A new series of novel dipeptide sulfonamide analogues were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in silico studies and in vivo antimalarial activities. The synthesized compounds (50 mg/Kg) showed significant activity against P. berghei (NK65) with % inhibition values in (5.9 to 64.7 %) range in when compared with reference drug, artemisinin (66.7 %) in a four day suppressive assay. The in silico studies predicted favorable binding affinity of compounds with target protein residues with high dock score against P. falciparum falcipain 2 (FP‐2) and falcipain 3 (FP‐3) proteins in comparison with the reference ligands. The synthesized compounds showed druggable properties, and the predicted (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicities (ADMET) properties were within the acceptable limits. Molecular dynamics simulation study of the most active compound, 8 e was performed in order to further validate the stability of the protein‐ligand complex and the protein‐ligand interactions.

The properties of Enugu kaolin were modified by thermal and alkaline hydrothermal means. The raw and modified kaolin samples were characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller nitrogen adsorption surface area analysis, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy techniques. The effectiveness of the modified kaolin for the removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solution was studied and compared to that of the raw kaolin sample. The results showed that the surface area of the modified samples increased from 19.170 m²/g to 247.889 m²/g, 208.745 m²/g and 221.608 m²/g, followed by an increase in the pore volume for the modified samples. However, the modification led to a weak alteration to the kaolin structure. Residual ions detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the modified kaolin samples have improved removal efficiency for Pb(II) (83%, 88%, 85%) when compared to the raw sample (33%). The adsorption capacities of the raw kaolin and modified kaolin (sample C) were observed to increase with increase in contact time, initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dose. The adsorption of Pb(II) unto the raw and modified kaolin followed Freundlich (R² =0.9937) and Langmuir (R² = 0.9837) adsorption isotherm models respectively. The modified kaolin efficiently eliminated Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Enugu kaolin has the potential to be a catalyst-type material based on the surface analysis and adsorption experiments.