Determination of Dietary Toxins in Selected Wild Edible Plants of Ethiopia

Despite the great role of wild edible plants (WEPs) in ensuring food security and the fact that they can serve as a source of income, the consumption and acceptance varies from place to place. Although social, economic and cultural factors might have contributed for the avoidance of some edible wild plants, the fear of presence of toxic principles including heavy metals or their counter ions and antinutritional components might also be a barrier to the use of WEPs. In this study, the determination of the levels of some selected heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) and antinutritional (oxalate) components are carried out using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and HPLC methods. The results showed that the mean metal concentration (mg/kg) in ripe fruit of WEP, unripe fruit of WEP and their underlying soil samples were 4.57, 5.77 and 3.22 (Cu), 2.37, 1.54, and 3.54 (Pb), 0.93, 0.63, and 0.42 (Cd), 2.02, 2.09, and 2.24 (Ni) and 2.47, 2.09, and 2.24 (Cr) respectively.The amounts of oxalate (mg/kg) in WEPs (Ripe Dovyalis Abyssinica, Unripe Dovyalis Abyssinica Unripe Ficus Sur Forresk and Unripe Blackberry) were 359.93, 301.01, 815.08 and 1406.15 mg/Kg respectively. All the heavy metals considered in this study and oxalate contents were detected in both WEPs and their underlying soil samples. The highest concentration of the heavy metals was found in blackberry while the lowest in unripe strawberry. Using one way ANOVA, significant (P = 0.05) variations among the levels of heavy metals in ripe and unripe were recorded. Generally, the content of heavy metals was higher in most of WEPs than their underlying soils. In conclusion, on the basis of the level of heavy metals and oxalate content, blackberry is found to be less safe for consumption than other WEPs considered in this study. Keywords: Wild edible plants, heavy metals, anti-nutritional factors, oxalate, HPLC

Spectrophotometric Determination of Heavy Metals Levels in Ethiopian Cement and Soils Around the Cement Factories

The current boom in construction sector of the country has aroused scientific concern about the safety of construction workers who regularly work with cement. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni) in branded cement samples (Mugher, Dangote, Capital, and Derba) and soils around the Mugher cement factory. The level of the selected heavy metals in cement and soil samples were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The detected range of metal concentrations (mg/kg dry mass) in different cement sample were Cu (0.131 ± 0.021-0.302 ± 0.004), Cd (0.02 ± 0.008-0.023 ± 0.008), Pb (0.187 ± 0.042- 0.353 ± 0.016), Cr (0.185 ± 0.017 - 0.765 ± 0.017), Ni (0.233 ± 0.002 - 0.906 ± 0.290) in ppm. Among the tested heavy metals Ni was found in highest concentration and it was in Capital cement sample. The heavy metal levels in the studied samples not comply with international standards. The detected range of the heavy metals in soil samples collected at different distances from the target cement factory were Cr (7.317 ± 0.501 - 25.558 ± 0.055), Cu (1.269 ± 0.003 - 45.317 ± 0.014), Pb (0.45 ± 0.0433 - 9.867 ± 0.011), Cd (0.492 ± 0.076 to 2.442 ± 0.063), Ni (13.383 ± 0.638 - 49.958 ± 0.0205) in subsoil and that of layer soil sample were Cr (1.292 ± 0.052 to 24.141 ± 0.476), Pb (0.058 ± 0.039 - 6.942 ± 0.284), Cu (0.537 ± 0.003 - 32.725 ± 0.083), Cd ( 0.108 ± 0.072 to 0.883 ± 0.014), Ni (11.183 ± 0.341-49.517 ± 0.892) in mg/kg. The measured physicochemical parameters in soil sample ranged pH (7.393 ± 0.061 - 8.483 ± 0.014), Electrical Conductivity (0.613 ± 0.005 -2.918 ± 0.072) mS /cm. The level of heavy metals in soil samples was found to increases as sampling distance from the factory decreases. This study indicates that all of the metals are concentrated on the surface soil, and decreased in the lower part of the soil, this due to reflect heavy metal’s mobility and physical properties of soil and its alkaline pH values. Keyword: Cement, FAAS, Heavy metals, physicochemical parameter

Study on the Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Samples and Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water from Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

