Browsing by Author "Terer Erick Kipngetich"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Blend of Green Algae and Sweet Potato Starch as a Potential Source of Bioplastic Production and Its Significance to the Polymer Industry
    (International Journal of Green and Herbal Chemistry, 2012-12) Terer Erick Kipngetich; Magut Hillary
    Our research focus was to obtain an alternative source of biodegradable plastic from blue green algae and sweet potato starch to obtain a sustainable source of plastic synthesis. Different concentrations of starch and dried green algae were used to produce biopolymers. The amount of algae that produced the best bioplastic was the objective of the research. High percentages of dry algae produced material with high strength with a deep black colour. The concentration in percentage of sweet potato starch was varied from 25-87.5 while the algae powder was varied from 21.-75%. Cross-linking of cellulose polymers together through chemical processes produces tough material, which can be converted to various forms. The manufacture of plastics is a form of polymerization reaction. Bio-plastic or organic plastic is a polymer material obtained from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil, corn starch, potato starch, and pea starch unlike fossil-fuel plastics derived from petroleum. Starch is made of long chains of glucose molecules joined together. It contains two polymers: amylase which is straight chain and amyloceptin which is branched. When starch is dried from an aqueous solution it forms a film due to hydrogen bonding between the chains. However, the amyloceptin inhibits the formation of the bio-plastic. The reaction of starch with Hydrochloric acid breaks down the amylopectin forming an appreciable plastic.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determination of Caffeine and pH Levels of Selected Carbonated Soft Drinks and Ready to Drink Juices in Eldoret, Kenya.
    (International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering & Science, 2013-05) Magut Hillary; T. Anthoney Swamy; Terer Erick Kipngetich
    Different brands of soft drinks and selected ready to drink juices were randomly sampled from different stores in Eldoret town. Two methods of extraction were employed; hydrochloric acid acidified water and distilled water. UV analysis results of acidified water samples, the caffeine levels were found to be in the range of 1.43 mg/L and 40.51 mg/L, the lowest being Stoney and the highest being Coca-Cola respectively. With distilled water alone, the concentration ranged from 1.51 to 39.65 mg/L, these being Stoney and Coca-Cola respectively. Ready to drink juices showed the highest levels of caffeine content in both distilled and acidified water extraction with the lowest reading of 59.43 mg/L obtained from Pineapple Marche brand while the highest concentration was from orange Marche brand with 75.71 mg/L caffeine in acidified water extraction.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determination of levels of phosphates and sulphates in domestic water from three selected springs in Nandi County, Kenya
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES, 2013-07) Terer Erick Kipngetich; Magut Hillary; T. Anthoney Swamy
    This research was to estimate the levels of phosphates and sulphates in three selected springs. The analysis of phosphates requires good digestion which converts phosphorus to orthophosphate in the process. Therefore, ascorbic acid digestion method was employed in the phosphate analysis. The sulphates spectrophotometric analysis is based on the formation of colloids by sulphates and Barium chloride. With this method the greatest challenge was instability of conditioning reagent with time. Several timing trials were done to come up with the optimum time for reaction between the addition of conditioning reagent and sample analysis. Sampling was done at selected springs in Baraton Location, Sironoi Location and Kaptildil Location, all situated in Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County, Rift valley province in Kenya. The selected water springs are commonly used by residents for domestic purposes. The research showed that there is a significant level of phosphates and sulfates in all sampled water. Phosphates concentration were between the range of 2.79 mg/L to 622 mg/L, while sulphates were in the range of 109.8 mg/L to 250.98 mg/L.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PITTOSPORUM VIRIDIFLORUM LEAVES EXTRACT AGAINST LABORATORY STRAINS OF SELECTED MICROORGANISMS
    (International Journal of Bioassays, 2014-08-08) Anthoney Swamy T; Jackie K Obey; Terer Erick Kipngetich; Miyogo Edwin
