Descriptive sensory quality of Kenya’s indigenous chicken meat from different ecotype- clusters reared under an intensive system

Indigenous chicken (IC) in Kenya performs a major food security and socio-economic function for most households, especially of the rural poor. The trend has been to move from rearing IC on free-range systems to more intensive and semi intensive systems. This study was conducted by use of Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and the Just About Right (JAR) scale scores to quantify the appeal of the IC meat reared under intensive systems. The IC used in the study had been obtained from Taita,  Kakamega and Narok ecotype clusters kept under the intensive system at Indigenous Chicken Improvement Programme (INCIP) unit at Egerton University. During the intensive rearing, the chickens were given the same treatment in terms of feed, disease control at all the stages and water was given ad-libitum. The chickens were slaughtered at the same age and only cocks were used as control for sensorial differences accruing due to sex. Five cocks from each ecotype cluster were slaughtered after a feed  withdrawal period of 8-10 hours and their meat prepared by boiling for sensory evaluation after ageing on ice for 3-6 hours. A trained panel of tasters (13-15) was used to evaluate the descriptive and JAR sensorial quality of indigenous chickens’ meat from the breast and thighs. One commercial broiler (Kenbro) was used as a control. Results showed that there was significant effect at P<0.05 of the ecotype of the IC on its meat aroma, flavour and brown colour intensity. The JAR scale showed that the consumers’ scores for the colour, flavour, juiciness, tenderness of indigenous chicken was ‘just about right’ compared to broiler which was described by colour as too light, flavour too strong, too juicy in terms of expression of juiciness and too tender with regard to texture. The Principal Component Analysis results showed that there were two principal components (colour and texture) that accounted for 55.4 % and 11.6% and 53.9 and 19% for both descriptive scores and JAR scores for IC meat, respectively. This study indicates sensorial differences among the Kenyan Indigenous chicken ecotypes (of different genetic characteristics) under intensive systems and demonstrates significant difference among various attributes from the commercial broiler.Key words: Descriptive, sensory evaluation, Kenyan Indigenous chicken, ecotype cluster, intensive system

Unsuccessful Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) evaluation attempts in western Democratic Republic of Congo and implications with cassava root necrosis disease (CRND) etiology

Open Access ArticleCassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is the second most important virus disease after Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), infecting cassava (ManihotesculetaCrantz) in Africa. The disease is caused by two distinct viruses, Cassava brown streak virus [2, 3] and Ugandan Cassava brown streak virus (family, Potyviridae: genus, Ipomovirus). Transmission of CBSV from one plant to another is reported to occur through grafting CBSV-free with infected cuttings and subsequent dissemination by infected cuttings. The basic approach to control of CBSD is selecting planting material from symptomless mother plants. Graft inoculation is the most efficient and effective of the techniques for CBSD virus transmission and consequently cuttings are the most effective way of the disease spreading. In early 2000s, cassava root necrosis similar to those of CBSD were reported in western provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) (Kinshasa and Kongo Central) and up to date PCR diagnoses did not detect any causal agent related to the observed symptoms and the disease which was still referred as ‘CBSD-like disease’. Due to lack of molecular data and the similarity of root symptoms with CBSD, the existence of a virus has always been suspected to be the cause of CBSD-like propagation. Thus, 2 field experiments were proposed in order to verify the existence of a systematic transmission of a possible CBSD related virus, knowing that CBSD viruses are transmitted efficiently by cuttings. The first trial focused on the field evaluation of CBSD – like infected and apparently uninfected planting materials, while the second trial involved the importation of tanzanian CBSD resistant genotypes for evaluation in INERA Mvuazi research center under CBSD-like infection conditions. Results of the first trial did not show a systemic transmission of any CBSD-like pathogen while CBSD-resistant parents involved in the second trial all succumbed to CBSD-like disease

