Nutritional quality, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of selected african indigenous leafy vegetables as influenced by maturity and minimal processing

The African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) are excellent sources of β-carotene, vitamin C, iron as well as protein, minerals, fiber and bioactive compounds. In the recent past, AIVs have gained commercial importance as a result of increased awareness of their nutritional and health benefits and are now produce in both formal and informal marketing channels. One of the challenges in production, marketing and consumption of AIVs is that they are highly perishable and there is inadequate capacity for their storage in fresh state. This is because most storage techniques require low temperatures, which are nonexistent for AIVs in Kenya. Minimal processing can enable AIVs produced in far flung locations to be stabilized and transported to the markets in the urban centres. However, this can affect the color, texture, flavor, and nutritional quality of AIVs. This study aimed at examining the influence of harvest maturity and minimal processing techniques on the nutritional, phytochemical and anti-oxidant capacity in stinging nettle, amaranth and black nightshade. The results indicated significant differences between treatments and stages of maturity. Results further show that the highest contents of β-carotene in fresh state, at young stage was 47.82 mg/100g in amaranth and mature stage was 71.22 mg/100g in black night shade. For vitamin C, the highest content was 142.06 mg/100g in stinging nettle at young stage while amaranth had the highest content of vitamin C at mature stage as 193.52 mg/100g. The highest phenol content in fresh state was in black night shade at 1.09 g/100g and 1.29 g/100g at young stage and mature stage respectively. Among the processed, the highest content of vitamin C was seen in Freeze-Dried Unsliced Unblanched black nightshade at both young and mature stage as 86.64mg/100g and 111.14mg/100g respectively. For β-carotene, the highest content was reported on Freeze-Dried Unsliced Blanched in amaranth as 30.24mg/100g at young stage and mature stage had 57.12mg/100g in black nightshade.Keywords: Minimal processing, blanching, drying, African indigenous vegetable, maturityAfr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev. 2019; 19(3): 14769-1478

Effect of Activebag® modified atmosphere packaging on the postharvest characteristics of mango fruits, Mangifera indica L, cultivar Tommy Atkins

Objective: This was to evaluate the efficacy of MAP in maintaining the postharvest quality of mango fruits.Methodology and results: The fruits were harvested from a commercial orchard, (Karurumo Orchards) located in Embu county of Eastern province. The fruits were harvested at advanced maturity during the pre-climacteric rise phase when most of the flesh had turned yellow. They were selected for uniformity in colour, size and shape and randomly separated into three equal batches of 50 fruits each. The first batch was packaged in Activebag®, second batch in ordinary (commercially used) polythene bags while the third batch was left unpackaged as control. Five fruits from each treatment were sampled every three days during the shelf life period and evaluated for various physiological and physicochemical parameters associated with mango ripening and quality including ethylene evolution, respiration rate, cumulative weight loss, firmness, hue angle, total soluble solids, total titratable acid, soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene. MAP whether in Activebag® or ordinary polythene was effective in maintaining the quality of mango fruits compared to the unpackaged controls. Slow ripening changes of Activebag® fruits was accompanied by a delayed respiratory climacteric and generally lower respiration rates compared to ordinary bag and unpackaged fruits. At the end of the observation period, Activebag® fruits were 16% firmer compared to unpackaged fruits. The initial average weight was 635g and modified atmosphere packaging had a remarkable effect on cumulative weight loss with fruits packaged in the ordinary polythene bag and Activebag® fruits losing only 7.4% of the initial weight compared to 12% in the case of unpackaged fruits (control). Higher levels of total soluble solids (°brix) 5.5g/100g and total soluble sugars (6g/100g) observed at the beginning of storage (6 days after packaging) signalled advanced ripening of unpackaged fruits. However as the storage time progressed, the levels of each of the soluble sugars evaluated were higher in Activebag® fruits. Similarly, Activebag® fruits retained higher levels of titratable acidity (0.39%and ascorbic acid compared to ordinary bag fruits (0.36%).Conclusion: Packaging mangoes in Activebag® after harvest at ripe stage was effective in delaying most of the ripening related changes in mango fruits thereby maintaining the quality and extending their shelf life. Although ordinary polythene packaging maintained quality of the fruits better than unpackaged fruits, the positive effects were negated by high incidences of rotting.Key words: Mango, MAP, postharvest, quality, shelf lif

[Accepted Manuscript] Exclusive Breastfeeding Is More Common Among HIV-Infected Than HIV-Uninfected Kenyan Mothers at 6 Weeks and 6 Months Postpartum.

