Strengthening integrated research and capacity development within the Caribbean region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Caribbean region, like other developing regions of the world, faces significant challenges in conducting research, especially in the context of limited resource capacities and capabilities. Further, due to its diverse and multiple island states, research capacity is scattered and unevenly spread within the region. The Caribbean EcoHealth Programme (CEHP) is a research program that is structured to improve the capacity and capability of health professionals in the Caribbean region to respond in integrative and innovative ways to on-going and emerging environmental health challenges by means of multi-sectoral interventions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Core parts of the CEHP’s mission are to (1) conduct collaborative research in areas that the region has identified as critical; (2) build and strengthening integrated approaches to research; and (3) develop and enhance basic research capacity within the Caribbean region.</p> <p>Fundamental to the success of the CEHP’s human and resource development mission has been its use of the Atlantis Mobile Laboratory (AML). The AML has allowed the CEHP program to move throughout the Caribbean and be able to respond to calls for specific research and capacity building opportunities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The CEHP’s five main research projects have generated the following results: (1) the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) study has evaluated human exposures to POPs, heavy metals, pesticides, and zoonotic infections; (2) the Burden of Illness (BOI) studies have developed protocols for the testing of foodborne microorganisms, strengthen laboratory analytical capabilities, and determined the prevalence and incidence of food-borne illness; (3) the Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) study has evaluated the microbial and chemical quality of rainwater harvesting systems; (4) the Ecotoxicology Water (ETW) studies have provided much needed data on the quality of recreational and drinking water supplies, and (5) the Food Safety Training Program has developed Diploma and M.Sc Agri-Food Safety and Quality Assurance programmes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The CEHP program provides a successful example of how a collaborative instead of researcher driven research agenda can lead to not only the generation of needed information, but also leave within the region where the research has been carried out the capacity and capabilities to continue to do so independent of outside interventions.</p

Burden and Impact of Acute Gastroenteritis and Foodborne Pathogens in Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives of this study were to determine the burden and impact of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and foodborne pathogens in Trinidad and Tobago. A retrospective, cross-sectional population survey, based on selfreported cases of AGE, was conducted in November-December 2008 and May-June 2009 (high- and low- AGE season respectively) by face-to-face interviews. From 2,145 households selected to be interviewed, the response rate was 99.9%. Of those interviewed, 5.1% (n=110; 95% CI 4.3-6.2) reported having AGE (3 or more loose watery stools in 24 hours) in the 28 days prior to the interview (0.67 episodes/person-year). Monthly prevalence of AGE was the highest among children aged &lt;5 years (1.3 episodes/year). Eighteen (16%) persons with AGE sought medical care (4 treated with oral rehydration salts and 6 with antibiotics), and 66% reported restricted activity [range 1-16 day(s)]. The mean duration of diarrhoea was 2.3 days (range 2-10 days). One case submitted a stool sample, and another was hospitalized. Overall, 56 (10%) AGE specimens tested positive for foodborne pathogens. It was estimated that 135,820 AGE cases occurred in 2009 (84% underreporting), and for every 1 AGE case reported, an additional 6.17 cases occurred in the community. The estimated economic cost of AGE ranged from US$ 27,331 to 19,736,344. Acute gastroenteritis, thus, poses a huge health and economic burden on Trinidad and Tobago

Impact of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement on Food Safety and Trade by Developing Countries

There have been concerns that Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures can act as a barrier to trade and thus impede the export of agricultural and food products to developed countries. To a large extent, this reflects poor access to compliance resources, including scientific and technical expertise, information and finance. In 1994, developed countries collectively accounted for 72.5% of the total world imports of agricultural products (UNCTAD 1998). This paper explores the impact of the SPS Agreement on food safety and examines some developing food safety issues. The basic rules for food safety as set out by the SPS Agreement are highlighted and the standards by different regulatory and advisory bodies are outlined. Some of the problems and challenges that developing countries experience in meeting SPS standards in food safety are identified

Effects of different pectolase concentration and yeast strains on carambola wine quality in Trinidad, West Indies

Introduction. The fruit of Averrhoa carambola L., or carambola, is an attractive tropical fruit of the Oxalidaceae family. As most of the carambola crop is consumed fresh, very few carambolas are processed. However, the high variability in fruit quality produced by Caribbean countries is a major limitation to market penetration. Processing of carambolas could allow the utilization of low quality fruits, which cannot be marketed, to reduce waste, improve on the economic returns of farmers and increase the value of the crop. Our work thus aimed at studying carambola wine quality in relation to certain treatments applied before the fermentation of the must. Materials and methods. Pectolase was added to the pasteurized carambola pulp to the concentrations of (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3)%. Another treatment used pectolase to 0.3% with addition of 1% of citric acid and 0.25% of ascorbic acid and associated with the use of various yeast strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from various wines (Super, Chablis and Sweet Mead). The must was adjusted to 25 °Brix and pH 3.0–3.5. The carambola wine quality obtained at the end of each treatment was assessed using physicochemical characteristics and sensory evaluations. Results and discussion. Addition of pectolase improved the carambola wine’s light transmittance, sensory color, sensory clarity and overall acceptability. Addition of 1% citric acid and 0.25% ascorbic acid to the must resulted in less dark and yellow wines with a more acceptable color. Wines fermented with the Chablis yeast strain had the highest clarity (88.55% of light transmittance). The wines were microbiologically stable. Conclusion. Carambola wine treated with 0.3% pectolase with the inclusion of 1% citric acid and 0.25% ascorbic acid with different yeast strains had (7.35 to 7.65) °Brix, (10.25 to 11.50)% alcohol, pH 3.01 to 3.02, (79.20 to 88.55)% of light transmittance and (17.50 to 17.76) mg ascorbic acid·100 mL–1. These wines had overall acceptability rating from slightly to moderately liked and they were judged as superior

