Effect of Plant Powders on Survival, Oviposition and Progeny Development of Callosobruchus Maculatus for Protection of Leguminous Seeds during Post Harvest

This research article published by the International Journal of Science and Research, Volume 3 Issue 8, August 2014Insect infestation on leguminous plants particularly cowpea causes high destruction that lead to nutritional and economic losses. Hence powders from two medicinal plants namely Bersama abyssinica and Aristolochia elegans were tested for their efficacy as survival, oviposition and progeny development inhibitors of Callosobruchus maculatus to ensure food security. The experiments were conducted under laboratory temperature and relative humidity conditions and the powders were applied at rates 0.5g per 30g of cowpea seeds as contact toxicity to insects placed in Petri dishes. Results of contact toxicity assay showed that powders of Bersama abyssinica root bark and Aristolochia elegans seeds were effective against the adult C. maculatus by inducing 100% mortality within 5 days of application at the rate of 0.5g/30g of cowpea seeds. Few number of eggs approximately 1.50 ± 0.65 - 4.25 ± 0.65 per 50 seeds of cowpea seeds were oviposited and there was no progeny development of the cowpea weevil in seeds treated with plant powders. In untreated experiment the adult Callosobruchus maculatus survived and were able to lay eggs. The eggs were hatched and developed to F1 generation where 3.75 ± 0.25 approximately 45.8% adult C. maculatus emerged after 4 weeks .In the positive control, 100% mortality of C. maculatus occurred within 24 h and there was negligible seed loss in treated seed where as in untreated cowpea seed loss incurred by 37.00 ± 0.00 %. This study showed that all the tested plant powders were toxic to cowpea weevil thus could be applied by farmers by mixing with cowpea seeds to avert hatching of the eggs and development of larva, a destructive stage for management of insects and maintain nutritional and seed value in cowpeas

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in raw milk value chain in Arusha, Tanzania

This research article published by American Journal of Research Communication, Vol 2(9), 2014This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in milk value chain in Arusha, Tanzania. A total of 75 raw milk samples were collected from smallholder dairy farmers, street vendors and outlet shops in Arusha and Arumeru districts. A questionnaire survey was also used to assess hygienic practices along the chain. Salmonella and E. coli were detected in 28/75 (37.33%) and 68/75 (90.67%) samples, respectively. Bangata ward in Arusha showed relatively high prevalence of Salmonella spp. (42.11%) while Akeri ward in Arumeru showed relatively low prevalence (31.58%). In milk value chain, the highest prevalence was observed in street vendors (43.75%) while the lowest prevalence was in dairy farms (33.33%). Mean count for E. coli from milk producers, vendors and shops were 3.0 x 103 , 8 x 103 and 6.6 x 103 cfu/mL, respectively, indicating a significant (p < 0.05) increase in E. coli load along the chain. Furthermore, confirmatory test showed that Salmonella isolates were predominantly identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Arizonae. Besides, Salmonella and E. coli, other enterobacteria detected were Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Serratia marcescens. Taken together, qualitative and quantitative findings revealed that poor animal husbandry, poor hygienic practices, lack of refrigeration and less awareness of the zoonotic pathogens had a significant impact on the prevalence of detected bacteria, posing a public health risk

Analysis of phytochemical composition of Bersama abyssinica by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry

This research article published by the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, VOL. 3, ISSUE 4, 2014Bersama abyssinica has been reported to possess a varied range of therapeutical and pharmacological applications due to presence of bioactive compounds. The present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical present in the Bersama abyssinica leaf, stem bark and root bark methanolic fraction using Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis. A total of 24 phytocompounds were identified from leaves whereas 21 compounds from stem bark and 19 from root bark. The classes of compounds identified include; terpenes, vitamin, carotenoid (rhodopin), flavonoids, steroid, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Most of the identified compounds were previously reported to possess antimicrobial, antitumor, antiseptic, preservative, and insecticidal and antioxidant activities. Bersama abyssinica leaf methanolic fraction had higher amount of compounds. The most abundant metabolites to all fractions are 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-, 1,2,3-benzenetriol, 2,3-dimethylfumaric acid, 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester; levoglucosenone, 2,5-dimethoxythiophenol and DMelezitose recorded in leaves , stem bark and root bark of Bersama abyssinica

Antimicrobial use in the poultry industry in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and public health implications

Research Article published by American Journal of Research Communication Vol 2(4)A structured questionnaire was administered to Dar es Salaam poultry farmers and pharmaceutical outlets/shops to obtain information on antibiotic usage, awareness of withdrawal periods and public health concerns on drug residues. Of 100 layer’s chicken production farmers interviewed in this study, 54% were females and 46% males. The average flock size was 560. All interviewed participants apply antibiotics through oral route of drug administration. Of these participants, 93% treat their chicken in accordance with directives from veterinary drug vendors, 4% follow the manufacturer’s instructions and 3% depends on their own experience. The survey found that most frequently used antibiotic drugs belong to the group of tetracycline and sulfonamides. Furthermore, some prohibited antimicrobial agents like furazolidone were found in some veterinary drug stores and poultry farms. All interviewed poultry farmers were aware of drug withdrawal period but none of them declared to observe this requirement because they fear investment losses. It was concluded that there is high risk of exposure to unacceptable levels of drug residues from poultry products, as a result of failure to observe antibiotic withdrawal periods. Consulted efforts involving various stake holders such the producers of poultry products, consumers and regulatory authorities are needed to bring awareness on public health implications associated with drug residues in foods

