Abstract: Pectin was extracted from orange peels (OP) and watermelon rinds (WMR) using acid solvent extraction (ASE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) methods.  Extraction of pectin from orange peels and watermelon rinds was affected by temperature, duration, acid concentration, and solute/solvent ratio for acid solvent extraction while effect of microwave power level, radiation period, acid concentration, and solute/solvent ratio on extraction of pectin for microwave assisted extraction was also investigated. The four acids used was nitric acid, sulphuric acid, orthophosphoric acid, and hydrochloric acid. Carbohydrate content of orange peels and watermelon rinds, were 69.61 and 55.75% respectively, which was turned into pectin. Results showed that microwave assisted extraction (MAE) method were more effective at extracting pectin to acid solvent extraction (ASE). The microwave aided extraction employing H₃PO₄ produced the maximum pectin yield of 0.2869% and 0.1693% for OP and WMR, respectively at the 15-minute extraction duration. However acid solvent extraction method, yield of pectin increased as the temperature rose until it reached a point at 80 °C with maximum yields of 0.2269% and 0.0993% pectin for OP and WMR respectively.

Keywords: Acid, acid solvent extraction, microwave, microwave assisted extraction, pectin, orange peels, watermelon rinds.

Title: Extraction and Characterization of Pectin from Orange Peels and Watermelon Rinds

Author: AGU FRANCIS ANEZICHUKWU, EDEANI NKIRUKA JUSTINA, EJIKEME P.C.N

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

ISSN 2394-9716

Vol. 13, Issue 2, March 2026 - April 2026

Page No: 24-35

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 15-April-2026

Abstract: This article does not categorise “The Best” as a negative practice in school administration but rather it hinders the innovation and inculcation of smart practices hence making it an enemy of smart practices in educational administration in the 21^st century AI Tech era that involves smart practices. This study is focused on: “the best is the enemy of smart practice in educational administration in the 21st century” for schools’ improvement. The study understudy qualitative and quantitative literatures on the best practices, school smart practices, how “the best” hinders school smart practices, and how school smart practices promote school improvement by school administrators for a comprehensive research output because it is the best that has led us to the AI Tech innovations of the 21^st century that is a key component of school smart practices. Research questions were raised in the course of this review to serve as a guide in the review. They are: first, what is “the best” (traditional perfect method of administration) and what are “smart” school practices in educational administration? Secondly, what are smart school practice’s role in aiding administrative duties? Thirdly, how is “the best” an enemy to smart practices technology in educational administration? Findings of the review would enable educational managers and educational administrators to inculcate smart practices in administering schools efficiently and effectively.

Keywords: “The Best”, Smart Schools, Smart practices, 21^st Century, Educational Administration, Smart Administration.

Title: “THE BEST” IS THE ENEMY OF “SMART PRACTICE” IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

Author: GAIUS-OKOKO, U. J., PERETOMODE, V. F.

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

ISSN 2394-9716

Vol. 13, Issue 2, March 2026 - April 2026

Page No: 9-23

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 09-April-2026

Abstract: The study examined the relationship between tacit knowledge sharing and job performance of non-academic staff in Ekiti State Universities. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 2926 non-academic staff in the public Universities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The sample for the study consisted of 300 staff selected from two Universities in Ekiti State. The purpose of the random sampling technique was to select two public universities: one federal university and one state university. A proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 158 non-academic staff members from the state university and 142 non-academic staff members from the federal university. Two instruments, tagged “Tacit Knowledge Sharing Questionnaire” (TKSQ) and “Non-Academic Staff Job Performance Questionnaire” (NASJPQ), were used to collect data for the study. Face and content validity of the instruments were ensured by experts. The test-retest method of reliability was adopted to determine the reliability coefficient of 0.81 for TKSQ and 0.79 for NASJPQ. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significance in the relationship between tacit knowledge sharing and non-academic staff job performance in Ekiti State universities. Based on these findings, it was recommended that there is a need for management of tertiary institutions to maximize organizational knowledge. This gives an edge in today’s competitive global marketplace and helps build robust knowledge management strategies that can add value to the job performance of staff and invariably impact school effectiveness.

Keywords: Higher learning; Job performance; Knowledge management; Knowledge sharing; Non-academic staff.

Title: Impact of Tacit Knowledge Sharing on Job Performance of Non-Academic Staff in Universities

Author: Dr. (Mrs.) ADELEKE Foluso Florence

International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies

ISSN 2394-9716

Vol. 13, Issue 2, March 2026 - April 2026

Page No: 1-8

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 06-March-2026