Samples were collected from Lake Hawassa, from six selected sampling sites. The measured physico-chemical parameters in lake water ranged pH(7.70-8.69), TDS(437-495 mg/L), EC(0.729-0.825 mS/cm), DO(6.2-14.6 mg/L), Temp.(20.7-23.4 0C), Turb.(6.3-26.7 NTU), SO42-(25-16), Cl-(42-23), F-(17.4-5.36), NO3-N (2.38-11.79), PO43-(0.81-1.55), COD(219-1216), and BOD5(104-590) mg/L. The concentration of detected metals in water samples were in the range Cu(0.226-0.117), Mn(0.166-0.068), Zn(0.253-0.145), Mg(35.91–14.27), Ca(57.11-35.23), Na(87.49-87.49) and K(73.02-34.26) in mg/L. According to stream and potable waters standard recommendation, the maximum value of BOD5, COD, PO43- and F- were above the acceptable range. The detectable metal concentration in water samples analyzed were Na>Ca>K>Mg>Zn>Cu>Mn. The concentration of Mn in the present study was above USEPA but below WHO guideline. The dendrogram figure shows that metal parameter of water samples at S1 the pollution level is higher than the other sites. All the transfer factors of water were greater than 1 in fish muscle. Keywords: Hierarchical cluster analysis, metal, physico-chemical, transfer factor

The Effect of Natural Variation at Ppd-H1 and HvELF3 on Responses to Osmotic Stress in Barley (Hordeum Vulgare)

The circadian clock is an important timing system that, in part, controls stress adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana. In the model crop barley, the clock orthologs Ppd-H1 and HvELF3 are important regulators of photoperiod response and flowering. However, little is known about additional effects of the clock on plant performance and stress adaptation in barley. Therefore, the objectives of this study were i) to analyse the effects of natural variation at the barley photoperiod response and clock genes Ppd-H1 and HvELF3 on response to osmotic stress and ii) to test whether osmotic stress at the root acted as an input signal to the shoot circadian clock and thus changed diurnal patterns of physiological traits. The first chapter describes changes in gene expression and physiology under polyethylene glycol induced osmotic stress in seedlings of two spring barley cultivars carrying a natural mutation in Ppd-H1 and two derived introgression lines with the wild type Ppd-H1 allele. Analysis of performance at three consecutive days under stress revealed that the natural mutation in Ppd-H1 resulted in reduced cell membrane injury and increased photosynthetic activity and concomitant lower expression of stress-responsive and senescence-activated genes as compared to the introgression lines with the wild type Ppd-H1 allele. In the second chapter, I analysed diurnal changes of clock and stress -expression and of leaf water relations and gas exchange in two pairs of genotypes varying at Ppd-H1 and HvELF3. Variation at HvELF3 affected the phase and shape of the clock and stress-gene expression profiles, whereas variation at Ppd-H1 modified the expression levels only of stress genes. Osmotic stress upregulated expression of clock and stress-response genes and advanced their expression peaks. Expression differences in clock genes did not have strong effect on the diurnal expression of physiological traits. Taken together, this thesis demonstrates that osmotic stress at the barley root altered clock gene expression in the shoot and acted as a spatial input signal into the clock. Ppd-H1 controlled stress-induced senescence, while variation at HvELF3 did not affect senescence related traits, and had minor effects on gas exchange under stress. Unlike in Arabidopsis, barley primary assimilation was less controlled by the clock and more responsive to environmental perturbations, such as osmotic stress

Moringa stenopetala Seed Cake Powder as Biosorbent for Wastewater Treatment and Its Adsorption Isotherm and Thermodynamic Study

The aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of a coagulant that removes different pollutants. Adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature in different turbidity were evaluated. The adsorbent dose were varied from 20–160 mg/l. The time were varied from 10 min– 310 min. The optimal conditions of adsorption obtained were 100 mg/l of adsorbent dose and 45 min contact time for high turbid (361 to 465 NTU) water and  40 mg/l for low turbid (36.8 to 39.9 NTU) water. Moringa stenopetala is effective for high turbidity (98.5%). From 0.1 mg/l initial concentration of the metals, the highest removal efficiency of 82.9% was found for Pb and the lowest for Cr (53.18%). The results showed better fit by the Freundlich models, describing a multilayer adsorption. The thermodynamic studies suggested that a high temperature favors for the adsorption of heavy metals on M. stenopetala, indicating a spontaneous adsorption process. Keywords: M.stenopetala, Wastewater Treatment, Adsorption isotherm, Thermodynamic stud

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Mana Angetu District, South Eastern Ethiopia

This study documents indigenous medicinal plant utilization, management and the threats affecting them. The study was carried out in Mana Angetu district between January 2003 and December 2004. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking with traditional medicine practitioners. The ethnomedicinal use of 230 plant species was documented in the study area. Most of the plants (78.7%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases. The most frequently used plant part were roots (33.9%), followed by leaves (25.6%). Most of the medicinal species (90.4%) were collected from the wild. Direct matrix analysis showed that Olea europaea L. Subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) was the most important species followed by Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne (120) indicating high utility value of these species for the local community. The principal threatening factors reported were deforestation (90%), agricultural expansion (85%) and fire (53%). Documenting the eroding plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area

