Removal of Pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhi), and nutrients from wastewater by Lactic Acid bacteria

Outbreaks of various forms of diarrhoea, particularly cholera and typhoid, are a frequent occurrence in low income countries. Poor water sanitation and hygiene practices are frequently implicated for all diarrhoeal out breaks in the low income countries. The present study assessed (i) the probiotic potential of selected strains of lactic acid bacteria in terms of their inhibition activities against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhi, and the removal of heavy metals in wastewater. The selected lactic acid bacteria had probiotic properties, namely resistance to low pH (pH2 and 3), tolerance to bile salts and sodium chloride, and significant antimicrobial activities against strains of E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhi (p < 0.001). Strains of lactic acid bacteria were shown to modulate the concentration of aqueous Cu, Mn, NH4 + and Zn with a significant net decrease between Day 7 or 10 (p ≤ 0.05). The selected lactic acid bacteria were also shown to deploy biofilms on surfaces of sand particles, which are thought to constitute a mechanism by the lactic acid bacteria to hold and kill E. coli and S. typhi in wastewater. The lactic acid bacteria have exhibited great potential for use in the removal of diarrhoeagenic bacteria and heavy metals from wastewater.

Functional and health promoting inherent attributes of Enterococcus hirae F2 as a novel probiotic isolated from the digestive tract of the freshwater fish Catla catla

Probiotic microorganisms are gaining global importance because of their use in the preparation of a nutraceutical or in the treatment of infections. As per the health industry demand, there is an urgent need for exploring new indigenous probiotic strains with its specific origin due to variation in gut microflora, different food habits and specific host-microbial interactions. The main objective of the present study was to isolate and identify a novel probiotic Enterococcus strain from the gut of Catla catla fish and evaluate its potentiality as a potent probiotic. The whole study was designed with the isolation of novel lactic acid bacterial strain from the gut of Catla catla fish with their biochemical and molecular identifications. The potentiality of the isolated strain as a potent probiotic was carried out according to the parameters described in FAD/WHO guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in food. The isolated strain was confirmed as Enterococcus hirae F2 on the basis of various biochemical and 16s rRNA gene sequencing methods. Enterococcus hirae F2 was able to survive under highly acidic and bile salt concentration with the ability for the production of lipase and Bsh enzyme. It was also able to survive under simulated gastrointestinal conditions with the inhibition ability of various pathogens. The antioxidant potentiality with the cell surface hydrophobicity and cell aggregation ability confirms its potentiality as a potent probiotic. All the results detail the potency of Enterococcus hirae F2 as a novel probiotic for a safer use. The isolation of Enterococcus hirae with probiotic potential from the gut of fish is a new approach and done for the first time. However, the whole study concluded that the isolated strain might be used as a novel probiotic in the food industry for the production of new probiotic products which imparts health benefits to the host

The role of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and food supplements in intestinal health

New eating habits, actual trends in production and consumption have a healyh, environmental and social impact. The EU is fighting diseases characteristics of a modern age, such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and dental problems. Developed countries are also faced with problems relatingto aging populations, high energy foods, and unbalanced diets. The potential of nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements in mitigating health problems, especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is discused. Certain members of gut microflora (e.g., probiotic/protective strains) play a role in the host health due to its involvment in nutritional, immunologic and physiologic functions. The potential mechanisms by which nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements may alter a host\u27s health arealso highlighted in this paper. The establishment of novel functional call models of the GI and analytical tools that allow tests in controlled experiments are highly desired for gut research

The Role of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements in Intestinal Health

New eating habits, actual trends in production and consumption have a health, environmental and social impact. The European Union is fighting diseases characteristic of a modern age, such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and dental problems. Developed countries are also faced with problems relating to aging populations, high energy foods, and unbalanced diets. The potential of nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements in mitigating health problems, especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is discussed. Certain members of gut microflora (e.g., probiotic/protective strains) play a role in the host health due to its involvement in nutritional, immunologic and physiological functions. The potential mechanisms by which nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements may alter a host’s health are also highlighted in this paper. The establishment of novel functional cell models of the GI and analytical tools that allow tests in controlled experiments are highly desired for gut research

Odkrywanie polityki rządu Republiki Południowej Afryki jako czynnika wzmacniającego pozycję kobiet

Artykuł analizuje politykę rządu i mierzy ją z konkretnymi wynikami, aby ocenić, czy osiąga ona pożądany efekt i czy polityki promują jakikolwiek zrównoważony rozwój. W procesie ułatwiania upodmiotowienia płci.The paper looks into exploring government policy and measure it against tangible results to assess if it is achieving the desired effect and if the polies are promoting any sustainability. In the process facilitating gender empowerment

Maningi mahure

Indigenous musi

Teacher perceptions of the competence of school management team (SMT) to utilise personal mastery as an aspect of holistic leadership to influence job satisfaction

