Department of Chemistry
Permanent URI for this collection
Welcome to the Department of Chemistry collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Pyrolysis of low density polyethene waste for pyrolytic oil production.(Busitema University, 2026) Mbwaali, JudithThe increasing accumulation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) wastes such as water sachets and grocery bags presents environmental challenges while also representing a potential source of recoverable hydrocarbon energy. This study investigated the bench-scale pyrolysis of LDPE wastes from white water sachets and black grocery bags for pyrolytic oil production. The study examined the effects of temperature at 175, 200, 225 and 250°C, compared the two feedstock sources at the optimum temperature, and characterized the resulting oils based on density, viscosity, apparent pH and calorific value. A laboratory experimental design was used. Equal portions (20 g) of each LDPE feedstock were subjected to controlled thermal treatment and the condensed liquid products were collected. The 250°C results reported from the experiment were 7.64 g of oil from black grocery-bag LDPE and 4.52 g from white water-sachet LDPE, corresponding to oil yields of 38.2% and 22.6%, respectively. The results showed increasing oil yield with increasing temperature, with 250°C giving the highest liquid recovery in the investigated range. At 250°C, the black grocery-bag feedstock produced 69.03% more oil by mass than the white water-sachet feedstock. Illustrative physicochemical values at the optimum temperature were 0.79 and 0.81 g/mL density, 2.10 and 2.40 mm²/s viscosity, apparent pH values of 6.70 and 6.40, and calorific values of 40.30 and 39.70 MJ/kg for black and white LDPE oils, respectively. The study demonstrated the potential of LDPE waste valorization through pyrolysis.Item TLC-bioautography guided identification and assessment of antibacterial compounds from plectranthus cyaneus.(Busitema University, 2026) Kyakulaga, SiragiThe increasing resistance of many pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics has created urgent need to search for alternative antibacterial agents from natural sources. This study investigated the antibacterial active components of Plectranthus cyaneus leaves using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) Bio autography-guided identification Fresh leaves of Plectranthus cyaneus were collected from busitema university garden campus, allowed to dry under shade, powdered and extracted with ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate using maceration extraction. The crude extracts were separated by TLC using hexane: ethyl acetate solvent system in a ratio of (7:3) respectively. The developed chromatograms were subjected direct TLC bioautography against Escherichia coli cultured on MacConkey agar and Staphylococcus aureus cultured on nutrient agar, followed by visualization using resazurin dye. The TLC analysis showed distinct phytochemical compounds with different Rf values ranging from 0.26 to 0.71 in ethyl acetate, from 0.21 to 0.50 in hexane, and from 0.19 to 0.69 in ethanol. Ethanol produced good separation chromatographic resolution, indicating improved separation of phytochemicals. After spraying with resazurin dye, colourless zones were observed against the pink background, indicating antibacterial activity. The inhibition zone detected suggest presence of multiple antibacterial components in the ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate. The findings demonstrate that Plectranthus cyaneus contains active compounds with antibacterial activity and support its traditional medicinal use in the treatment of bacterial infections. The study later confirmed that TLC-bioautography is a rapid, simple and cost-effective method for identifying antibacterial compounds from medicinal plants prior to the advanced purification and characterization. GC-MS analysis of the bioactive fractions revealed the presence of different phytochemical constituents, including the alcohols, phenolic derivatives, long chain hydrocarbons, fatty acid methyl esters. The major compounds identified included Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, methyl stearate, 6-octsdecanoic acid methyl ester, n-nonadecanol-1, and among these hexadecanoic acids methyl ester and methyl stearate were predominant constituents, showing that fatty acid derivatives have a significant proportion of the bioactive extract and contribute to the antibacterial activity observed during TLC bioautography.Item Integrated untargeted metabolomics, network pharmacology and molecular docking of per sea americana seed metabolites for potential anti-breast cancer activity.(Busitema University, 2026) Nadunga, AliceIntroduction: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide despite advances in conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. These treatments are often associated with adverse side effects, drug resistance, and high costs, particularly in low-resource settings. Natural products have emerged as promising alternatives due to their accessibility, lower toxicity, and diverse bioactive compounds. Persea americana (avocado) seeds contain phytochemicals with reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties; however, the specific bioactive metabolites responsible for its anti-breast cancer effects and their molecular mechanisms of action remain insufficiently understood. Objective: This study aimed to profile phytochemicals present in Persea americana seed extract and establish their potential anticancer mechanisms