Local community participation in restoration of watersheds in Uganda

Open Access Journal; Published online: June 26, 2017Despite the involvement of the local community in Awoja watershed activities, restoration was not fully achieved. Studies on community participation in Awoja watershed have focused on its importance with little known on the extent to which they participate, yet the level of community participation determines the success of restoration of watersheds. This study analysed the extent of local community participation in restoration of Awoja watershed of Eastern Uganda. It was conducted in Ngora district and respondents were asked about two restoration sites of FIEFOC and COBWEB. Data were collected from 237 respondents using a questionnaire from April to July 2015. Descriptive analysis and independent t-test were employed to analyze data. Results indicated that overall level of local community participation in Awoja was average with varied patterns in social, economic and environmental participation. Results showed significant differences between level of participation in overall (P=0.034) and environmental (P=0.044) in FIEFOC and COBWEB restoration sites. Community involvement at all project phases should be encouraged to create a sense of ownership and guidance in similar upcoming projects

Physico-chemical, proximate, mineral and bioactive composition of Garcinia buchananii baker fruit from Uganda and Rwanda

Garcinia buchananii Baker (Family,Cluciaceae/Guttiferae) is an underutilized indigenous fruit tree that produces edible fruits that are used as both  food and medicine in tropical Africa. This study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of G. buchananii fruits collected from Uganda  and Rwanda. Ripe fruits were harvested during their peak seasons in Masaka and Bugesera Districts in Uganda and Rwanda, respectively. The fruits  were analyzed for physical characteristics including; fruit weight, fruit size (that is length and width), number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, seed  dimensions(length, width and breadth); chemical characteristics (pH and titratable acidity), proximate composition (moisture content, protein, fat,  dietary fibre, carbohydrates and energy), mineral composition (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu), and bioactive components (total phenolic compounds,  flavonoids and anthocyanins; and antioxidant activity). Data were statistically analyzed using a student T-test (p≤0.05). The results indicated that fruit  weight and pulp content ranged from 6.3±1.3-9.5±2.8g and 54.1±10.6- 81.1±6.5%, respectively. Titratable acidity of the pulp ranged from  6.1±0.8 to 7.1±0.1 %. Nutritionally, dietary fibre, vitamin C, iron and zinc ranged from 20.0±0.4 -22.6±1.8 g/100g, 32.8±3.2-42.0±3.3 mg/100g, 4.8±0.2  - 6.5±0.8 mg/100g and 1.1±0.0 -2.5±0.1 mg/100g, respectively. The total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity ranged from 996.7±50.5 -  1147.5±47.4 mg/g GAE (Garlic Acid Equivalent) and 8.0±0.2- 8.4±0.1 mg/100g AAE (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent) as IC50, respectively. There was a  significant difference (p≤0.05) in the physical characteristics (weight, length, width and breadth), nutritional composition and bioactive components  of the fruit samples of the two countries. Assessment of the nutrients indicated that the pulp was rich in vitamin C, iron, zinc, copper and dietary  fibre. The pulp also contained phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The seeds had 6-24% crude oil content with palmitic, stearic, oleic and  linoleic as major fatty acids. The total unsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil ranged from 58.4-59.5%. Although this finding showed significant  differences (P≤0.05) in the physical and chemical of G. buchananii fruit from Uganda and Rwanda, the nutritional composition and bioactive  component information has shown the potential of the fruits for processing into high-value nutraceuticals.&nbsp

