Volume 8.
Issue 09.

Brown seaweeds represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic constituents and photosynthetic pigments, which have attracted considerable attention in food science and nutraceutical development. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and functional properties that support their incorporation into modern food systems. Despite their promising biological activities, limitations related to bioavailability, stability, extraction efficiency, and delivery mechanisms continue to restrict their full industrial utilization. This review examines the functional potential of brown seaweed phenolics and pigments, focusing on their biochemical characteristics, mechanisms of action, bioavailability challenges, and applications within food industries. A critical synthesis of available commercial products, patented technologies, extraction approaches, and delivery systems is presented. The review further discusses emerging formulation strategies designed to improve absorption and stability, including emulsion-based systems and encapsulation technologies. Findings indicate that brown seaweed-derived compounds possess significant potential as natural food ingredients, functional additives, and health-promoting agents. However, optimization of extraction, formulation, and delivery methodologies remains essential for maximizing their industrial and nutritional value.

Geodesy and space science have become increasingly central to global efforts in understanding Earth’s dynamics, monitoring tectonic activity and supporting satellite navigation. The Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) Toro of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) was established to advance Nigeria’s capability in earthquake monitoring and global geodynamics. Toro was strategically selected for its stable granitic bedrock, providing an immobile foundation for sensitive geodetic instruments. Since its conception in 1985, CGG has pursued numerous researches including the use of GPS and form part of the Global GNSS Network, Monitor the Nigerian Seismic activity, Volcanic activity and Environmental Disaster Monitoring, Landslides and Flooding, using available tools to investigate African plate tectonics and earthquake mechanisms. Building on early cooperation including that of NASA, Nigeria formalized another international collaboration in 2022 through an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, to construct and operate a new VLBI antenna. Site validation was completed in 2023, and a Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) survey in 2024 confirming minimal interference levels. The VLBI tower and a 13-metre antenna have since been installed. Upon commissioning, the Nigerian VLBI project will hopefully be integrated into global geodetic systems, contributing to tectonic studies, earthquake monitoring, and refinement of the global reference frame. This paper examines the historical development, technical foundations, and anticipated scientific contributions of the Nigerian VLBI initiative, situating it within the broader trajectory of African participation in global geodetic networks.

This paper presents an in-depth, integrated technological and global analysis of the industrial development of Tebinbulak, one of the largest titanomagnetite ore deposits in Central Asia (located in the Karauzyak District of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, with on-balance ore reserves of ~2.0 billion tons). A comprehensive synthesis of experimental mineralogical and beneficiation test data for representative sample No. 7 of pyroxenite ores was carried out, including three-stage crushing, granulometric classification, dry and wet screening, and manual/laboratory magnetic separation. Optical microscopy was employed to investigate the structural and textural relationships among the ore phases: fine-dispersed exsolution textures of titanomagnetite solid solutions with lamellar ilmenite exsolutions in magnetite, isomorphic vanadium substitution within the magnetite crystal lattice, martitization (hematite replacement), and sulfide inclusions. By integrating advanced global scientific expertise (FactSage thermodynamic modeling, electric smelting reduction of metallized pellets at 1625–1650 °C, hydrochloric acid destruction, and low-temperature synergistic roasting of vanadium converter slag with a binary Na2C2O4/Na2CO3 mixture), an end-to-end, energy-efficient, environmentally benign, slime-free comprehensive flow sheet was developed and validated. The thermodynamic conditions preventing the formation of refractory titanium carbides (TiC) were established, achieving overall recoveries exceeding 99.5% for iron into hot metal, 92.6–94.4% for vanadium into commercial hot metal (with subsequent production of 98.73% pure V2O5), and selectively partitioning 94.1–99.0% of titanium into high-grade titania slag (42–46% TiO2) suitable for pigment-grade TiO2 synthesis.