against breast cancer using metabolomic, network pharmacology, and in silico approaches. Methodology: Fresh Persea americana seeds were collected, authenticated, dried, pulverized, and extracted using 80% methanol. Phytochemical profiling was performed using UHPLCQ-TOF-MS/MS analysis coupled with GNPS molecular networking for metabolite annotation and compound identification. Identified phytochemicals were subjected to target prediction using SwissTargetPrediction and SwissADME databases, while breast cancer-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET databases. Compound–target and protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape and STRING databases, respectively. Finally, Molecular docking studies using AutoDock Vina were conducted to evaluate ligand–protein binding interactions. Results: Untargeted metabolomic profiling revealed 205 phytochemicals belonging to major chemical classes including phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids and glycosides. Network pharmacology analysis identified 38 intersecting targets associated with breast cancer and identified ERBB2, EGFR, PIK3CA, PTPN11 and CTNNB1 as hub genes from Cytoscape involved in tumour proliferation, apoptosis. Functional analysis demonstrated that these targets were significantly involved in cancer-related biological processes and signalling pathways including P13K-Akt and EGFR as the most important KEGG pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that several identified metabolites exhibited strong binding affinities toward key therapeutic targets, suggesting potential anticancer activity. Conclusion: This study provides a systematic framework for identifying bioactive phytochemicals from Persea americana seeds and elucidating their multi-target anticancer mechanisms against breast cancer. The integration of metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking may contribute to the discovery of novel plant-based therapeutic candidates and advance the development of effective, low-toxicity alternatives for breast cancer treatment.Item Influence of soil physico-chemical properties on the mobility and retention of fertilizers in soils of Buwali sub-county, Bududa district.(Busitema University, 2026) Majeme, JuliusEfficient fertilizer use in smallholder agriculture requires a clear understanding of how soil physico-chemical properties govern nutrient mobility and retention. This study assessed soil pH and organic matter (OM) content from three sites in Buwali Sub-county, Bududa District, Uganda (Buwashi, Bunabumali, and Bukobero), and evaluated their influence on the horizontal and vertical mobility of nitrate (from CAN fertilizer) and phosphate (from NPK fertilizer) using controlled laboratory column and trough experiments. All three soils were slightly acidic (pH 6.12–6.65). Organic matter varied markedly: Buwashi 8.00% > Bunabumali 6.60% > Bukobero 4.60%. Nitrate was determined by the UV spectrophotometric method (corrected absorbance Acorr = A₂₂₀ − 2A₂₇₅) using a linear calibration curve with regression equation Acorr = 0.0467 × C − 0.0007 (R² = 0.9999), which provided excellent linearity across the full 0–25 mg/L range. Phosphate was determined by the Molybdenum Blue method at 880 nm (R² = 0.9948). Nitrate mobility was strongly controlled by OM content. Buwashi soils retained 85.8% of nitrate within 6 cm horizontally and 88.5% within 15 cm vertically, indicating excellent nitrogen retention. Bunabumali soils showed very poor retention (15.5% horizontal; 24.0% vertical), representing a significant nitrate leaching risk. Bukobero showed moderate to good attenuation (20.3% horizontal; 55.1% vertical). Phosphate was strongly immobile in all three soils (75–80% attenuation within 6 cm and 15 cm), controlled by mineral fixation chemistry rather than OM content. The study concludes that organic matter is the primary driver of site-specific nitrogen retention differences, while phosphate immobility is universal across all sites. Split CAN applications are strongly recommended for Bunabumali and Bukobero soils; NPK fertilizer should be band-incorporated at root depth at all siteItem Assessment and mitigation of water hardness in borehole and shallow well sources in Kaderuna sub-county, Budaka district, and efficiency of locally available materials for removal of calcium and magnesium ions.(Busitema University, 2026) Dimaye, BezereliGroundwater from boreholes and shallow wells is the principal source of domestic water for the majority of households in Kaderuna Sub-County, Budaka District, Eastern Uganda, yet its hardness status had never been scientifically documented despite persistent community complaints of excessive soap consumption, scale formation, and skin irritation. This study assessed the total, calcium, and magnesium hardness of five groundwater sources (three boreholes and two shallow wells) and evaluated the efficiency of three locally available materials — banana peel ash (BPA), rice husk ash (RHA), and wood charcoal (WC) — for removing calcium and magnesium ions. Hardness was determined in triplicate by EDTA complexometric titration (APHA Method 2340 C). A pooled water sample representing all five sources was then subjected to batch adsorption experiments in a 3 × 4 × 4 factorial design (three materials, four dosages of 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/L, and four contact times of 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes), and removal efficiency was calculated from pre- and post-treatment hardness values. Baseline total hardness ranged from 196.3 mg/L at BH-3 to 341.5 mg/L at SW-1 as CaCO3, with all five sources classified as "hard" to "very hard" under WHO guidelines, although none exceeded the UNBS maximum acceptable limit of 500 mg/L. