercial activated carbon (WP 320) by their high surface areas and syrup decolourisation efficiency. Their pH values were also in the range 6-8 that makes them suitable for sugar refining.

Keywords:

Activated carbon, decolourisation, sugar syrup

Mudoga et al JKCS 13-1 (2020) 10-15

Humphrey L. Mudoga^1*, Patrick Kuloba¹, Fredrick Kengara², James Aluha³, Chrispine Kowenje^2
1 Department of Research Technology and Innovation, Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute,
P. O. Box 30650–00100, Nairobi, Kenya
² Chemistry Department, Maseno University, Private bag, Maseno, Kenya
³Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, (Quebec), Canada, J1K 2R1.

Abstract
Activated carbons (AC) synthesized from sun dried bagasse of Chemelil Sugar Factory in Kenya were used in this study. Using molasses as a binder, ratio 1:1, the bagasse and molasses mixture was compressed into pellets in an extruder, heated to produce a char, and then activated using carbon dioxide, before finally being ground into powdered activated carbon. Carbonization was done in a retort, while the heating was done by two gas burners. A thermocouple was used to record and control the temperature, which ranged from 300 – 700oC. The carbonized material (char) was cooled and ground to powder. Sample activation was conducted in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide passing through a chrome-nickel pipe with a gas distributor mounted in a furnace of porcelain cylinder with a metal sheet having one end closed. Air and nitrogen were used to control burning and the temperature of the furnace was controlled to between 300 – 600oC. The activated carbons produced were characterized for their physical properties (bulk density, yield, surface area, and micro pore volume and pore size), chemical properties (ash, pH, conductivity, Iodine and molasses decolourisation) and compared with selected two commercial activated carbons. The results showed that carbon materials activated from bagasse for 5 h at a temperature of 600oC showed similar characteristics with the commercial activated carbons and therefore an inexpensive substitute for AC.

Keywords:

Activated Carbon, Adsorption, BET surface area, sugarcane bagasse

Mudoga et al JKCS 13-1 (2020) 4-9