To compare breastfeeding practices determined by mothers' own recall versus a stable isotope technique (deuterium oxide dilution) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected mothers at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates were assessed cross-sectionally at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum among 75 HIV-positive and 68 HIV-negative women attending postnatal care. EBF was derived from maternal 24-hour recall of foods that were fed to the infant and by objective measurement of nonhuman milk-water intake using deuterium oxide (DO) dilution technique. Multivariable logistic analyses were adjusted for infant sex, gravidity, maternal age, marital status, and maternal education. Using recall method, a greater proportion of HIV-infected mothers exclusively breastfed than HIV-uninfected mothers both at 6 weeks postpartum [94.1% versus 76.9%, respectively (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-31.6, p = 0.004)] and at 6 months postpartum [75% versus 59.7%, respectively (aOR 2.27; 95% CI 1.0-5.3, p = 0.058)]. At 6 weeks postpartum EBF rates from the DO technique were 23.5% and 13.8% for HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers, respectively (aOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.11-1.04, p = 0.059). At 6 months postpartum, the DO technique determined EBF rates were 43.3% among HIV-positive and 24.2% among HIV-negative mothers, respectively (aOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0-5.7, p = 0.048). HIV-infected mothers are more likely to exclusively breastfeed compared with HIV-uninfected mothers. In this resource-poor setting, maternal recall overestimates EBF rates as compared with the deuterium oxide dilution technique. Validating EBF recall data using the objective DO technique is highly recommended for accurate tracking toward global targets on breastfeeding practices

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

Effects of Annealing Ambient on the Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of TiO2:Ge Thin Films

TiO2, a semiconducting material with a wide energy band gap, has been researched intensively due to its interesting properties and many potential applications. The films properties can as well be modified by preparing the films under diverse ambient to suit diverse applications. In this work, the effects of the annealing atmosphere on the structural, optical and electrical properties of pure TiO2 and TiO2:Ge composite thin films deposited by sputtering from commercially available pure TiO2 and TiO2:Ge (85:15) targets respectively were studied. The films were deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide glass substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature 23–25 ℃ and then annealed at 450 ℃ for one hour in three different atmospheres: air, argon and nitrogen. The XRD results revealed that, both pure TiO2 and TiO2:Ge thin films were crystalline and had a mixed phase of anatase and rutile regardless of the annealing ambient. The calculated crystallite sizes ranged between 19–21 nm with the particle sizes for TiO2:Ge films being larger compared to pure TiO2 as calculated from ImageJ software. Electrical measurements showed that the resistivity of as deposited pure TiO2 films (about 13.03 × 10–2 Ω-cm) was greater than the TiO2: Ge composite (5.91 × 10–2 Ω-cm). Furthermore, on annealing, pure TiO2 had a resistivity of 9.47 × 10–2 Ω-cm–10.4 × 10–2 Ω-cm, while the TiO2:Ge composite had a resistivity of 2.24 × 10–2 Ω-cm–3.61 × 10–2 Ω-cm depending on the annealing atmosphere. Variation of annealing atmosphere had minimal influence on the electrical resistivity of the films. The films annealed in nitrogen recorded the least resistivity values averaging about 5.86 × 10–2 Ω-cm, while those annealed in argon and air recorded a resistivity of 6.94 × 10–2 Ω-cm and 6.65 × 10–2 Ω-cm, respectively. The transmittance spectra showed that, all the annealed films were transparent in the visible region (400–700 nm) with a mean bandgap of 3.60 eV for each annealing atmosphere. It is recommended that films annealed in nitrogen atmosphere could be considered for potential applications in photovoltaics. Keywords: Titanium dioxide; Germanium; Ambient; Structural; Optical, Electrica

Nutritive Composition and \u3ci\u3eIn Vitro\u3c/i\u3e Dry Matter Digestibility of the Most Browsed Forage Species by Lactating Camels

Camels are both grazers and browsers of a broad spectrum of forages. The objective of this study was to identify and to determine the chemical composition of the most preferred forage species by lactating Somali camels in Laikipia County, Kenya. Lactating Somali camels and their calves were observed during the wet and dry seasons while browsing for a period of two weeks. The forage species were ranked based on the bite count. The most browsed forages identified through observation were sampled for identification by the local and scientific names and laboratory analysis. They were analyzed for proximate composition, detergent fiber fractions, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The most browsed forage species were Acacia nubica, Acacia seyal, Cucumis aculeatus, Euclea divinorum, Hibiscus parrifolia in the wet season and Barleria acanthoides, Balanites aegyptiaca, Cynodon dactycon, Lycium europium, Pollichia campestris in the dry season. Shrubs constituted 60%, trees 30%, and grasses 10% of the most preferred forage species. The preferred browsed species had high crude protein (7.1±0.4 to 25.7±1.2%) and low neutral detergent fiber concentrations (29.1±2.7 to 74.0±7%). The results of the study show camels fed on different types of forage species and that the forage nutritive value affected the selection

