Compositional, physico-mechanical and functional properties of two Ghanaian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume that is cultivated throughout Africa and contributes a significant amount of plant-based protein to human diets. There are many varieties of cowpeas, and these have varying seed characteristics such as shape, size, colour and nutritional properties. The compositional, physico-mechanical, and functional properties of two new cowpea seed varieties were investigated in order to determine their full food-use potentials as well as key parameters for their postharvest machinery for processing, handling, and storage. The proximate composition of the two cowpea cultivars was determined using standard methods. Physico-mechanical analyses carried out were the hundred-seed weight and volume, bulk density, true density, size, aspect ratio, surface area, equivalent diameter, porosity and angle of repose. Functional properties determined were cooking time and water uptake of the grain as well as water and oil absorption, foam capacity and stability, and emulsion capacity and stability of the flour. The Padi-Tuya variety was longer, broader and thicker than Wang Kae. The results showed both varieties to be useful sources of macronutrients. The moisture, fat and fibre in Wang Kae were significantly higher (p<0.05) than Padi-Tuya. However, both cowpea varieties had comparable protein levels of 17.7 g/100 g. The cooking time, hydration capacities and indices of the two varieties were also significantly different (p<0.05), but their swelling capacities, swelling and water uptake indices were comparable. Cooking times were 40 and 62 min for Padi-Tuya and Wang Kae, respectively. The water and oil absorption capacities, as well as the swelling indices, were similar, but their emulsion capacities and stabilities were significantly different (p<0.05) for the flour. Padi-Tuya had a higher foam capacity, but was less stable, than Wang Kae. The physico-mechanical properties determined would aid in the design of cleaning, handling and other processing machinery as well as storage facilities for the new cowpeas. The functional and the compositional parameters would assist in the food formulations

Success or failure of critical steps in community case management of malaria with rapid diagnostic tests: a systematic review

Background: Malaria still causes high morbidity and mortality around the world, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Community case management of malaria (CCMm) by community health workers (CHWs) is one of the strategies to combat the disease by increasing access to malaria treatment. Currently, the World Health Organization recommends to treat only confirmed malaria cases, rather than to give presumptive treatment. Objectives. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the success or failure of critical steps in CCMm with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Methods. The databases of Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the library of the \u27Malaria in Pregnancy\u27 consortium, and Web of Science were used to find studies on CCMm with RDTs in SSA. Studies were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, subsequently risk of bias was assessed and data extracted. Results: 27 articles were included. CHWs were able to correctly perform RDTs, although specificity levels were variable. CHWs showed high adherence to test results, but in some studies a substantial group of RDT negatives received treatment. High risk of bias was found for morbidity and mortality studies, therefore, effects on morbidity and mortality could not be estimated. Uptake and acceptance by the community was high, however negative-tested patients did not always follow up referral advice. Drug or RDT stock-outs and limited information on CHW motivation are bottlenecks for sustainable implementation. RDT-based CCMm was found to be cost effective for the correct treatment of malaria in areas with low to medium malaria prevalence, but study designs were not optimal. Discussion. Trained CHWs can deliver high quality care for malaria using RDTs. However, lower RDT specificity could lead to missed diagnoses of non-malarial causes of fever. Other threats for CCMm are non-adherence to negative test results and low referral completion. Integrated CCM may solve some of these issues. Unfortunately, morbidity and mortality are not adequately investigated. More information is needed about influencing sociocultural aspects, CHW motivation and stock supply. Conclusion: CCMm is generally well executed by CHWs, but there are several barriers for its success. Integrated CCM may overcome some of these barriers