Isolation and identification of the genera Acetobacter and Gluconobacter in coconut toddy (mnazi)

This study investigated the occurrence and identified the dominant spoilage genera of acetic acid bacteria in coconut wine (mnazi), by plating the dilution series previously pre-enriched in a basalmedium onto GYP agar, followed by physiological and biochemical tests. Both Acetobacter and Gluconobacter strains were Gram variable, oxidase negative and catalase positive. All Acetobacterstrains over-oxidized ethanol to acetic acid and finally to CO2 and H2O, while Gluconobacter were unable to oxidize acetic acid to CO2 and H2O. Acetobacter and Gluconobacter alike showed positivegrowth at 25, 30 and 40°C and also at pH 7.0 and 4.5, while there was no growth at 45°C, pH 2.5 and 8.5. Acetobacter strains oxidized both lactate and acetate while Gluconobacter oxidized lactate only. Bothgenera were unable to liquefy gelatin. Acetobacter showed negative growth at 15°C and also in peptone medium, while Gluconobacter showed positive growth both in peptone medium and at 15°C. Bothgenera were able to ferment arabinose, xylose, ribose, glucose, galactose, mannose and melibiose and unable to ferment amylagdine, cellibiose, esculine, lactose, maltose, mannitol, melezitose, Nagluconate, raffinose, rhamnose and salicine. The Acetobacter and Gluconobacter strains isolated in this study were found to be responsible for the spoilage of mnazi

Educational Level and Major Constraints Faced by Farmers and Tappers in Production and Marketing of Coconut-based Products

Kenya like other tropical countries has a coastal belt that is suitable for the growth and production of coconut and oil palms. More than 80% of the small-scale farmers in the coastal region derive their livelihood directly or indirectly from the coconut tree. This study, which was conducted between June 2002 and April 2003, sought information on the educational level and the major constraints faced by coconut tree farmers and tappers. Both stratified and area-sampling methods were employed using two questionnaires; one for the tappers and the other one for the farmers. A total of 9,155 coconut tree farmers and 2,812 mnazi tappers from six geographical districts in the Kenyan coastal province were interviewed. On average, 32.5% of the 9,155 farmers interviewed were found to be illiterate, while 42.0 % had primary school level of education. Only 11.2% had secondary school education while only 2.1% had college or university certificate. Out of the tapers interviewed, 40.3 % were found to be illiterate while 53.1% had primary school certificate. Only a few had secondary school education (4.5%) and less than 0.4% had tertiary level of education. The major constraints faced by the farmers in all the six districts were: lack of market (28.6%), low/fluctuation of prices (20.3%), pests and diseases (12.4%), poor transport/infrastructure (9.4%) and lack of credit/loans (7.7%). The major constraints faced by the tappers in all the five districts were: lack of market or poor marketing (31.1%), police and/or provincial administration harassment (20.8%), low/fluctuation of prices (15.7%), poor storage/preservation facilities (8.7%) and risk of falling due to snake-bites/strong winds/slippery trees (5.7%). The study identified all the major constraints that attributed to the amorphous marketing structures and lack of processing industries. The findings when well utilized could act as major catalysts in the process of revitalizing the coconut industry in the coastal region of Kenya.Keywords:coconut; tapper; farmer; constraints; educational levelJAGST Vol 5 (1), 200