Sulfonamide residues in commercial layer chicken eggs in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Research Article published by American Journal of Research Communication Vol 2(4)Sulfonamides are used in poultry production for prevention and treatment of bacterial and protozoal infections. Misuse of these drugs or poor adherence to drug withdrawal period has resulted in reports of unacceptable residue levels in poultry products from many developing countries. This study investigated sulphonamide residues in chicken eggs sold in Dar-es-Salaam, which is the biggest consumer of poultry pruducts in Tanzania. A total of 96 eggs randomly collected from commercial layer chicken production farms in Dar-es-Salaam were analysed for sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine residues by use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Extraction of residues from eggs was executed using liquid-liquid extraction in acetonitrile. The quantification of residues was achieved by using the UV detector at 265 nm and C18 column; (25 cm x 4.6 mm x12 μm). The mobile phase composed of 10 mM potassium di-hydrogen phosphate buffer. Results indicated that all analysed samples contained sulfadiazine while 59.4% contained sulfamethazine residues. Out of the 96 positive samples which were positive for sulfadiazine residues, 28 (29.2%) contained residues above the maximum residues limit (MRL). However, sulfamethazine residues detected in 54% of eggs were all below the MRL. These finding suggest that egg consumers in Dar-es-Salaam are at a risk of exposure to sulfonamide residues

Molecular marker of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine (Pfcrt) in an area with long history of antimalarial resistance

Research Article published by American Journal of Research Communication Vol 2(11)Background High levels Plasmodium falciparum resistance to Chloroquine (CQ) compelled Tanzania to replace CQ with Suphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as first-line antimalarial in 2001 which was however replaced with Artemether Lumefantrine (AL) in 2006. Studies in Malawi have shown sufficient recovery of CQ-sensitivity after its withdrawal warranting re-using CQ in combination with other antimalarials in the future. This paper assessed the level of CQ resistance at molecular level in an area with long history of antimalarial resistance in North-eastern Tanzania. Materials and Methods Samples were obtained from patients recruited in a clinical trial to assess in vivo efficacy of AL at Mkuzi health centre in Muheza district, North-eastern Tanzania. DNA was extracted from venous blood using Qiagen extraction midi kit. The samples were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the P. falciparum CQ resistance transporter gene (Pfcrt; codons 72–76) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Prevalence of Pfcrt haplotypes before and after treatment samples was compared. Results A total of 104 microscopically positive samples were genotyped for the Pfcrt haplotypes. Of these, 78 (75%) samples contained wild-type (CVMNK) haplotype, 21 (20.2%) contained resistant (CVIET) haplotype while 5 (4.8%) samples had mixed (CVMNK/CVIET) infections. There were no SVMNT haplotype among the samples. The prevalence of the Pfcrt wild-type CVMNK haplotype was high in the study area reaching over 76%. No significant selection of the Pfcrt wild-type CVMNK haplotype after treatment with AL was observed (p ˃ 0.05). Conclusions Compared to the previous studies in the study area, the prevalence of CQ sensitive parasites has increased in the study area. However the rate of sensitivity restoration in this study site with long history of antimalarial drug resistance was slower than rates reported from other parts of Tanzania. These findings suggest complete CQ sensitivity restoration and hence re-introduction of CQ (e.g. in a drug combination) in the study area will most likely take longer than previously anticipated

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in North-Eastern Tanzania

Research Artice published by BioMed CentralBackground: The World Health Organization recommends that regular efficacy monitoring should be undertaken by all malaria endemic countries that have deployed artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Although ACT is still efficacious for treatment of uncomplicated malaria, artemisinin resistance has been reported in South East Asia suggesting that surveillance needs to be intensified by all malaria endemic countries. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Muheza district of north-eastern Tanzania, an area where the transmission has significantly declined in recent years. Methods: Eighty eight children (aged 6 months to 10 years) with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were recruited into the study. The patients were treated with standard doses of AL and followed up for 28 days. The primary end point was parasitological cure on day 28 while the secondary end points included: improvement in haemoglobin levels and occurrence, and severity of adverse events. Results: A total of 163 febrile patients were screened, out of which 88 patients (56 under-fives and 32 aged ≥5 years) were enrolled and 79 (89.8%) completed the 28 days of follow-up. There were no cases of early treatment failure whilst 40 (78.4%) under-fives and 21(75.0%) older children had adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) before PCR correction. Late clinical failure was seen in 5.6% (n = 51) and 3.6% (n = 28) of the under-fives and older children respectively; while 15.7% and 21.6% had late parasitological failure in the two groups respectively. After PCR correction, ACPR was 100% in both groups. Reported adverse events included cough (49.7%), fever (20.2%), abdominal pain (10.1%), diarrhoea (1.3%), headache (1.3%) and skin rashes (1.3%). Conclusion: This study showed that AL was safe, well-tolerated and efficacious for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Since Muheza has historically been a hotspot of drug resistance (e.g. pyrimethamine, chloroquine, and SP), surveillance needs to be continued to detect future changes in parasite sensitivity to ACT