Effect of packaging and chemical treatment on storage life and physicochemical attributes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Roma)

Fresh fruits and vegetables are inherently more liable to deterioration under tropical conditions characterized by high ambient temperatures and humidity. In determining the effects of chemical treatment on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Roma), fruits purchased at turning stage of ripening were packaged in low density polyethylene bags (60 μ) containing wooden dust particles moistened with 400 ppm potassium permanganate solution. Samples were treated with hot water dip, boric acid (H3BO3) dip at 1000 ppm, CaCl2 dip at 10,000 ppm, a combination of H3BO3 and calcium chloride treatment as well as control. Results of chemical treatment showed increase in weight loss, pH, and a slight increase in moisture content. Total soluble solids and titratable acidity of samples showed a steady decrease, with data on physicochemical qualities collected at 7 days interval. Fruits stored with hot water and combination of H3BO3 and CaCl2 treatments showed higher keeping quality. Shelf life elongation treatments used at tropical ambient temperature of 30 ± 2°C was able to preserve tomato fruits for 21 days from spoilage and microbial attack while retaining its colour and other physicochemical properties.Keywords: Tomato, shelf life, packaging, respiration, pretreatmen

African women in science and development, bridging the gender gap

Science and technology play a fundamental role in driving social progress and economic growth in today's rapidly evolving world. Yet, despite considerable advancements, the gender gap in science remains a harsh reality, particularly for African women. This inequality directly impedes their invaluable perspectives and contributions to scientific advancements and innovations. Africa's development requires significant investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and leadership. This opinion piece delves into the gender disparity prevailing in STEM, emphasizes the challenges that African women experience, highlights the immense potential that African women possess, and finally advocates for immediate efforts to bridge this gap

Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Salmonella Typhi genomes

Background: The Global Typhoid Genomics Consortium was established to bring together the typhoid research community to aggregate and analyse Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi) genomic data to inform public health action. This analysis, which marks 22 years since the publication of the first Typhi genome, represents the largest Typhi genome sequence collection to date (n=13,000). Methods: This is a meta-analysis of global genotype and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants extracted from previously sequenced genome data and analysed using consistent methods implemented in open analysis platforms GenoTyphi and Pathogenwatch. Results: Compared with previous global snapshots, the data highlight that genotype 4.3.1 (H58) has not spread beyond Asia and Eastern/Southern Africa; in other regions, distinct genotypes dominate and have independently evolved AMR. Data gaps remain in many parts of the world, and we show the potential of travel-associated sequences to provide informal ‘sentinel’ surveillance for such locations. The data indicate that ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility (>1 resistance determinant) is widespread across geographies and genotypes, with high-level ciprofloxacin resistance (≥3 determinants) reaching 20% prevalence in South Asia. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid has become dominant in Pakistan (70% in 2020) but has not yet become established elsewhere. Ceftriaxone resistance has emerged in eight non-XDR genotypes, including a ciprofloxacin-resistant lineage (4.3.1.2.1) in India. Azithromycin resistance mutations were detected at low prevalence in South Asia, including in two common ciprofloxacin-resistant genotypes. Conclusions: The consortium’s aim is to encourage continued data sharing and collaboration to monitor the emergence and global spread of AMR Typhi, and to inform decision-making around the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) and other prevention and control strategies

Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: Insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Salmonella Typhi genomes

Background: The Global Typhoid Genomics Consortium was established to bring together the typhoid research community to aggregate and analyse Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi) genomic data to inform public health action. This analysis, which marks 22 years since the publication of the first Typhi genome, represents the largest Typhi genome sequence collection to date (n=13,000). Methods: This is a meta-analysis of global genotype and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants extracted from previously sequenced genome data and analysed using consistent methods implemented in open analysis platforms GenoTyphi and Pathogenwatch. Results: Compared with previous global snapshots, the data highlight that genotype 4.3.1 (H58) has not spread beyond Asia and Eastern/Southern Africa; in other regions, distinct genotypes dominate and have independently evolved AMR. Data gaps remain in many parts of the world, and we show the potential of travel-associated sequences to provide informal ‘sentinel’ surveillance for such locations. The data indicate that ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility (>1 resistance determinant) is widespread across geographies and genotypes, with high-level ciprofloxacin resistance (=3 determinants) reaching 20% prevalence in South Asia. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid has becomedominant in Pakistan (70% in 2020) but has not yet become established elsewhere. Ceftriaxone resistance has emerged in eight non-XDR genotypes, including a ciprofloxacin-resistant lineage (4.3.1.2.1) in India. Azithromycin resistance mutations were detected at low prevalence in South Asia, including in two common ciprofloxacin-resistant genotypes. Conclusions: The consortium’s aim is to encourage continued data sharing and collaboration to monitor the emergence and global spread of AMR Typhi, and to inform decision-making around the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) and other prevention and control strategies

