Characterization of postharvest physiology attributes of six commercially grown tomato varieties in Kenya

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is the leading vegetable in terms of production in Kenya. The Kenyan local market has a wide variety of tomato cultivars with a wide range of morphological and sensorial characteristics. However, information on the nutritional and postharvest quality of these varieties is lacking. The aim of this research was to investigate and identify tomato varieties of superior postharvest quality and recommend them to small and medium scale farmers. In this study, six tomato varieties were grown in a greenhouse and analyzed at three maturity stages (mature green, turning and red ripe). The tomatoes were analyzed at specific days after harvest and storage at room temperature (25o C). Percentage weight loss, color, respiration and ethylene production rates were analyzed to assess the postharvest quality of the tomatoes. The color was measured using a Minolta Chromameter while the respiration rate and ethylene production rates were determined using the static system approach. Color, weight loss, respiration and ethylene production rates were positively affected by storage time when harvested at the three maturity stages. The percentage weight loss of the tomato fruits was higher in the determinate varieties, and at the turning stage of maturity (3.8 %). Minor color changes were observed after storage of the tomatoes harvested at red stage for six days. Both rates of respiration and ethylene production were low, with the respiration rate ranging between 56-10 ml CO2 Kg-1h-1. The Chonto F1 variety had the highest rate of ethylene production (5.4 μL C2H4 Kg-1h-1) on the 4th day of storage after harvest at the red ripe stage. Overall, the indeterminate tomato varieties displayed better postharvest quality that can prolong the fruits shelf life for marketing. In turn, the turning stage of maturity proved to be a better stage to harvest tomatoes as the color development was more uniform.Keywords: Tomato, varieties, postharvest quality, respiration rate, ethylene, colo

Accessibility, availability and consumption of baobab during food emergencies in Kitui and Kilifi counties in Kenya

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is an indigenous fruit tree (IFT) that grows in several dry parts of Kenya such as Kitui and Kilifi counties.  It plays a key role in dietary diversification thus contributing to food and nutrition security. This tree is adaptable to adverse climatic conditions such as droughts and floods, which are common in these counties. Consequently, it acts as a source of income and a food  buffer during disasters. This study evaluated the role baobab plays during food emergencies. The study employed a cross-sectional design where 216 household heads were interviewed through structured interviews. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24. Baobab was available during lean seasons and was used as a source of food and income. Respondents mainly consumed baobab fresh fruits without any processing (94%). During times of scarcity when there was nothing else available to eat. About 33.3% used baobab pulp to make porridge while 16.7% made a hard gruel (ugali). Drinks and candies, commonly called ‘mabuyu sweets’, accounted for 41.2% and 28.7%, respectively. In Kilifi, baobab pulp was mixed with coconut milk to be used as an accompaniment to ugali (34.3 %). About two thirds (60.7%) of the respondents collected and stored whole baobab fruits for use during lean seasons. Baobab pulp was sold by 34.7% of the respondents and the income was used to buy food (45.3 %), education (22.7%) and for healthcare (13. 3%). This study indicatesthat baobab fruit and pulp was available and accessible during lean seasons. The baobab pulp was mainly consumed without any processing as a snack. It also used to make different foods at times when many other foods were not available. Households sold baobab fruits to augment their income. Promotion of baobab products could bring better incomes and improve the nutritional status of communities in baobab growing areas and helps to overcome food insecurity in emergencies. Key words: lean seasons, baobab products, income, food insecurity, copin

Integrating the role of sports associations in the promotion of sports and recreation tourism at the destination level: creating a partnering framework for Kenya