Enhancing Milk Production of Lactating Camels in Kenya via Supplementation of the Invasive Cactus (\u3ci\u3eOpuntia stricta\u3c/i\u3e) In the Diet

Climate change leading to prolonged and recurrent droughts, changes in land use, primarily settlement of pastoralists, followed by overgrazing and subsequent land degradation, has made the highly drought resistant opuntia flourish and be aggressively invasive in the Kenya’s rangelands. Camel keeping has increasingly replaced cattle as a climate adaptation strategy and also as a result of a steady increase in demand for camel milk due to the associated nutritional and health benefits,To address the challenge of lack of pasture during prolonged drought, there is the need to utilize the invasive cactus as fodder. The invasive cactus can be a kind of \u27Drought-Insurance\u27 in these regions due to its ability to retain its nutrition and productivity in water deficit conditions. This study reports on the incorporation of the invasive cactus together with a protein source in increasing the milk yield of lactating camels in one of the semi-arid land regions of Kenya

Below Ground Benefits of Cactus \u3ci\u3eOpuntia stricta\u3c/i\u3e Under Rangeland Conditions in Laikipia, Kenya

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring 30 × 30 m. Each block was further subdivided into three plots of 10 x 30m Three clusters were randomly selected from each plot for roots and soil samples starting from the center of the cluster (C) to the outside in a gradient of three radii, R1, R2 and R3. Data was collected for root (dry root biomass, % carbon and % nitrogen) and soil (pH, bulk density, % moisture and % nitrogen) characteristics. Significant differences in total root mass, root carbon, and root nitrogen were observed under varying cluster gradients. Root mass ranged from 4527.0 to 9242.0 kg/ha for the outermost radius (R3) and the cluster’s center, respectively. Similarly, except for the soil nitrogen, statistical differences were observed for soil bulk density, percent soil moisture and percent nitrogen along the different cluster gradients. The soil bulk density ranged from 1.2±0.02 (center) to 1.5±0.01 g cm3 (radius 2). Findings from this study demonstrate the important contribution of the invasive cactus species in sustaining the ecological functions of rangeland soils such as those found in Laikipia, Kenya

Rectal dihydroartemisinin versus intravenous quinine in the treatment of severe malaria: A randomised clinical trial

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of rectal dihydroartemisinin (DATM- Cotecxin) and intravenous quinine in the treatment of severe malaria in children and adults.Setting: Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya between July and November1998.Patients: A total of sixty seven patients aged two to sixty years with severe malaria were studied.Design: This was an open randomised comparative clinical trial.Outcome measures: These were parasite clearance time, fever clearance time, efficacy and the side effect profile of the two drugs.Results: The two groups were comparable on admission on the clinical and laboratory parameters. The parasite clearance time was shorter in the rectal DATM group than quinine group. There was no statistical difference on the fever clearance time and cure rates in thetwo groups. The adverse reaction profile was better with rectal DATM than with quinine, tinnitus observed more in the quinine group.Conclusion: Rectal DATM is faster in parasite clearance than quinine and is a safe and convenient alternative to quinine in the treatment of severe malaria

Existing capacity to manage pharmaceuticals and related commodities in East Africa: an assessment with specific reference to antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND: East African countries have in the recent past experienced a tremendous increase in the volume of antiretroviral drugs. Capacity to manage these medicines in the region remains limited. Makerere University, with technical assistance from the USAID supported Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus (RPM Plus) Program of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) established a network of academic institutions to build capacity for pharmaceutical management in the East African region. The initiative includes institutions from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda and aims to improve access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria through spearheading in-country capacity. The initiative conducted a regional assessment to determine the existing capacity for the management of antiretroviral drugs and related commodities. METHODS: Heads and implementing workers of fifty HIV/AIDS programs and institutions accredited to offer antiretroviral services in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were key informants in face-to-face interviews guided by structured questionnaires. The assessment explored categories of health workers involved in the management of ARVs, their knowledge and practices in selection, quantification, distribution and use of ARVs, nature of existing training programs, training preferences and resources for capacity building. RESULTS: Inadequate human resource capacity including, inability to select, quantify and distribute ARVs and related commodities, and irrational prescribing and dispensing were some of the problems identified. A competence gap existed in all the four countries with a variety of healthcare professionals involved in the supply and distribution of ARVs. Training opportunities and resources for capacity development were limited particularly for workers in remote facilities. On-the-job training and short courses were the preferred modes of training. CONCLUSION: There is inadequate capacity for managing medicines and related commodities in East Africa. There is an urgent need for training in aspects of pharmaceutical management to different categories of health workers. Skills building activities that do not take healthcare workers from their places of work are preferred