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in hardness among the sources (p < 0.001). In the batch experiments, removal efficiency increased with both dosage and contact time for all three materials. Banana peel ash was the most effective, removing 79.8% of total hardness at 10 g/L after 60 minutes (rising only marginally to 82.3% at 120 minutes), compared with 61.4% for rice husk ash and 46.3% for wood charcoal under the same conditions. These findings confirm that groundwater in Kaderuna Sub-County is generally hard to very hard and that banana peel ash, an abundant agricultural waste material, offers the most practical and effective option for household-level water softening in this setting. The study recommends community sensitization on the preparation and safe use of banana peel ash for water treatment, continuous hardness monitoring of the sampled sources, and further research on the regeneration and long-term performance of the material under field conditions.Item Assessment of physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation.(Busitema University, 2026) Kayuyu, AshirafAccess to safe drinking water remains a major challenge in many rural and urban areas of Uganda. The study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation in Nagongera Town Council, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from one randomly selected borehole at six different times of the day i.e. (04:00, 05:00, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00 AM) for three consecutive days. The parameters analysed were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and iron concentration. Iron concentration was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 490 nm after complexation with potassium thiocyanate. The results showed that pH values ranged from 6.8 -7.1, temperature from 21.9 °C - 24.2 °C, and electrical conductivity from 392.4 µS/cm - 436.8 µS/cm. These parameters were within the reference limits used in the study for drinking water. However, iron concentration varied significantly with time of water collection and the rate of pumping. The highest concentration was 3.350 mg/L, recorded at 04:00 am which was far above the WHO guideline value of 0.3 mg/L. Iron levels decreased progressively with continued pumping, reaching 0.180 mg/L by 09:00 am. This pattern is attributed to the accumulation of dissolved ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) under anaerobic stagnant conditions overnight, followed by flushing of stagnant water and oxidation of Fe²⁺ to insoluble ferric iron (Fe³⁺) upon exposure to oxygen during daytime pumping. The study concludes that the borehole water was generally acceptable with respect to pH, temperature and electrical conductivity, however, early morning water contained elevated iron concentrations that may cause aesthetic problems such as metallic taste, colour and staining. It is recommended that residents allow the water to run for several minutes each morning before collection for drinking and cooking purposes, and that low-cost iron removal methods such as aeration followed by filtration be promoted. Access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge in many rural and urban areas of Uganda. The study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation in Nagongera Town Council, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from one randomly selected borehole at six different times of the day i.e. (04:00, 05:00, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00 AM) for three consecutive days. The parameters analysed were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and iron concentration. Iron concentration was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 490 nm after complexation with potassium thiocyanate. The results showed that pH values ranged from 6.8 -7.1, temperature from 21.9 °C - 24.2 °C, and electrical conductivity from 392.4 µS/cm - 436.8 µS/cm. These parameters were within the reference limits used in the study for drinking water. However, iron concentration varied significantly with time of water collection and the rate of pumping. The highest concentration was 3.350 mg/L, recorded at 04:00 am which was far above the WHO guideline value of 0.3 mg/L. Iron levels decreased progressively with continued pumping, reaching 0.180 mg/L by 09:00 am. This pattern is attributed to the accumulation of dissolved ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) under anaerobic stagnant conditions overnight, followed by flushing of stagnant water and oxidation of Fe²⁺ to insoluble ferric iron (Fe³⁺) upon exposure to oxygen during daytime pumping. The study concludes that the borehole water was generally acceptable with respect to pH, temperature and electrical conductivity, however, early morning water contained elevated iron concentrations that may cause aesthetic problems such as metallic taste, colour and staining. It is recommended that residents allow the water to run for several minutes each morning before collection for drinking and cooking purposes, and that low-cost iron removal methods such as aeration followed by filtration be promoted.Item Assessing the impact of rice growing on water quality : a case study of Nakwiga wetland of Busolwe town council in Butaleja district.