Undergraduate Theses
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Item Moss (Brachythecium sp.) and a filamentous green algae (Oedogonium sp.) as bunker oil sorbentsBautista, 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.Item Isolation and partial characterization of globulin from Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) tubersBarbosa, May R. (Division of Physical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2007-04)Soluble globulin was isolated using an extraction buffer (0.4 M NaCl in 35 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.6 with 0.02% Na azide). The isolated globulin was subjected to solubility tests with different NaCl concentrations. It has the highest solubility in 1.25M NaCl (1.09%), but no significant differences existed among the NaCl concentrations by analysis using one-way ANOVA at a = 0.05. Three major bands existed at LOOM NaCl dissolved globulin with molecular weight ranges of 28-33kDa, 38- 43kDa, and 65-70kDa relative to BSA. Two of these bands (38-43kDa and 65-70kDa) were observed in 0.50M and 0.75M NaCl soluble globulin. The 1.25M and 1.50M NaCl concentrations gave a single band (28-33kDa) each, while no clear bands were observed in other NaCl concentrations. Amino acid analysis revealed glutamic acid (12.09%) as the most abundant amino acid component of cassava globulin. Nine (9) essential amino acids were present. Of these nine, lysine (10.50%) is the most predominant. Cystine (0.39%) has the lowest percentage, followed by methionine (1.76%).Item Isolation and purification and bioactive components from the fruit of Morinda citrifoliaBarbarona, Hazel M. (Division of Phyisical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2000-10)Phytochemical screening done on the fruit of “noni” Morinda citrifolia revealed the presence of saponins and the absence of alkaloids. Sequential extraction of active components of noni using n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate solvents gave yields of 0.09%, 0.31% and 0.11% as yields respectively. Crude methanolic concentrate of the noni fruit was subjected into four bioactivity tests. Toxicity bioassay showed 251.19 g/ml to be the LC50. Antimicrobial bioassay showed that S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, and P. auruginosa organisms have no activity against the crude methanolic concentrate. In analgesic bioassay, the crude methanolic concentrate (16.37) is no better or has the same activity with the positive control mefenamic acid (17.51) based on the percentage reduction in squirms of the Swiss Websters mice. Antispasmodic activity showed that the crude methanolic concentrate of the fruit (55.47%) is as active as the positive control, loperamide (58.02%). In the three fractions, antispasmodic activity of n-hexane and dichloromethane have greater effect than the positive control (loperamide) while ethyl acetate has the same activity with it. The percentages traveled by charcoal in n-hexane (39.929) and dichloromethane (45.908) were lower than that of the positive control, loperamide (60.130) and ethyl acetate fraction (48.352). Antispasmodic bioassay on n-hexane purified through Vacuum Liquid Chromatography showed that the nine fractions (F1-F9) showed no significant difference with the positive control. Thin Layer Chromatography showed the presence of mono-, di-, and triterpenes; steroid glycosides and saponins in the noni fruit extract.Item Bioaccumulation of cadmium, copper and lead by Hydrilla (Hydrilla vericillata)Baniago, Arjay C. (Division of Pysical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2007-04)Bioaccumulation of cadmium, copper, and lead by Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) were tested to 5 different initial concentrations. The water contaminant sample was composed of mixed cadmium, copper and lead metals supplied as nitrate salts. These were analyzed for the decrease in concentrations at 24-hour intervals for 5 days using the SpectrAA 55B Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Plants exposed only for 5 days were digested and analyzed. The plant growth was normal at lower concentrations and showed higher removal efficiency. H. verticillata showed maximum removal percentage on the 5th day of exposure at 5 mg L-1 for cadmium (90.47%) and copper (95.20%) but for lead was on the 1st day (96.74%). The order of metal ion removal and the actual uptake for the three metals by H. verticillata is Pb>Cu>Cd, but at lower concentration, cadmium was absorbed more than copper. The copper and lead uptakes by H. verticillata are superior as compared to other aquatic plants uptakes. Lead uptake at higher concentrations might be due to physicochemical adsorption of the metal to the plant components and not on metabolism-mediated uptake, because plant condition does not have an adverse effect on the uptakeItem Comparing the quercetin content of different Allium sp. by spectrophotometryAsuelo, Allen Daryl F. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2007-04)Quercetin from two Allium sp. was extracted sequentially with solvents of varying degrees of polarity. The crude quercetin was subjected to chemical tests and the concentration determined by using Shimadzu mini UV-Vis 1240 Spectrophotometer. Results of the study showed that the extraction procedure used was effective in extracting quercetin. This was verified by the identical spectrum obtained with quercetin from the standard (Quercetin Complex) with the IR spectrum of quercetin obtained from the literature. The crude quercetin was positive to the both chemical tests, namely Baeyer's and Ferric chloride tests, subjected to it. Quercetin content in red onions was obtained with mean concentrations of 10.60 mg/kg at 362nm and 7.429 mg/kg at 370nm. Quercetin content in garlic was obtained with mean concentrations of 9.692 mg/kg at 362nm and 5.689 mg/kg at 370nm. The quercetin concentration measured at 370nm was quercetin another wavelength at 362nm measured the concentration of quercetin as flavonols. The result of One-way ANOVA at 0.05a showed that there is a significant difference in the quercetin content between red onions and garlic.Item A benchmark survey on the cyanide and protein content in the leaves and roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in IloiloBacolod, 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.Item Treatment of Vibrio harveyi-infected Penaeus monodon using Alibutbut (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir.) plant powderBacaling, Marivic T. