Microbiological quality evaluation of ready-to-eat mixed vegetable salad, food ingredients and some water samples from a restaurant in Accra: A case study

One serious threat to public health in both developed and developing countries is the microbial contamination of food. This problem poses a great challenge and consequently has economic implications. Causes of microbial contamination are diverse and these maybe natural, environmental, or technological. The microbiological quality of most readyto- eat foods is of great significance to human  health because they require minimal or no processing when consumed. The aim of this research was to investigate the microbiological quality of some ready-to-eat mixed vegetable salad foods, ingredients as well as the wash water samples of an urban restaurant located in Accra, Ghana. A total of thirty (30) samples categorized into mixed vegetable salads, foods and water obtained from an urban restaurant in the national capital of Ghana, Accra. They were analyzed at the microbiology laboratory and food microbiology  la  Loratories of School of Allied  Health Sciences (UHAS) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI), Ghana, respectively. Standard microbiological methods that are per International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Methods and Nordic Committee on Food Analysis Methods (NMKL) were used in determining the presence and levels of bacteria and fungi. Data obtained were transformed from standard to logarithmic forms and reported as mean+standard deviations. The aerobic plate countsamples ranged from 0- 4.73 log 10 CFU/g. E-coli counts also ranged between 0- 2.53 log 10 CFU, while Bacillus cereus counts were very low at 0-<10 log 10 CFU/g. Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus counts were also very low ranging from 0- 1.0 log10 CFU/g. Enterobacteriaceae counts also ranged from 0- 1.90 log10 CFU/g. Molds and yeasts counts were generally low and ranged from  0- 2.48 log 10 CFU/g and 0- 1.0 log10 CFU/g, respectively. None of the samples tested contained Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. Fungal microbial loads were minimal given the quantities, and were deleterious to the health of consumers. The study revealed that the bacterial loads on mixed vegetable salads, ingredients and water samples used and served by an urban restaurant in Accra were within safe limits according to American Public Health Association (APHA) and International Commission for MicrobiologicalSpecifications for Foods (ICMSF) guidelines and, therefore, good for human consumption. Key words: Ready-to-eat, Salads, water, Vegetables, Restaurant, Ghana, Microbial contamination, Consumer safet

Associations of blood glucose levels with some diabetes risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure and total body fat) in inhabitants of Ho Municipality, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey

One complex metabolic disorder that can unenviably affect the normal human physiology is diabetes mellitus (DM). It is indeed one of the commonest noncommunicable diseases that has heightened to an epidemic level worldwide. For diseases like DM, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II DM, and other chronic diseases, body mass index (BMI) is identified as a positive and independent risk factor associated with morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to determine the relationships between BMI, blood pressure, and total body fat among inhabitants of periurban Ho, Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out between May and June, 2018, among 132 inhabitants of Ho to determine the prevalence and associations among DM risk factors. The participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Standardized international protocols were used to measure BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose, and total body fat. Out of 132 respondents, majority 96 (72.7%) were female and the most common age group was 54-60 (31.1%). From the BMI classifications, 65 (49.2%) people were of normal weight while 6 (4.5%) were underweight. Total body fat (%) and blood pressure, likewise total body fat and BMI recorded significant associations of values (0.299, p<0.001-systolic; 0.298, p=0.001-diastolic), and 0.585 (p<0.001), respectively. On the contrary, there were insignificant associations found between blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure and also blood glucose and systolic blood pressure (0.100, p=0.253) and (0.057. p=0.514), respectively using the Spearman’s correlation analysis. Lastly, the test of association of socio-demographics and anthropometrics revealed there was a significant (p<0.001) correlation between total body fat and BMI using Pearson’s correlation analysis. BMI is closely related to total body fat and blood pressure; hence, education on lifestyle modification needs to be intensified to create awareness among the inhabitants of Ho municipality of Ghana. It is imperative to educate Ghanaians and beyond about the risk factor associations that predispose an individual to DM

Exploring the knowledge and awareness of diabetes mellitus among inhabitants of Ho municipality in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

One of the fast-growing major non-communicable diseases (NCD) that poses a danger to global public health is Diabetes mellitus (DM). Trends in  the incidence of DM indicate a disproportionate increase in developing countries due to current rapid demographic transitions from traditional to  more westernized and urbanized lifestyles. Knowledge of DM is vital for curbing or control. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of  knowledge and awareness of DM among the Ho municipality general population, identify areas of deficiency for targeted health education efforts,  and identify respondent characteristics that may be associated with knowledge of diabetes. A survey involving 132 respondents (age over 18 years)  was conducted in the Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. A 42-item pre-tested questionnaire was administered to participants to evaluate  general and specific knowledge and awareness of DM. The Pairwise Multiple Comparison and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to test the hypotheses  and associations between the respondents’ knowledge level and groups respectively. Of the 132 respondents, 22% were in the age range of 40-46  years; 72.7% were female. Mean over all diabetes knowledge composite score was poor: 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Respondents performed best in the  symptoms section: mean score was 36.247% (CI; 29.0, 43.4); and worst in the section on complications: mean score was 30.909% (CI; 23.6, 38.2). In  multiple linear regression analyses, education level, older age, own self having diabetes, and having a family member/relative/friend with diabetes  were significantly associated with knowledge of diabetes. Knowledge of diabetes among the inhabitants of Ho municipality respondents was  interpreted as being inadequate 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Some deficient portions and factors associated with knowledge of diabetes were identified.  Relevant information for targeted health education programs in Ghana and beyond may be considered as one of such benefits of these findings.  &nbsp

Influence of high-dose gamma radiation and particle size on antioxidant properties of Maize ( Zea mays L.) flour

ABSTRACT Influence of high-dose gamma radiation and particle size on antioxidant properties of maize (Zea mays L.) flour was studied using response surface methodology. A central composite design based on three levels of each of particle size, in terms of mesh number (40, 60 and 80 meshes), and gamma radiation dose (25, 50 and 75 kGy) was constructed. A statistically significant dose-dependent decrease (p<0.05) in antioxidant properties of gamma irradiated flour was observed. However, an increase in the mesh number (decrease in particle size of flour) resulted in an increase in antioxidant properties. The optimum level of radiation dose to achieve maximum value of responses was found to be 50 kGy for Trolox equivalent total antioxidant activity (TETAOA), 25 kGy for iron chelating ability (ICA), 25 kGy for reducing power (RP) and 75 kGy for linoleic acid reduction capacity (LARC). However, the optimum level of mesh number to achieve desired levels of TETAOA, ICA, RP and LARC was found to be 80 meshes