Design of a HACCP plan for indigenous chicken slaughter house in Kenya

Indigenous chicken rearing is seen as a poverty alleviation and food security strategy especially in rural households in Africa. Chicken meat is a delicacy in almost every household in Kenya. It is a common food in restaurants and hotels that serve fast foods in urban areas. Demand for and consumption of indigenous chicken meat in Kenya has been on the rise. Many slaughterhouses have been set up in strategic locations close to towns or in towns to allow for quick supply of the dressed chicken carcass to consumers. Poultry meat is a low acid food and has been associated with the presence of foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus, especially when processing conditions are not hygienic. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is based on a scientific verifiable process to identify, control, reduce or eliminate any potential hazards to guarantee food safety. The current study was conducted based on the actual production conditions of the slaughter house. It was initiated through a survey that looked into the operations of the slaughter house on the basis of good manufacturing practices, as well as standard operation and sanitation procedures. From the results of the study and the gap audit analysis based on a checklist, the HACCP study was commissioned. The study aimed at developing a HACCP system; based on the seven HACCP principles and a critical scrutiny of several existing models. Four Critical Control Points (CCPs) were identified and a HACCP plan, complete with perquisite programs was presented to deal with the identified hazards and, therefore, present the consumers with high quality and safe products. Design of a model for the application and operationalization of HACCP system was undertaken as an important step in ensuring consumers enjoy safe products from the indigenous chicken meat prepared from the slaughter house.Key words: Indigenous chicken, slaughter house, HACCP, Critical control points (CCPs

Quantity and Functionality of Protein Fractions Isolated from 3 Ecotypes of Indigenous Chicken in Kenya

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the cluster ecotype and the part of chicken on nutritional composition, and functionality of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins that are most relevant to the technological features of chicken meat. Over 50 chickens from each ecotype cluster purchased, slaughtered and the meat stored under refrigeration at -20oC and later on transferred in cooler box on ice and flown to South Africa, at the Durban University of Technology. Protein fractions were extracted with a cocktail of Sodium Chloride buffer (50mM NaCl, 50mM Tris HCl; 75mM DTT and 1mM EDTA at pH 7) and quantified by Bradford method. One dimensional Sodium Dodecyl Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) was applied to separate protein fractions. Emulsifying capacity, emulsifying stability, solubility, and in vitro digestibility were determined on the total protein isolates. Significant differences in band expressions were recorded for the myofibrillar and the sarcoplasmic proteins. The three ecotypes had high quality proteins with all the limiting and essential amino acids at concentrations higher than FAO/WHO recommended daily allowance for adults and children. Distinct protein bands at larger molecular weight proteins >100 kDa, corresponding to Myosin Heavy Chain, medium fractions 75 kDa and 45 kDa and even lower molecular weight fraction <25 kDa were present in the chicken breast and the thighs. It concludes that Indigenous chicken protein isolates’ nutritional and functional properties are affected by part of chicken and ecotype clusters

First report and preliminary evaluation of cassava root necrosis in Angola

Open Access ArticleCassava is a main staple food for 800 million people world-wide. Production is limited by pest and pathogens. The most devastating cassava viruses are Cassava Brown Streak Virus and Uganda Cassava Brown Streak Virusboth causing severe root necrosis called Cassava Brown Streak Disease. In the last 10 years, the Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD)has spread across Africa from the east coast of Africa to central Africa. Similar root necrosis to cassava brown streak disease has also been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the first symptoms were identified in 2002 in Kinshasa and Kongo central province. In 2012, the presence of CBSD was confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. All attempts since 2002 in western Democratic Republic of Congo to identify the cause of these root necrosis have failed. In 2017, a team of scientists surveying the Songololo Territory in the Kongo central province at the northern Angola, identified the same root necrosis similar to CBSD in several localities bordering Angola. These unexpected results will foreshadow the presence of cassava root necrosis in Angola. This preliminary investigation in northern Angola was conducted specifically in the Zaire province and the territory of Mbanza Kongo at approximatively 62 kms from the Democratic Republic of Congo border in order to verify, whether or not, these root necrosis are present in Angola. Results obtained from this exploratory survey in several fields of the Zaire province and territory of Mbanza Kongo confirmed, for the first time, the presence of cassava root necrosis in Angola, similar to CBSD, as identified in western DRC

The Abundance of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Lake Victoria Nile Perch

This study was carried out to determine the presence and abundance of lactic acid from gastrointestinal tracts of Latesniloticus fish with the specific objective of determining fish size effect on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population. The study was conducted in Lake Victoria between April-June and July-September, 2014. Statistical analysis was performed by using Minitab 9.1.3 software version. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and east significant difference (LSD) was used for statistical comparisons. Differences were considered significant at α=0.05 level.  The average weight of small fish sampled during the wet season was 667.9g that gave an average colony forming units/g of 9.2x 103; medium averaging 1485.1g had an average of 2.1x104cfu and big averaging 3210.8g had 4.9 x 104cfu. In the dry spells, the small fish averaging 614.6g had 6.7 x 103, medium averaging 1392.9g had an average of 1.7x104cfu and big averaging 2756.3g had 3.4 x 104cfu. The mean of counts of LABs are significantly different for the three sizes tested, with the big size giving the highest followed by medium and small respectively. This could be due to ability to access more variety of foods. The means of counts of LABs are insignificantly different for the eight sites tested. The mean of counts of LABs are significantly different for the wet and dry seasons tested. In conclusion, this study showed availability of lactic acid bacteria in the gut of Lake Victoria Nile perch which can be used as a source of potential bio preservative. Key words: Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), Gastrointestinal tracts, Nile perch, L. Victoria, ANOVA