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)The cytotoxicity test of crude methanolic leaf extract using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay revealed that Alibutbut (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir.) is safe to use in treating vibrio-infected penaeid shrimps. The effectiveness of the alibutbut powder against vibriosis was examined through the determination of the post-larvae 20 (PL 20) penaeid shrimp mortality and the water microbial assay after 48 hours. Percent penaied shrimp mortality (0-6.67%) and microbial count (2.91 x 10^4- 3.26 x 104 cfu/mL) of the plant treatments were significantly lower compared to the negative control (no treatment) that exhibited 50% penaeid shrimp mortality and a microbial count greater than 6.00 x 10^4 cfu/mL. The results of the experiment showed that Alibutbut plant powder is indeed effective in controlling Vibrio harveyi bacteria.Item Cytotoxicity and anti-vibriotic activity of Noni as an ethnobotanicalArrojo, Marley C. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-12)The crude methanolic extract of Acacia, Alibutbut, Bayabas, Biab, Botolan, Bulobitu-un, Buyo, Kamunsil, Kasla, Kayos, Langka-langka, Noni, Pasaw, Sampaguita, Tabong, Talisay, Yellow bell, were bioassayed for their cytotoxicity using brine shrimp nauplii assay. Among the plant extracts, Noni gave the highest LCso equal to 943.329 pg/mL. Noni was the least toxic among the plants tested and its crude methanolic extract was found to have activity against V. harveyi with an anti-vibriotic index of 0.256. Sequential extraction using solvents with increasing polarity gave fractions that exhibited anti-vibriotic property but the more polar ethyl acetate fraction gave the highest anti-vibriotic index of 0.513. It appears that the anti-vibrio constituent is polar. Using VLC, the ethyl acetate fraction was further separated into eighteen fractions which were in turn pooled into five fractions, Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, and Fe based on their TLC profile. Anti-vibriotic activity of each fraction was determined. Fraction Fa has the highest anti-vibriotic index (0.192) but this is much lower than 0.513. There must be some synergy among the polar constituents that exhibited a higher anti-vibriotic index in the ethyl acetate fraction compared to fraction Fa. Based on several color reactions, ethyl acetate fraction may contain any of the following plant metabolites such as tannins, saponins, phenolic groups, conjugated double bonds, flavonoids, sterols, terpenes, except alkaloids.Item Fourier transform -infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy in conjunction with the principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering to classify virgin coconut oil and other edible oilsAloba, Eugene J. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2006-04)This work investigates the potential of Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) Spectroscopy in conjunction with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) to classify virgin coconut oil (VCO) from other different edible oils in the test set. Among the PCA types, Pearson produced the best biplot graphs that showed both the separation of VCO and coconut oil (only in one group) from other oils, and the separation of VCO and coconut oil (CCO) into two distinct groups using the fingerprint region of the spectra. Kendall dissimilarity/Ward’s method successfully clustered VCO and CCO as separate classes using the same region of the spectra. These results showed that the highest percent variability in the spectra of different oils occurs in the fingerprint region, and hence where spectroscopic classification of oils can be performed best.Item Sodium and potassium concentration ratio in mangrove leaves as sublethal indicator of oil stress in mangrove trees, Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMAR), Nueva Valencia, GuimarasAlianza, Carmen Gabrielle H. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2009-04)This study is in the second year of the five-year research that was assigned to UPV to monitor the effects of the oil spill in TINMAR. This research primarily focuses on the Sodium and Potassium ion concentration ratios in the leaves of the mangroves which will be used as sub-lethal indicators of oil stress in the mangrove trees. Specifically, this study determined the total amount of Sodium and Potassium ions present in the mangrove leaves using Flame-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, compared the Potassium and Sodium ion concentrations among the different species and between sampling sites and determined the sensitivity of the species based on the changes in Na/K ratio. Results showed that the total Sodium concentrations were within the values under normal conditions except for Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora mucronata and the total Potassium concentrations were also within the values under normal conditions except for the Sonneratia alba species in Bagatnan. The Na/K ratio determined the sensitivity of the mangrove species studied to oils stress. A lower ratio of Na/K compared to the control area means that the mangroves trees were able to cope up with stress and an elevated Na/K ratio means the mangrove trees are still undergoing stress. The Control area, however, have elevated Na/K ratio because of high Sodium concentrations and very low concentrations of Potassium in the plant leaves tissues.