ABSTRACT Lawsonia inermis Linn, commonly known as henna, is an ethno botanical plant which has been used since antiquity for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Henna painting is an art of beautification which is commonly practised by the people of Lamu County. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Ni are toxic and commonly found in cosmetic products such as henna. The level of these metals in henna leaves and henna products from Lamu is not known. The aim of the study was to determine the level of Pb...
ABSTRACT Tomato is rated the second most important horticultural crop after potato in most parts of the world. However, its cultivation is threatened by infestations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The pest originated from South America and is now invading fields and greenhouse production sites in the world. Tuta absoluta was first officially reported in Kenya in March 2014 at Isiolo and has spread to all parts where tomato is grown. The pest has been nicknamed tomato ‗Al–sha...
ABSTRACT The study investigated ingress of Clions and their effects on the compressive strength development of a pozzolana based cement. The cement was made by blending Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with selected calcined clays. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and flame photometry chemical analysis were carried out as a preliminary test to determine the chemical composition of the sampled clays. It was found that only one of the sampled clays had a sum of Al2O...
ABSTRACT Over years, it has been reported that long term exposure of heavy metals such as mercury(Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) would result into numerous dangers among these; being carcinogenic, sterility and behavioural abnormalities. While there are various sources of heavy metals, both herbal (those made from Aloe vera, neem and olive oil among others) and synthetic cosmetics and toiletries are equally feared as, would be sources especially if levels are above those set by the World He...
ABSTRACT The malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto remains one of the principal malaria transmission vectors in developing countries, particularly within the tropics and sub-Saharan Africa. Current methods of control are based on synthetic chemical insecticides, but these are costly and inaccessible by poor communities, and large-scale use leads to vector resistance and toxicity to beneficial non-target organisms. Plant-based products have been used for generations in traditional pra...
ABSTRACT Comfrey (Symphytum asperum Lepech) is widely used in Kenya and other countries as a vegetable, herbal medicine and animal feed. It is known to have high nutritional and medicinal value. However, in some countries like the USA and Australia, its usage has been restricted to external application, and in others like Germany, its usage has been banned altogether. This is because the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that are associated with hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity and ter...
ABSTRACT African human trypanosomiasis (HAT) and African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) are vectorborne parasitic diseases, which are among the most neglected diseases in the world. They cause major health and economic problems in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Chemotherapy, the main means of controlling the disease is limited due to parasite resistance and toxicity of the current anti-trypanosomal drugs. The development of a vaccine has been thwarted by antigenic variation of the parasite. Thus, t...
ABSTRACT Nanostructured silicon has attracted considerable attention as a promising anode material for next generation Lithium-ion batteries for applications in portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. This interest is mainly due to its large theoretical specific charge capacity of 4,200 mAh g-1 that is ten times more than the theoretical specific charge capacity of conventional graphite anodes. This work exploits an alternative method of fabricating pure silicon nanoparticle...
ABSTRACT L-citrulline, L-arginine and L-glutamic acid are some of the amino acids which are vital in the human body. L-citrulline boosts immunity, combats sarcopenia, detoxifies the liver and enhances male fertility. L-arginine boosts internal production of nitric oxide thus enhancing dilation of blood vessels, inhibits aging process, prevents abnormal blood clotting and accelerates healing of wounds. L-glutamic acid cleanses the central nervous system and improves overall brain health, attit...
ABSTRACT Mosquitoes are of high public health concern since they are significant disease vectors of different tropical and subtropical life-threatening diseases like malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, zika virus and encephalitis. Use of synthetic insecticides for control of mosquitoes causes development of resistance in vector species and have negative effects to the environment and human. This study aimed to find alternative, effective tools against these vectors from plant essentia...
ABSTRACT In Kenya, maize is a key cereal crop and a major staple food in most Kenyan families. Most maize farmers mainly apply nitrogenous and phosphorus fertilizers to improve on maize yields in the country and Nyamira County in particular. However, acreage yields have been declining yearly despite their use. Application of potassium (K) fertilizers in the region is limited yet it is the third major nutrient required by maize crop in large quantities for optimum growth and yields. Consequent...
ABSTRACT Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are vectors of Animal African Trypanosomiasis and Human African Trypanosomiasis. Two approaches have been used to combat the diseases: parasite and vector control. Parasitic control by trypanocidal drugs has so far failed due to problems of availability, toxicity and resistance development. Vector control by use of insecticides is ineffective. Trapping using baits have been relatively successful, except among pastoralists. Integration of repellants and at...
ABSTRACT Pollution of water resources due to the increasing growth in industrialization continues to pose a great challenge to the rapidly growing population. Textile industries are among the principal polluters of surface water. The development of these textile industries has resulted in severe water pollution due to discharge of dye wastewaters to natural water courses. This laboratory scale study was aimed at establishing an eco-friendly wastewater treatment method dubbed electrocoagulati...
ABSTRACT Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been a serious public health problem in the developing countries especially in Africa, mostly in pre-school age children and in pregnant and lactating mothers. It contributes to 7 million pregnant women and approximately 127 million of preschool-aged children and about 1-2 million deaths every year. It has been reported that about half a million new cases of blindness emerge yearly. This has for a long time been solved in addition to modern medicines by...
ABSTRACT The prevailing tuberculosis (TB) situation in the world demands the re-engineering and repositioning of some old drug families to achieve effective control of the spread and effects of TB. One such drug that is targeted for re-engineering is isoniazid which is also known as isonicotinohydrazide (INH). In this study, theoretical studies have been carried out to investigate twenty eight structural analogues of the isoniazid (INH) for their reactivity and some drug-likeness. The density...