Growth and meat quality of broiler chickens fed Moringa oleifera leaf meal, a probiotic and an organic acid

Six hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were used to determine the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM), a probiotic, and an organic acid on growth, weights of digestive organs, and meat quality. Starter, grower, and finisher diets were formulated to which the additives were supplemented, namely T1: 300 g/ton zinc bacitracin and 500 g/ton salinomycin; T2: 1000 g/ton MOLM; T3: probiotic (500 g/ton Enviva Pro); T4: organic acid (1000 g/ton Novyrate C); and T5: without additives. Bodyweight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake (FI) were measured weekly through day 28. On days 1 to 7, FI was highest for T4 (22.01 g/d) and lowest for T2 (20.13 g/d). Birds in T3 had the lowest ADG and highest FCR on days 21 to 28, and the highest BW on day 14 and day 21. Twelve birds were randomly selected from each treatment to measure carcass yield, organ sizes and meat quality. pH of the breast muscle was recorded at 45 minutes and 24 hours post mortem. Colour and drip loss were measured 24 hours post mortem. Birds in T4 had the lightest carcasses (1451 g). Birds in T2 had higher redness and chroma values, while hue angle values were highest in T3 birds. The effects of MOLM were comparable with the probiotic and organic acid. That is, they improved growth performance, digestive organ size and meat quality characteristics when included in broiler diets as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). Keywords: alternative growth promoters, carcass characteristics, digestive organ size, feed conversio

A study on the role of the media in identity formation among isiXhosa speaking youth in Grahamstown with focus on SABC’s Yo TV

This study explores the use of African languages, more specifically isiXhosa, in the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It does this by investigating the YO TV programme and its impact on identity formation amongst isiXhosa speaking youth. The research was conducted in Grahamstown which is located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Young isiXhosa speakers were used as participants for questionnaires and focus group interviews. The location of the study within the Eastern Cape was driven by the fact that Grahamstown consists of mainly isiXhosa speakers, and young people are a big part of the population. Secondly, the participants were chosen in order to look at how isiXhosa and the Xhosa culture are represented in the YO TV programme through the lenses of young people who speak the language, and whether the representation of these two aspects plays a role in the formation of their identity. The goals of the research were to explore the relationship between language and youth identity, and the role of television in the construction of this identity. The research looked at the SABC’s YO TV which is a youth programme targeting South African youth who speak different languages and the role it plays in constructing the identity of isiXhosa speaking youth in relation to language and culture. It also examined for what purpose isiXhosa was used in the YO TV programme. The study further identified and critically analysed the already existing strategies used by the SABC to promote African languages in youth programs. The study made several findings, one of these being that there is a relationship that exists between language, culture and identity. As a result of this relationship, this study found that when one of these aspects is less represented on television, it affects the other(s). Thus, little representation of isiXhosa on YO TV has an impact on the identity formation of young isiXhosa speakers as they believe that language and culture are a part of who they are, their identity. This study also discovered that institutions of power such as the media play a key role in affirming the identity of young people. They play a role in influencing the way young people reason and do things. This study argues that television programmes such as the YO TV programme must use African languages, as well as English because the use of African languages adds value to how young people perceive them. The use of African languages on television will contribute to their growth and development. Moreover, the use of these languages in the media contributes in identity construction of young African language speakers

An investigation of the challenges and coping mechanisms of home-based caregivers for patients living with HIV in Mamelodi

HIV/AIDS is a global challenge and its impact is evident. This places a burden on hospitals and health professionals. To ease this burden there are home-based care programmes which, through home-based caregivers, provide patients living with HIV/AIDS with physical and palliative care. However, these HBCGs face various challenges such as poverty, discrimination and stigma when caring for PALHIV, and their own emotional strain, which becomes burdensome without sufficient support from the home-based care centre. The qualitative study undertaken investigates the challenges and coping mechanisms of the HBCGs. Thirteen research participants were drawn from a centre in Mamelodi. Data was gathered through interviews and observations, categorised into themes and analysed. Major findings revealed that social challenges faced by HBCGs include poverty, stigmatisation and discrimination. Emotions experienced by HBCGs include guilt, anger, hopelessness, but they have spiritual reliance through prayer as one of their coping mechanisms.SociologyM.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS

A study on the role of the media in identity formation among isiXhosa speaking youth in Grahamstown with focus on SABC’s Yo TV

