Browsing by Author "Borquaye, Lawrence Sheringham"

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    Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the crude peptide extracts of Galatea paradoxa and Patella rustica
    (SpringerPlus, 2015) Borquaye, Lawrence Sheringham; Darko, Godfred; Ocansey, Edward; Ankomah, Emmanuel; 0000-0001-7157-646X
    This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of crude peptide extracted from Galatea paradoxa (G.paradoxa) and Patella rustica (P. rustica). The extracts were tested against eight strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus feacalis, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one strain of fungi (Candida albicans) using agar well diffusion and broth dilution assays. The extracts from G. paradoxa demonstrated a high degree of activity against the bacteria strains but were inactive towards the fungus. P. rustica, however, showed a markedly higher antifungal activity but little antibacterial effect. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts determined by the broth tube dilution assay were 17 mg/mL of G. paradoxa against the entire spectrum of microorganisms tested except for C. albicans which was 20 mg/mL. The MIC of the extracts of P. rustica was 13 mg/mL against all the strains of microorganisms tested except for E. feacalis (17 mg/mL), K. pneumoniae (17 mg/mL) and C. albicans (13 mg/mL). Antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed scavenging ability on the DPPH radical was 56.77 % at 0.39 mg/ mL for G. paradoxa and 79.77 % at 0.39 mg/mL for P. rustica. The study indicates that the crude peptide extracts from the two molluscs have promising antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that can be harnessed as leads for potential bioactive compounds
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    Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf and Fruit Essential Oils of the West African Plum, Vitex doniana
    (Journal of Chemistry, 2023) Odoom, Jahnissi Frimpomah; Aboagye, Caleb Impraim; Acheampong, Philipina; Asiamah, Isaac; Darko, Godfred; Borquaye, Lawrence Sheringham; 0000-0001-7157-646X
    Vitex doniana (West African plum or black plum) is a plant with varying phytoconstituents and biological activities across different countries. In this study, essential oils extracted from the leaves and fruits of Vitex doniana cultivated in Ghana were investigated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. -e antioxidant actions of the essential oils were determined using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), phosphomolybdenum, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. For both essential oils, the total antioxidant capacities ranged from 44 to 68 µg/g AAE, the IC50 values for H2O2 scavenging activity were between 87 and 242 µg/mL, whereas that for DPPH assay were between 322 and 599 µg/mL. -e IC50 for the TBARS assay for both essential oils also ranged from 247 to 414 µg/mL. -e antimicrobial activities of the essential oils were investigated using the broth dilution assay. -e minimum inhibition concentration for the essential oils ranged from 12.5 to 50 mg/mL. BioClm inhibitory activity was also evaluated for both essential oils, and the fruit essential oil showed a half-maximal inhibition of bioClm formation (BIC50) at 44.40±0.6 mg/mL, whereas the BIC50 value of the leaf essential oil was 109.1±0.9 mg/mL. -e fruit essential oil was superior to the leaf essential oil in inhibiting the secretion of pyoverdine. Molecular docking analyses suggested that methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, p-menth-4-en-3-one, trans-α-ionone, benzyl benzoate, isobutyl cinnamate, and folic acid likely interacted with LasR and algC proteins, and hence, contributed to the inhibition of bioClm formation and pyoverdine secretion. Essential oils from Vitex doniana could, therefore, be exploited as a natural source of radical scavenging and antimicrobial agents and could be useful in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.
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    Disposal of Unused and Expired Medicines within the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey
    (Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2022-05-26) Ivy Anima Amoabeng; Otoo. Bernice Araba; Darko, Godfred; Borquaye, Lawrence Sheringham; 0000-0002-5037-0777; 0000-0001-7157-646X
    The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is a global challenge. Pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics and analgesics have been reported in various environmental matrices at varying concentrations. ,e major disposal route for unused and expired pharmaceuticals in Ghana is throwing them into dustbins. Although there are laws on the proper disposal patterns of drugs, these laws are poorly implemented. Sunyani is a fast-growing community with several health facilities that dispense medications daily. The purchase and use of medications among households are also high. However, no data exist on the disposal patterns of pharmaceuticals within the Sunyani Municipality. ,is study aims to identify the disposal patterns for unused and expired medications by households and pharmacies within the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 persons in homes and 35 persons from randomly selected pharmacies and over-the-counter medication shops (OTCMs) within the Sunyani Municipality. A face-to-face interview approach using structured questionnaires for each respondent was employed. Household respondents disposed of unused and expired medications mainly through dumping in garbage cans (70.8%), incineration (11.5%), and
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    Distribution of heavy metals in soils from abandoned dump sites in Kumasi, Ghana
    (Scientific African, 2020-10-23) Akanchise, Thelma; Boakye, Sandra; Borquaye, Lawrence Sheringham; Dodd, Matt; Darko, Godfred; 0000-0002-5037-0777; 0000-0002-7907-6520; 0000-0001-7157-646X
    This study investigated the heavy metal content and the extent of pollution in soils from abandoned dump sites in Kumasi, Ghana. Concentrations of heavy metals in the 70 soil samples were determined using a Niton XL3t GOLD field portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and confirmed on an Agilent 7800 inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Mercury was determined with a Lumex mercury analyzer. Mean concentrations of metals in soils were in the order: Zn (166 mg/kg). Cr (67 mg/kg) > Cu (32 mg/kg), Ni (22 mg/kg) > Pb (11 mg/kg) Cd (8.9 mg/kg) > As (4.2 mg/kg) > Hg (0.04 mg/kg) for Kronum; and Zn (558 mg/kg), Cu (347 mg/kg), Pb (288 mg/kg) > Cr (77 mg/kg) > Ni (35 mg/kg) > As (11 mg/kg) > Cd (3.0 mg/kg) > Hg (0.19 mg/kg) for Amakom. Pollution indices (geo-accumulation, contamination factor, pollution load and potential ecological risk) indicated very high contamination for arsenic, cadmium and lead at Kronum and arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc at Amakom. Mercury recorded the least level of pollution for both dump sites. Regular monitoring of these abandoned dump sites is required. Remediation programs in these sites should also be instituted.