INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue XI, November 2025  
Accumulation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in  
Talinium Triangulare Grown in Spent Engine Oil Polluted Soil  
Ogana Joy, Nworji, France Ogechukwu., Orji Ejike Celestine, Ngwu Ogochukwu Rita and Iloanya  
Ebele lauretta  
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State  
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.1411000056  
Received: 30 September 2025; Accepted: 04 October 2025; Published: 09 December 2025  
ABSTRACT  
Polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbons constitute a large class of organic compound that are compose of two or more  
fused aromatic rings. They are mostly produced by the pyrolysis or incomplete combustion of organic materials.  
The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in spent motor-cycle engine oil, spent  
sport car engine oil, Talinium triangulare (water leaf) grown on soil contaminated with spent sport car engine  
oil, and spent motor-cycle oil. The PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatograph-Flame Ionation Detector (GC-  
FID). Additionally, the growth factors were established using Talinum Triangulare grown in the unpolluted soil  
and exposed to both spent sport car engine oil and motor-cycle oil. In terms of their bio-tolerance,  
the uncontaminated talinium triangulare displayed a superior growth performance in comparison to the exposed  
plant. Nonetheless, there was a notable difference between uncontaminated and contaminated  
plants (P<0.05). The PAHs results indicated that spent sport car engine oil had higher total  
PAHs concentration of 5.5518 mg/L than spent motor-cycle engine oil, which had a total PAHs concentration  
of 2.7490 mg/L.  
Talinium Triangulare grown on soil contaminated with spent sport car engine oil  
accumulated 0.9108 mg/kg of total PAHs, while spent motor-cycle oil accumulated a total PAHs concentration  
of 0.5276 mg/kg. In spent sport car engine oil benzo (b) flouoranthene had the highest concentration, while in  
spent motor-cycle engine oil, the highest concentration was benzo (a) pyrene. Out of the sixteen PAHs  
USEPA targets, kylene was the only one that wasn't found in any of the samples. These findings  
demonstrated the presence of hazardous PAHs in the spent engines oil of both motor-cycles and sport car, which  
are carelessly discarded into the environment and can bioaccumulate in edible plants. It implies that  
eating vegetables grown on soil tainted with used engine oil poses an inherent risk and danger to consumers.  
Keyword: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; spent engine oil; Talinium triangulare;  
INTRODUCTIONS  
The need for energy will keep growing as the world's population expands and developing nations become  
increasingly industrialized, mechanized in agriculture, and more cars. Petroleum will remain the primary energy  
source for the next few decades, despite advancements in alternative fuels. Base oils derived from petroleum  
fractions are the source of motor oil. Only a tiny fraction (2-4%) of petroleum, though, may be used for this  
purpose (Pawlak et al., 2010)  
Petroleum product contamination of the environment is acknowledged as one of the most pressing issues  
today, resulting in a significant shift in the zoosphere, phytosphere, and microbiome, which causes  
several species to proliferate, reduces soil fertility and support for plant and animal life, and ultimately  
harms humans who depend on those plants and animals.  
Petroleum products have been demonstrated in several studies to have a negative impact on plants, including  
decreased seed germination, plant survival, and plant production (Akinola et al., 2004; Andrade et al.,  
2004). Majority of research on the impact of petroleum products on plants has concentrated on crude oil,  
diesel, and gasoline (Siddiqui and Adams, 2002; Inoni et al., 2006), but a few has been done on spent engine oil.  
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue XI, November 2025  
Every day, millions of gallons of used engine oil are dumped in garbage on land and in bodies of water (sewers).  
The U.S. EPA defines "spent oil" as any petroleum or synthetic oil that has been used and is consequently  
polluted by its physical or chemical characteristics (USEPA, 2015).  
Spent oil is a prevalent and harmful environmental pollutant that is not naturally occurring in the environment  
(Dominguez-Rosado and Pichtel, 2004). In actuality, used engine oil contamination is a widespread issue in the  
majority of African nations, because developing nations lack the infrastructure for recycling used engine oil, it  
is released into the environment without sufficient treatment. Used engine oil enters the environment via leaks  
in the exhaust system during engine use and discharge by motor and generator mechanics (Odjegba and Sadiq,  
2002) (Anoliefo and Edegai, 2000; Osubor and Anoliefo, 2003).  