Industrial policies and regulatory framework of the telecom industry in Ethiopia

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Public Policy,2012Ethiopia received the telephone technology seventeen years after its invention in the world. Owing to a number of constraints, however, the telecom sector’s performance has not been remarkable even by the standards of Africa. The telecom sector in Ethiopia has been characterized by a vertically integrated market run by a state-owned enterprise outside the realm of competition and the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation has a monopoly over all telecom services. This monopolistic structure has resulted in limited access to and poor quality of services in all telecommunications services. Institutionally, the three basic functions (industrial policies, regulation, and operation) have not been separated. Solving these and other related problems would require that the Ethiopian government introduce competition into the sector, remove all institutional hurdles that prevented the sector from growing, build the legitimacy of the regulator, enhance human resources capacity, make it more responsive to the ever growing consumer needs. The purpose of this study was to assess the industrial policies the government seeks to achieve by running a public telecom monopoly and critically assesses whether introducing some form of competition would improve the efficiency and accessibility of telecom services.masterpublishedby Gebregziabher, Ermias Haile

Floristic composition and structure of the dry Afromontane forest at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

The floristic composition and structure of the Dry Afromontane Forest at Bale Mountains National Park was studied from July 2003 to June 2004. A total of 90 plots were established at three sites (Adelle, Boditi and Gaysay) at an altitudinal range of 3010–3410 m. The cover abundance values, density, and diameter at breast height and list of species were recorded in each plot. About 230 species belonging to 157 genera and 58 families were identified and documented. Analysis of vegetation data revealed 5 homogenous clusters. The densities of trees in the diameter class >2 cm were 766 and 458 individuals ha-1in Adelle and Boditi forests, respectively. The basal areas were about 26 and 23 m2ha-1 in Adelle and Boditi forests, respectively. About 43% of the basal area in Adelle and 57 in Boditi forests were contributed by Juniperus procera and Hagenia abyssinica, respectively. Both Adelle and Boditi forests were found at an earlier secondary stage of development and had, more or less, a similar trend of development. The population structures of tree species were assessed and these had clearly signalled the occurrence of excessive cutting of selected diameter classes of ecologically, economically and medically important tree species for various purposes, particularly for construction

Patterns of help-seeking behavior among people with mental illness in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDespite the availability of evidence-based and effective treatments, significant numbers of people living with mental illness do not receive treatment or do not seek help from providers of formal modern treatment. Although numerous primary studies have been conducted on patterns of help-seeking behavior among individuals with mental illness with respect to modern therapy, the evidence has not been aggregated nationwide. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate pooled data on patterns of help-seeking behavior among individuals with mental illness in Ethiopia.MethodsAll available primary studies were searched via the Google Scholar, HINARI, and PubMed databases from June 22 to December 20, 2023; 912 articles were identified. Sixteen articles were included in the final review; data from them were extracted to an Excel spreadsheet and exported to Stata version 17 for analysis. The search terms used were: “Pattern of help-seeking behavior’’ OR “Pattern of treatment-seeking behavior” OR “Health care-seeking behavior” OR “Help-seeking intention” OR “Help-seeking preferences” OR “Perceived need” OR “Pathways to psychiatric care”, AND “Common mental disorders” OR “Mental illness” OR “Mental health problems” OR “Depression”, AND “Predictors” OR “Determinate factors” OR “Associated factors”, AND “Ethiopia”. The quality of the studies included was critically appraised using the modified The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool, adapted for observational studies. During critical appraisal, disagreements between the two authors conducting the assessment were resolved by the involvement of a third author. Effect sizes were pooled using the random effects model, and the presence of publication bias was detected based on asymmetry of the funnel plot and a statistically significant result of Egger’s test (p<0.05).ResultsThe pooled rate of positive help-seeking behavior with respect to modern treatment among people living with mental illness was 42.21% (95% CI: 29.29, 55.12; I2 = 99.37%, P=0.00). Factors significantly associated with a positive pattern of help-seeking behavior were: having a secondary education or above (AOR=5.47, 95% CI: 2.33, 12.86); believing that mental illness requires treatment (AOR=2.76, 95% CI: 2.02, 3.78); having strong social support (AOR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.64, 2.44); having a family history of mental illness (AOR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.97); having awareness of the availability of treatment (AOR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.56, 5.46); having previously engaged in positive help-seeking behavior (AOR=3.28, 95% CI: 1.63, 6.60); having comorbid disorders (AOR=4.25, 95% CI: 1.69, 10.66); not using alcohol (AOR=3.29, 95% CI: 1.73, 6.27); and the perceived severity of mental illness (AOR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.490, 4.33).ConclusionsThe majority of people with mental illness in Ethiopia exhibited a poor pattern of help-seeking behavior with respect to modern treatment. Therefore, mobilization of the community should be encouraged via regular public awareness campaigns regarding mental illness and the availability of evidence-based and effective modern treatment in Ethiopia. Moreover, the design of effective community-based mental health interventions is recommended in order to improve public attitudes and rates of help-seeking behavior in relation to mental health problems