(Busitema University, 2026) Nawedde, Bruno MweruThis study assessed the impact of rice growing on the water quality of Nakwiga wetland in Busolwe Town Council, Butaleja District. Water samples were collected from upstream, rice-growing, and downstream areas and analyzed for temperature, turbidity, pH, nitrates, and phosphates. Results showed that temperature, turbidity, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations were highest in rice-growing areas, while pH was slightly lower. The elevated nutrients were attributed to fertilizer application and soil erosion. The study concluded that rice cultivation significantly affected water quality in the wetland. It was recommended that farmers adopt minimum tillage, maintain buffer strips, and manage water to reduce pollution.Item Assessing the quality of domestic water consumed in Bugiri municipality, Bugiri district, eastern Uganda.(Busitema University, 2026) Omaira, RonaldThis study assessed the quality of domestic water consumed in Bugiri Municipality, Bugiri District, Eastern Uganda, with particular emphasis on physicochemical parameters and fluoride contamination. Water samples were collected from ten strategic sampling points, comprising six boreholes and four tap water sources, during the dry season to ensure consistency in sampling conditions. The samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, and fluoride ion concentration using standard analytical methods including conductometry, EDTA titrimetry, and fluoride ion-selective electrode potentiometry. The results revealed that most physicochemical parameters were within the World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) drinking water quality guidelines. pH values ranged from 6.42 to 7.43 for boreholes and 6.89 to 6.93 for tap water, with the NDIFAKULYA borehole (pH 6.42) falling slightly below the recommended minimum of 6.5. Electrical conductivity ranged from 167.5 to 491.3 μS/cm for boreholes and 423.3 to 423.4 μS/cm for tap water, all well below the WHO guideline of 1000 μS/cm. Total dissolved solids ranged from 84.03 to 246.2 mg/L for boreholes and 211.4 to 211.6 mg/L for tap water, all within acceptable limits. Total hardness values ranged from 12 to 58 mg/L for boreholes and 50 to 60 mg/L for tap water, classifying all samples as soft water (<75 mg/L as CaCO₃). However, the most significant finding was the elevated fluoride concentrations in borehole water, which ranged from 0.61 to 2.22 mg/L. The NDIFAKULYA borehole recorded the highest fluoride concentration (2.22 mg/L), followed by NKUSI B (1.60 mg/L), both exceeding the WHO and UNBS permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. Tap water fluoride concentrations ranged from 1.40 to 1.45 mg/L, remaining within the acceptable guideline. The elevated fluoride levels are attributed to the geological composition of the region, particularly the Precambrian basement rocks containing fluoride-bearing minerals such as fluorite (CaF₂) and apatite. Most physicochemical parameters indicate acceptable water quality, fluoride contamination in specific boreholes poses a significant health risk to consumers, particularly the risk of dental fluorosis in children and skeletal fluorosis with prolonged exposure. The study recommends regular water quality monitoring, community sensitization on fluoride-related health risks, implementation of defluoridation technologies such as bone char filters or activated alumina filters, and exploration of alternative safe water sources for affected communities. These findings provide baseline data for local authorities to implement targeted interventions in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Keywords: Water quality, fluoride contamination, physicochemical parameters, boreholes, Bugiri Municipality, drinking water standards, Fluorosis, conductivityItem Assessment of physiochemical properties of water and variation of concentration of Nitrate ions in river Namatala at selected sites located in Mbale city eastern Uganda.(Busitema University, 2026) Magombe, TonnyThis study assessed the physiochemical properties and nitrate ion levels in River Namatala, Mbale City, and Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from three selected sites: upstream, midstream, and downstream. Parameters measured included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, total hardness (TH), dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate concentration (NO₃⁻). Standard analytical methods were used, including the Winkler method for DO, EDTA titration for hardness, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for nitrates. Results showed progressive deterioration in water quality from upstream to downstream. Turbidity increased from 230 NTU upstream to 930 NTU downstream, far exceeding WHO drinking water guidelines. Dissolved oxygen decreased from 10.4 mg/L upstream to 4.4 mg/L downstream, falling below the WHO ideal of 5 mg/L. Nitrate concentrations increased from 0.06 mg/L upstream to 0.188 mg/L downstream, though all values remained well below the WHO limit of 50 mg/L. TDS, EC, and total hardness also increased downstream but remained within acceptable limits. pH (7.1–8.4) and temperature (20.4–23.2°C) were within normal ranges. The study concludes that River Namatala is experiencing significant pollution from domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff, and urban activities, particularly affecting turbidity and dissolved oxygen. The water is unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. Regular monitoring, public awareness, and pollution control measures are urgently recommendedItem Assessment of physiochemical properties of water and variation of concentration of nitrate ions in river Namatala at selected sites located in Mbale city eastern Uganda.