Assessment of Lead and Cadmium Concentrations in Raw Cow Milk from Farms near Namanve Industrial Park in Kira Division, Wakiso District, Uganda

Lead and Cadmium concentrations were analysed in raw cow milk samples collected from smallholder zero grazing households near Namanve Industrial Park in Kira Division in Wakiso district near Kampala city, Uganda. The concentration of heavy metals in milk was tested with atomic absorption spectrophotometry using the Perkin Elmer AAA Model 2380 after acid digestion. The overall mean concentration of lead and cadmium was 0.01 and 0.0083 mg/kg respectively. Of the three wards, Bweyogerere had the highest lead concentration (0.014mg/kg) and cadmium (0.011mg/kg). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test of the mean concentrations of lead between and within wards showed significant differences (F = 10.85, P < 0.05) and the findings were similar for cadmium (F=4.77, P < 0.05). Multiple comparison tests (Bonferroni) showed Bweyogerere raw milk had significantly higher lead concentration than milk from Kireka (P=0.008) and milk from Kirinya (P < 0.0001) and also significantly higher cadmium concentration than milk from Kirinya (P = 0.0009). Mean concentration of each metal residue was below the recommended minimum hazardous intake in diet as per Codex/Uganda National Bureau of Standards at 0.02 mg/kg for both lead and cadmium. Therefore, milk from cows reared around Namanve presents no public health-related lead and cadmium hazards

Technical Report: Effect of storage conditions on the processing quality of different potato varieties grown in Eastern Uganda

European UnionInternational Fund for Agricultural Developmen

CHARACTERISATION OF POTATO VARIETIES COMMONLY GROWN IN UGANDA FOR FOOD PROCESSING SUITABILITY

Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important crop for food and income generation in Uganda. However, lack of data on the physico-chemical characteristics of the major potato varieties to support industrial-level processing is one of the major limitations. To bridge the existing information gap, nine major potato varieties grown in Uganda; namely: Cruza, Kachpot1, Kimuli, Kinigi, Mbumbamagara, Rutuku, Rwashaki, Rwangume and Victoria were characterised to generate information on physical, chemical and processing traits. The results indicated that Kinigi had the highest dry matter (27.2%); whereas Rutuku had the lowest (19.28 %). Most varieties had tubers of medium size (50-60 mm), round in shape with medium eye depth. Kimuli recorded the highest (0.55 g 100 g-1 FW) levels of reducing sugars; whereas Kinigi had the lowest (0.02 g 100 g-1 FW). Cluster analysis separated the varieties into three groups; group 1 included varieties Cruza, Kimuli and Rwangume, which were found unsuitable for processing French fries and crisps due to high levels of reducing sugars; but are excellent candidates for preparation of mashed potato and salads. The second group included Kachpot1, Kinigi and Rwashaki and was found suitable for processing French fries, crisps and starch due to high dry matter and low reducing sugars. Group 3 included Mbumbamagara, Rutuku and Victoria and was found only suitable for production of potato flour, mashed potato and salads due to low dry matter content and small tubers.The information generated by the study is important in guiding interventions aimed at improving the potato value chain in Uganda and its contribution to socio-economic development.La pomme de terre (Solanum tuberosum L.) est une culture importante pour l\u2019alimentation et la g\ue9n\ue9ration de revenus en Ouganda. Cependant, le manque de donn\ue9es sur les caract\ue9ristiques physico-chimiques des principales vari\ue9t\ue9s de pommes de terre pour appuyer la transformation au niveau industriel est l\u2019une des principales contraintes. Pour combler ce manque d\u2019information, neuf vari\ue9t\ue9s de pommes de terre cultiv\ue9es en Ouganda, \ue0 savoir : Cruza, Kachpot1, Kimuli, Kinigi, Mbumbamagara, Rutuku, Rwashaki, Rwangume et Victoria ont \ue9t\ue9 caract\ue9ris\ue9es pour g\ue9n\ue9rer des informations sur les traits physiques, chimiques et de transformation. Les r\ue9sultats ont indiqu\ue9 que Kinigi avait la teneur en mati\ue8re s\ue8che la plus \ue9lev\ue9e (27,2%), tandis que Rutuku en avait la plus faible (19,28%). La plupart des vari\ue9t\ue9s avaient des tubercules de taille moyenne (50-60 mm), de forme ronde avec une profondeur d\u2019\u153il moyenne. Kimuli a enregistr\ue9 la concentration la plus \ue9lev\ue9e (0,55 g 100 g-1 FW) de sucres r\ue9ducteurs, tandis que Kinigi a enregistr\ue9 la plus faible (0,02 g 100 g-1 FW). L\u2019analyse typologique (Cluster) a synth\ue9tis\ue9 les vari\ue9t\ue9s en trois groupes. Le groupe 1 comprenait les vari\ue9t\ue9s Cruza, Kimuli et Rwangume, qui se sont av\ue9r\ue9es inadapt\ue9es \ue0 la production des frites et des chips en raison de leurs niveaux \ue9lev\ue9s de sucres r\ue9ducteurs, mais sont d\u2019excellents candidats pour la pr\ue9paration de pur\ue9e de pommes de terre et de salades. Le deuxi\ue8me groupe comprenait Kachpot1, Kinigi et Rwashaki et s\u2019est av\ue9r\ue9 adapt\ue9 \ue0 la pr\ue9paration des frites, des chips et de l\u2019amidon en raison de leur mati\ue8re s\ue8che \ue9lev\ue9e et de faibles concentrations en sucres r\ue9ducteurs. Le groupe 3 comprenait Mbumbamagara, Rutuku et Victoria et n\u2019\ue9tait adapt\ue9 qu\u2019\ue0 la production de farine de pommes de terre, de pur\ue9e de pommes de terre et de salades en raison de la faible teneur en mati\ue8re s\ue8che et des petits tubercules. Les informations g\ue9n\ue9r\ue9es par cette \ue9tude sont importantes pour guider les interventions visant \ue0 am\ue9liorer la cha\ueene de valeur de la pomme de terre en Ouganda et sa contribution au d\ue9veloppement socio-\ue9conomique