Sugar and dietary fibre components of tamarind (tamarindus indica l.) fruits from Nigeria

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica  L.), a fruit tree belonging to the Ceasalpinicae family, grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical regions. It grows wild on wastelands, backyards and roadsides in the Savannah region of Nigeria. Tamarind fruit, though, has considerable industrial potential, is largely underutilised in Nigeria. Mature tamarind fruits, collected from nineteen randomly selected major towns of the twenty states in the Savannah region on Nigeria, were analysed for their sugar and dietary fibre components, using standard methods. Sugars  identified in tamarind fruits included glucose (1.1-4.4 %), galactose (0.1-0.4 %), fructose (0.7-3.2 %), arabinose (0.1-0.3 %) and xylose (0.2-0.4 %). Dietary fibre components of tamarind fruits were 4.4-5.4 % NDF, 6.0-7.4% ADF, 2.6-3.7 % lignin, 1.5- 2.2 % hemicellulose and 2.8-4.2 % cellulose. Consumption of tamarind fruits could lead to improved health of Nigerians, especially diabetic and heart patients

Development And Sensory Evaluation Of An Improved Beverage From Nigeria&Apos;S Tamarind ( Tamarindus Indica L.) Fruit

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), an indigenous underutilised tree fruit, has many valuable properties and almost every part of the tree is utilised by rural and urban dwellers. Nigerian tamarind fruits are grossly underutilised, with the rural dwellers utilising some of the fruits in beverage production using ancient processing methods. The ancient processes of manufacture are cumbersome, slow, non-hygienic and highly subjective, often resulting in non-uniform and low quality products which are less preferred to commercial imported ones. Furthermore, traditional tamarind beverage is not as popular among the populace as other traditional beverages. There is therefore a need to develop simple and affordable process of producing standard tamarind beverage which would be widely accepted by Nigerians. A simple, improved processing method was developed based on the traditional method of manufacturing tamarind beverage using the modified one-factor-at-a-time method to determine the experimental levels of the various ingredients used in the formulation of the beverage. A pilot study was carried out to determine the acceptable range of pulp to water blend. The beverages were evaluated by the paired preference, hedonic rating and multiple comparison tests using 50 semi-trained assessors within the age range of 18 and 45 years. The results of the paired preference tests were expressed as levels of significance while the mean scores of hedonic rating tests were subjected to analysis of variance. Tukey′s test was used to separate the means. Samples of tamarind beverages produced by the traditional and improved processing methods were analysed for colour, pH, total acidity, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total solids, browning index and cloudiness using standard methods. The colour (A 325nm ), cloudiness (A 660nm ), browning index (A 420nm ) and ascorbic acid (mg/100ml) of the traditional and improved beverages were 0.91±0.25, 0.68±0.16, 1.42±0.04, 9.5±0.69 and 0.60±0.01, 0.13±0.01, 0.19±0.01 and 10.4±0.21, respectively. While the traditional processing method took 10 hours to produce about 10 litres of beverage, the improved processing method took 2 hours to produce 250 litres of beverage. The improved beverage was rated much higher in terms of colour, aroma, taste and overall acceptability than the traditional beverage and compared favourably well with a similar commercial beverage. A beverage with more acceptable qualities than the traditional beverage was thus produced from the improved processing method

Functional properties of soybean and locustbean dawadawa; a bacterial fermented Product

Functional properties of soybean and locustbean dawadawa; a bacterial fermented product, were investigated. Locustbean and soybean seeds were processed and fermented for 48h and the products; dawadawa, assayed for gelation capacity, water and oil absorption capacity; emulsion capacity and emulsion stability. Results showed that water absorption capacity (WAC) of fermented soybean increased significantly (

Developing GM super cassava for improved health and food security: future challenges in Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is an urgent need to solve the problem of micronutrient malnutrition that is prevalent among young children and women in Africa. Genetically modified (GM) biofortified cassava has great potential to solve part of this problem, but controversy surrounding GM technology and lack of awareness, limited facilities, biased news and other factors may hinder the adoption of GM cassava in the future.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Using semi-structured interviews in Ghana and Nigeria, this paper examines the perspectives of scientists, including the BioCassava Plus (BC+) team, on the potential adoption of GM cassava for improving health and food security in Africa. The article also examines issues around the regulatory system and transfer and acceptance of GM cassava among scientists.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The result suggests that an overwhelming majority of scientists agree that GM biofortified cassava will benefit the health of millions in Africa, and that GM cassava conferred with disease and pest resistance will increase cassava production as it is currently plagued by cassava mosaic diseases (CMD). However, respondents are wary of long-term effects of GM cassava on the environment and lack of a regulatory framework to facilitate the adoption of GM cassava. Even though scientists expressed little or no concern about health risks of GM cassava, they were concerned that consumers may express such concerns given limited understanding of GM technology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The article concludes with a summary of priorities for policy development with regard to adopting biofortified food products.</p