The potential of cotton seeds to serve as animal feed in reducing feed-food competition between humans and animals was examined in this research. Proximate analysis, mineral characterization, and fatty acid composition of the seed were determined using standard analytical techniques. The protein content of cotton seeds found to be 24.81 ± 0.42% was observed to be above the protein requirement of 18% by rabbits and chicken and 12% for goats and sheep. The combination source of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in which cotton seed is endowed offers an adequate nutritional diet for animals. Carbohydrate and crude fat accounted for 19.30 ± 0.1% and 24.81 ± 0.42%, respectively, making cotton seed a valuable source of lipids, protein, and carbohydrate, all major nutrients needed to maintain animals' proper maintenance. The most abundant mineral was potassium (K), at 126.70 ± 5.77 mg/g, which can help maintain body weight. It could assist in the modulation of electrolyte and water balance in the system. Quality assessments indicate that cotton seed, when properly processed, can serve as an affordable alternative to soybean, maize, and groundnut and is currently used as the major sources of animal protein and energy, thereby reducing the competition between feed and food.

This research attempts to establish the antihyperglycemic potential of Eremomastax speciosa, a medicinal plant utilized in traditional West African diabetes therapy, through virtual simulation. While numerous reports have validated its biological potency, studies on the drug-likeness and antidiabetic properties of its compounds are limited. The in silico pharmacological, and toxicological profile of aqueous, methanolic/methylene phytochemicals from previously reported work was analyzed using Swiss ADME and Protox II online server. The docking process was performed using PyRx-0.8, coupled with AutoDock Vina. Phytochemicals that aligned with Lipinski’s rules for drugs were then subjected to a virtual docking simulation. This simulation replicated the inhibitory effects of E. speciosa phytochemicals on sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLT2) and α-amylase, similar to metformin, an FDA-approved antidiabetic medicine utilized as a control. Phytochemicals such as 8, 9,10-dimethyltricyclo[4.2.1.1(2,5)]decane-9,10-diol (-6.6 kcal/mol), 11-isopropylidenetricyclo[4.3.1.1(2,5)]undec-3-en-10-one (-7.9 kcal/mol), 4-(1,5-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-one (-7.3 kcal/mol), and N-methyl-N-4-[2-acetoxymethyl-1-pyrrolidyl]-2-butynyl]-acetamide (-7.5 kcal/mol) exhibits superior binding affinities to the specific proteins targeted, compared to metformin, implying that E. speciosa is a source of druggable antidiabetic molecules that can be enhanced to achieve better efficacy.

The study aimed to provide sustainable alternatives to reduce industries’ over-reliance on edible vegetable oil for alkyd resin preparation as applicable in paint production. Alkyd resins were synthesized and characterized from sponge (Luffa aegyptiaca) seed oil. Condensation polymerization of monoglyceride with phthalic and maleic anhydride was carried out, and physico-chemical parameters such as drying time, total solids, viscosity, and chemical resistance were investigated following standard procedures. UV–visible, FT-IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopies were used to characterize the prepared alkyd resins. Sponge seed oil alkyd resins prepared with maleic anhydride (SPOMA) had a higher percentage yield (77.56%) than sponge seed oil prepared using phthalic anhydride (SPOPA) with 64.44%. The two alkyd resins showed a better drying time of 40 – 50 min than their commercial counterparts (70 min). This was attributed to the high degree of unsaturation of the seed oil due to the considerable proportion of linoleic acid in the seed oil. The alkyd resins were largely stable in 0.1 M HCl, 5% NaCl, and 0.1 M KOH, which caused the alkyd resins to whiten and shrink. The resins were generally soluble in xylene, kerosene, and petroleum ether. The nature of the alkyd resin can be described as nonpolar. This observation was consistent with the literature report. This study concluded that quality or industrial-grade alkyd resins could be prepared from sponge seed oil and thereby serve as a cheap and viable replacement for edible oils used in industries.