When a new mineral-based crankcase is exposed to high temperature and high mechanical strain, engine oil is  
produced (ATSDR, 1997). It's a combination of several compounds (Wang et al., 2000). Chlorinated biphenyls,  
chlorodibenzofurans, and lubricative additives are typically referred to as engine oil, which is made from  
petroleum and is made up of complex mixtures of hydrocarbon molecules, including isoalkanes with slightly  
longer branches and monocycloalkanes and monoaromatics with a few short branches on the ring (Cotton, 1982).  
Engine oil is called lubricating oil with others like (gear, hydraulic oil and turbine oil) (Olugboji and Ogunwole,  
2008). They help to reduce friction between moving surfaces and prevent corrosion. They also serve to remove  
heat from moving parts in machinery, get rid of wear debris produced by moving surfaces, and offer a protective  
layer on the metal surfaces to prevent corrosion.  
Due to the breakdown of additives, contamination with the product of combustion, and the addition of metals  
from the wear and tear of the engine, engine oil is changed when used by cars, motorcycles, generators, and  
other equipment. The spent oil is mixed with contaminants such salt, deteriorated additive components, varnish,  
gum, and  
other  
materials  
(Durrani  
et  
al.,  
2011;  
Ogbeide,  
2010). Additionally, many  
contaminants are produced in lubricating oil during its usage in internal combustion engines due to oxidation or  
thermal deterioration. The following pollutants are present in these impurities: alcohols, acids, phenolic  
compounds, aldehydes, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and non-stable hydrocarbon by-products. Furthermore, used  
oil absorbs nitrogen oxides and the acidic flue gas produced by the combustion of fuel.  
Spent oil contaminates soils, resulting in a notable decrease in soil moisture (Akoachere et al., 2008). According  
to Achuba and Peretiemo-Clarke (2008), spent oil severely slowed the activity of soil dehydrogenase and  
catalase. Spent oil retards seed germination and inhibits plant development (Adenipekun et al., 2008).  
The incomplete combustion of petroleum products produces PAHs, which are primarily produced by waste  
incinerators,  
car  
emissions, and fossil  
fuel  
burning  
during  
heating  
procedures. They  
are pervasive environmental pollutants that have harmful biological impacts, toxicity, mutagenicity, and  
carcinogenicity (Vazquez, 1989). Spent oil's PAHs have been shown to have indirect secondary effects, such as  
impacts on microorganisms like mycorrhizal fungi (Nicolotti and Egli, 1998) and disruption of plant water-  
air interactions (Renault et al., 2000).  
The unusual vegetable crop of the Portulaceae family, triangulare talinium (water leaf), is native to tropical  
Africa and is widely cultivated in West Africa, Asia, and South America (Schippers, 2000). In Nigeria,  
it is used as  
a
vegetable  
and  
sauce ingredient. Talinium triangulare  
has  
been  
shown  
to have the necessary nutrients, such as B-carotene, minerals (such calcium, potassium, and magnesium), pectin,  
protein, and vitamins, according to Ezekwe et al., 2001. Additionally, talinium triangulare has been linked  
to the medical treatment of cardiovascular conditions like stroke, obesity, and others (Adewunmi and Sofowora,  
1980). Triangulare talinium a key leaf vegetable in Nigeria, and it is traditionally used as a softener for other  
vegetable species. This research is necessary because there is currently no data on the absorption of PAHs by  
locally eaten leafy Nigerian vegetables (talinium triangulare) from soil that has been contaminated by  
used engine oil.  
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MATERIALS AND METHODS  
Sample Collection and Preparation  
The spent motor-cycle engine oil and spent sport car engine oil were obtained from automobile mechanic shop  
at Awka. They were all collected in a bottle and sterilized container.  