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

The desert date ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) is one of the neglected staple crops of growing importance in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, information on its nutritional composition is still lacking, thus limiting their wider use and promotion. This study was designed to determine the nutritional composition of various parts of B. aegyptiaca eaten by Ugandans. Samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts in Uganda. Dry matter content of the leaves, flowers and fruit pulp ranged from 95% in fruit pulp, to 98% in leaves and flowers. Ash content of the leaves and flowers was 8.07%; while that of the fruit pulp was 6.97%. Fat content of the leaves (2.29%) was significantly higher than that in fruit pulp (0.37%). Similarly, crude protein content was greater in the leaves and flowers (16.95%) than in the fruit pulp (5.4%). The leaves and flowers were generally richer in macronutrients than in fruit pulp in the order of K>Na>Mg with mean values of 19.54, 3.32 and 1.26 mg g-1. Iron was the most abundant micronutrient in all Balanites parts. This was followed by Mn, Zn and Cu with mean values of 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 and 25.49 \ub5g g-1, respectively. A similar trend was found in fruit pulp. There is a need to determine the level of anti-nutritional factors in Balanites products and the effect of different leaf preparation methods on nutrient availability to further guide their wide usage.Le dattier du desert ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) est une culture de base negligee qui cro\ueet dans les milieux \ue0 s\ue9cheresse et sujets aux famines en Uganda. Malheureusement, l\u2019information sur sa composition nutritionnelle est encore manquante, ainsi limitant son utilisation et sa promotion. Cette Vtude Vtait conduite pour d\ue9terminer la composition de B.aegyptiaca dans diff\ue9rentes parties consomm\ue9es par les ougandais. Des \ue9chantillons \ue9taient collect\ue9es dans les districts de Katakwi, Adjumani et Moroto en Ouganda. Le contenu en mati\ue8re s\ue8che des feuilles, des fleurs et des pulpes de fruits variait de 95% dans les pulpes de fruits, \ue0 98% dans les feuilles et fleurs. Le contenu en cendre des feuilles et fleurs \ue9tait 8.07% et 6.97% dans les pulpes de fruits. Le contenu en mati\ue8res grasse dans les feuilles (2.29%) \ue9tait significativement plus \ue9lev\ue9es que celui des pulpes de fruits (0.37%). De fa\ue7on similaire, le contenu en protein brute des fleurs \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 dans les feuilles et fleurs (16.95%) que dans la pulpe de fruits (5.4%). Les feuilles et les fleurs \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement plus riches en macronutriements que dans la pulpe de fruits dans l\u2019ordre de K>Na>Mg avec de valeurs maoyennes de 19.54, 3.32 et 1.26 mg g-1. Le fer \ue9tait le miconutriment plus abundant dans toutes les parties de Balanites. Ceci \ue9tait suivi de Mn, Zn et Cu avec pour valeurs moyennes 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 et 25.49 \ub5g g-1, respectivement. Une tendance similaire \ue9tait observ\ue9e dans la pulpe de fruits. Le besoin s\u2019impose de d\ue9terminer le niveau des facteurs anti-nutritionnels dans les produits de Balanites et l\u2019effet de diff\ue9rentes m\ue9thodes de pr\ue9paration des feuilles sur la disponibilit\ue9 de nutriments pour guider leur vaste usage

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

Includes abstract in FrenchBalanites products offer great opportunity to reduce malnutrition, contribute to food security and reduce poverty among dryland communities. The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is a neglected crop in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. This study determines the nutritional composition of B. aegyptiaca edible parts in Uganda so as to promote their wider utilization. Results reveal that Balanites leaves, flowers and fruit pulp are good sources of proteins, Fe, K, Mn, Zn and Cu thus contributing substantial amounts of macro and micronutrients to human diet. However, leaves and flowers were nutritionally superior to fruit pulp

Physico-Chemical Characteristics Of Shea Butter ( Vitellaria Paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) Oil From The Shea Districts Of Uganda

Shea oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the shea tree ( Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.). It constitutes an important source of fat in food and cosmetics. Although shea oil can be marketed both locally and internationally, increasing demand worldwide for exportable products calls for their certification. Characterization of shea oil is one step towards developing its certification system. In this study, the physico-chemical characteristics of shea oil in different shea zones of Uganda were assessed. Samples of shea fruits were collected between the months of June-August 2007 in the districts of Pader, Lira, Katakwi and Arua representing Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile shea zones, respectively. Seed oil was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane solvent and analysed for colour, refractive index, viscosity, oil content, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value, α-tocopherols and fatty acid profile. Shea oil content, colour, refractive index and viscosity ranged from 41-54%, orange to orange–yellow, 1.670-1.690 and 2.4-2.8 cP, respectively. Acid and peroxide values ranged between 2.3-12.59 mgKOH/kg and 2.10 to 2.50 meq/kg, respectively. Saponification, iodine and α- tocopherols values were between 160 mgKOH/g and 192mgKOH/g, 39.21 I2g/100 and 41.37 I2g/100g and 26.3-44.4 mg/100g, respectively. Fatty acid profile for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidic fatty acids ranged between 6.52-8.12%, 28.65-30.94%, 55.54- 57.63%, 6.18-7.79% and 0.65-0.90%, respectively. Although there was significant variation in the oil yield (P≤0.05), the physico-chemical characteristic and fatty acid profile showed no significant variation in the shea zones of Uganda (P≤0.05). The fact that physico- chemical characteristics of shea oil from the different shea zones of Uganda are comparable to other high value edible vegetable oils indicates its suitability as raw material for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This characterization is a bench mark for monitoring the quality of shea oil from Uganda and can be used to enhance its local and international trade

Proximate And Mineral Composition Of Shea ( Vitellaria Paradoxa C.F. Gaertn) Fruit Pulp In Uganda

