Undergraduate Theses

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Moss (Brachythecium sp.) and a filamentous green algae (Oedogonium sp.) as bunker oil sorbents
Bautista, Norwell Brian C. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2007-04)
Oil spills are very catastrophic and very destructive events. One way of controlling the dispersion of oil from these spills is by the use of sorbents. The procurement of commercial sorbents can be very costly. Thus, this study analyzed and evaluated the efficiency and effectivity of moss (Brachythecium sp.) and a green filamentous algae Oedogonium sp. as substitutes for commercial sorbents. Brachythecium sp. can grow in any moisture—rich environment and Oedogonium sp. algae grow freely in fish ponds and in any body of stagnant, oxygen-poor water. Thus, both samples are very abundant in the environment. Sorption capacity results showed that the moss Brachythecium sp. and the algae Oedogonium sp. can sorb five times and seven times its weight, respectively. In comparison, Peat Sorb, a commercial sorbent, was recorded to sorb 15 times its weight (Emedco, 2007). The minimum sorption capacity of the moss and algae samples was recorded to be approximately equal to their weight. The adsorption isotherms of both samples follow the Langmuir plot for monolayer adsorption. In the hexane capillary rise experiment, hexane rose significantly in ground moss (72.25 mm in 7 min.) and unground moss (64.80 mm in 7 min.) compared with unground algae (23.52 mm in 7 min.) and (20.70 mm in 7 min.), indicating that moss is more hydrophobic. In water, capillary rise, on the other hand, unground algae is a better medium (5.76 mm in 4 min) compared to the rest (ground algae - 4 mm, unground moss - 5.29 mm, and ground moss — 4.11 mm, all in 4 min.). Results also revealed that the moss Brachythecium sp. and the algae Oedogonium sp. expressed hydrophobic characters in the hexane-water system by remaining in the hexane layer after agitation. The moisture content of the algae (14.85%) is twice that of moss (7.94%). This gives the moss an advantage in oil sorption. The lipid contents of algae (15.58%) and moss (11.47%) do not comprise the majority of their biomass, but the lipids aid in increasing the samples’ affinity for non-polar substances. The samples may not sorb as effectively as the commercial sorbents, but they are abundant in the environment, thus, a cheaper alternative. Like Peat Sorb, which was processed from the biomass of Sphagnum sp. moss, the samples may undergo the same process that increases the hydrophobicity several-fold and gives oil-biodegradation capabilities.
Antioxidant property of anthocyanin from malatinta (Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir.) fruits obtained by static and microwave-assisted extraction
Baldonasa, RB Hera Angelica R. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2015-06)
Fresh fruits of Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. were analyzed for anthocyanin by spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant activity using 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH ) free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) and reducing power (RP) through FeCl3 assay were determined. The use of two extraction processes, namely, the static method and microwave-assisted extraction, using two extraction solvents, acidified methanol and aqueous ethanol (1:1) were compared. The total anthocyanin content (TAC) of P. reticulatus fruit was highest in extract using static method of extraction in acidified methanol solvent (279.94 ±17.31 mg/lOOg), comparable to levels found in plants rich in anthocyanins, (e.g., berries genotypes, grapes and red cabbages). In microwave-assisted extraction, TAC using acidified methanol was higher (278.01 ± 18.76 mg/lOOg) compared to using aqueous ethanol (210.96 ± 2.02 mg/100g). P. reticulatus fruits exhibited high antioxidant activity as revealed by its RP and DPPH FRSA results when compared to ascorbic acid. These findings highlight the usefulness of P. reticulatus as a source of anthocyanins with good antioxidant properties, which, in turn, gives importance to the undervalued and underutilized plant.
A benchmark survey on the cyanide and protein content in the leaves and roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Iloilo
Bacolod, Hanny Joy C. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2006-04)
The cyanide and protein content of the roots and the leaves of the cassava samples were determined. Samples were taken from five locations, namely, Mambatad, Miagao; Poblacion, Lambunao; Ambarihon, Tubungan; Naclub, Miagao; and Calampitao, Miagao. This study shows the levels of cyanide and protein in the roots and leaves of the cassava samples from the five selected locations in the province of Iloilo only. It does not establish any concrete conclusion on the cyanide and protein content of the cassava in Iloilo. Based on the results, the amount of cyanide varies among parts of the plant with an average of 229 ppm in the leaves and 100 ppm in the roots. It also varies among varieties in the same location, the white root variety having 125 ppm cyanide in the roots and 202 ppm in the leaves, while the yellow root variety has an average of 58.2 ppm cyanide in the roots and 263 ppm in the leaves. Different locations also have different levels of cyanide. Cyanide content also decreases in the roots as the period of storage is prolonged. The level of cyanide in the white root variety from Lambunao decreased by 17.1% on the 2nd day and 61.5% on the 3rd day, while the yellow root variety, also from Lambunao, decreased by only 4.3% on the 2nd day and 30.1% on the third day. Total soluble protein in the leaves (0.12%) of the samples is higher than in the roots (0.11%) . Among the roots, the amount of protein varies. It was found out that there is a significant correlation (0.750 at 0.05 level) between the amount of protein in the roots and that in the leaves of the samples.

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