Nutritional Profile of Amaranth Grain Varieties Grown in Kenya

Amaranth is an indigenous plant known for its leafy vegetables and grain. Efforts are increasingly being put forward toward increasing production and utilization of the crop. However there are gaps in knowledge and technology on nutritional diversity of different varieties grown in Kenya. The objective of this study was to finger print the nutritional diversity of grains from four (A. hypochondriacus, A albus, A. cruentus, and A. hybridus) different varieties grown in Kenya. Field evaluation was done by planting the varieties in the University farm. The composition of the grains was determined using recognized standard methods. There was no significant difference (P?0.05) in composition of raw amaranth grain varieties. On average, amaranth grains were found to be rich in proteins 15.8%, lipids 7.5%, carbohydrate 66.0%, ash 3.3% and fiber 6.9%. The profile of amino acids and the specific content did not vary among different varieties. The highest amino acid on average was glutamic acid 7.2 (g/16 g of N) followed by aspartic acid 1.7 (g/16 g of N) and threonine 1.3 (g/16 g of N). Lysine occurred in appreciable amounts. The oil extracted from amaranth grain contained mainly unsaturated fatty acids. The predominant acids in the oil were oleic, linoleic and palmitic. Total unsaturated acids ranged from 76.2% to 77.6% and saturated fatty acids 22.4% to 22.8%. Linolenic acid was present in low concentration. The grains contain a high amount of iron (18.2 mg/100g), manganese (6.1 mg/100g) and zinc (3.8 mg/100g) among other minerals. The average level of anti-nutrients in grains were; phytate (254mg/100g), tannic acid (164mg/100g) and oxalate (194mg/100g) which are within levels that can be tolerated by the body system. This indicates that amaranth grain could be one of the pathways towards solving the macro - and micronutrient deficiencies experienced in Sub- Sahara Africa. Keywords: Amaranth grain varieties, Nutritional diversity

Safety and analgesic properties of ethanolic extracts of Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (rutaceae) used for central and peripheral pain management among the east african ethnic communities

BACKGROUND: Although herbs are often perceived as “natural” and therefore safe, many different side effects have been reported. Additionally, there is limited scientific evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of most herbal products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and  haematological effects of Toddaliaasiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) (T. asiatica (L.) in albino Wistar rats.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemicals present in the plant were determined. The analgesic activity was determined using the hot plate technique. The whole blood with anticoagulant was used for assay of the haematological parameters using the COULTERAc•T5diff AL Hematology Analyzer (Fullerton, CA, USA). The biochemical parameters determined with HumaLyzer 2000, a semi-automatic, microprocessor-controlled photometer fromchem-labs, Nairobi.RESULTS: The effect of extract on serum biochemical parameters after 14 days treatment with the crude ethanolic extract of T. asiatica (L.) revealed significant difference in the Cholesterol (P = 0.041), alanine transaminase (P = 0.007), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = 0.045). There was no significance in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels compared to the untreated controls. Peripheral blood films (PBFs) of the treated animals were performed and stained with leishman’s stain. Major morphological changes were observed including anisocytosis, burr cells, anisochromia, hypochromia and reactive lymphocytes among others.CONCLUSION: The crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) showed better analgesic effect (28.2±13.16) than Acetylsalicylate used as control (4±0.31). The potential of T. asiatica (L.) asananalgesic was  remarkable. However, the crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) induced nephrotoxicity and liver enzymes  modulation and elevated total cholesterol in the test organisms compared to the untreated negative  controls.KEYWORDS: Biochemical, Haematological, Toxicity, Phytochemical

Discussion Paper for Regional Consultations on the Implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution on Mineral Resource Governance (UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19)

This discussion paper is prepared to support regional consultations held on the implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly\ua0resolution on Mineral Resource Governance.\ua0The discussion paper summarises global trends in minerals\ua0and sustainable development and presents key findings from recent studies of mineral governance\ua0developed by UNEP and others. Options for the governance of minerals and lessons from best practices are also discussed. Questions are posed for consideration during consultations and future action on the topic. Findings from the regional consultations will feed into the report on the implementation of the resolution, which will be presented to the UNEA at its fifth session in February 2021