The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa,C.F.Gaertn) is an indigenous fruit tree distributed in the shea parklands of Africa. The shea fruit is an important source of food for rural communities especially at time of food shortages, hunger and other disasters in addition to providing enormous health benefit and income. Because of its role in combating food insecurity and sustaining rural livelihoods, an assessment of the nutritional composition of shea fruit pulp was carried out in Uganda. Samples of shea fruits were collected from Katakwi, Lira, Pader and Arua districts in Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile sub regions in Uganda, respectively, between April and August 2007. For each district, a composite shea fruit sample was analysed for moisture content, total ash, crude oil, crude fibre, crude protein, vitamin C, carbohydrates and calorific values. The mineral composition was analysed for calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron. The total ash, crude oil, crude fibre, crude protein, total carbohydrate, vitamin C and caloric values ranged between 3.6-5.9%, 1.5-3.5%, 10-15%, 3.1-4.2%, 12.4-19.4%, 85.6-124.9mg/100g and 77.6-89.2 Kcal/100g, respectively (dry weight basis). Ca, K, Mg, Na and Fe values in the pulp ranged from 35.2-95.6 mg/100g, 42.0-63.6 mg/100g, 18.1-24.2mg/100g, 7.1-18.1mg/100gm and 3.4-3.8 mg/100g, respectively. There was a significant variation (P≤0.05) in the crude proteins, crude fibre, Vitamin C values and mineral compositions of the shea fruit pulp from the different shea sub-regions in Uganda. These variations could be due to differences in prevailing environmental factors. The results show clearly that shea fruit pulp has adequate nutrients equivalent to other edible fruits and should be promoted in human nutrition. Its Na/K ratio (0.14-0.35) also makes the shea fruit a valuable resource for managing high blood pressure; an emerging non-communicable disease in most developing countries. To promote wide consumption of shea fruits, the influence of environmental factors and season of harvest on its nutritional composition needs to be investigated

Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products

The desert date ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) is one of the neglected staple crops of growing importance in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, information on its nutritional composition is still lacking, thus limiting their wider use and promotion. This study was designed to determine the nutritional composition of various parts of B. aegyptiaca eaten by Ugandans. Samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts in Uganda. Dry matter content of the leaves, flowers and fruit pulp ranged from 95% in fruit pulp, to 98% in leaves and flowers. Ash content of the leaves and flowers was 8.07%; while that of the fruit pulp was 6.97%. Fat content of the leaves (2.29%) was significantly higher than that in fruit pulp (0.37%). Similarly, crude protein content was greater in the leaves and flowers (16.95%) than in the fruit pulp (5.4%). The leaves and flowers were generally richer in macronutrients than in fruit pulp in the order of K>Na>Mg with mean values of 19.54, 3.32 and 1.26 mg g-1. Iron was the most abundant micronutrient in all Balanites parts. This was followed by Mn, Zn and Cu with mean values of 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 and 25.49 µg g-1, respectively. A similar trend was found in fruit pulp. There is a need to determine the level of anti-nutritional factors in Balanites products and the effect of different leaf preparation methods on nutrient availability to further guide their wide usage.Le dattier du desert ( Balanites aegyptiaca , Del. L.) est une culture de base negligee qui croît dans les milieux à sécheresse et sujets aux famines en Uganda. Malheureusement, l’information sur sa composition nutritionnelle est encore manquante, ainsi limitant son utilisation et sa promotion. Cette Vtude Vtait conduite pour déterminer la composition de B.aegyptiaca dans différentes parties consommées par les ougandais. Des échantillons étaient collectées dans les districts de Katakwi, Adjumani et Moroto en Ouganda. Le contenu en matière sèche des feuilles, des fleurs et des pulpes de fruits variait de 95% dans les pulpes de fruits, à 98% dans les feuilles et fleurs. Le contenu en cendre des feuilles et fleurs était 8.07% et 6.97% dans les pulpes de fruits. Le contenu en matières grasse dans les feuilles (2.29%) était significativement plus élevées que celui des pulpes de fruits (0.37%). De façon similaire, le contenu en protein brute des fleurs était plus élevé dans les feuilles et fleurs (16.95%) que dans la pulpe de fruits (5.4%). Les feuilles et les fleurs étaient généralement plus riches en macronutriements que dans la pulpe de fruits dans l’ordre de K>Na>Mg avec de valeurs maoyennes de 19.54, 3.32 et 1.26 mg g-1. Le fer était le miconutriment plus abundant dans toutes les parties de Balanites. Ceci était suivi de Mn, Zn et Cu avec pour valeurs moyennes 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 et 25.49 µg g-1, respectivement. Une tendance similaire était observée dans la pulpe de fruits. Le besoin s’impose de déterminer le niveau des facteurs anti-nutritionnels dans les produits de Balanites et l’effet de différentes méthodes de préparation des feuilles sur la disponibilité de nutriments pour guider leur vaste usage