(Busitema University, 2026) Magombe, TonnyThis study assessed the physiochemical properties and nitrate ion levels in River Namatala, Mbale City, and Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from three selected sites: upstream, midstream, and downstream. Parameters measured included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, total hardness (TH), dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate concentration (NO₃⁻). Standard analytical methods were used, including the Winkler method for DO, EDTA titration for hardness, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for nitrates. Results showed progressive deterioration in water quality from upstream to downstream. Turbidity increased from 230 NTU upstream to 930 NTU downstream, far exceeding WHO drinking water guidelines. Dissolved oxygen decreased from 10.4 mg/L upstream to 4.4 mg/L downstream, falling below the WHO ideal of 5 mg/L. Nitrate concentrations increased from 0.06 mg/L upstream to 0.188 mg/L downstream, though all values remained well below the WHO limit of 50 mg/L. TDS, EC, and total hardness also increased downstream but remained within acceptable limits. pH (7.1–8.4) and temperature (20.4–23.2°C) were within normal ranges. The study concludes that River Namatala is experiencing significant pollution from domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff, and urban activities, particularly affecting turbidity and dissolved oxygen. The water is unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. Regular monitoring, public awareness, and pollution control measures are urgently recommendedItem Adsorption and kinetics of profenofos from waste water using activated carbon from sugercane bagasse.(Busitema University, 2026) Apolot, MaureenProfenofos, an organ phosphorus pesticide, is widely used in agriculture, leading to its frequent detection in wastewater streams. Its presence poses significant environmental and health risks due to its high toxicity and persistence. Conventional wastewater treatment methods often fall short in effectively removing such recalcitrant organic pollutants, necessitating the development of sustainable and efficient alternatives. This study addresses the critical need for an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to Profenofos removal by investigating the potential of activated carbon derived from sugarcane bagasse, an abundant agricultural waste product, as an adsorbent. The primary objective of this research was to synthesize and characterize activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse and evaluate its efficacy in adsorbing Profenofos from aqueous solutions. Specific aims included optimizing the activation process, determining the adsorption kinetics and isotherms, and assessing the influence of various operational parameters such as pH, contact time, and initial Profenofos concentration on the adsorption efficiency. The study employed a batch adsorption technique, utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for adsorbent characterization, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for Profenofos concentration analysis. Key findings revealed that the sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon exhibited a high adsorption capacity for Profenofos, with optimal removal observed at a neutral pH and extended contact times. Adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism, while the Langmuir isotherm model provided the best fit for the equilibrium data, indicating monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be significantly high, demonstrating the adsorbent's strong affinity for Profenofos. This study successfully demonstrated that activated carbon produced from sugarcane bagasse is a promising, sustainable, and economically viable adsorbent for the effective removal of Profenofos from contaminated waste waterItem Antimalarial mechanism of action of compounds from zanthoxylum species : an in-silico study.(Busitema University, 2026) Mugwabi, MusaMalaria remains a critical global health crisis exacerbated by emerging drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. This study investigated the multi-target antimalarial mechanisms of phytochemicals derived from the genus Zanthoxylum using an integrated computational framework. A comprehensive database of 251 Zanthoxylum-derived compounds was constructed and subjected to Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) screening via SwissADME. Out of these, the majority of the small alkaloids exhibited favorable drug-likeness parameters with zero Lipinski rule violations. Ligand-based target prediction using SwissTargetPrediction identified 1,047 potential compound targets which were intersected with 108 malaria-associated disease genes from GeneCards, DisGeNET and OMIM yielding 22 high-confidence overlapping targets. Network topology analysis in Cytoscape revealed central immune-modulatory and pathogenesis hubs notably Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF, degree = 18), Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4, degree = 15) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM1, degree = 14). Molecular docking executed via AutoDock Vina within the PyRx interface validated strong binding interactions against prioritized targets. Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1, PDB: 5ETW) demonstrated exceptional binding affinities with lead compound cpd_53 at –10.7 kcal/mol and cpd_3 at –10.5 kcal/mol, stabilized by continuous pi-pi stacking interactions with the core heme cofactor. ICAM1 (PDB: 1P53) displayed moderate binding, led by cpd_3 at –7.8 kcal/mol. These findings elucidate a multi-target mechanism spanning direct antiparasitic action, host immune modulation and infection blocking positioning Zanthoxylum alkaloids as excellent putative lead scaffolds for downstream in vitro validation.Item Adsorption of methyl red from waste water using banana peel powder as an adsorbent.(Busitema University, 2026) Kwemboi, Isaac KitiyoMethyl red is a synthetic dye that can contaminate wastewater from industrial activities and poses potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study investigated the potential of banana peel powder as a low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of methyl red from aqueous solution. Banana peels were washed, dried at 80 °C, ground and sieved to obtain fine powder. The adsorbent was subsequently subjected to chemical treatment using phosphoric acid. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage on methyl red removal. The concentration of methyl red before and after adsorption was determined using UV-Visible spectrophotometry at a maximum wavelength of 520 nm. Adsorption kinetics were evaluated using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, while equilibrium behaviour was assessed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results showed that methyl red removal increased with increasing contact time, reaching equilibrium at approximately 100 minutes, with a maximum removal of 63%. Increasing the adsorbent dosage from 0.10 to 0.60 g increased the percentage removal from 29.0% to 92.4%, although the adsorption capacity per unit mass decreased as the dosage increased. The optimum pH for adsorption was reported as approximately pH 3. The calibration curve showed a strong linear relationship between methyl red concentration and absorbance, with an R² value of 0.9997. The adsorption data were reported to fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model better than the pseudo-first-order model, suggesting that surface interactions played an important role in the adsorption process. The findings demonstrate that banana peel powder has considerable potential as an inexpensive and readily available adsorbent for methyl red removal from contaminated water.Item Adsorption of Methyl orange from waste water using maize cobs powder as an Adsorbent.(Busitema University, 2026-09-05) Chebet, BrightonMethyl orange is a synthetic azo dye commonly used in laboratory and industrial applications, and its discharge into water bodies can cause environmental concerns due to its persistence and potential effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the potential of maize cob powder as a low-cost and readily available adsorbent for the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solutions. Maize cobs were collected, cleaned, dried, ground and sieved to obtain fine powder, which was used in batch adsorption experiments. The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, pH, and reusability on methyl orange removal were investigated. The residual dye concentration was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 464 nm. Adsorption capacity and percentage removal were calculated from the initial and equilibrium dye concentrations. The results showed that methyl orange removal increased with increasing contact time, reaching 86.8% after 120 minutes. Increasing the adsorbent dosage from 0.1 to 0.6 g increased dye removal from 23.6% to 94.66%. However, percentage removal decreased as the initial dye concentration increased, from 92.9% at 10 mg/L to 32.0% at 100 mg/L. The adsorption process was strongly influenced by pH, with the highest removal efficiency of 87.2% observed at pH 2.0, while removal decreased to 24.4% at pH 12.0. Reusability experiments showed that the adsorbent maintained appreciable performance after four adsorption-desorption cycles, with removal efficiency decreasing from 94.5% in the first cycle to 75.8% in the fourth cycle. The study concludes that maize cob powder has considerable potential as a cheap, locally available and environmentally friendly adsorbent for removing methyl orange from contaminated water while promoting the beneficial utilization of agricultural waste.Item Evaluating the effect of Tea ingredients on the quality of tap water in Nagongera town council Tororo district(Busitema University, 2026-08) Hiire, HirallyThe quality of water used in tea preparation plays an important role in determining the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting beverage. Tea ingredients such as commercial black tea leaves, sugar, ginger, lemongrass, and peppermint release soluble compounds during infusion, which may alter the quality of drinking water. However, limited information exists on the effects of these commonly used tea ingredients on the physicochemical properties of locally available tap water in Uganda (Guidelines For, n.d.), (Zhayog, 2024). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of selected tea ingredients on the water quality of Nagongera Town Council tap water in Tororo District. An experimental research design was employed. Tap water samples collected from Nagongera Town Council were separately infused with commercial black tea leaves, sugar, ginger, lemongrass, and peppermint under standardized laboratory conditions. The physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, and total hardness using standard analytical procedures recommended by the World Health Organization (Guidelines For, n.d.) and the American Public Health Association. The findings indicate that all the selected tea ingredients influence one or more physicochemical properties of the tap water. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and total hardness generally increased after infusion, while PH remained within the neutral to slightly alkaline range for most samples. Tea leaves and ginger produced the greatest changes in the measured parameters due to their higher release of dissolved minerals and organic compounds. These findings are consistent with previous studies on tea infusion and water composition. The study concludes that tea ingredients significantly affect the physicochemical water quality of Nagongera tap water, with the extent of change depending on the type of ingredient used. It recommends the use of good-quality water, proper filtration where necessary, and moderate use of tea ingredients to maintain beverage quality. Further studies should investigate the microbiological quality and heavy metal content of tea infusions prepared using different water sources(Guidelines For, n.d.)Item Assessment of phospholipid content of locally produced chicken eggs for phospholipid composition in Tororo District(Busitema University, 2026-08-19) Karim, SsebutindeThis study investigated the extraction, characterization, and oxidative stability of phospholipids obtained from local and exotic chicken eggs collected from Tororo District. Lecithin was extracted from (30 g) of egg yolk using the Folch extraction method. Phospholipid classes were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with ninhydrin and iodine vapor visualization, and oxidative stability was assessed spectrophotometrically at (570 nm) over 7 days. Functional groups present in the extracted phospholipids were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT/IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that local eggs produced (10.094 g) of crude lecithin from 30 g of yolk, whereas exotic eggs produced (7.760 g), indicating a higher lecithin yield in local eggs. TLC analysis confirmed the presence of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine in both egg types. However, local egg lecithin consistently exhibited higher Rf values, suggesting the presence of more hydrophobic and possibly more saturated fatty acid chains. Oxidation studies revealed that local egg lecithin had lower absorbance values over 7 days, increasing from 0.712 on day 0 to 1.819 on day 7, compared to exotic egg lecithin, which increased from 0.973 to 2.335. These findings indicated that local egg phospholipids were more resistant to oxidation. FTIR analysis further confirmed the presence of characteristic phospholipid functional groups, including O-H, C-H, C=O, P=O, and P-O-C stretches in both samples. The sharper carbonyl absorption band observed in local egg lecithin suggested a greater degree of fatty acid saturation. Overall, the study demonstrated that local chicken eggs contain more stable phospholipids and may therefore provide advantages in nutritional and industrial applications.Item Assessment of phospholipid content of locally produced chicken eggs for phospholipid composition in Tororo District.(Busitema University, 2026-08-19) Ssebutinde, KarimThis study investigated the extraction, characterization, and oxidative stability of phospholipids obtained from local and exotic chicken eggs collected from Tororo District. Lecithin was extracted from (30 g) of egg yolk using the Folch extraction method. Phospholipid classes were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with ninhydrin and iodine vapor visualization, and oxidative stability was assessed spectrophotometrically at (570 nm) over 7 days. Functional groups present in the extracted phospholipids were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT/IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that local eggs produced (10.094 g) of crude lecithin from 30 g of yolk, whereas exotic eggs produced (7.760 g), indicating a higher lecithin yield in local eggs. TLC analysis confirmed the presence of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine in both egg types. However, local egg lecithin consistently exhibited higher Rf values, suggesting the presence of more hydrophobic and possibly more saturated fatty acid chains. Oxidation studies revealed that local egg lecithin had lower absorbance values over 7 days, increasing from 0.712 on day 0 to 1.819 on day 7, compared to exotic egg lecithin, which increased from 0.973 to 2.335. These findings indicated that local egg phospholipids were more resistant to oxidation. FTIR analysis further confirmed the presence of characteristic phospholipid functional groups, including O-H, C-H, C=O, P=O, and P-O-C stretches in both samples. The sharper carbonyl absorption band observed in local egg lecithin suggested a greater degree of fatty acid saturation. Overall, the study demonstrated that local chicken eggs contain more stable phospholipids and may therefore provide advantages in nutritional and industrial applications.Item Adsorption and kinetics of chlorpyrifos from wastewater using activated carbon from orange peels.