Computational Analysis of Some Enzymes Involved in Synthesis of Secondary Metabolites in Camellia Sinensis

Tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide, native to Southeast Asia but currently cultivated in over 35 countries. Studies on its chemical composition reveal that polyphenol metabolites account for 25% to 35% of the total dry weight. Tea has many health benefits owing to secondary metabolites whose level of expression in various tea clones determine tea flavor. The flavor (taste and aroma) and the color of processed tea are used to assess its quality and therefore a detailed analysis of key enzymes involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites is necessary.  Enzyme PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) a key enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, playing an important role in the plant development and defense. C4H (cinnamte-4-hydroxylse) an important enzyme in allocating significant amounts of carbon from phenylalanine into the biosynthesis of several metabolites, It maintains activities of the metabolic flux for the operation of the flavanoid pathway. 4CL (4-coumarate: COA ligase) the last enzyme in the general phenylpropanoid pathway that provides precursors for the biosynthesis of a large variety of plant natural products like COA thiol esters of 4-coumarate and other hydroxycinnamate. FLS (flavonol synthase) a key enzyme in flavonol synthesisthat determines the final content of flavonols which play an important role in defense related functions and as potent antioxidants. ANS (anthocyanidin synthase) an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway to anthocyanin. This study employed a computational approach in the analysis of some of these enzymes to gain insight into the mechanism of synthesis of these bioactive secondary metabolites. Biological databases were used to retrieve amino acid sequences of these key enzymes. Consensus conserved regions in these sequences were identified from highly identical homologs which were useful in modeling the enzymes' three dimensional structures.  A total of 5 key enzymes were analyzed and pockets and cavities in their structures; hence the putative substrate binding sites determined, which gave insight into the enzymes-substrate as well as enzyme cofactor interactions. The preferred orientations of the interactions between substrates and/or co-factors with the enzymes were also simulated through molecular docking.  Analysis of these enzymes revealed unique enzyme structures and very specific substrate and co-factor preference. This analysis offers a platform for optimization of selective expression of these key enzymes through gene expression assays that can potentially alter the quality yield of tea clones. Keywords: camellia sinensis, Secondary metabolites, Conserved regions, Pockets and cavities, Molecular dockin

A study on quality of life in Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya

Sub-Saharan Africa hosts the highest number of urban slum households in the world with an estimated 60 to 70% of urban residents living in slums. Kenya belongs to this region and has large informal settlements with dire socio-economic conditions. This study on the quality of life, in a typical East African slum, is based on fieldwork carried out in Mathare, Nairobi. The research revealed that Mathare residents prioritise sanitation, waste management and access to water, electricity, education and healthcare as the most essential services for adding quality to their lives. However, one of the main conclusions of this research is that although improved service delivery is necessary, it may not be sufficient in satisfying the quality of life requirements of Mathare residents. Other aspects of economics, such as regular employment as well as socio-cultural issues, like freedom from fear and access to communal security, are equally important and policy objectives should pay holistic attention to both the objective living conditions and the subjective life satisfaction indicators of slum dwellers.http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-00-0-000-000-1990-Web/JHE-00-0-000-000-1990-1-Cover.htmam201

Computational Design of Novel Candidate Drug Molecules for Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that leads to chronic ill-health. Infection is acquired from infested freshwater containing the larval forms (cercariae) of blood flukes, known as schistosomes. The three main species of the parasite that infect humans are Schistosoma haematobium, S.japonicum, and S.mansoni. Schistosomiasis affects at least 230 million people worldwide. The infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation. The disease is considered as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases and so far praziquantel is the only drug used for treatment. Should the parasites develop resistance to praziquantel, treatment would be problematic.  This study incorporated a computational approach to design novel compounds with unprecedented potential as candidate drug compounds for the disease. The Schistosoma mansoni fatty acid binding protein was selected as a suitable drug target for its crucial role in the dependence of the parasite on its host for fatty acids. Screening for potential lead compounds was done using molecular docking software.  Identified lead compounds were analyzed and optimized in silico for their ADMET properties then re-evaluated for suitability of their binding energies. Eight novel compounds with good predicted ADMET properties were designed and found to interact with the S.mansoni fatty acid binding protein with favorable binding energy, showing potential to inhibit this protein. This study opens up new possibilities in antischistosomal drug inquiry and potentiates efficacy studies of such compounds against schistosomiasis. Keywords: computational design, antischistosomal drug inquiry, binding energy, lead optimization, ADMET properties