International Journal of Tourism Sciences, Volume 11, Number 3, pp. 21-35, 2011 Tourism Sciences Society of KoreaIn Kenya, tourism is the second most important earner of foreign exchange after agriculture. It has had a great impact in the direct employment of local population as well as in generating opportunities for other business activities such as accommodation, food service, transport, retail, and other auxiliary services. In the recent past, Kenya’s tourism has faced numerous challenges which may have slowed tourist arrivals and growth considerably. The challenges have been driven by climatic and environmental changes that maybe interfering with the ecosystem. Kenyan tourism faces significant challenges also from intense regional competition, political instability, poor governance, corruption, negative travel advisory by the governments of source markets, poor security at the destination, dilapidated infrastructure within the destination, poor product/ service innovation, and inadequate market and customer value perception of the destination. In this regard, a need to examine possible ways of reinvigorating and diversifying Kenya’s tourism offerings has emerged and one area that holds a great potential is Sports and Recreation tourism. This paper therefore carries out an exploratory assessment of the awareness of the members of the various sports associations regarding the significance of sports tourism to Kenya’s economy. Club representatives duly registered within ten selected sports associations that represent popular sports in Kenya were surveyed to achieve this objective. This research proposes an integrated approach to the creation of a partnering role amongst sports associations to help promote sports and recreation tourism in Kenya.In Kenya, tourism is the second most important earner of foreign exchange after agriculture. It has had a great impact in the direct employment of local population as well as in generating opportunities for other business activities such as accommodation, food service, transport, retail, and other auxiliary services. In the recent past, Kenya’s tourism has faced numerous challenges which may have slowed tourist arrivals and growth considerably. The challenges have been driven by climatic and environmental changes that maybe interfering with the ecosystem. Kenyan tourism faces significant challenges also from intense regional competition, political instability, poor governance, corruption, negative travel advisory by the governments of source markets, poor security at the destination, dilapidated infrastructure within the destination, poor product/ service innovation, and inadequate market and customer value perception of the destination. In this regard, a need to examine possible ways of reinvigorating and diversifying Kenya’s tourism offerings has emerged and one area that holds a great potential is Sports and Recreation tourism. This paper therefore carries out an exploratory assessment of the awareness of the members of the various sports associations regarding the significance of sports tourism to Kenya’s economy. Club representatives duly registered within ten selected sports associations that represent popular sports in Kenya were surveyed to achieve this objective. This research proposes an integrated approach to the creation of a partnering role amongst sports associations to help promote sports and recreation tourism in Kenya

Effect of locally produced complementary foods on fat-free mass, linear growth, and iron status among Kenyan infants: A randomized controlled trial.

The impact of quality complementary food products on infant growth and body composition has not been adequately investigated. This study evaluated the effect on fat-free mass (FFM) accrual, linear growth, and iron status of locally produced complementary food products comparing to a standard product. In a randomized, double-blind trial, 499 infants at 6 months received nine monthly rations of (a) WinFood Classic (WFC) comprising germinated amaranth (71%), maize (10.4%), small fish (3%), and edible termites (10%); (b) WinFood Lite (WFL) comprising germinated amaranth (82.5%), maize (10.2%), and multimicronutrient premix; or (c) fortified corn-soy blend plus (CSB+). Primary outcomes were changes in FFM, length, and plasma ferritin and transferrin receptors (TfR). FFM was determined using deuterium dilution. Analysis was by intention to treat, based on available cases. Compared with CSB+, there were no differences in change from 6 to 15 months in FFM for WFC 0.0 kg (95% CI [-0.30, 0.29]) and WFL 0.03 kg (95% CI [-0.25, 0.32]) and length change for WFC -0.3 cm (95% CI [-0.9, 0.4]) and WFL -0.3 cm (95% CI [-0.9, 0.3]). TfR increased in WFC group 3.3 mg L-1 (95% CI [1.7, 4.9]) and WFL group 1.7 mg L-1 (95% CI [0.1, 3.4]) compared with CSB+. Compared with the increase in Hb in CSB+ group, there was a reduction in Hb in WFC of -0.9 g dl-1 (95% CI [-1.3, -0.5]) and a lower increase in WFL -0.4 g dl-1 (95% CI [-0.8, 0.0]). In conclusion, the tested WinFoods had the same effect on FFM and length as CSB+, whereas Hb and iron status decreased, suggesting inhibited iron bioavailability from the amaranth-based WinFoods

