Similarities in functional attributes and nutritional effects of magadi soda and bean debris-ash used in cooking African traditional dishes

Magadi soda and bean debris-ash have been used as condiments for a long time by various ethnic groups in East and Central Africa in cooking traditional dishes. The aim of the study was to investigate whether magadi soda and bean debris-ash had similar effects and functional attributes when added to traditional dishes during cooking. Reason for the addition of the two condiments has not been revealed by researchers. Mineral content, in-vitro bioavailability studies and pH of non-ashed and ashed magadi soda and bean debris were evaluated. The results indicated that high concentrations of sodium ions (30.2%) and potassium ions (64.2%) were observed in magadi soda and bean debris-ash, respectively. In-vitro iron and zinc bioavailability decreased significantly with the addition of magadi soda and bean debris-ash in maize, beans and sorghum. Equally, the cooking time was significantly reduced. The mean pH for both magadi soda (9.66) and bean debris-ash (9.75) were not significantly different indicating that both aqueous solutions had alkaline properties. The similarity in properties especially in mineral profile, alkalinity, decreased cooking time and lowered mineral uptake by magadi soda and bean  debris-ash explain similar functionality in foods they are added to during cooking. Despite the similarities  observed, communities should be informed of the negative nutritional effects of these condiments so as to diversify their meal patterns accordingly.Key words: Magadi soda, bean ash, traditional dishes, minerals, in-vitro bioavailabilit

Effect of germination of finger millet on nutritional value of foods and effect of food supplement on nutrition and anaemia status in Tanzania children

No Abstract.Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 9(2) 2007: pp.77-8

Food intake and dietary diversity of farming households in Morogoro region,Tanzania

The Tanzanian economy depends heavily on agriculture and hence human labor provides much of the power needed for farming activities. This study was carried out to determine the diversity and dietary adequacy of farming households in four selected districts of Morogoro region in Tanzania. Adult household members from 140 households participated in the study. A 24-hour dietary recall, dietary diversity score and frequency of food consumption tools were used to assess and quantify nutrient intake and adequacy of consumed diets in farming households. Tanzania food composition tables were used to compute estimates of the energy intake, macro and micronutrients consumed by farming households. Analysis was done using SPSS version 18 and Microsoft excel version 10. Cereal food group was consumed in relatively large quantities compared to other food groups in the surveyed households. The contribution of cereal group to energy intake was 75-82%, protein 8-16% and fat 9-14%. Stiff porridge made of maize flour was the mostly consumed cereal dish followed by rice. The mean intake of energy per day was inadequate; the intake of energy for men was 1402 kcal/day while for female was 1347 kcal/day meeting only 52% and 72%, respectively of the recommended energy intake. Generally, the consumption of protein from the animal sources was significantly low in all districts. Ninety-nine percent of the households rarely consumed eggs; 83% rarely consumed meat and poultry. Consumption of milk and milk products was inadequate as 92% of the households indicated that they rarely consumed these products. The intake of fat was also low by 53% compared to the recommended intake for adults. The intake of iron, zinc, and calcium was 40, 53 and 64%, respectively, which was not sufficient to meet daily requirements. Low intake of nutrients was generally attributed to inadequate food intake due to low feeding frequency, poorly diversified diets and sub-optimal practices in food preparation and cooking. The results from surveyed areas indicated that all districts are rich in terms of bio-diversity and food availability, nevertheless the consumption of these foods in the study communities was inadequate with regards to quantity and quality. This situation compromises nutritional status and pre-disposes farming households to diseases and infections hence affects work output, labor productivity and wealth generation. Educating farmers on the importance of consuming diversified and adequate diets from different food groups will improve their nutrition situation and stimulate more production hence increased agricultural productivity.Key words: Dietary adequacy, Dietary diversity, Nutrition status, Tanzania farming household

Microsatellite (SSR) Analysis on Genetic Diversity of (Coffea canephora) Germplasm in Kagera Region, Tanzania

