Browsing by Author "Makungo, Rachel"

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Magnetic Nanoparticles: Advances in Synthesis, Sensing, and Theragnostic Applications
(MDPI, 2025-01-26) Adeeyo, Adeyemi; Alabi, Mercy; Oyetade, Joshua; Oladipo, Adewale; Makungo, Rachel; Nkambule, Thabo; Msagati, Titus
The synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via the chemical, biological, and physical routes has been reported on along with advantages and attendant limitations. This study focuses on the sensing and emerging theragnostic applications of this category of nanoparticles (NPs) in clinical sciences by unveiling the unique performance of these NPs in the biological sensing of bacteria and nucleotide sequencing. Also, in terms of medicine and clinical science, this review analyzes the emerging theragnostic applications of NPs in drug delivery, bone tissue engineering, deep brain stimulation, therapeutic hyperthermia, tumor detection, magnetic imaging and cell tracking, lymph node visualization, blood purification, and COVID-19 detection. This review presents succinct surface functionalization and unique surface coating techniques to confer less toxicity and biocompatibility during synthesis, which are often identified as limitations in medical applications. This study also indicates that these surface improvement techniques are useful for refining the selective activity of MNPs during their use as sensors and biomarkers. In addition, this study unveils attendant limitations, especially toxicological impacts on biomolecules, and suggests that future research should pay attention to the mitigation of the biotoxicity of MNPs. Thus, this study presents a proficient approach for the synthesis of high-performance MNPs fit for proficient medicine in the detection of microorganisms, better diagnosis, and treatment in medicine.
Performance of a Wild Sesame (Sesamum Spp) Phytochemical Extract for Water Disinfection
(Springer, 2025-01-14) Adeeyo, Adeyemi; Oyetade, Joshua; Msagati, Titus; Colile, Nkosi; Makungo, Rachel
The study sampled wild Sesame from open field in South Africa. The samples were pretreated while the extracts were screened for phytochemical compositions and applied for water purification using standard procedures. The physicochemical properties of sampled raw and purified water (pH, total dissolved solids, salinity turbidity and conductivity) were analyzed in situ before and after treatment in the lab, respectively. The plant’s phytochemical extract from the leaves and stem was prepared using selected solvents (methanol, cold water and warm water). The results revealed the presence of phytochemicals including tannins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinone, terpenoids, saponins, and phlobatannins in both the stem and leaf of the wild Sesame plant. The study shows effective percentage reduction of E. coli and total bacteria with extracts of leaf (98.5, 100.0 and 97.2%), (98.8, 100.0 and 95.0%) and stem (94.0, 95.4 and 99.0%), (99.4, 98.6 and 98.4%) using methanol, cold and warm water, respectively, at 5ml of the phytochemical extracts. This study explores the use of wild Sesame phytochemicals for disinfecting river and stream water samples, highlighting the potential for greener and sustainable water treatment. The physicochemical parameters of the treated water were within tolerable limits, especially salinity and the total dissolved solids. Thus, the extract is presented as a potential solution for water purification, aligning with SDG goals 6 (clean water), 9, and 12 (green innovations). It fills the knowledge and product gap in water treatment, causing minimal harm, consistent with the African Union's sustainable development agenda and the African Council on Water's goal for clean water. This innovation meets the criteria for technology readiness levels 2 and 3, making it ready for further development.
Recovery of precious metals from processed wastewater: conventional techniques nexus advanced and pragmatic alternatives
(IWA Publishing, 2023-06-01) Adeeyo, Adeyemi; Bello, Olugbenga; Agboola, Oluwatobi; Adeeyo, Rebecca; Oyetade, Joshua; Alabi, Mercy; Edokpayi, Joshua; Makungo, Rachel
The loss of highly sought-after metals such as gold, silver, and platinum during extraction processes not only constitutes a significant waste of valuable resources but also contributes to alarming environmental pollution. The ever-growing adverse impacts of these highly valued metals significantly increase the contamination of water bodies on discharge, while reducing the reusability potential of their corresponding processed wastewater. It is, therefore, of great interest to identify pragmatic solutions for the recovery of precious materials from processed water. In this review, pollution from targeted precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium was reviewed and analyzed. Also, the hazardous effects are elicited, and detection techniques are enumerated. An insightful approach to more recent treatment techniques was also discussed. The study reveals nano- and bio-sorption techniques as adoptable pragmatic alternatives, among other techniques, especially for industrial applications with merits of cost, time, waste management, and eco-friendliness. The results indicate that gold (46.2%), palladium (23.1%), platinum (19.2%), and silver (11.5%) are of utmost interest when considering recent recovery techniques. High yield and cost analysis reduction are reasons for the observed preference of this recovery process when considering groups of precious metals. The challenges and prospects of nanomaterials are highlighted.
Valorization of invasive sickle bush plant (Dichrostachys cinerea L.) and evaluation of its water treatment potentials
(Elsevier Inc., 2025-08-16) Adeeyo, Adeyemi; Makungo, Rachel; Mothapo, Eva; Oyetade, Joshua; Msagati, Titus
The study investigates the valorization of invasive plant (Dichrostachys cinerea L.), using its calcinated product (550 oC for 5 h) as a treatment and disinfection agent, especially for E. coli and total coliform count in water samples. The methods compare the use of the derived ash and potash alum in their pristine form and when combined using a dosage range of 0.01g-0.05 g at 0, 6 hrs and 24 hrs treatment time for 100 mL of respective water samples. The treatment with the volarized product resulted in a pH range of 8.03–9.07, which is in tandem with the limits set by the regulatory bodies for drinking water. The conductivity of the treated water increased with increased dosage and treatment time. The highest reported values were 564.00, 567.00, 569.00 µS/cm for the upper stream of Pond and 577.00, 585.00, 592.00 µS/cm for the lower stream of the Pond, although within the set limit for drinking water (1700 mS/cm). Salinity and Total dissolved solids (TDS) were in a similar manner at the respective sampling points. The blended product presents a greener alternative to synthetic alum and showed excellent antimicrobial potential, with a 100 % reduction efficiency, especially using a 0.03 and 0.05 g dosage for 24 hrs.