HANDLING PRACTICES, CONSUMER PERCEPTION, AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF FRESH CARITE (SCOMBEJROMORUS BRASIUENSIS ) IN TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES

This investigation provided an overview of the handling practices by individuals involved in the fish trade, consumer perception and quality of fresh carite offered for sale. Landing sites, wholesale and retail markets were visited and face-to-face interviews were conducted with fishermen, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Microbiological and sensory analyses were performed on whole and gutted fish. All the facilities for handling and trading of fish were grossly under-equipped and in poor hygienic condition. Most consumers viewed whole fish as being 'fresh' and of superior quality compared to eviscerated fish. Fish was of best sensory quality when landed and of worse quality at the retail vendors' stalls. Several recommendations were provided for improvement of quality

PROCESSING AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF A CARAMBOLA DRINK (.AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA)

The objective of the study was to utilise carambola fruits in drinks and to investigate the quality changes on storage at 10 °C and 25 °C for 5 weeks. A survey was conducted by 125 questionnaires to guide the objectives of the research. Carambola drinks of 4 treatments (9 % and 12% sucrose with or without 3% orange juice) were processed with 0.2% xanthum gum, 0.125% citric acid, 0.1% sodium benzoate and 0.125% ascorbic acid and pasteurised at 90 °C for 5min. From survey, 86.4% of respondents have eaten carambola fruits, while 26.9% have consumed carambola drinks. Some respondents (51.9%) disliked the acid taste and short shelf-life of the fruits. A carambola/orange drink (12 °Brix) was most preferred (66.4%) by un-trained panelists and was liked moderately to like veiy much. On storage, there were no changes (P>0.05) in °Brix of drinks but products darken more at 25 °C than at 10 °C as indicated by 'L' values

Threat of Bioterrorism on Food Safety and Food Security to Caribbean Countries

The events of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack in the United States along with food scares worldwide, have heightened the interest in protecting the Caribbean food supply chain, since it represents a tempting target for bioterrorists. Food terrorism could pose both severe public health and economic impacts. The best defense against food security threats is a real, proactive commitment to food safety. Food security and food safety share an integrated goal of 'prevention to protect' whether the threat/risk is intentional or accidental. Caribbean countries would need to consider a wider range of food security issues from their domestic production and look beyond their trading partners to assure food safety. This paper identifies some potential biological and chemical risks on food safety, steps that could be taken to enhance food security and the impact of the US Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 on food trade for Caribbean countries

A Preliminary Microbial Survey of Ready-To-Eat Salads at Popular Food Establishments in Trinidad

Ready-to-eat salads are becoming increasingly popular as they combine the healthy characteristics of fruits and vegetables with that of a short preparation time. This study seeks to determine the microbial quality of ready-to-eat salads that are sold in food establishments in Trinidad. A total of 56 samples were collected from two supermarkets and two shopping malls and were analyzed using culture procedures. The total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Escherichia coli colonies were determined for each salad sample. Samples were also tested for Salmonella spp. The average number of aerobic bacteria was 6.3±1.1 logCFUg-1 with a range of 4.3 to 7.5 logCFUg-1. The level of aerobic bacteria in the salad samples was dependent on the food establishment from which it was purchased and varied significantly across food establishments (P<0.001). The shopping malls had higher levels of aerobic bacteria than supermarkets (P<0.001). E. coli was found in 100% of the salad samples analyzed and the level present varied significantly among food establishments (P<0.05). The average E. coli colony count was 3.7±0.7 logCFUg-1 ranging from 2.7 to 5.0 logCFUg-1. Salmonella spp. was detected in 67.86% of the samples analyzed. The number of salad samples contaminated with Salmonella varied significantly during the two periods of testing, week 1 and week 2 (P<0.05). In this study, the researcher only sampled ready-to-eat salads from four of the many food establishments in Trinidad. Due to the high number of: aerobic bacteria and E.coli colonies, and samples contaminated with Salmonella found in the samples analyzed, it was recommended to increase the sample size in order to provide a general overview of the quality of ready-to-eat salads sold in Trinidad

WOMEN SCIENTISTS IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY

Nothing has a greater effect on our quality of life than hydrocarbons on which we depend for transport, fuel, heating and a wide range of products. Women work as geophysicists and geologists in exploration, as engineers in production and refining and as chemists in petrochemicals. They are valued as scientists in Research and Development, technology application, economics, marketing, transportation and business development. The study investigated the contribution of some women scientists in the petroleum industry. Information was gathered through contacts and literature search. In the United States of America, 50% of petroleum engineering students are women. More women are entering the petroleum industry worldwide, especially in Latin America and the Eastern Hemisphere. In 2007/2008 academic year, at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, 65% of the 46 students registered for the undergraduate degree in Petroleum Geoscience were female. Women have greater opportunities in many companies, which now provide childcare, flexible hours of work and other support programs Schlumberger provides scholarships and support for women in engineering. BPTT, BG and BHP and, Atlantic LNG all employ women graduates of the University of the West Indies in exploration. Women occupy important positions in the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy, preparing bid rounds to offer exploration licenses to companies