This study explores the use of African languages, more specifically isiXhosa, in the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It does this by investigating the YO TV programme and its impact on identity formation amongst isiXhosa speaking youth. The research was conducted in Grahamstown which is located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Young isiXhosa speakers were used as participants for questionnaires and focus group interviews. The location of the study within the Eastern Cape was driven by the fact that Grahamstown consists of mainly isiXhosa speakers, and young people are a big part of the population. Secondly, the participants were chosen in order to look at how isiXhosa and the Xhosa culture are represented in the YO TV programme through the lenses of young people who speak the language, and whether the representation of these two aspects plays a role in the formation of their identity. The goals of the research were to explore the relationship between language and youth identity, and the role of television in the construction of this identity. The research looked at the SABC’s YO TV which is a youth programme targeting South African youth who speak different languages and the role it plays in constructing the identity of isiXhosa speaking youth in relation to language and culture. It also examined for what purpose isiXhosa was used in the YO TV programme. The study further identified and critically analysed the already existing strategies used by the SABC to promote African languages in youth programs. The study made several findings, one of these being that there is a relationship that exists between language, culture and identity. As a result of this relationship, this study found that when one of these aspects is less represented on television, it affects the other(s). Thus, little representation of isiXhosa on YO TV has an impact on the identity formation of young isiXhosa speakers as they believe that language and culture are a part of who they are, their identity. This study also discovered that institutions of power such as the media play a key role in affirming the identity of young people. They play a role in influencing the way young people reason and do things. This study argues that television programmes such as the YO TV programme must use African languages, as well as English because the use of African languages adds value to how young people perceive them. The use of African languages on television will contribute to their growth and development. Moreover, the use of these languages in the media contributes in identity construction of young African language speakers

Feed intake, growth performance and carcass traits of broilers fed diets with various inclusion levels of baobab seed oilcake

The effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of baobab seed oilcake (BSOC) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and yield in Ross 308 broiler chicks were assessed. Dietary treatments (T) consisted of four levels of BSOC: T1, control (0% BSOC); T2, 5% BSOC; T3, 10% BSOC; and T4, 15% BSOC. Birds on T2 and T1 had the highest bodyweight (BW) on days 14 and 28, respectively. Feed intake (FI) was highest during the periods of 1 to 7 days and 15 to 21 days in T2 birds. From 15 to 21 days, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was highest in T3 birds. Significant differences were noted in slaughter and carcass weights among the treatments. Although no significant differences were observed in dressing percentages among treatments, birds in T1 had a higher dressing percentage, followed by those on T2. There were no statistical differences in carcass yield among the treatments. Calculations for revenue and gross margin showed that feed costs were lower in T4 and higher in T2 in the starter phase. In in the grower phase, feed costs were lower in T4 and higher in T3. The gross margin was higher in T1 and lower in T2 in the starter phase. During the grower phase it was higher in T1 and lower in T4. It was concluded that the inclusion of 5% BSOC at most could improve growth performance. Additionally, increasing levels of BSOC reduced feed costs, with a reduction in the gross margin in the grower stage of broilers.Keywords: Baobab, broiler performance, carcass yield, protein utilization efficiency, revenu

Proximate, chemical compositions and sulphur concentrations on quality of selected dried mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Preference for dried mango is on the increase as it provides a good source of nutrients, whilst evading consumption of fatty in some post-harvest processed fruits. However, data on proximate and chemical compositions of dried mango fruits is lacking. Hence this research was intended to determine effects of sulphur concentration (0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm) on the nutritional value and the proximate composition of six selected mango cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Peach, Saber, Sunshine, Keitt and Vhavenda) grown in South Africa. The study shows that increasing sulphur concentration had a quadratic effect on mango pulp proximate concentration and chemical composition, reaching a maximum at 50 ppm regardless of cultivar. Significant differences (p<0.01) in nutrient content were found in the mango cultivars. Keitt had significantly more protein than other cultivars, whilst Vhavenda had more fibre contents. Significant differences (p<0.01) in secondary metabolites were also found in the mango cultivars with Saber having significantly more polyphenols (0.4 mg of Gallic acid/100 mg) and antioxidants (65.4 μmol/g).Keywords: Mango cultivars, nutritional value, proximate composition, sulphurAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2678-268

Effects of sulphur preservative on phytochemical and antioxidant capacity of peels of mango cultivars (Mangifera indica L.) produced in South Africa

Fruits have abundant phytochemicals that contribute as bioactive molecules with ability to lower incidence of diseases. Mangoes are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. In this study, peels of six selected mango cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Peach, Saber, Sunshine, Keitt and Vhavenda) were treated with sulphur dioxide solutions (0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm) as preservative of phytochemicals and antioxidants capacity. Regardless of cultivar, sulphur concentration had effect on composition of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of mango peels, reaching a plateau at 50 ppm. Vhavenda cultivar has significantly highest polyphenols and antioxidant capacity than the other cultivars evaluated. This study reveals that mango peels are a prospective source of natural antioxidants as they constitute significantly higher total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content.Keywords: Antioxidants, mango cultivars, peels, phytochemicals, sulphur.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(41), pp. 6007-601