Godfrey Okoye University

About: Godfrey Okoye University is a education organization based out in Enugu, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pragmatics. The organization has 107 authors who have published 85 publications receiving 463 citations.

Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Phytochemical Contents of Indigenous Nigerian Softwoods

Abstract: The phytochemical contents of some milled Nigerian softwood chips were carried out in a quest to evaluate their potentials as sources of alternative medicine as well as uses in other industrial applications. The qualitative and quantitative analysis were ascertained. Tannin was found in all the Nigerian softwoods examined with the highest quantities obtained in Sterculia oblonga (1240 mg/100 g) and Barteria nigritiana (1230 mg/100 g). Highest quantities of alkaloid were obtained in Cordia millenii (11.2%) and Sterculia oblonga (10.4%). Barteria nigritiana (14.2%) and Moringa oleifera (12.2%) recorded more flavonoid content than other individual softwoods. Saponin was more in Anogeissus leiocarpus (12.5%) and Dichrostachys cinerea (9.8%). Oxalate was found to be higher in Combretodendron macrocarpum (5.84 g/100 g) and Glyphaea brevis (3.55 g/100 g). Pentaclethra macrophylla (890 mg/100 g) and Moringa oleifera (880 mg/100 g) contained more cyanogenic glycosides. Sacoglottis gabonensis (4.68 mg/g) and Pentaclethra macrophylla (4.04 mg/g) showed the highest contents of phenol, while more lipids (8% and 7.2%) were found in Anogeissus leiocarpus and Kaempferia galanga, respectively. The results showed that these Nigerian softwoods grains could be a source for the exploitation of these phytochemicals beneficial in the pharmaceutical and alternative medicine industries.

Determination of physical and phytochemical constituents of some tropical timbers indigenous to niger delta area of nigeria

Abstract: Selected timbers indigenous to Niger delta area of Nigeria were identified and their physical properties and phytochemical constituent (qualitative and quantitative determination) check conducted. The result of the physical properties showed that: the highest porosity index was 1.75 % from Phyllanthus discoideus, the highest specific gravity recorded was 0.54 for Sacoglottis gabonensis, the highest charring temperature of 97-110 oC was recorded for Pycnanthus angolensis. Moisture contents of the range 16 % in Cassipourea barteria was the lowest while 33 % was the highest in Bombax brevicuspe. All the timber samples were acidic with the exception of Glyphaea brevis which is neutral with a pH of 7.18. All the timbers were soluble in hot conc. H2SO4. Qualitative phytochemical studies showed that almost all the phytochemicals except phlobatannins are present in varied form in almost all the timber samples examined. Quantitative determination of the pytochemical constituents showed that: Cola laurifolia and Bridelia micrantha with contents of 1180mg/g and 1160mg/g had the highest tannin, while the least recorded was 620mg/100g found in Lovoa trichiliode, 80 % of the timber samples analysed had above 6 % of flavonoids in them, cynogenic glycoside recorded in each of the wood samples was less than 1000 mg/g with the highest contents of 891 mg/g, 859 mg/g and 810 mg/g found in Phyllanthus discoideus, Cassipourea barteri and Bridelia micrantha. Bridelia micrantha and Homalinum letestui with values of 5.84 g/100g and 5.34 g/100g respectively contain the highest quantity of oxalate, Phyllanthus discoideus and Rhizophora racemosa with values of 11.6 % and 12.2 % had the highest quantity of alkaloids and saponin respectively. These qualities possessed by the examined timbers shows that apart from their properties in building and other constructions, they are good sources for dye production, agro-chemicals and pharmaceuticals due to their phytochemical constituents.

Biotechnological Tools for Environmental Sustainability: Prospects and Challenges for Environments in Nigeria—A Standard Review

Abstract: The environment is a very important component necessary for the existence of both man and other biotic organisms. The degree of sustainability of the physical environment is an index of the survival and well-being of the entire components in it. Additionally, it is not sufficient to try disposing toxic/deleterious substances with any known method. The best method of sustaining the environment is such that returns back all the components (wastes) in a recyclable way so that the waste becomes useful and helps the biotic and abiotic relationship to maintain an aesthetic and healthy equilibrium that characterizes an ideal environment. In this study, the method investigated includes biological method of environmental sustainability which seeks to investigate the various biotechnological tools (biotools) in current use and those undergoing investigations for future use.

Determination of some soft drink constituents and contamination by some heavy metals in Nigeria.

Abstract: Soft drinks are consumed daily in Nigeria due to its affordability, characteristic taste, and thirst quenching potential. However, the high demand may compromise the quality of production with possible contamination of heavy metals which have shown to cause intoxication and death in humans. This study evaluated some constituents of twenty-six soft drinks in Nigeria and investigated the presence of some heavy metal contaminants. The soft drinks were screened for the presence of sugar, carbon dioxide, phosphate and alcohol as well as the pH and acidity determined. The level of cadmium, mercury and lead were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study showed the presence of sugar, carbon dioxide, phosphate, and alcohol in the soft drinks. The soft drinks were acidic in nature, pH ranging from 3 to 5 with a mean of 3.6 and the acid concentration was relatively low between 3 and 12 g/L with a mean of 8.1 g/L. Lead was present in all the samples ranging from 0.17 to 3.39 mg/L with a mean of 0.8, mercury was present in 22 samples ranging from 0.29 to 11.32 mg/L with a mean of 2.08 mg/L while cadmium was present only in one sample (0.149 mg/L). When compared to EPA, WHO and NIS standards, the levels of the heavy metal contaminants were above the tolerated limits for good quality drinking water in most samples. These results suggest that soft drinks in Nigeria may be contaminated with heavy metals which constitute a major public health problem. Thus, quality control is recommended during the production process especially at the stages of sterilization and purification.

Psychological Factors that Influences Entrepreneurial Intention Among Women in Nigeria: A Study Based in South East Nigeria:

Abstract: The study examined psychological factors that influence women entrepreneurial intention in Nigeria. One hundred and seventeen (117) women were drawn within Enugu metropolis using purposive random sampling technique. Their ages ranged between 18 and 50 years, with a mean age of 22.07. Cross-sectional design was adopted. Job involvement (JI), self-efficacy, goal orientation and entrepreneurial intention scales were instruments used for data collection. Three hypotheses were tested. Step-wise multiple regressions were the main statistics used for data analysis. Results of the regression analysis showed that among the studied variables, only self-efficacy was a significant predictor of women participation in entrepreneurship (p < 0.01). The three dimensions of goal orientation, learning goal orientation, prove (performance-prove) orientation, and avoid (performance-avoid) orientation, were not significant predictors of women participation in entrepreneurship. Similarly, JI did not also significantly predict w...