Dynamique Socio-Économique de l'adoption des Variétés Améliorées du Manioc en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) : Cas des Provinces de Kongo Central et la Tshopo

Cassava production is characterized by important contribution of farmers to food security. Dissemination of improved varieties will continue to progress according to socio-economic context. Overall, study aims to analyze adoption process of improved varieties. Specifically, it aims to determine socio-economic factors that influence adoption of these agricultural innovations. The study used object approach, focusing on the number and characteristics of innovations. The survey was conducted using individual questionnaire, administered to 180 farmers equitably distributed between provinces of Kongo Central and Tshopo. Lueki, Antiota, Nsansi and Obama are the most adopted varieties. The average rate of adoption is 74.27 %, on average area of less than one hectare (0.77 ha). Econometric model of Tobit specified variables influencing that adoption. In Kongo Central, it is positively influenced by distance to rural markets, while it is negatively influenced by state of access roads to Matadi City, distance to that City and age. In Tshopo, characteristics of varieties, level of education and distance to Kisangani City, influence positively adoption. In order to professionalize production of cassava, emergence of modern farmers is important, to sow reasonable areas. That emergence could be considerably supported by the strengthening of technical capacities, improvement of market system, improvement of roads and agricultural marketing. La production du manioc, est caractérisée par la contribution importante des paysans à la sécurité alimentaire. La diffusion des variétés améliorées va continuer à progresser suivant le contexte socio-économique. Globalement, l’étude vise à analyser le processus d’adoption des variétés améliorées. Spécifiquement, elle vise à déterminer les facteurs socioéconomiques qui influencent l'adoption de ces innovations agricoles. L’étude a employé l’approche objet, centrée sur le nombre et les caractéristiques des innovations. L'enquête a été conduite à l'aide du questionnaire individuel, administré à 180 paysans équitablement répartis entre les provinces de Kongo Central et la Tshopo. Lueki, Antiota, Nsansi et Obama sont les variétés les plus adoptées. Le taux moyen d'adoption est de 74,27 %, sur une superficie moyenne de moins d’un hectare (0,77 ha). Le modèle économétrique Tobit a spécifié les variables influençant cette adoption. Au Kongo Central, elle est positivement influencée par la distance aux marchés ruraux, tandis qu’elle est négativement influencée par l'état des routes d'accès à la ville de Matadi, la distance à cette ville et l’âge. À la Tshopo, les caractéristiques des variétés, le niveau d'instruction et la distance à la ville de Kisangani, influencent positivement l’adoption. Pour professionnaliser la production du manioc, l’émergence des fermiers modernes s’avère impératif, pour emblaver des superficies raisonnables. Cette émergence pourrait être considérablement appuyée par le renforcement des capacités techniques, l’amélioration du système des marchés, l’amélioration des infrastructures routières et le marketing agricole

Attempts to identify Cassava Brown Streak Virus in western Democratic Republic of Congo

Open Access ArticleRoot necrosis similar to those of the cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) were observed on cassava in western provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR.Congo) in the early 2000’s. However molecular laboratory diagnosis were not able to detect any causative agent responsible for the attacks, hence, the disease related to these symptoms was named CBSD-like disease. In order to assess the distribution and the incidence of the CBSD-like disease, surveys were carried out in four western provinces, comprising, Kwango and Kwilu, Sud Ubangi, Kinshasa and Kongo Central. CBSD-like disease was observed in all surveyed provinces on the basis of root symptoms because foliar symptoms were different to those of the documented cases of CBSD in other parts of east Africa. CBSD-like disease incidence was high in Kongo Central and Sud Ubangi, exceeding an average of 50 %, but low in Kwango and Kwilu (32.8%) and in Kinshasa (19.1%). During the surveys, cassava leaf samples were collected for lab identification of the causal agent. PCR diagnosis was done on these samples using primers specific for the two known CBSVs. All samples tested negative with no amplification of DNA fragments of the correct size. Thus, further analysis on the causative organism is needed using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches. NGS approaches will help also to identify the causative organism in other Central Africa countries (Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon) where such cassava root necrosis have been reported or are suspected