Experimental procedure  
The soil sample came from the pristine garden of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the talinium  
triangulare seedlings came from a nearby farm in Ifite, Awka, Anambra State. Using a hand trowel, the soil  
sample was collected at a depth of 0–15 cm. Seedlings of chosen (talinium triangulare) were planted  
in various concentrations of spent engine oil (motor-cycle and sport car) consisting of 10ml, 20ml, 50ml, and  
non-contaminated soil samples placed in a perforated plastic bag. The study used seedlings of the same  
height. All experimental analysis was performed in triplicate under regulated conditions at Science village,  
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. The experimental plant was thereafter set up on a bench top  
in the screen house.  
Seed and soil sample  
Weekly measurements of growth parameters from the time of transplant were used to assess the performance of  
the plant samples. The values for each plant in a bag were calculated and summed in this instance. The  
average for the bag was then computed. The leaves number on the talinium triangulare were counted once a  
week for each plant bag, and the average number of leaves was calculated. A meter stick was used to measure  
plant height. The distance between the base and tip of the plant was measured. A meter rule was used with  
a paper graph sheet to determine leaf area. The leaf area was then calculated using the formula: leaf area  
= length × width.  
Methods for Samples Extraction (Spent Engine Oil and Talinium Triangulare) For PAHS  
The mixture, which was made up of around 20g of the homogenized sample and 60g of anhydrous  
sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) to absorb moisture, was put in a 500ml beaker after being well combined in an agate  
mortar. This was left to extract for 24 hours in a round bottom flask using 300 ml of n-hexane.  
The raw extract was dried using a rotary vacuum evaporator at 40°C. The residue was then transferred with n-  
hexane onto a 5 mL florisil column for purification.  
Methods for Florisil Clean Up Process  
Florisil was heated in an oven at 130°C overnight ( ca.15h ) and transferred to a 250ml size beakers and placed  
in a designator. 0.5g anhydrous sodium Sulphate (Na2So4) was added to 1.0g of activated florisil (Magnesium  
silicate ) ( 60-100nm mesh ) on an 8ml column plugged with glass wool. Packed column was filled with 5ml n-  
hexane for conditioning. Stopwatch was opened to allow N-hexane run out until it just reaches top of sodium  
Sulphate into a receiving vessel whilst tapping gently the top of the column till the florisil settled well in the  
column. The extract was transferred to the column with disposable pasteur pipette from an evaporating flask.  
Each evaporating flask was rinsed twice with 1ml portions of n-hexane and added to column. Eluate was  
collected into an evaporating flask and rotary evaporated to dryness. Dry eluate was dissolved in 1ml of n-hexane  
for PAH chromatographic analysis  
PAH Detection Using Buck 530 Gas Chromatography  
Generally, there is an adjustment of gas flows to the columns, the inlets, the detectors, and the split ratio. In  
addition, the injector and detector temperatures must be set. The detectors are generally held at the high end of  
the oven temperature range to minimize the risk of analyze precipitation. Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph CA,  
U.S.A was used. It is equipped with an on-column automatic injector, flame ionization detector, HP 88 capillary  
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column (100m x 0.25µm film thickness,). Detector Temperature is set at 250°C, injector temperature at 220°C  
and integrator chart speed: 2cm/min. The Oven temperature of the GC is set at 180°C and then allowed to warm  
up. While it's warming, the settings were adjusted as follows:  
FINAL TEMPERATURE  
INITIAL TEMPERATURE  
FINAL TIME  
at  
at  
at  
280°C  
180°C  
45minutes  
The "NOT READY” light will turn off when the instrument is ready, inject a 1µL of the sample into the Buck  
530-GC column and begin your run. The detection limit of the equipment is 0.001µg/ml.  
Statistical Analysis  
The data were expressed as mean ± SD and a test of statistical significance was carried out using a one-way  
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service  
Solutions (SPSS), version 18. P < 0.05 was considered significant.  
