International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Anti-ulcer and Analgesic Activities of the Leaves of Capparis sepiaria L. and Maerua angolensis DC. (Capparidaceae)

David Bado — 2026-10-01

The leaves of Capparis sepiaria and Maerua angolensis are consumed by some populations in Burkina Faso and are traditionally associated with gastrointestinal uses. This study evaluated the anti-ulcer and analgesic activities of aqueous leaf extracts of both plants in mice. Gastroprotective activity was assessed using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models under acute and chronic conditions, while analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions. In the acute model, Capparis sepiaria extract at 500 mg/kg produced 92% protection of the gastric mucosa, compared with 96% for sucralfate. The ulcer index decreased from 10 at 300 mg/kg to 4.83 at 500 mg/kg for Capparis sepiaria. In the chronic model, the ulcer index decreased from 0.83 in the ulcer control to 0.08 with selected extract treatments, and extracts of both plants showed a better healing of ulcer lesions at all tested doses after seven days of treatment. Analgesic activity increased with dose. At 500 mg/kg, Maerua angolensis produced 75% inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions, equal to the inhibition observed with paracetamol at 100 mg/kg. These findings indicate that the leaf extracts exhibited gastroprotective, ulcer-healing, and analgesic activities under the experimental conditions used. They provide a scientific basis for further evaluation of these plants for the development of improved traditional medicines or nutraceutical applications for gastrointestinal disorders.

Tentative Phytochemical Profiling of Combretum paniculatum Vent. (Combretaceae) Leaf Extract by FTIR and LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS: Putative Identification of Eight Bioactive Metabolites and Their Pharmacological Relevance

Tapé Kouamé — 2026-10-15

Background: The phytochemical composition of Combretum paniculatum Vent. leaves remains insufficiently documented, particularly regarding functional-group characteristics and tentative metabolite assignments.

Aim: This study aimed to characterise a 70% ethanolic leaf extract using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS).

Methods: Leaves collected in the Toumodi Department, Côte d’Ivoire, were authenticated and macerated in 70% ethanol. The authenticated plant material carried herbarium number UCJ018534. Maceration was conducted for three hours before the extract was concentrated. The extract was examined using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum BX FTIR spectrometer and an Agilent 1260 HPLC system coupled to a 6530 Q-TOF mass spectrometer operating in positive ionisation mode. Assignments were based on accurate mass, proposed molecular formulae, fragmentation patterns, and comparisons with published information and databases, without authentic reference standards.

Results: FTIR bands at 3287.83, 2926.38 and 1593.11 cm⁻¹, together with bands at 1357.96, 1193.33, 1107.91 and 1041.35 cm⁻¹, indicated functional groups compatible with hydroxylated, aliphatic, aromatic and oxygenated constituents. Eight metabolites were putatively annotated: quisqualic acid, gallocatechin, kaempferol, rhamnocitrin, oleanolic acid, 1-tetracosanol, maslinic acid and O-galloyl-6-O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)benzoyl-β-D-glucose.

Conclusion: The findings provide a preliminary phytochemical profile of the leaves. Compound isolation, structural confirmation, quantification and biological assays are required before their pharmacological significance can be established.

Energy Consumption and Process Optimization in the Production of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Distillate as a Function of Ethanol Concentration in the Distillate

Fehim Zilić — 2026-10-23

Energy consumption in batch distillation is affected by the final ethanol concentration when the daily volume of collected product is fixed. This study evaluated an Excel-based material and energy balance for the production of 10 L day⁻¹ of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) distillate at 36–42% vol. ethanol. The model assumed an initial mash ethanol content of 8% vol., 85% ethanol recovery, a mash density of 0.98 kg L⁻¹, an effective heat capacity of 4.0 kJ kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, heating from 20 to 90 °C, an effective vaporisation duty of 2.0 MJ kg⁻¹ mash, and 20% process losses. Firewood, natural gas, and electricity were evaluated as alternative energy sources using assumed efficiencies of 55%, 80%, and 95%, respectively. Across the investigated concentration range, the calculated mash volume increased from 52.94 to 61.76 L day⁻¹, while total heat demand increased from 141.95 to 165.61 MJ day⁻¹. Equivalent requirements increased from 17.21 to 20.07 kg day⁻¹ for firewood, 4.96 to 5.78 m³ day⁻¹ for natural gas, and 41.51 to 48.42 kWh day⁻¹ for electricity. The increase in heat demand was linear, at approximately 3.94 MJ day⁻¹ per percentage point of ethanol concentration. Under these modelling assumptions, 36% vol. was the minimum-energy point within the evaluated range. These results represent an engineering sensitivity analysis rather than measurements from an operating distillery and require experimental validation.

