#physicochemical

In order to understand the potential impact of abiotic factors on the dynamics of bacterial abundance and diversity of the groundwater fauna in Cameroon, a study was carried out in 10 wells in the town of Mbalmayo. In each well, twelve samples were taken at monthly intervals. Analyses were carried out according to standard protocols. The results of the abiotic parameters show significant seasonal variations from one station to another. The principal component analysis (PCA) based on the mean values of the physicochemical and microbiological parameters groups the stations studied into 3 categories according to the chemical facies of the water. The first category includes wells with water of good physicochemical and microbiological quality, characterized in particular by low mineralization, low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus ions indicative of pollution, and concentrations of coliforms and streptococci below the WHO acceptable value for drinking water. From a faunistic point of view, the species richness is relatively high and is dominated by arthropods. It remains generally poorly correlated with water quality, but the species richness of the stygobite fauna, and even more so the abundance of stygobite species, decreases when water quality deteriorates. The Stygobite fauna, here the peracarid crustaceans, appear to be good indicators of groundwater quality.

The study aimed to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of soil along the Gibong Riverbanks in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. The study found no significant differences in soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil salinity, total dissolved solids, soil temperature, moisture, or organic matter values between the three sampling sites. The concentrations of seven heavy metals, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, and cadmium in the soil samples from the Gibong riverbank do not reflect any environmental threats or concerns. However, the significant traces of chromium and borderline levels of cobalt in all three stations pose an alarming threat worthy of further investigation and intervention. Copper concentrations in the soil samples from the three statins revealed significant differences, while chromium concentrations were higher than the standard or permissible value. Lead concentrations were also significantly higher than the standard or permissible value, but the values were lower than the standard or permissible value. Cobalt concentrations were at a borderline level of reaching the standard or permissible level (50ppm) in agricultural soils, and further investigation is needed for appropriate environmental interventions. Manganese concentrations were also found to be equivalent, while nickel concentrations were below the standard or permissible value. Cadmium concentrations were also significant, but lower than the standard or permissible value. The findings can be used to establish data on the presence and contamination of heavy metals in the soils of the Gibong riverbank in Agusan del Sur, Philippines, providing data on the status of physicochemical parameters present in the soils. The data presented in the study can be used as a baseline for environmental protection programs and policies.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., also known as licorice, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is one of the most commercially valuable plants worldwide, being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, both for its therapeutic benefits as well as for the sweetening properties of the extract. The aim of the study is to analyse the physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics of Glycyrrhiza glabra in aqueous and ethanolic extracts and determine the ash value and extractive value of the drug. Using soxhlet equipment the extract was prepared from powdered Glycyrrhiza glabra drugs for 20 hours using water and ethanol as solvents. The analysis of phytochemical screening of Glycyrrhiza glabra includes tests for carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. The percentage yield of ethanol extract is found to be 9.73%. The physicochemical parameters of the aqueous solution and ethanol were analysed and are found to be in limits. The ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides and phytosterol. The amounts of total flavonoids, total phenol and ascorbic acid were found to be 185.14 mg, 481.47 mg per 1 gm, and 33.81 μg/ml of aqueous extract and 218.92 mg, 507.62 mg per 1 gm, and 42.38 μg/ml of the ethanol extract, respectively. It was found that the phytochemical constituents are very much enriched in the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract and can be used for development of new formulations.

A study was conducted to (a) determine the phytochemical constituents found in Kamias ethanolic extract that give its bacteriostatic property, and to (b) determine the degree of bacteriostatic property of the Kamias ethanolic extract in different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) based on the zone of inhibition. The results of the study showed that the constituents which gave the bacteriostatic property of Kamias are flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. Among the different concentrations that were tested, the concentration that contained 100% Kamias ethanolic extract exhibited the highest zone of inhibition. The 100% concentration of the Kamias ethanolic extract with a mean zone of inhibition of 11.4mm was revealed to be the most effective inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus as compared to the other concentrations. No zone of inhibition was exhibited on the different concentrations against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a mean zone of inhibition of 6mm. Kamias ethanolic extract, as an organic component for hand sanitizer, has phytochemical constituents responsible for its bacteriostatic activity, and the highest concentration of Kamias ethanolic extract possessed a bacteriostatic property with the ideal concentration and potential in formulating the hand sanitizer as an organic ingredient.

The study primarily aimed to determine the body shape variation of Hypseleotris agilis using Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) in relation to their existing population in Lake Mainit, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The research used Procrustes ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) by means of Symmetry and Asymmetry in Geometric Data (SAGE) software to analyze the data. Finding reveals that Hypseleotris agilis’ individuals, sides, and individual x sides show high significant difference (P