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  
Table 1 Growth performance of talinium triangulare at weeks four after transplanting  
Plant  
Non-  
10mlT  
20ml  
50ml  
100ml  
200ml  
500ml  
Parameters  
contaminated MC(SEO) MC(SEO) MC(SEO) SC(SEO) SC(SEO) SC(SEO)  
soil  
Plant  
43.7±0.01  
29.8±0.04 24.4±0.61 15.3±0.01 23.6±0.44 26.2±0.67 13.7±0.02  
height(cm)  
Leaves  
40±0.22  
26±0.24  
24±0.53  
11±0.46  
31±0.66  
29±0.04  
08±0.56  
numbers(cm)  
Leaf Area  
(cm3)  
12.3±0.08  
10.6±0.48 4.56±0.01 4.23±0.64 8.2±0.22 4.8±0.01 3.9±0.84  
0.8±0.01 0.7±0.00 0.4±0.01 1.2±0.02 0.8±0.01 0.3±0.01  
Fresh weight 1.9±0.64  
(g)  
MC (SEO) = motor-cycle spent engine oil, SC(SEO) = sport car spent engine oil  
Table 2 The Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content of spent engine oil of motor-cycle and Toyota car  
PAHs component  
Acenapthylene  
Fluorene  
Spent motor-cycle engine oil Spent sport car engine oil  
0.002  
0.049  
0.3742  
0.4162  
0.6849  
0.5288  
Fluoranthene  
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Phenanthrene  
0.317  
0.2331  
0.2659  
0.3285  
0.0798  
0.6237  
0.1235  
0.3523  
ND  
ND  
Dibenzyl (a-h) anthracene  
1-2 benzoanthracene  
Acenaphene  
0.2216  
0.3476  
0.6452  
0.6785  
ND  
Benzo (k) fluoranthene  
Benzo (a) pyrene  
Pyrene  
0.4639  
0.1884  
1.0452  
0.3315  
ND  
Benzo (b) fluoranthene  
Naphthalene  
Anthracene  
ND  
Kylene  
ND  
Total mg/L  
2.7490  
5.5518  
Mean value  
0.2499  
0.5047  
Table2: the Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon content of water leaf grown on contaminated and  
uncontaminated soil sample  
PAHs component  
Non- contaminated  
soil  
50ml MC(SEO)  
50ml SC(SEO)  
Acenapthylene  
Fluorene  
0.0001  
ND  
0.1442  
ND  
0.117  
0.1126  
0.1392  
ND  
Fluoranthene  
Phenanthrene  
0.0001  
ND  
0.0208  
ND  
Dibenzyl (a-h)  
anthracene  
ND  
0.0188  
0.1417  
1-2 benzoanthracene  
Acenaphene  
ND  
ND  
ND  
0.1481  
ND  
0.1114  
0.0356  
0.1310  
Benzo (k)  
ND  
fluoranthene  
Benzo (a) pyrene  
Pyrene  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
0.0416  
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Benzo (b)  
ND  
0.1957  
0.0807  
fluoranthene  
Naphthalene  
Anthracene  
Kylene  
0.0001  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
ND  
Total mg/kg  
0.0003  
0.5276  
0.9108  
Mean valu  
0.0001  
0.10552  
0.8391  
MC (SEO) = motor-cycle spent engine oil, SC(SEO) = sport car spent engine oil  
Soil contamination is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today, due to its poor self-  
purification ability, lengthy degradation period, and high expense of remediation, (Zhang and Zhang, 2022).  
The indiscriminate dumping of spent engine oil has been shown to be detrimental to plant life and living  
creatures. The negative effects  
on  
plant development  
can  
manifest in a  
variety  
of  
ways,  
including stomatal defects, biomass loss, and morphological abnormalities (Sharma et al., 1980).  
The plant capacity to tolerate the stress caused by spent engine oil pollutants was shown in its  
performance. Compared to control, the concentrations of the pollutants had a clear impact on the growth  
parameters  
of plants  
cultivated on  
contaminated  
soil, demonstrating its negative  
impact  
on plant development. Additionally, the concentration of SC(SEO) seems to be more harmful to the plant since  
it is considerably greater than MC(SEO). The percentage reduction in seedling height, leaf area, and shoot  
height were used to demonstrate that increasing the concentration of used engine oil in the soil caused a decrease  
in the mean plant shoot height and mean leaf area of the crops.  