(Busitema University, 2026) Adiyo, NancyWidespread agricultural use of Chlorpyrifos leads to severe surface runoff and aquatic contamination. Traditional wastewater treatments fail to eliminate this persistent, lipophilic pollutant, posing human health risks like neurotoxicity. Commercial activated carbon effectively captures such organic pollutants but remains prohibitively expensive. Utilizing abundant agricultural waste like orange peels offers a dual solution for cost-effective environmental remediation and sustainable waste management. The study aimed to synthesize and characterize orange peel-derived activated carbon (OPAC), evaluate optimal operating parameters (pH, dosage, contact time), and examine adsorption kinetics and isotherms. Prepared orange peels were chemically activated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) at a 1:2 w/w ratio and carbonized. Characterization included Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and iodine number determination. Batch experiments were monitored using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at a maximum wavelength of 290 nm to trace Chlorpyrifos concentrations. Characterization confirmed a highly active material with a prominent iodine number of 435.0. pH optimization revealed that Chlorpyrifos removal is significantly higher in acidic media, peaking at an 87.5% removal efficiency at pH 3.0 and decreasing sharply past the point of zero charge (pHzpc=7.0). Kinetic data aligned closely with the pseudo-second-order model (R2=0.9954), showing a calculated equilibrium capacity (qe) of 7.07 mg/g and establishing that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step. Equilibrium profiling demonstrated an excellent fit with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9944), yielding a maximum monolayer capacity (Qm) of 10.57 mg/g and a favorable dimensionless separation factor (RL) of 0.3339. Conversely, the Freundlich model was unfavorable (n = 1.8202). In conclusion, orange peel-derived activated carbon serves as a highly efficient, ecologically sustainable, and low-cost bio-adsorbent for remediating pesticide-polluted water systems.Item Synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles and their application in the epoxidation of ethylene.(Busitema University, 2026) Idwongot, MosesSilver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) have emerged as promising catalysts for the selective epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, an industrially significant chemical intermediate. This study focuses on synthesis, characterization, and catalytic evaluation of silver oxide nanoparticles for ethylene epoxidation. The nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation of silver nitrate salt as a precursor salt, sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent, and PVP as a stabilizing and capping agent. Synthesis parameters, including temperature (83±2 0C), pH (8.10±0.05), and reaction time (120 minutes), were optimized to achieve well-defined nanoparticles. These were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy), and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) coupled with EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the surface plasmon resonance at 421 nm, confirming the nanoparticle formation. FTIR spectroscopy showed a strong Ag-O vibrational peak at 450 cm-1, verifying silver oxide formation alongside C=O and CN stretch indicative of successful PVP capping. SEM analysis revealed agglomerated silver oxide nanoparticles with irregular morphology, with the size ranging from 50-200 nm, while EDX confirmed a silver composition of 79.5% and oxygen composition of 9.9%.Item Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of tylosema esculentum leaf extracts against common skin pathogens(Busitema University, 2026) Kanwagi, CharlesSkin infections present a significant public health challenge in East Africa and Africa at large. This issue is worsened by rising antimicrobial resistance among common cutaneous pathogens. Tylosema esculentum known as marama bean is a resilient perennial legume that is currently valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties while the chemical profile some of its parts such as leaves remains unexplored. The therapeutic effectiveness of plant-based preparations is fundamentally dependent on the concentration and diversity of secondary metabolites such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids among others which serve as the primary bioactive agents against pathogenic organisms. The main objective of this research was to determine the qualitative secondary metabolite composition and quantitative concentrations of the selected phytochemicals within the leaf tissue matrix of Tylosema esculentum. The leaves of Tylosema esculentum were subjected to ultrasonic-assisted extraction using pure acetone as the extraction solvent at a temperature of 45°C, the crude extract was qualitatively analyzed for the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, quinones, anthraquinones and phlobatannins. The extraction process yielded 3.492 g of crude extract from an initial sample size of 40g of leaf powder giving a total percentage extraction yield of 8.73% which demonstrated a viable extraction efficiency. The qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins, steroids, glycosides, and quinones, while terpenoids, anthraquinones and phlobatannins were absent. Quantification demonstrated that tannins were the most abundant phytochemicals at a concentration of 629.6 mg/g, followed by alkaloids at 112.2 mg/g, flavonoids at 24.9 mg/g and steroids at 24.8 mg/g. Antimicrobial assays against skin pathogens were not carried out because the required microbiology laboratory chemicals, microbial cultures and biosafety equipment were not readily available. The findings of the study suggest that Tylosema esculentum leaves may be a potential source of antimicrobial agents due to the exceptionally high presence of bioactive alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and steroids and also provide basis for further antimicrobial investigations