    The aim of this study was to analyse the antibacterial Activity of Pittosporum viridiflorum leaves extract against laboratory strains of selected microorganisms. Infusions of the bark of P. viridiflorum are used to treat stomach complaints, chest pain, malaria and other fever. The mean zones of inhibition of the extract against microorganisms were 12.67±0.882 mm for Enterobacter aerogenes, 12.50±0.281mm for Escherichia coli, 11.67±0.333 mm for Proteus vulgaris, 11.67±0.000mm for Bacillus cereus and 7.67±0.333mm for Salmonella typhi. The penicillin positive control showed large zones of inhibition and the dimethylsulfoxide negative control did not show any zone of inhibition. This report suggests that the extract was active against all the other organisms except S. typhi because the zone of inhibitions was less than 8 mm. Analysis of variance showed that the zones of inhibition of the extract and antibiotic control against the microorganisms were significantly different (p<0.0001). The Tukey’s honestly test further showed both significant and non-significant comparisons between the extract and controls for various bacterial organisms. This study has shown that controlling the growth of microorganisms in vitro can be achieved by the ethanolic extract of P. viridiflorum.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Nitrate anion levels in water from selected wells and points along Kimondi River, Nandi
    (African Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2012) Magut Hillary; Terer Erick Kipngetich
    This paper focuses on the comparative determination of nitrate anion concentration from selected wells and points along the Kimondi River using UV-Visible spectrophotometric method. The areas monitored were Tulon, Sitatunga swamp, Sironoi, Kimondi Bridge, kipchabo tea factory and Samoo. This research was to determine whether nitrate anions in water are beyond the threshold limit which is harmful to both plant and animal life. Relatively high concentrations of NO3 usually have their origin in processes of organic pollution and excessive use of inorganic fertilizers. In the case of agricultural areas for example, Nandi County where our analysis was based, these activities may generate great quantities of nitrates. The water was sampled from both the river point and one selected borehole in the respective areas. Three samples were obtained from each of the sampling points and were analyzed for nitrate using the UV-Visible spectrophotometer set at 420 nm. The average of the three-absorbance values was computed and converted to concentration in mg/L. The research showed that levels of nitrate ion in both river and well waters were below the threshold limits.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Physico-Chemical Study of Soil from Selected Maize Farms in Kamelilo, Kericho County
    (Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(10): 438-447, 2015) T. Anthoney Swamy; Terer Erick Kipngetich; Barasa Exevier; Magut Hillary
    Physico-chemical study of soil was performed in this study to determine the levels of different physical and chemical parameters in seven selected maize farms. A total of 21 samples were collected in ploughed maize farms in Kamelilo Village in Kericho County for physico-chemical study. Samples were obtained from seven selected maize farms in triplicates. The physical parameters that were studied are pH and organic carbon while the chemical parameters like phosphorus, Sulphur and Nitrogen were determined. From the study, 71% of the soil samples had a low pH which makes the soil unsuitable for maize farming. The recommended pH for maize growing is 5 7 which has a positive effect on the availabilty of nitrogen and other plant nutrients. The percentage of organic carbon was rated as high in 90% of the soil samples with a minimum value of 1.03% organic carbon to a maximum value of 2.85% except in two sampling sites, sample 3a with 0.45% and sample 5a with 0.49% respectively exhibiting a low organic carbon value. It is the recommendation of the researchers that regular soil testing should be done to determine if the soil is in the ideal condition for a specific crop.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Prelimary investigation of various parameters of baraton dam water in response to drinking water use innovations
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES, 2014-10) Anthoney Swamy T.; Michaiah O. Ojunga; Terer Erick Kipngetich; Magut Hillary
    Physico-chemical study of water is important to ascertain the effectiveness of the treatment system and make the necessary recommendations for further study and improvement of the water management system. Physico-chemical analysis of temperature, pH, Total Hardness, Total alkalinity, Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Phosphates, Nitrates, and Sulphates of dam water, tap and water treatment effluent was carried out from fourteen sampling locations in September and November 2013 in order to assess the water quality index of water used by University of Eastern Africa, Baraton and her environs. From the study the level of phosphates and sulphates were found to be high in comparison with the provided WHO standards and therefore proper care should be taken to avoid the accumulation of these compounds in the water source. Key-Words: Physico-chemical analysis, Dam, Baraton, Water quality