High prevalence of <i>Rickettsia africae</i> variants in <i>Amblyomma variegatum</i> ticks from domestic mammals in rural western Kenya: implications for human health

Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are emerging human diseases caused by obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. Despite being important causes of systemic febrile illnesses in travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the reservoir hosts of these pathogens. We conducted surveys for rickettsiae in domestic animals and ticks in a rural setting in western Kenya. Of the 100 serum specimens tested from each species of domestic ruminant 43% of goats, 23% of sheep, and 1% of cattle had immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the SFG rickettsiae. None of these sera were positive for IgG against typhus group rickettsiae. We detected Rickettsia africae–genotype DNA in 92.6% of adult Amblyomma variegatum ticks collected from domestic ruminants, but found no evidence of the pathogen in blood specimens from cattle, goats, or sheep. Sequencing of a subset of 21 rickettsia-positive ticks revealed R. africae variants in 95.2% (20/21) of ticks tested. Our findings show a high prevalence of R. africae variants in A. variegatum ticks in western Kenya, which may represent a low disease risk for humans. This may provide a possible explanation for the lack of African tick-bite fever cases among febrile patients in Kenya

<i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>: Genetic variability detected using amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of Kenyan isolates

We compared two methods to generate polymorphic markers to investigate the population genetics of Trypanosoma evansi; random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. AFLP accessed many more polymorphisms than RAPD. Cluster analysis of the AFLP data showed that 12 T.evansi isolates were very similar (‘type A’) whereas 2 isolates differed substantially (‘type B’). Type A isolates have been generally regarded as genetically identical but AFLP analysis was able to identify multiple differences between them and split the type A T. evansi isolates into two distinct clades

Epidemiology of Theileria bicornis among black and white rhinoceros metapopulation in Kenya

[Background] A huge effort in rhinoceros conservation has focused on poaching and habitat loss as factors leading to the dramatic declines in the endangered eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) and the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Nevertheless, the role disease and parasite infections play in the mortality of protected populations has largely received limited attention. Infections with piroplasmosis caused by Babesia bicornis and Theileria bicornis has been shown to be fatal especially in small and isolated populations in Tanzania and South Africa. However, the occurrence and epidemiology of these parasites in Kenyan rhinoceros is not known.[Results] Utilizing 18S rRNA gene as genetic marker to detect rhinoceros infection with Babesia and Theileria, we examined blood samples collected from seven rhinoceros populations consisting of 114 individuals of black and white rhinoceros. The goal was to determine the prevalence in Kenyan populations, and to assess the association of Babesia and Theileria infection with host species, age, sex, location, season and population mix (only black rhinoceros comparing to black and white rhinoceros populations). We did not detect any infection with Babesia in the sequenced samples, while the prevalence of T. bicornis in the Kenyan rhinoceros population was 49.12% (56/114). White rhinoceros had significantly higher prevalence of infection (66%) compared to black rhinoceros (43%). The infection of rhinoceros with Theileria was not associated with animal age, sex or location. The risk of infection with Theileria was not higher in mixed species populations compared to populations of pure black rhinoceros.[Conclusion] In the rhinoceros studied, we did not detect the presence of Babesia bicornis, while Theileria bicornis was found to have a 49.12% prevalence with white rhinoceros showing a higher prevalence (66%) comparing with black rhinoceros (43%). Other factors such as age, sex, location, and population mix were not found to play a significant role.We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer reviewe