Biochemical properties of six varieties of tomato from Brong Ahafo region of Ghana as influenced by the ripening condition and drying

The study was conducted to assess the influence of the ripening condition and drying on the biochemical properties of six varieties of tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum). The six varieties (Tatiana, Techiman, Tropimech, Pectofade, Rodade and Pawa) were obtained from different tomato growing centres of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Fresh fruits were harvested at mature green, half ripe and full ripe conditions using the USDA colour chart for ripening. Fruit samples were sliced and dried in a solar dryer for six days. Biochemical analysis was carried out on samples of both the dried slices and fresh fruits to estimate the vitamin C content, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, moisture and dry matter contents of the six varieties. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) among the biochemical properties of the six varieties.The vitamin C content of the varieties ranged between 10.37 and 21.25mg/100g. High moisture content, ranging between 83.24 – 96.67 percent was recorded for the six varieties. The means of the vitamin C, moisture content, pH and dry matter content were significantly different among the six varieties studied. Although the total soluble solids ranged from 2.70 to 4.17%, there was no significant difference among the varieties. The ripening  condition of the fruits did not have any significant effect on the biochemical properties studied. The study revealed that drying significantly affected the biochemical properties of tomato, except the titratable acidity and the total soluble solids. Drying significantly (p<0.05) reduced the vitamin C, total soluble solids, and the moisture contents of the six varieties. As expected, the pH and the dry matter content increased significantly (p<0.05) after drying. Significant correlations were observed among the biochemical properties studied. It can be concluded that some of the six varieties studied have appreciable levels of vitamin C, dry matter, total soluble solids and titratable acidity which could be improved for industrial purposes. In respect to the biochemical properties studied, Pawa appears to be the best  variety for industrial processing because of the high Total Soluble Solid (TSS) as well as lower pH and TA values, which are important quality attributes of tomato meant for processing. Tropimech and Techimanare are recommended for fresh market because of the high vitamin C and moisture contents. Although drying could be used to preserve the nutritive value of tomatoes meant for food, it is not  recommended for fruits meant for processing because it reduces the TSS content.Key words: Tomato, varieties, drying, ripening, pH, vitamin C, biochemical  properties, titratable acidit

PREVALENCE AND STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION OF MYCOTOXINS IN THE GHANAIAN POULTRY FEED VALUE CHAIN

The poultry sector in Ghana has the potential to contribute significantly to domestic food and nutrition security. There is limited information regarding the knowledge of feed industry stakeholders on the presence of mycotoxins in poultry feed. This work was aimed at assessing the prevalence of aflatoxin and fumonisin in poultry feed, and mycotoxins awareness among stakeholders of the poultry feed value chain in Ghana. Three hundred and fifty (350) respondents consisting of 255 commercial poultry farmers, 85 feed processors and 16 feed vendors were involved in the study. AgraStrip® Quantitative test from RomerLab, USA was used to quantify total fumonisin and aflatoxin levels in the prepared feed samples. The study revealed that commercial feed producers, feed mills operators and on-farm feed processors are the three main sources of feed and ingredients for commercial poultry farmers in Ghana. The study identified a high level of mycotoxin contamination of feed and ingredients. Feed samples from the commercial feed processors recorded significantly lower aflatoxin levels (21.63+7.05 ppb, p<0.008). However, the threshold of 15 ppb for the Ghana Standards Authority, FAO/WHO maximum permissible limit of 30 ppb and EU regulatory limit of 20 ppb for poultry feeds were exceeded by 70% of all the samples. Fumonisin levels were less than the 30mg/kg FDA guidance levels for maize and maize by-products intended for consumption by breeding poultry. From the study, a majority of the farmers (85%), vendors (87.5%) and all of the feed processors have their own feed storage facilities or warehouses. Storage problems identified by these stakeholders included pest infestation and mold development, which usually occur after a few weeks of storage to the end of the storage period. Sanitation was poor along the feed chain, particularly during feed formulation and storage. Awareness of mycotoxins and their effect on animal and human health was low among the respondents. Some of those who have heard about aflatoxins were not aware of what it is and its effect on the health of humans and animals. This threatens the management of mycotoxins in the poultry feed chain

PREVALENCE AND STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION OF MYCOTOXINS IN THE GHANAIAN POULTRY FEED VALUE CHAIN

The poultry sector in Ghana has the potential to contribute significantly to domestic food and nutrition security. There is limited information regarding the knowledge of feed industry stakeholders on the presence of mycotoxins in poultry feed. This work was aimed at assessing the prevalence of aflatoxin and fumonisin in poultry feed, and mycotoxins awareness among stakeholders of the poultry feed value chain in Ghana. Three hundred and fifty (350) respondents consisting of 255 commercial poultry farmers, 85 feed processors and 16 feed vendors were involved in the study. AgraStrip® Quantitative test from RomerLab, USA was used to quantify total fumonisin and aflatoxin levels in the prepared feed samples. The study revealed that commercial feed producers, feed mills operators and on-farm feed processors are the three main sources of feed and ingredients for commercial poultry farmers in Ghana. The study identified a high level of mycotoxin contamination of feed and ingredients. Feed samples from the commercial feed processors recorded significantly lower aflatoxin levels (21.63+7.05 ppb, p<0.008). However, the threshold of 15 ppb for the Ghana Standards Authority, FAO/WHO maximum permissible limit of 30 ppb and EU regulatory limit of 20 ppb for poultry feeds were exceeded by 70% of all the samples. Fumonisin levels were less than the 30mg/kg FDA guidance levels for maize and maize by-products intended for consumption by breeding poultry. From the study, a majority of the farmers (85%), vendors (87.5%) and all of the feed processors have their own feed storage facilities or warehouses. Storage problems identified by these stakeholders included pest infestation and mold development, which usually occur after a few weeks of storage to the end of the storage period. Sanitation was poor along the feed chain, particularly during feed formulation and storage. Awareness of mycotoxins and their effect on animal and human health was low among the respondents. Some of those who have heard about aflatoxins were not aware of what it is and its effect on the health of humans and animals. This threatens the management of mycotoxins in the poultry feed chain