On-farm evaluation of effectiveness of improved postharvest handling of maize in reducing grain losses, mold infection and aflatoxin contamination in rural Uganda

Postharvest losses remain a challenge among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The uses of hermetic storage containers  (hermetic bags and metallic silos), tarpaulin sheet (plastic sheet) and raised racks reduce postharvest deterioration of grain. This study evaluated the effectiveness of selected improved drying and storage postharvest technologies and practices in reducing maize grain postharvest losses among smallholder farmers in Kamuli and Apac districts, Uganda. The assessed improved storage technologies were hermetic bags and metallic silos against woven polypropylene bags (common farmer practice). For drying, use of tarpaulins and raised racks were assessed against drying on bare ground (common farmer practice). Grain quality and quantity were determined at harvest as well as during drying and six months of storage using Longe 10H variety. Mean quantitative losses, mold infection and aflatoxin level of maize at harvest were 13.72 ± 5.44%, 59.01 ± 17.97% and 1.21 ± 0.7 ppb, respectively for traditional practice. Improved drying and storage technologies resulted in significantly lower (p≤0.05) losses, mold infection and aflatoxin level than the common  farmer practices. Drying on bare ground (3.04 ± 1.50%) resulted in 1.94 times and 7.07 times higher quantitative losses than drying on  tarpaulins (1.56 ± 1.09%) and raised racks (0.43 ± 0.58%). By the sixth month of storage, polypropylene bag storage resulted in 3.7 times and 84 times higher quantitative losses (23.7 ± 5.11%) than hermetic bags (6.33 ± 5.41%) and metallic silos (0.28 ± 0.22%), respectively. Polypropylene bag storage also resulted in 4.4 times and 6 times higher aflatoxin levels (45.82 ± 20.88 ppb) than hermetic bags and metallic silos, respectively. The interaction effects of type of drying technology and storage technology used on aflatoxin levels at the end of the storage period was significant. The highest mold infection and aflatoxin levels were observed when drying was done on bare ground and storage was in polypropylene bags and by the sixth month of storage, mold infection was 90.54 ± 5.48% and average aflatoxin content was 53.47 ± 22.79 ppb. Storage in metallic silos was the most effective in controlling mold infection and aflatoxin contamination, regardless of drying practice, while storage in polypropylene bags was the least effective. From the results, improved drying and storage technologies and practices were found to reduce postharvest maize losses, mold infection and aflatoxin level by over 50%. Use of raised drying racks and storage in metallic silos was found to be the most effective combination in maintaining maizequality and reducing postharvest losses. Key words: Aflatoxins, maize quality, mold infection, grain storage, postharvest losse

Production of nutrient-enhanced millet-based composite flour using skimmed milk powder and vegetables

The aim of this study was to develop a nutrient-enhanced millet-based composite flour incorporating skimmed milk powder and vegetables for children aged 6–59 months. Two processing methods were tested to optimize nutrient content and quality of millet-based composite flour, namely germination for 0, 24 and 48 hr and roasting at 80, 100, and 140°C. The amount of ingredients in the formulation was determined using Nutri-survey software. Germinating millet grains for 48 hr at room temperature significantly (p < 0.05) increased protein content (9.3%–10.6%), protein digestibility (22.3%–65.5%), and total sugars (2.2%–5.5%), while phytate content (3.9–3.7 mg/g) decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Roasting millet grains at 140°C significantly (p < 0.05) increased the protein digestibility (22.3%–60.1%) and reduced protein (9.3%–7.8%), phytate (3.9–3.6 mg/g), and total sugar content (2.2%–1.9%). Germinating millet grains at room temperature for 48 hr resulted in millet flour with the best nutritional quality and was adopted for the production of millet-based composite flour. Addition of vegetables and skimmed milk powder to germinated millet flour significantly (p < 0.05) increased the macro-and micronutrient contents and the functional properties of millet-based composite flour. The study demonstrated that the use of skimmed milk powder and vegetables greatly improves the protein quality and micronutrient profile of millet-based complementary foods. The product has the potential to make a significant contribution to the improvement of nutrition of children in developing countries

