Research Article
Test on Bitter Leaf Sap as a Surfactant for Wettability Alterations in Enhanced Oil Recovery from Sand Aggregates
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
53-65
Received:
23 March 2025
Accepted:
10 April 2025
Published:
20 June 2025
Abstract: Alteration of reservoir-wettability is very important during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process since it helps to mobilize hydrocarbon and thus increase its recovery from the reservoirs. However, conventional wettability alteration agents used in the industry are inorganic chemicals which are expensive, constitute and have been found to be harmful to the environment. Hence, there was need for cheaper and environmentally-friendly alternative. Also, there was need to find more use for abundant local materials which have are under-utilized. In this article, bitter leaf sap (BLS) was studied to ascertain its possibilities as bio-surfactant for wettability alteration. In order to establish its phytochemical composition, BLS was analyzed using SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and XRF in accordance with ASTM standards. Wettability alteration capacity of three different concentrations of BLS solution on three sand aggregates was investigated. Active compounds which qualified BLS as bio-surfactant were identified from phytochemical analyses. Phytochemical analyses of BLS do not reveal any compounds that could be dangerous to the environment. The results from wettability tests obtained showed that core Sample A, (grain-size 0.118 cm) gave highest degree of wettability alteration with wettability index change from - 0.3030 to - 0.2020. Degree of wettability alteration increased as grain size of sand increased. It was also found that the degree of wettability alteration increased as concentration of BLS increased. Although, BLS could cause wettability alteration, its degree of alteration was lower than the degree of alteration of industrial wettability alteration agent.
Abstract: Alteration of reservoir-wettability is very important during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process since it helps to mobilize hydrocarbon and thus increase its recovery from the reservoirs. However, conventional wettability alteration agents used in the industry are inorganic chemicals which are expensive, constitute and have been found to be harmful...
Show More
Research Article
Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Carica Papaya Seed and Bark Against Selected Pathogens, in Case of Southern Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
66-75
Received:
13 June 2025
Accepted:
30 June 2025
Published:
4 August 2025
Abstract: The phytochemical constitution and antibacterial properties of Carica Papaya seeds and bark that have been collected from the West Guji district in Southern Ethiopia are examined in this study. This investigation aims to explore the traditional medicinal significance of the plant by analyzing its chemical makeup and biological activities. The study uses three extraction solvents methanol, petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate with the goal of identifying bioactive chemicals and evaluating their effectiveness against particular infections. These solvents were selected to ensure the extraction of a broad range of polar and non-polar compounds. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides, steroids, and phenolic chemicals were found in a variety of extracts using phytochemical screening, indicating a rich profile of secondary metabolites that are often associated with antimicrobial and therapeutic effects. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was assessed using broth dilution techniques, which allowed for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations, while the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) was assessed using the agar diffusion method, a standard approach to evaluate the inhibition zone diameter. With inhibitory zones that measured 12 mm for E. coli and 7 mm for S. aureus, the methanol extract of seeds had the strongest antibacterial efficacy, suggesting that polar phytochemicals present in methanol extracts may be particularly effective. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of C. papaya as a natural source of antibacterial agents and the necessity of more research into its bioactive components for possible medical uses, including drug development, formulation of alternative therapies, and its integration into natural health products.
Abstract: The phytochemical constitution and antibacterial properties of Carica Papaya seeds and bark that have been collected from the West Guji district in Southern Ethiopia are examined in this study. This investigation aims to explore the traditional medicinal significance of the plant by analyzing its chemical makeup and biological activities. The study...
Show More
,
Johnbull Okperhie