Groundwater Geochemistry and Its Human Health Implications within the Lower Mouhoun River Sub-basin, Burkina Faso, West Africa

Drissa Ido — 2026-10-28

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in arid and semi-arid regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess groundwater’s contribution to the daily intake of macronutrients (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) and to evaluate health risks associated with nitrate (NO₃⁻) and arsenic (As) contamination in the Lower Mouhoun River Sub-basin, Burkina Faso, an area experiencing rapid land-use changes and increased anthropogenic pressure. We analysed 265 borehole water samples for physico-chemical parameters and major ions. The results reveal that groundwater is weakly mineralised and contributes modestly to macronutrient intake, approximately 10% for calcium, 8% for magnesium, 2% for sodium, and 0.5% for potassium, indicating that drinking water provides only a limited portion of daily nutritional needs. While natural water–rock interactions influence groundwater chemistry, anthropogenic activities have degraded water quality, with 11% and 0.02% of samples exceeding WHO guidelines for NO₃⁻ (50 mg/L) and As (10 µg/L), respectively. The health risk assessment identified children as the most vulnerable group, with a mean non-carcinogenic hazard index of 1.47 and a total carcinogenic risk of 2.02 × 10⁻⁴, both above the accepted safety standards. These results demonstrate that, although groundwater offers nutritional benefits, it also presents significant health risks due to contamination. Consequently, there is a critical need for continuous water-quality monitoring and targeted interventions to protect public health and guarantee access to safe drinking water.

Profile of Terpenoid and Flavonoid Compounds by LC-MS/MS and Antioxidant Properties of Tapinanthus ophiodes (Sprague) Danser Flower Extracts

Arrounan Noba — 2026-10-31

The floral phytochemistry of Tapinanthus ophiodes (Sprague) Danser remains poorly documented despite interest in the genus Tapinanthus as a source of plant-derived compounds. This study examined the phytochemical profile and in vitro antioxidant properties of its flowers. Flowers collected in the Central West region of Burkina Faso in May 2023 were freeze-dried and extracted by maceration with acidified methanol. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins were measured spectrophotometrically. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used to assess molecular features and propose compound identities. Free radical-scavenging activity and antioxidant compound content were evaluated using DPPH- and ABTS-based assays. Phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were 314.76 ± 1.17 mg GAE/g, 741.25 ± 0.72 mg QE/g and 2.51 ± 0.04 mg CE/g of extract, respectively. LC–MS/MS revealed 17 chromatographic peaks, associated with tentative assignments of 13 flavonoids and three steroidal or terpenoid compounds; one peak remained unassigned. The DPPH IC₅₀ was 34.83 ± 1.8 µg/mL, compared with 21.34 ± 0.14 µg/mL for Trolox. Antioxidant compound contents were 64.76 ± 0.12 mg TE/g using DPPH and 48.76 ± 0.08 mg TE/g using ABTS. These findings document a diverse profile of tentative constituents and measurable in vitro radical-scavenging activity in T. ophiodes flower extract.

Glyphosate Residue Concentrations in Organically and Chemically Grown Maize Grains in Selected Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, Nigeria: Health Risk Assessment

Chindapi Nathan Hyelnasinyi — 2026-11-02

This study investigated glyphosate residue concentrations in organically and chemically grown maize grains in selected Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, Nigeria, and assessed the potential health risks associated with dietary exposure. A total of nine locations (Song, Yola, Mubi, Gombi, Michika, Ganye, Numan, Hong, and Maiha) were included, with maize samples analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI) were calculated for both adults (60 kg body weight) and children (16.7 kg body weight) based on the maize consumption rate of 0.1659 kg/day and a glyphosate Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 1.0 mg/kg bw/day. Results revealed that chemically grown maize consistently contained significantly higher glyphosate concentrations (ranging from 8.1173 mg/kg in Ganye to 13.0538 mg/kg in Numan) compared to organically grown maize (ranging from 2.2272 mg/kg in Gombi to 7.7131 mg/kg in Numan). All chemically grown maize samples exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 5 mg/kg, with exceedances ranging from 62.35% to 161.08%. Organic maize samples from Mubi North, Ganye, Numan, and Maiha also exceeded the MRL. All calculated HRI values remained below 1, indicating no immediate non-carcinogenic health risk under the assessed exposure scenario. However, children exhibited approximately 3.59 times higher HRI values than adults, and chemically grown maize showed 1.69 to 5.61 times higher glyphosate concentrations than organic maize. The study concluded that, while estimated dietary risks are currently below levels of concern, the widespread MRL exceedances, particularly in chemically grown maize, represent significant food safety and regulatory compliance concerns requiring urgent attention.