Effect of skimmed milk and vegetable powders on shelf stability of millet-based composite flour

BACKGROUND: Millet porridge is a major complementary food used in Uganda but it is limited in protein and micronutrientssuch as zinc and beta-carotene. Addition of milk and vegetable powders are known to greatly improve the nutrient content ofmillet flour. However, there was limited information on the shelf stability of the resultant composite flour. This study aimed atassessing the effect of milk and vegetable powders on the shelf stability ofmillet-based composite flour.RESULTS: There was a general increase in the moisture content, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids (FFA), thiobaturic acid(TBA) and total plate count (TPC) of both composite and millet flours over the eightweeks storage period. However, highermoisture content, PV, FFA, TBA and TPC values were recorded in the composite flour compared to millet flour (control) at eachsampling interval. Sensory evaluation results revealed that panelists preferred porridges prepared from millet only comparedto those fromcomposite flour. The degree of liking of porridges fromboth composite andmillet flours generally decreased overthe storage period.However,bothporridgesweredeemedas acceptableby the endof the storage period. The TPC also remainedbelow 105 cfu g−1 which is the maximum limit recommended by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated that the addition of milk and vegetable powders negatively affected the stabilityof the composite flour.We recommend further studies to stabilize the product during storage.© 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society ofChemical Industry

Potential Sources and Transmission of Salmonella and Antimicrobial Resistance in Kampala, Uganda.

In sub‒Saharan Africa, non‒typhoidal Salmonellae (NTS) cause invasive disease particularly in children and HIV infected adults, but the disease epidemiology is poorly understood. Between 2012 and 2013, we investigated NTS sources and transmission in Kampala. We detected Salmonella in 60% of the influent and 60% of the effluent samples from a wastewater treatment plant and 53.3% of the influent and 10% of the effluent samples from waste stabilization ponds that serve the human population; 40.9% of flush‒water samples from ruminant slaughterhouses, 6.6% of the poultry fecal samples from live bird markets and 4% of the fecal samples from swine at slaughter; and in 54.2% of the water samples from a channel that drains storm-water and effluents from the city. We obtained 775 Salmonella isolates, identified 32 serovars, and determined resistance to 15 antimicrobials. We genotyped common serovars using multiple‒locus variable number tandem repeats analysis or pulsed‒field gel electrophoresis. In addition, we analyzed 49 archived NTS isolates from asymptomatic livestock and human clinical cases. Salmonella from ruminant and swine sources were mostly pan‒susceptible (95%) while poultry isolates were generally more resistant. Salmonella Kentucky isolated from poultry exhibited extensive drug resistance characterized by resistance to 10 antimicrobials. Interestingly, similar genotypes of S. Kentucky but with less antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were found in poultry, human and environmental sources. The observed AMR patterns could be attributed to host or management factors associated with production. Alternatively, S. Kentucky may be prone to acquiring AMR. The factors driving AMR remain poorly understood and should be elucidated. Overall, shared genotypes and AMR phenotypes were found in NTS from human, livestock and environmental sources, suggesting zoonotic and environmental transmissions most likely occur. Information from this study could be used to control NTS transmission

Map of Kampala showing the 14 sampling sites.

<p>M1–M4: live poultry markets; N1–N3: sampling sites along Nakivubo Channel; S1–S2: ruminant slaughterhouses; S3: swine slaughterhouse; WTP: wastewater treatment plant; W1–W3: waste stabilization pond systems.</p

Antimicrobial resistance structure in <i>Salmonella</i> from various sources revealed by Latent class analysis.

<p>Antimicrobial resistance structure in <i>Salmonella</i> from various sources revealed by Latent class analysis.</p

Plots of the posterior distributions of the proportion of <i>Salmonella</i> from human wastewater (black), poultry (red) and Nakivubo Channel (green) that were resistant to eight antimicrobials: A, ampicillin; C, chloramphenicol; S, streptomycin; Su, sulfisoxazole; Sx, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; T, tetracycline; Na, nalidixic acid and Cip, ciprofloxacin.

<p>Plots of the posterior distributions of the proportion of <i>Salmonella</i> from human wastewater (black), poultry (red) and Nakivubo Channel (green) that were resistant to eight antimicrobials: A, ampicillin; C, chloramphenicol; S, streptomycin; Su, sulfisoxazole; Sx, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; T, tetracycline; Na, nalidixic acid and Cip, ciprofloxacin.</p