Journal of Applied Chemical Science International

This study investigated the impact of PhET interactive simulation and PowerPoint presentation slide show visualisation on learning the balancing of chemical equations to grade 10 learners. A pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research design was used. Students in the experimental group were instructed using simulation games while PowerPoint presentation slides with visualisation were used in the comparison group. The post-test results revealed that the PhET Interactive Simulation was more effective compared to the PowerPoint Presentation Slide Show Visualisation. The PhET interactive simulation software application appeared to work better because of the equations that are embedded in it. The group taught using the PhET interactive simulation had attained better attitudes and high achievement scores towards learning of balancing of chemical equations as compared to the group which was taught using PowerPoint presentation slide show visualisation.

The curative potentials of Costus afer on testosterone induced prostatitis and some biochemical parameters was investigated using rat models. Eighteen (18) male wistar rats were used. The rats were weighed and randomly separated into six (6) groups of 3 rats each and were induced with testosterone propionate (TP). The reference drug Centiflo XL (400mg) was used. Group I was not induced which served as control while group II rats were induced with TP without treatment. Group III rats were induced with TP and administered the standard drug. Group IV, V and VI were given the whole extract (100ml, 200ml and 300ml respectively). The administration, feeding, and housing lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of Costus afer revealed the presence of Flavonoids, Saponins, Phenols, Alkaloids, Cardiac Glycosides and the absence of Tanins. Results obtained show that the rats in group IV, V, and VI which were given Costus afer extract at different concentrations had decreased Prostrate specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, and Alkaline Phospatase (ALP) levels, while stress enzyme levels, Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were elevated due to the presence of phenolic compounds in the whole extract of Costus afer. From this study, it can be said that the whole extract of Costus afer could be recommended as an effective drug in the treatment/management of Prostatitis.

The study was carried out to determine the concentrations of metals in the gels and tubes of five toothpaste commonly used in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The metals analyzed were Fe, Pb, Cu. Cr. Zn, Ni and Cd. The results obtained for the gels showed that Pb and Cu concentrations for all toothpastes were within the WHO permissible limits. The following metals were above the permissible limits in the analyzed T2 gel, Fe (7.06±0.12mg/l), Ni (0.08±0.02mg/l) and Cd (0.13 ±0.1mg/l). A high concentration of Zn (3.93±0.89mg/l) and Ni (0.08±0.02mg/l) were obtained in the T1 gel and for Cr (1.89±0.50mg/l) in T1 tube respectively. The concentration of Ni in T3 gel (0.04±0.0.01mg/l), tube (0.03±0.01mg/l) and T5 gel (0.07±0.02mg/l) is also above the permissible limit. ANOVA was used to determine the relationship in means between the gels and the tubes of the various toothpaste used and it was observed that to a large extent, the concentration of metals in the gel was dependent on the concentration of the metals in the tube. The study showed that the various toothpaste were of low toxicity and poses no threat to the consumers.

Drought stress leads to reduce the seed quality of oil seed crops and minimizes plant growth by affecting different physiological and biochemical processes, such as nutrient metabolism and ions uptake. Field experiment was carried out at the Research and Production Station of the National Research Centre, Nubaria region, Behira Governorate, Egypt during 2020/2021 to study the effects of soil application of compost and zinc foliar application on nutrient content, chemical constitute of canola plants grown under water stress conditions. Results indicated that increasing compost application rates was associated with increasing of nitrogen content of canola grains, shoots and roots wither under sufficient irrigation or water stress treatments. The highest values of phosphorus and potassium in canola organs registered for the treatment receiving 6 ton fed^-1 compost combined with 100 ppm zinc foliar spray and the lowest values recorded for control treatment. The micronutrient content of canola organs improved due to compost and Zn application under water stress. Also, there was a remarkable increase in the oil content, carbohydrate, protein and antioxidant activity of canola seeds due to application of compost (6 ton fed^-1) with the foliar application of zinc sulfate (100 ppm Zn) and the lowest values of these phyto-chemical constituents was observed in control treatment under sufficient irrigation and water stress conditions. Results concluded that, the combined application of compost and zinc is important for enhancing the nutritional status and seed quality parameters of canola under water stress condition.

Biohydrogen production is most important for simultaneous energy generation. Hydrogen (H2) is considered as a suitable substitute source of energy because of its regenerative, carbon neutral and high energy yielding. However, to optimize key factors affecting hydrogen production from water hyacinth by heat treated anaerobic fermentation process. Biological methods is a potential option to meet the growing clean energy needs for hydrogen production. This paper was discussed about key factors affecting namely substrate concentration.