Quantitative and quality losses caused by rodents in on-farm stored maize: a case study in the low land tropical zone of Kenya

Rodents are one of the major storage pests in on-farm maize storage in the tropics. However, information on actual magnitude of weight and quality losses caused by rodents in maize stores and species of rodent associated with the losses is scarce and if available would help to improve maize postharvest management. Maize stores of small-scale farmers in the lowland tropical zone of Kenya were monitored for actual weight losses caused by rodents and rodent trapping was conducted to determine species and estimate population of the rodents associated with the losses. Moulds and total aflatoxin contamination and nutritional value of rodent-damaged grain and non-damaged grain samples were also compared to evaluate the impact of rodent infestation on grain quality. In a sample of 20 farmers, we found that cumulative weight losses due to rodents ranged from 2.2 to 6.9% in shelled maize grain and from 5.2 to 18.3% in dehusked cobs after storage for 3 months. Rattus rattus was the only rodent species captured over the whole trapping period with a trap success rate of 0.6–10.0%. Total mould count, Fusarium spp. incidence and total aflatoxin contamination were significantly higher in rodent-damaged grains than in the non-damaged ones whereas no significant differences were observed for the incidence of Aspergillus spp. There were also significant decreases in dry-matter, fat, crude protein and fatty acid content in rodent-damaged grain compared to non-damaged grain. These findings show that rodents are a significant cause of postharvest losses in on-farm maize storage and impact negatively on food nutrition and safety. Mitigation strategies for postharvest losses should therefore include rodent control

Intravenous co-amoxiclav to prevent infection after operative vaginal delivery: the ANODE RCT.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a leading cause of direct and indirect maternal death in both the UK and globally. All forms of operative delivery are associated with an increased risk of sepsis, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's guidance recommends the use of prophylactic antibiotics at all caesarean deliveries, based on substantial randomised controlled trial evidence of clinical effectiveness. A Cochrane review, updated in 2017 (Liabsuetrakul T, Choobun T, Peeyananjarassri K, Islam QM. Antibiotic prophylaxis for operative vaginal delivery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017;8:CD004455), identified only one small previous trial of prophylactic antibiotics following operative vaginal birth (forceps or ventouse/vacuum extraction) and, given the small study size and extreme result, suggested that further robust evidence is needed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether or not a single dose of prophylactic antibiotic following operative vaginal birth is clinically effective for preventing confirmed or presumed maternal infection, and to investigate the associated impact on health-care costs. DESIGN: A multicentre, randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Twenty-seven maternity units in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Women who had an operative vaginal birth at ≥ 36 weeks' gestation, who were not known to be allergic to penicillin or constituents of co-amoxiclav and who had no indication for ongoing antibiotics. INTERVENTIONS: A single dose of intravenous co-amoxiclav (1 g of amoxicillin/200 mg of clavulanic acid) or placebo (sterile saline) allocated through sealed, sequentially numbered, indistinguishable packs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome - confirmed or suspected infection within 6 weeks of giving birth. Secondary outcomes - severe sepsis, perineal wound infection, perineal pain, use of pain relief, hospital bed stay, hospital/general practitioner visits, need for additional perineal care, dyspareunia, ability to sit comfortably to feed the baby, maternal general health, breastfeeding, wound breakdown, occurrence of anaphylaxis and health-care costs. RESULTS: Between March 2016 and June 2018, 3427 women were randomised: 1719 to the antibiotic arm and 1708 to the placebo arm. Seven women withdrew, leaving 1715 women in the antibiotic arm and 1705 in the placebo arm for analysis. Primary outcome data were available for 3225 out of 3420 women (94.3%). Women randomised to the antibiotic arm were significantly less likely to have confirmed or suspected infection within 6 weeks of giving birth (180/1619, 11%) than women randomised to the placebo arm (306/1606, 19%) (relative risk 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 0.69). Three serious adverse events were reported: one in the placebo arm and two in the antibiotic arm (one was thought to be causally related to the intervention). LIMITATIONS: The follow-up rate achieved for most secondary outcomes was 76%. CONCLUSIONS: This trial has shown clear evidence of benefit of a single intravenous dose of prophylactic co-amoxiclav after operative vaginal birth. These results may lead to reconsideration of official policy/guidance. Further analysis of the mechanism of action of this single dose of antibiotic is needed to investigate whether earlier, pre-delivery or repeated administration could be more effective. Until these analyses are completed, there is no indication for administration of more than a single dose of prophylactic antibiotic, or for pre-delivery administration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11166984. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 54. See the National Institute for Health Research Journals Library website for further project information

