Browsing by Author "Mariki, Eliapenda Elisante"

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Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and its suitability for drinking and irrigation uses in makutupora sub-basin, Tanzania
(AIP Publishing, 2023-01-10) Mjemah, Ibrahimu Chikira; Mariki, Eliapenda Elisante
The focus of this study was to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation uses in Dodoma Municipality. Hydrochemical investigations was conducted in Dodoma urban where twenty water samples were collected from boreholes/wells to monitor physico-chemical quality. Groundwater samples were measured for pH, Chloride, Nitrate, Electric Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids and Temperature in situ while major ions (Na + , Ca 2+ , K + , Mg 2+ , NO 3- , Cl - , SO4 2- and HCO 3- ) were analyzed in the laboratory. It was found that the physico-chemical properties of the groundwater varies from fresh to brackish and it is slightly acidic to alkaline. The Na + and Mg 2+ were dominant cations while Cl − and HCO 3− were dominant anions. Furthermore, the results show that for most groundwater quality parameters in Dodoma Municipality are suitable for drinking and irrigation uses. As for Chloride, the average concentration of about 1568.21mg/l seems to be unpalatable for drinking. However, for the Chloride which was found at a range of 710-960mg/l in few boreholes can be used for grapes irrigation, the main crop in the area, and 180-600 mg/l that was found in only one borehole is suitable for stone fruits irrigation. The Nitrate concentration complies with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for drinking purposes since its concentration was below 50 mg/l. Several groundwater management strategies and recommendations were proposed to control the quality of the groundwater and to get rid of groundwater problems. Furthermore, the study recommends frequent groundwater quality monitoring and integration of groundwater into the water resources management for the benefit of all of Dodoma Municipal people
Thin layer chromatographic method for detection of conventional drug adulterants in herbal products
(MDPI, 2022) Mwankuna, Christopher Johnson; Mariki, Eliapenda Elisante; Mabiki, Faith Philemon; Malebo, Hamisi Masanja; Styrishave, Bjarne; Mdegela, Robinson Hammerton
Commercially available conventional drugs have been used to adulterate herbal products. Considering the rapid growth of herbal products’ market, it is essential to screen herbal products for the presence of conventional drugs. Simple analytical methods are needed for the rapid screening of conventional drugs that are likely to be adulterated in herbal products. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods for screening twelve conventional drugs in herbal products have been developed and applied. The analytes were extracted from herbal products using acetonitrile:methanol:acetic acid:water (4:4:1:1, v/v). Solvent mixture of dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (75:15:10, v/v) separated well trimethoprim, sildenafil, paracetamol, and sulfamethoxazole while pyrimethamine, metronidazole, and sulfadoxine were well separated by dichloromethane:ethyl acetate:methanol (77.5:12.5:10, v/v). In addition, acetyl salicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, quinine, and lumefantrine were well separated by ethyl acetate:methanol:30% ammonia (75:22.5:2.5, v/v). Chromatographic separations were found to be highly reproducible, and more than 10 samples can be analysed in one run. The method was applied in the screening of 229 herbal products. Consequently, 24.0% of the samples contained one adulterant, while 21.4% contained at least two adulterants. All conventional drugs detected in herbal products were not mentioned on the labels and therefore the consumers are kept unaware of their side effects and health problems. Further studies for confirming and quantitatively determining the adulterants in a wide range of products as well as a systematic toxicological analysis of the adulterants in herbal products are recommended.