However, the effects of the pollutants were visible in the 50ml of spent engine oil of motorcycle and spot car as  
it was not able to withstand the stress within the period of experiment as yellowing of leaves and stunted growth  
was observed. Furthermore, the poor growth parameters (plant height and leave area) recorded in talinium  
triangulare exposed to the pollutant could be attributed to decline in soil nutrients, organic matters and  
interference on the moisture content of the soil which can also lead to nutrient immobilization and poor mineral  
uptake Tanimu et al. (2019) reported a decrease in most soil nutrient in spent engine oil contaminated soil  
Consequently, reduced leave number obtained may be because of PAHs toxicity and insufficient ventilation of  
the soil which can limit the transpiration and respiration by plant. Damage to plants exposed to 50ml of spent  
engine oil contamination may also have resulted from increase in temperature due to the dark nature of  
contaminated soils. It was observed by Ezenwa et al., 2017 in their study that the contaminated soils were darker  
than the control, and dark soils absorb more heat than light ones. Donahue et al. (1990) reported that some black  
coal mining wastes and dark colored oil-shale residues reached temperatures of 65-70o C, which are lethal to  
many plants that would otherwise grow in those soils  
Osuagwu et al. (2017) in his work observed the negative impact of spent engine oil on its proficiency to moderate  
the sprouting and seedling growth of Z. mays, A. hypogea and V. unguiculata. Adenipekun and Kassim, 2006  
reported that used engine oil affect plant height, stem girth, moisture content, leaf area and number of leaves in  
Celosia argentea. Also, Okonokhua et al., 2007 reported reduced grain yield and negative effect (reduction in  
vegetative growth) of spent engine oil on the maize plant.  
Wyszkowski et al. (2004) claim that hydrocarbons' ability to coat the plant root with a greasy material  
reduces cell membrane absorbency, which disrupts metabolic activity and makes the cell harmful. The  
differences in the fresh weight of the plant specimens were caused by the contaminant in the soil. The root,  
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which is in direct contact with PAH-polluted soil and used engine oil, absorbs water and ions. These results are  
consistent with the research on Glycine max and Vigna conducted by Ekpo et al., 2012, as well as the study on  
uniguiculata and Z. mays L. carried out by Kayode et al. 2009.  
PAHs are common in the environment and represent a significant risk to the soil environment (Ji et al.,  
2022). PAHs are chemical compounds that are known as carcinogens and mutagens, and they are also bad for  
people. Diet has been recognized as a significant source of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic  
hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly among non-smokers (Wang et al., 20011; Tao et al., 2004). Vegetable  
consumption may result in indirect exposure to people through the bioaccumulation of PAHs. PAHs are  
absorbed by plants from soil through their roots, bioconcentrated, and moved to their many organs, which  
are often consumed by people and other living things (Essumang et al., 2011).  
From our findings in Table 2, we discovered that 11 of the 14 PAHs studied were present in spent motor-cycle  
oil: acenaphthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, pyrene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, acenapthylene,  
fluorene, fluoranthene, phenantthrene, dibenzyl (ah) anthracene, and 1-2 benzanthracene. With a total PAHs  
concentration of 2.7490 mg/l and  
benzo (a) pyrene,having highest concentration. Eleven PAHs  
components were found in used sport car oil, with the majority of four and six ringed PAHs  
present: acenaphthylene, fluorine, fluoranthene, dibenzyl (ah) anthracene, 1-2 benzanthracene, acenaphthene,  
benzo (k) fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, naphthalene, anthracene, and benzo (ghi) perylene. With  
a total PAHs of 5.5518 mg/l, benzo (b) fluoranthene had the highest concentration. Sport car spent engine oil  
had the highest concentration of PAHs than spent motor-cycle oil and this could be attributed to size of the  
engine and the duration of use. The PAH concentration in unused motor oil is rather low, but it rises as the  
engine runs (Pasquini and Monarca 1983). Used engine oil can have 670 times more PAH than new motor oils  
(Hoffman et al., 1982). The PAH content of used engine oil from gasoline engines can be 180 times higher than  
that of fresh oil (Grimmer et al., 1981).  