Abstract: The ever-changing landscape in the education field has exerted much pressure on school leadership to continually adapt to current reforms. School leadership has therefore become a combined effort by the mandated School Management Team (SMT) and every other member of the school, hence a collaborative leadership. However, collaboration is a “slippery construct” and the SMT is often fraught with difficulties on how to collaborate in a hierarchical bureaucratic structure where different post levels have different authorities and functions...M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management

Effect of processing on crude fat and beta-carotene content in three sweet potato varieties

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is one of the crops being considered for the diversification of the staple diet to enhance food security in Zimbabwe in the face of climate change and economic challenges. One of the hurdles preventing adoption of sweet potato as a staple food is its short shelf-life. There has been a call to explore means of preserving sweet potato hence increasing its shelf-life and one method of preservation is processing sweet potato into flour. However, this method has not been embraced because the effect of processing on sweet potato nutrient content is not known. A study was carried out to determine the effect of two methods of post-harvest processing (oven-drying and sun-drying) on fat and beta-carotene content of sweet potato in line with the ZIM ASSET clusters on food security under value addition and beneficiation. Three sweet potato cultivars -Chingovha (crème-fleshed), Germany II (white-fleshed) and Resisto (orangefleshed) were studied. The Soxhlet extraction method was used for fat content determination and the beta carotene content was determined using spectrophotometry. Sun-dried Germany II retained the highest fat content (0.09±.002g/100g) after processing. The fat content was below the threshold required for absorption of beta-carotene by the body (5g/100g). Resisto and Chingovha retained similar fat contents (0.02±.002g/100g – 0.04±.004g/100g). There were significant differences in fat content across the three cultivars and between fresh and processed sweet potato (ANOVA p<0.05). Resisto retained the most beta-carotene (8.33±0.039 mg/100g) after processing whereas Chingovha and Germany II had similar beta-carotene contents (0.7±0.039 – 0.75±0.039 mg/100g). There were significant differences in beta-carotene content across the three cultivars (ANOVA p<0.05) which lied between Resisto and Chingovha (Tukey multiple comparisons p=0.00) and between Resisto and Germany II (Tukey multiple comparisons p=0.00). Beta-carotene content in all three cultivars was converted to meet the average daily beta-carotene content intake requirements called Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) at a ratio of 1 µg/100g beta-carotene: 12 µg/100g RAE. Resisto had a RAE of 694-697.5µg/100g which met the average daily intake requirements for males and females aged 0-13 (400-600µg/100g). Resisto must be grown on a large scale because of its high beta-carotene content. Chingovha and Germany II had beta-carotene contents below the required RAE of 400 µg/100g therefore they need artificial fortification. When eating sweet potato, an accompaniment with a dietary fat of 3-5g/100g must be consumed for intestinal absorption of beta-carotene. Resisto was the best in terms of beta-carotene content after processing, therefore it is the most suitable cultivar for food security. Both sun-drying and ovendrying had similar effects on beta-carotene content although sun-drying yielded less losses in fat content in Resisto and Germany II, therefore sun-drying is a more effective method to use for sweet potato processing

Culture, myths and panic: Three decades and beyond with an HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is going through a generalised acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. The first five years of the epidemic (1985-1990) were characterised by lack of medicines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and an exponential increase in prevalence (65-fold) and incidence (13-fold), which were fuelled by high-risk sexual behaviour. The high HIV prevalence, mortality and stigma yielded great fear and panic in the population, which are thought to have led to confusion and hopelessness, and, in turn, increased risky sexual behaviour. The country’s government and civil society embarked on HIV awareness campaigns that are claimed to have played a central role in slowing down the epidemic since the mid-2000s. HIV-related mortality then fell by 70% between 2003 and 2013, which is attributed to high uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (95%) prophylaxis. However, the epidemic has been characterised by a low paediatric ART coverage (35% in 2011 to 46.12% in 2013). Year 2014 saw an increase in adolescent and young adult HIV prevalence, which may be signalling a rebound of the epidemic. A more holistic approach which deals with the epidemic in its socio-political context is required to effectively lower the country’s HIV burden

The Role of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements in Intestinal Health

New eating habits, actual trends in production and consumption have a health, environmental and social impact. The European Union is fighting diseases characteristic of a modern age, such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and dental problems. Developed countries are also faced with problems relating to aging populations, high energy foods, and unbalanced diets. The potential of nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements in mitigating health problems, especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is discussed. Certain members of gut microflora (e.g., probiotic/protective strains) play a role in the host health due to its involvement in nutritional, immunologic and physiological functions. The potential mechanisms by which nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements may alter a host’s health are also highlighted in this paper. The establishment of novel functional cell models of the GI and analytical tools that allow tests in controlled experiments are highly desired for gut research