EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT ENZYME FORMULATIONS IN THE UNHAIRING PROCESS OF GOATSKINS

Due to the high levels of pollution load produced in the leather industry, many studies are being conducted to replace most of the hazardous chemicals used. One of the options is to use enzymes which are biodegradable and considered environmentally friendly. Hides and skins contain many non-collagenous substances that require specific enzymes to remove. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different enzyme formulations in the unhairing process of goatskins. To achieve this, four types of enzymes were purchased from Jian Grace Industries which include amylase (100,000 U/g), protease (200,000 U/g), keratinase (200,000 U/g), and lipase (100,000 U/g). All possible combinations of one, two, three and four enzymes per formulation were prepared by mixing equal amounts per formulation. Parameters such as total solids, dissolved solids and protein content were determined on the affluent by standard procedures. In addition, the percentage weight gain, residual fat content and organoleptic test of the pelt were evaluated. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical packages version 21. ANOVA and t-test was used to test the level of significance (p≤ 0.05). Although several formulations gave complete unhairing, a formulation of keratinase, protease, and lipase (KPL) was selected as the best formulation. This formulation gave a completely unhaired pelt with a residual fat content of 6.4%. The organoleptic tests of all the unhaired pelts had a rating of 7-9. In conclusion, application of more than one enzyme can be a better option in removing non-collagenous components and in the replacement of the use of sodium sulphide in unhairing process

Consumer preferences, and willingness to pay for safe pork products in rural Kenya

Designing interventions to support the safe development of rapidly growing livestock value chains in sub-Saharan Africa requires a clear understanding of consumer demands. This study aimed to determine purchase patterns, consumers' preferences, and willingness to pay for safe pork attributes; specifically, the presence of a veterinary inspection stamp and the cleanliness of the butchery.A discrete choice experiment-based survey was used to investigate the purchasing behavior of 401 pork consumers: 253 buying raw pork for household consumption, and 148 buying cooked pork for out-of-home consumption. The study findings indicate that the average quantity of pork purchased by consumers was approximately 0.4 Kg per transaction, with the majority of consumers making several purchases per week.The average price per Kg of pork was KES 310 (Approx. 2.60 USD) at the time of the study. Data from the choice experiment showed that consumers were willing to pay a price premium of KES 245 (Approx. 2.1 USD) and KES 164 (Approx. 1.4 USD) per Kg for evidence of better veterinary meat inspection and higher butchery hygiene respectively; further, these were the two most important attributes they considered while making a pork purchase decision.These findings highlight the potential to leverage consumers' willingness to pay to improve the food safety within pork value chains in this context. Investing to increase consumer awareness on food safety issues should be considered to generate an effective market demand, especially in rural areas with relatively lower literacy levels

Multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari isolated from asymptomatic school-going children in Kibera slum, Kenya [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in asymptomatic school-going children and establish the antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates towards the drugs used to treat campylobacteriosis, including macrolides, quinolones and tetracycline. Campylobacter spp. are a leading cause of enteric illness and have only recently shown resistance to antibiotics. Methods: This study isolated Campylobacter spp., including Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lari, in stool samples from asymptomatic school-going children in one of the biggest urban slums in Kenya. The disc diffusion method using EUCAST breakpoints was used to identify antibiotic-resistant isolates, which were further tested for genes encoding for tetracycline resistance using primer-specific polymerase chain reaction. Results: In total, 580 stool samples were collected from 11 primary schools considering both gender and age. Subjecting 294 biochemically characterized Campylobacter spp. isolates to genus-specific PCR, 106 (18.27% of stool samples) isolates were confirmed Campylobacter spp. Out of the 106 isolates, 28 (4.83%) were Campylobacter coli, 44 (7.58%) were Campylobacter jejuni while 11 (1.89%) were Campylobacter lari. Campylobacter jejuni had the highest number of isolates that were multi-drug resistant, with 26 out of the 28 tested isolates being resistant to ciprofloxacin (5 mg), nalidixic acid (30 mg), tetracycline (30 mg) and erythromycin (15 mg). Conclusions: In conclusion, asymptomatic school going children in the study area were found to be carriers of multidrug resistant Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lari at 84%. A one-health approach, which considers overlaps in environment, animals and human ecosystems, is recommended in addressing multidrug resistane in Campylobacter, since animals are the main reservoirs and environmental contamination is evident

ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN KENYA : TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS, INCIDENCE AND CONTROL MEASURES

Kenya has the highest reported incidence of human hydatid disease in the world. Up to about 30% of cattle, 15% of goats and 13% of sheep harbour the infection. The causative agent of the disease in Kenya is Echinococcus granulosus and a complex strain picture of this parasite has been postulated to occur. The domestic dog is the main definitive host of E. granulosus in Kenya but infection in wild carnivores has also been reported. Hydatid cysts have also been found in wild herbivores. Although the domestic cycle has been shown to be the most important mode of transmission of the disease, a sylvatic cycle is also known to exist. The etiology of hydatid disease, the strain differentiation of E. granulosus found in Kenya, and the role that wildlife plays in the transmission cycle is reviewed. The current trends in the incidence of hydatid disease in man and livestock, and the efforts being made to control the disease are also discussed

Assessment of Phenotypic Characteristics and Work Suitability for Working Donkeys in the Central Highlands in Kenya

The study aimed to assess the phenotypic characteristics of donkeys and their suitability for work. Data were collected on age, sex, coat color, height at withers, body length, and heart girth from 360 randomly sampled donkeys raised in a highland agroecological system in Kenya between the months of June and September 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with the sex of the donkey and age group treated as sources of variation. The weight of donkeys was estimated using a formulae incorporating body length and heart girth. The study reveals that the average weight of the working donkey in the central highlands of Kenya was 155.5 kgs ± SE 1.71. Their height at withers was 99.7 cm ± SEM 0.50, with a heart girth of 113.7 cm ± SEM 0.43 and a body length of 113.2 cm ± SEM 0.58. All these body measurements varied significantly by sex and age group (P<0.001). Therefore, donkeys raised in Kenya had the same height but heavier, with longer body lengths and heart girth measurements when compared to other domesticated working donkeys in different parts of the world indicating genetic diversity, differences in ecogeographical conditions and husbandry practices. The majority (86%) of the donkeys were in good welfare conditions with moderate to ideal 86% body condition scores, minimal body lesions 5%, and lameness 18%. The results are useful for extension agents and donkey users when estimating optimal pack or cart loads in line with their welfare. The findings provide opportunities for future research on the reasons for phenotypic diversity between donkeys raised in Kenya and other parts of the world