Evaluating the effect of gamma radiation on eight different agro-lignocellulose waste materials for the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eous (Berk.)Sacc.strain P-31)

The influence of 15 kGy dose of gamma radiation on the performance of eight lignocellulose agro-wastes for mushroom (Pleurotus eous, P-31) cultivation was evaluated. The agro-wastes investigated included coconut coir, rice husk, rice straw, banana leaves, cassava peels, corn cobs, elephant grass and sawdust (control). Corn cobs performed overall best with 23.2mm/day, 13 days, 9 days, 0% and very dense for spawn running parameters studied which were the rate of mycelia colonization, time taken to complete colonization, percentage contamination and mycelia density respectively. Also recorded for growth parameters were 95mm for cap diameter, 80mm for stipe length, 52 for number of primordia, 51 for number of fruit bodies, 6.5 for mushroom size and 9days for time between flushes. The biological efficiency (B.E %) was 63%, mushroom yield was 377g and biological yield recorded was 0.63 g/g substrate. The gamma irradiated substrates significantly (p<0.05) influenced both growth and yield of mushroom differently. The results of this study revealed that gamma irradiation could be used as an alternative method for the pretreatment of lignocellulose agro-wastes substrates for mushroom cultivation

Evaluating the effect of gamma radiation on eight different agro-lignocellulose waste materials for the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eous (Berk.)Sacc.strain P-31)

The influence of 15 kGy dose of gamma radiation on the performance of eight lignocellulose agro-wastes for mushroom (Pleurotus eous, P-31) cultivation was evaluated. The agro-wastes investigated included coconut coir, rice husk, rice straw, banana leaves, cassava peels, corn cobs, elephant grass and sawdust (control). Corn cobs performed overall best with 23.2mm/day, 13 days, 9 days, 0% and very dense for spawn running parameters studied which were the rate of mycelia colonization, time taken to complete colonization, percentage contamination and mycelia density respectively. Also recorded for growth parameters were 95mm for cap diameter, 80mm for stipe length, 52 for number of primordia, 51 for number of fruit bodies, 6.5 for mushroom size and 9days for time between flushes. The biological efficiency (B.E %) was 63%, mushroom yield was 377g and biological yield recorded was 0.63 g/g substrate. The gamma irradiated substrates significantly (p<0.05) influenced both growth and yield of mushroom differently. The results of this study revealed that gamma irradiation could be used as an alternative method for the pretreatment of lignocellulose agro-wastes substrates for mushroom cultivation

Prevalence and predisposing factors of brachial plexus birth palsy in a Regional hospital in Ghana: A five year retrospective study

Introduction: brachial plexus birth injury is one of the challenges associated with maternal delivery, with varying prevalence between countries. Brachial plexus birth injury poses negative health implications to children and also has socio-economic implications on families and the community as a whole. To treat BPB injury, a multi-disciplinary treatment approach is recommended. Brachial plexus birth palsy is categorised into two-upper plexus injury (Erb's palsy) and lower plexus injury (Klumpke's palsy). These categories present with various degrees of injuries, with less severe injuries responding well to treatment and in most instances may resolve on their own, but serious and complicated injuries will require a multi-disciplinary treatment approach to treat and/or manage. Effective treatment and management depends on adequate knowledge of the disease condition. These include the risk factors and prevalence of Brachial plexus birth injury within a particular population at a specific period in time. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and the prevalence of a hospital based BPBP within a five-year period (2013-2017). Methods:&nbsp;a five-year retrospective study design was used. The study involved selection of all clients' diagnosed with brachial plexus birth palsy, where their gender, birth weight, complications at birth, type of brachial plexus suffered, mothers' diabetes status, mother's age, birth attendant, side of affectation, presentation at birth and mode of delivery were recorded. Results:&nbsp;the prevalence rate of brachial plexus birth palsy was 14.7% out of a total of three hundred and twenty (320) cases reviewed over the study period in the Volta Regional Hospital. Erb's palsy was found to be the modal type of BPBP in this population (93.6%). Conclusion:&nbsp;there is the need to provide a nationwide education on the risk factors that predispose babies to brachial plexus birth palsy. There is also the need for frequent antenatal visit by pregnant women; this will help in the provision of best antenatal history, diagnostic investigation in determining the birth weight and safe mode of delivery

Activity of Mycoplasma synoviae in Commercial Chickens in Ghana: Serological Evidence

A total of 390 chicken sera were collected from respiratory disease free broilers, breeders and layers in the Ga-East district of Ghana and tested for Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit from IDEXX Inc. USA.  The overall sero-prevalence of MS was obtained to be 46.2%. The sero-prevalence among breeders and broilers were 0% each. MS sero-prevalence among layers ranged between 60% -85% and differed significantly among different ages (p&lt; 0.05).  The overall MS sero-prevalence among layers was 75%. It is concluded that Mycoplasma synoviae circulate in layer farms in the district. Layer birds at peak production age are at higher risk of infection. Keywords: Mycoplasma synoviae, chicken, Sero-prevalence, Ghan

Determination of color parameters of gamma irradiated fresh and dried mushrooms during storage

The visual appearance of mushrooms is one of the first quality determinants made by the Ghanaian consumer. Color parameters were measured for fresh mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 3 kGy at a dose rate of 1.7 kGy hr-1 after harvest (0 day) and then measured after storage (5 days). Dried mushrooms were exposed to gamma radiation at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2kGy at the same dose rate and stored in polythene and polypropylene packaging materials and stored for a period of 12 months. The effect of gamma radiation on colour was monitored at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. The colour parameters for the colour change were quantified by the Hunter L (whiteness/darkness), a (redness/greenness) and b (yellowness/blueness) system. These values were also used for calculation of the total colour change (ΔE), chroma (C), hue angle (H) and browning index (B.I). There were significant differences (P< 0.05) for L*, a*, b*, chroma, hue angle, browning index and overall colour change of fresh and dried mushrooms over the storage periods. There was an increase in a*-values while L*, b*, C and H values decreased. This study investigates the effect of ionizing radiations on the colour quality of oyster mushrooms during storage showing its suitability of usage in food preservation

Chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of wild ganoderma species from Ghana

The chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of twelve wild strains of Ganoderma sp. from Ghana, nine (LS1-LS9) of which were found growing wild simultaneously on the same dying Delonix regia tree, were evaluated. Parameters evaluated included the nutritional value, composition in sugars, fatty acids, phenolic and other organic compounds and some vitamins and vitamin precursors. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by investigating reducing power, radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition using five in vitro assays. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and energy contents ranged between 15.7-24.5 g/100 gdw, 73.31-81.90 g/100 g, 0.48-1.40 g/100 g, 0.68-2.12 g/100 g ash and 396.1-402.02 kcal/100 g, respectively. Fatty acids such as linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were relatively abundant. Free sugars included rhamnose, fructose, mannitol, sucrose and trehalose. Total tocopherols, organic acids and phenolic compounds' content ranged between 741-3191 µg/100 g, 77-1003 mg/100 g and 7.6-489 µg/100 g, respectively. There were variations in the ß-glucans, ergosterol and vitamin D 2 contents. The three major minerals in decreasing order were K > P > S. Ganoderma sp. strain AM1 showed the highest antioxidant activity. This study reveals, for the first time, chemical characteristics of Ganoderma spp. which grew simultaneously on the same tree.The authors thank H.N.A. Wellington of University of Ghana for showing us the location of the LS1–9 samples and for aiding in the sample collection. The authors also thank the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Lisbon, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (Pest-OE/AGR/UI0690/2015) and L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) grant. To POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT. We also thank the Nutrient and Phytochemical Analytic Shared Resource, part of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center (NIH P30 CA016058), where ergosterol and vitamin D2 were analyzed, the OSU Food Innovation Center for financial support, and the OSU Center for Advanced Functional Foods Research and Entrepreneurship for in-kind support. Author Contributions: Mary Obodai designed the study and participated in the manuscript writing. Deborah L. Narh. Mensah and Nii Korley Kortei conducted bibliographic research, data organization and participated in the manuscript writing. Angela Fernandes, Lillian Barros and Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira performed all the chemical analysis, the statistics and participated in the manuscript writing. Deborah L. Narh Mensah, Matilda Dzomeku, Juanita Prempeh and Richard K. Takli collected all the samples. Matthew Teegarden and Steven J. Schwartz conducted analysis on bioactive compounds and edited manuscript. Mary Obodai, Deborah L. Narh. Mensah, Nii Korley Kortei and Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira revised the manuscript writing.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of gamma radiation on the microbiological quality of smoke dry shrimp (Penaeus notialis) from three different water sources in Ghana

Shrimps are one of the most important commodities of the global fishery trade, are consumed by humans and also used in formulation of feed for animals to enhance nutrition. Enumeration and identification of fungi and bacteria present on shrimp was checked. Gamma radiation doses of 0, 4, 8 and 10 kGy at a dose rate of 1.7 kGy/h from a Cobalt-60 source (SLL-515, Hungary) was evaluated. Mycological analysis was done by direct plating method on Oxytetracycline Glucose Yeast Extract and Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol (DRBC) media. Bacteriological analysis was done by decimal reduction method on Plate Count Agar. Some toxigenic species of the genus Aspergillus (A. alutaceus, A. flavus, A. candidus and A. fumigatus), Fusarium (F. verticillioides) and Penicillium (P. expansum, P. citrinum and P. cyclopium) were isolated from the shrimp. Comparatively higher initial fungal and bacterial counts of 5.0–5.4 log 10 CFU/g and 4.3–4.7 log 10 CFU/g, respectively, were recorded for non-pretreated while lower counts of 1.7–2 and 1.6–2.1 log 10 CFU/g were recorded for pretreated smoked dry shrimp. Gamma radiation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced initial total fungal and bacterial populations by an average of 3 and 2.5 log cycles, respectively

Nutritional and shelf-life studies of dry smoked and gamma irradiated shrimps (Penaeus notialis) from three different water sources in Ghana

Shrimps are mostly used in its dried state for several purposes in Ghana. They are food for several decades, used in many culinary dishes including baby foods as well as one of the main ingredients in the famous pepper sauce and can also be used in various foods to enhance flavor. Proximate composition of shrimps from three water sources: sea, lagoon and river was evaluated according to standard procedures of AOAC after exposure to gamma ionizing radiation from a Cobalt 60 source (SL 515, Hungary). Radiation doses used were 0, 4, 8 and 10 kGy at a dose rate of 1.7 kGy/h. Protein content ranged from 27.40 ± 1.30% to 34.35 ± 1.30%, ash 13.80 ± 0.09% to 15.42 ± 0.09%, fat 0.90 ± 0.01% to 1.72 ± 0.01% and moisture 9.36 ± 0.06% to 12.92 ± 0.06%. From the sea, river and lagoon, protein content ranged between 25.93 ± 1.13% and 34.42 ± 1.13%, ash 11.85 ± 0.08% and 18.25 ± 0.08%, fat 0.76 ± 0.01% and 1.83 ± 0.01% and moisture 9.22 ± 0.05% and 12.72 ± 0.05%. After 4 months of storage, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein and ash contents while fat and moisture contents decreased. The use of gamma irradiation technology in food processing should be encouraged as it does not affect nutrients