Some researcher has also reported, different concentration of PAHs from spent engine oil contaminated soil in  
other towns. Oko et al., (2024) reported a total PAHs concentration of 333.6820mg/kg and 104.8540mg/kg in  
spent motor oil soil treated with NaOH and heat respectively. Adesina et al., 2023 reported a total PAHs ranged  
of 5.58 - 6.40 ug/g in automobile repair workshops in Ado-Ekiti. Also Obini et al., 2013 stated a total PAHs  
ranged of 0.0184 - 0.1385mg/kg in soil contaminated with spent motor engine oil.  
There was accumulation of PAHs in talinium triangulare grown in soil contaminated with both spent engine oil.  
Talinium triangulare grown in non-contaminated soil showed very low total PAHs concentration when  
compared to those grown on spent engine oil contaminated soil as presented in table 3. Our result showed five  
PAHs components out of the fourteen PAHs analysed in talinium triangular grown in motor-cycle contaminated  
soil: Acenapthylene, fluoranthene, dibenzyl (ah) anthracene, 1-2 benzanthracene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, with a  
total PAHs concentration of 0.5276mg/kg and benzo (b) fluoranthene having the highest concentration. While  
nine PAHs component was present in talinium triangular grown in sport car spent engine oil contaminated soil:  
Acenaphylene, flourene, fluoranthene, dibenzyl (ah) anthracene, 1-2 benzanthracene, acenaphthene, benzo (k)  
fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo (b) fluoranthene Dibenzyl (ah) anthracene had the highest concentration with a  
total PAHs concentration of 0.9103mg/kg.  
Similar to our findings is the study of Ukachukwu et al., 2023, who reported Telfairia occidentalis and  
Amaranthus hybridus absorbed PAHs from soil that had been tainted with spent motor oil. The following seven  
PAHs compounds—Benzo (a) anthracene, Benzo (a) pyrene, Benzo (b) fluoranthene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene,  
chyrsen, and dibenzyl (ah) anthracene—have been identified by the environmental protection  
agency as potential carcinogens for humans (USEPA, 2008). For the following individuals PAHs,  
the USEPA has established reference doses: anthracene (0.3 mg/kg/day), acenaphthene (0.06 mg/kg/day),  
fluoranthene (0.04 mg/kg/day), fluorene (0.04 mg/kg/day), and pyrene (0.03 mg/kg/day). It is unlikely that  
consuming these amounts of individual PAHs daily will have negative health consequences.  
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From our results, three out of the seven PAHs classified by EPA as probable human carcinogen are present in T.  
triangular grown in the spent oil contaminated soils. They are benzo (k) fluoranthene, dibenzyl (ah) anthracene  
and benzo (b) fluoranthene. As such consumers of these vegetable are exposed to PAHs through consumption.  
In Nigeria exposure risks are usually estimated without contribution from eating home grown vegetables.  
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are very dangerous to health because some are known to be mutagenic and  
carcinogenic (Vazquez, 1989).  
CONCLUSION  
From the findings of this study, it is crystal clear that talinium triangulare grown on soil contaminated with spent  
engine oil is capable of becoming detrimental to human health because of the large amount of polycyclic  
aromatic hydrocarbons in spent oil. Conclusively, talinium triangulare grown in soil contaminated with spent  
engine oil is harmful to human health, hence there is need to enlighten the public on the hazard of indiscriminate  
disposal of spent engine oil pollutant into our agricultural land. This will go a long way in ensuring human health  
and food safety.  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  
It is our pleasure to thank Mr. David Okechukwu (a technologist in the Department of Applied Biochemistry,  
Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka) for his technical assistance.  
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS  
The authors hereby declare no conflict of interests  
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