The study has been aimed to evaluate and compare the antioxidant 

activity in peel and pulp extracts of banana. The effect of variation of banana parts on 

the antioxidant activity showed different values. The DPPH free radical scavenging 

activity of banana parts (peel and pulp) were determined using different extracts 

(methanol, ethyl acetate and ethanol). Results represent that all extracts showed very 

good activity at highest concentration 800µg/ml. Among the all extracts, methanol 

extract of pulp exhibited highest free radical scavenging 91.27% at 800µg/ml.

Maximum reducing activity of banana peel was observed at 800µg/ml and showing 

0.260 in methanol. The data showed that, the entire sample increased their reducing 

ability when the concentration of extract increased. There was slight difference in 

reducing ability of all the three extracts. . The study suggests that peel and pulp 

extracts of banana could be useful to combat free radical mediated diseases.

The pollution of the Earth-system by microplastics (MPs) has attracted the scientific community's attention during the last decade due to the ability of MPs to alter the soil and agronomic lands properties and affect the soil flora and fauna, and thus via food chain may harm human health. The current review attempted to survey several previous studies to demonstrate the possible sources of MPs in soil characterised as primary and secondary sources depending on the way MPs are generated. Most of MPs released from these sources ended into the soil and can emigrate within soil profile, which negatively affects several physiochemical soil properties, soil biota, and plants that may alter biodiversity and agronomic land productivity. The bioremediation of MPs-polluted terrestrial environment using some microorganisms is an optimum economic and eco-friendly technology. This review is a first step to help researchers identify the main sources and effects of MPs pollution in Libyan farmlands to stand up on the current levels of these substances in soil and suggest future strategies to avoid possible harm impacts of MPs pollution over our country. ا

 The groundwater aquifers in Azintan, northwestern Libya suffer from an acute shortage of water. The groundwater was evaluated to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes from major two aquifers in north and south of Azintan area. This study carried out to assess the groundwater quality and to identify major affecting variables. Twelve samples from the two aquifers were collected. The two aquifers were collected and analyzed for total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, SO4^2-, CO3^2- and HCO3^-. The results show that, the groundwater in many places is dominated by higher concentrations of Cl^-, SO4^2- and HCO3^-. Two water types were recognized in this region are Cl-SO4- Na-Ca and Cl-SO4-Na. Gibbs and Piper method, as well as the hardness, soluble sodium percentage and the permeability index all have been used to assess the diagram quality of the groundwater of aquifers. Further, the multiple correlations and Cluster Analysis of groundwater quality parameters were carried out for further classification and interpretation of the groundwater quality. Finally, water qualities in the study area are compared with Libyan standards and WHO guidelines of drinking water and irrigation  purposes.

This study considers the diagenetic processes and the depositional settings of Lower Jurassic gypsum of the Bi'r Elghanem Formation in the northwestern of Libya. The paleo-environment study has revealed a variety of depositional environment ranging from lagoonal to fluvial deposit and evaporitic basins, which become intensely saline as a result of evaporation due to (semi-) arid environments. Samples were analyzed using elemental analysis, statistical evaluation such as Multiple Correlations, Principal Component Analysis, and mineralogical evidence to determine their mode of environmental deposition, mineralogical and geochemical composition. The geochemical results indicate that gypsum has evidence of mineral substitutions and displacement, suggesting a homologous mechanism for lithofacies and subsequent textural change. The development of gypsum minerals in a variety of lithologies and textures is aided by eustatic fluctuations in lake water level due to regional tectonism and climate.

Abstract:

Nepeta cyrenaica Quézel & Zaffran (Lamiaceae), an endemic species of Libyan flora, is here characterized for the first time for its phytochemical composition and biological activities. Phenolic composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting effects of extracts, prepared from five-week-old in vitro propagated N. cyrenaica shoots, were evaluated. Extraction was performed using dichloromethane, methanol, 96% ethanol or hot distilled water. LC-MS analysis showed that the methanol extract contained the highest amount of phenolic components, especially ferulic and rosmarinic acids (1300.73 mg/kg and 528.88 mg/kg, respectively), and epigallocatechin gallate (719.05 mg/kg). The strongest antioxidant activity was recorded for aqueous extract in DPPH assay (66.91%) and dichloromethane extract in β-carotene bleaching assay (81.06%), both tested at the concentration of 2 mg/mL. Concerning α-glucosidase inhibition, dichloromethane extract was shown to possess a higher inhibition capacity than acarbose at the concentration of 2 mg/mL (95.33% vs. 88.29%). The aqueous extract exhibited higher acetylcholinesterase inhibition than the other tested extracts, which was lower compared to the positive control, galantamine. Although methanol extract contained the highest amount of polyphenolics, dichloromethane and aqueous extracts were shown to be more suitable for the extraction of bioactive components. In conclusion, endemic N. cyrenaica could be efficiently propagated through in vitro propagation protocols as a polyphenolic-rich plant with valuable medicinal potential.