Age-Related Changes in the Daily Rhythm of Photoreceptor Functioning and Circuitry in a Melatonin-Proficient Mouse Strain

Retinal melatonin is involved in the modulation of many important retinal functions. Our previous studies have shown that the viability of photoreceptors and ganglion cells is reduced during aging in mice that lack melatonin receptor type 1. This demonstrates that melatonin signaling is important for the survival of retinal neurons. In the present study, we investigate the effects of aging on photoreceptor physiology and retinal organization in CH3-f+/+ mice, a melatonin proficient mouse strain. Our data indicate that the amplitude of the a and b waves of the scotopic and photopic electroretinogram decreases with age. Moreover, the daily rhythm in the amplitude of the a- and b- waves is lost during the aging process. Similarly, the scotopic threshold response is significantly affected by aging, but only when it is measured during the night. Interestingly, the changes observed in the ERGs are not paralleled by relevant changes in retinal morphological features, and administration of exogenous melatonin does not affect the ERGs in C3H-f+/+ at 12 months of age. This suggests that the responsiveness of the photoreceptors to exogenous melatonin is reduced during aging

The role of cow urine in the oviposition site preference of culicine and Anopheles mosquitoes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemical and behavioural ecology of mosquitoes plays an important role in the development of chemical cue based vector control. To date, studies available have focused on evaluating mosquito attractants and repellents of synthetic and human origins. This study, however, was aimed at seasonal evaluation of the efficiency of cow urine in producing oviposition cues to <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>s.l. and <it>Culex quinquefasciatus </it>in both laboratory and field conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Oviposition response evaluation in laboratory conditions was carried out in mosquito rearing cages. The oviposition substrates were located in parallel or in diagonal positions inside the cage. Urine evaluation against gravid females of <it>An. arabiensis </it>and <it>Cx. quinquefasciatus </it>was carried out at Day 1, Day 3 and Day 7. Five millilitres (mls) of cow urine was added to oviposition substrate while de-chlorinated water was used as a control. In field experiments, 500 mls of cow urine was added in artificial habitats with 2500 mls of de-chlorinated water and 2 kgs of soil. The experiment was monitored for thirty consecutive days, eggs were collected daily from the habitats at 7.00 hrs. Data analysis was performed using parametric and non-parametric tests for treatments and controls while attraction of the oviposition substrate in each species was presented using Oviposition Activity Index (OAI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The OAI was positive with ageing of cattle urine in culicine species in both laboratory and field experiments. The OAI for anopheline species was positive with fresh urine. The OAI during the rainy season was positive for all species tested while in the dry season the OAI for culicine spp and <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>s.l., changed with time from positive to negative values.</p> <p>Based on linear model analysis, seasons and treatments had a significant effect on the number of eggs laid in habitats, even though the number of days had no effect.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Oviposition substrates treated with cow urine in both laboratory and field conditions have shown that cow urine left to age from 1-7 days has an influence on oviposition behavioural response in mosquitoes. The analysis of microbial colonies for decaying urine should be investigated along with its associated by-products.</p