Keywords: biological activities; extracts; in vitro propagation; Nepeta cyrenaica

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious res-

piratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The disease was first broke out in

Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and subsequently spread to all countries

and was considered by WHO as a worldwide pandemic. This study is aimed

to determine the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and the presence of UK va-

riants in Zintan city of Libya taking some risk factors into account. Me-

thods: In a cross-sectional retrospective study, a total of 15486 nasopha-

ryngeal swabs were collected from COVID-19 suspected patients, travelers

and people need disease-free certificates for hospital admission, etc. The

samples were collected during the period from August 2020 to June 2021

and tested using real-time RT -PCR (rRT-PCR) kits for SARS-CoV-2 and

UK variants. Age groups, sex, and monthly weather were considered as risk

factors. Results: The positivity rate of COVID-19 in Zintan city was esti-

mated to be (3891; 25.12%) for the period from August 2020 to June 2021.

Females showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher positivity rate (2100; 54%) as

compared to males (1791; 46%). Out of the 3891 positive cases, 52 were de-

ceased. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 1.33 recorded significantly in cas-

es aged ≥ 65 years which was higher in males (56.66%) than females (43.33%).

The peak of the first wave of infection was recorded in October 2020 (590;

15.15%) whereas the peak of the second wave of infection was recorded in

April 2021 (727; 18.71%). The positivity rate was decreased as the tempera-

ture increased. UK variant is detected firstly in May 2021 with the percen-

tage of 6.2% of tested samples. Conclusions: Health Authorities are en-

crease phase of infection to stop transmission of the virus in the next wave.

Early detection of new variants and studying their genetic characteristics

play a valuable role in prevention and control.

Keywords

SARS

-

CoV

-

2, UK Variant, Epidemiology, Zintan,

Libya, rRT

-

PCR.

Lithostratigraphically, the Sidi As sid Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in the El Zintan section (JabalNafusah, NW Libya) consists of three units: upper marl, middle marl with intercalations of dolostone, and lower dolostone. Based on crystal size and shape, three types of dolomite have been classified. Fine crystalline dolomite (D1) consists of nonplanar dolomites, fine to medium crystalline dolomite (D2), and very coarse, consisting of mostly planar dolomites (D-3). The Cathodoluminescence technique also showed that most of these dolomites have bright yellow to red and dull orange luminescence and zoning. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), all dolomites are relatively well ordered and non to nearly stoichiometric dolomite. The stable isotopic studies and element analysis show that the major elements such as sodium (D1: 412.166 ppm; D2: 175 ppm; D3: 420 ppm), strontium (D1: 107 ppm; D2: 85 ppm; D3: 81.2 ppm), manganese (D1: 271 ppm; D2: 91 ppm; V3: 242 ppm), and iron (D1: 4856.66 ppm; D2: 373 ppm; D3: 3287 ppm) and the values of the stable isotope of oxygen (D1:-2.202‰; D2:-2.131; D3:-4.359‰) and carbon (D1: 2.080; D2: 2.076‰; D3: 1.581‰). The values of major elements and depletion of the carbon and oxygen isotopes can be related to the effects of temperature diagenetic, and mesosaline reflux of dolomitizing fluids during the early diagenesis. These dolomites originated in a tidal environment in this Formation. The major sources of magnesium for the dolomites are seawater and hypersaline fluids.

The groundwater aquifers in Azintan, northwestern Libya suffer from an acute shortage of water. The groundwater was evaluated to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes from major two aquifers in north and south of Azintan area. This study carried out to assess the groundwater quality and to identify major affecting variables. Twelve samples from the two aquifers were collected. The two aquifers were collected and analyzed for total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO42-, CO32- and HCO3-. The results show that, the groundwater in many places is dominated by higher concentrations of Cl-, SO42- and HCO3-. Two water types were recognized in this region are Cl-SO4-Na-Ca and Cl-SO4-Na. Gibbs and Piper method, as well as the hardness, soluble sodium percentage and the permeability index all have been used to assess the diagram quality of the groundwater of aquifers. Further, the multiple correlations and Cluster Analysis of groundwater quality parameters were carried out for further classification and interpretation of the groundwater quality. Finally, water qualities in the study area are compared with Libyan standards and WHO guidelines of drinking water and irrigation purposes.