Coffea canephora (Robusta) is one of the two important coffee species grown in Tanzania for commercial purpose. Robusta coffee contributes 40 - 50% of the total coffee production in Tanzania. However, the production of Robusta coffee in Tanzania has been hampered by coffee wilt disease. Despites the importance of Robusta coffee in Tanzania, its genome has not thoroughly researched. A study was conducted to investigate the molecular diversity of cultivated and wild coffee found in Kagera region in Tanzania. One hundred twenty four genotypes (124) of cultivated and wild coffee were analyzed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker techniques using 12 microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity, similarity or dissimilarity, genetic distances between individuals and genetic differentiation between populations was analyzed. Findings indicate high genetic variations among cultivated and wild coffee genotypes ranging between 20 and 83%. Polymorphism was 80% among SSR markers with 8 loci. Two distinctive genetic groups were identified. The first genetic group comprised four distinctive genetic groups one to four.The second genetic group consisted of four genetic groups, five to eight. Wild coffee genotypes had similarities to some of cultivated C. canephora in groups one to four implying that some cultivated C. canephora originates from wild coffee. Groups’ five to eight comprise genotypes from cultivated C. canephora. Detailed study is needed to compare the identified eight (8) genetic groups of C. canephora in Kagera region in Tanzania with the already know groups worldwide

African stakeholders' views of research options to improve nutritional status in sub-Saharan Africa

Background Setting research priorities for improving nutrition in Africa is currently ad hoc and there is a need to shift the status quo in the light of slow progress in reducing malnutrition. This study explored African stakeholders' views on research priorities in the context of environmental and socio-demographic changes that will impact on nutritional status in Africa in the coming years. Methods Using Multi-Criteria Mapping, quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from 91 stakeholders representing 6 stakeholder groups (health professionals, food Industry, government, civil society, academics and research funders) in Benin, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda. Stakeholders appraised six research options (ecological nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, community nutrition interventions, behavioural nutrition, clinical nutrition and molecular nutrition) for how well they could address malnutrition in Africa. Results Impact (28.3%), research efficacy (23.6%) and social acceptability (22.4%) were the criteria chosen the most to evaluate the performance of research options. Research on the effectiveness of community interventions was seen as a priority by stakeholders because they were perceived as likely to have an impact relatively quickly, were inexpensive and cost-effective, involved communities and provided direct evidence of what works. Behavioural nutrition research was also highly appraised. Many stakeholders, particularly academics and government were optimistic about the value of ecological nutrition research (the impact of environmental change on nutritional status). Research funders did not share this enthusiasm. Molecular nutrition was least preferred, considered expensive, slow to have an impact and requiring infrastructure. South Africa ranked clinical and molecular nutrition the highest of all countries. Conclusion Research funders should redirect research funds in Africa towards the priorities identified by giving precedence to develop the evidence for effective community nutrition interventions. Expanding research funding in behavioural and ecological nutrition was also valued and require multi-disciplinary collaborations between nutritionists, social scientists, agricultural and climate change scientists

Exploring the relationship between chronic undernutrition and asymptomatic malaria in Ghanaian children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A moderate association has been found between asymptomatic parasitaemia and undernutrition. However, additional investigation using the gold standard for asymptomatic parasitaemia confirmation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is needed to validate this association. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples from children less than five years of age in a rural Ghanaian community were used to determine if an association exists between chronic undernutrition and PCR-confirmed cases of asymptomatic malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 214 children less than five years of age from a community near Kumasi, Ghana. Blood samples and anthropometric measurements from these children were collected during physical examinations conducted in January 2007 by partners of the Barekuma Collaborative Community Development Programme.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings from the logistic model predicting the odds of asymptomatic malaria indicate that children who experienced mild, moderate or severe stunting were not more likely to have asymptomatic malaria than children who were not stunted. Children experiencing anaemia had an increased likelihood (OR = 4.15; 95% CI: 1.92, 8.98) of asymptomatic malaria. Similarly, increased spleen size, which was measured by ultrasound, was also associated with asymptomatic malaria (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.44, 3.28). Fast breathing, sex of the child, and age of the child were not significantly associated with the asymptomatic malaria.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No significant association between chronic undernutrition and presence of asymptomatic malaria was found. Children who experience anaemia and children who have splenomegaly are more likely to present asymptomatic malaria. Programmes aimed at addressing malaria should continue to include nutritional components, especially components that address anaemia.</p

Yield and mushroom size of Pleurotus ostreatus grown on rice straw basal substrate mixed and supplemented with various crop residues

Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2011. Vol. 10, Issue 1: 1211- 1218.Two crops of Pleurotus ostreatus were grown on rice straw as the basal substrate. In crop I, rice straw was mixed at spawning with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of banana leaves or Leucaena leucocephala or maize bran or maize cobs. In crop II, rice straw was supplemented at spawning with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of sunflower or cotton seed cake. Mushroom yield (1,040.0 g) and Biological efficiency (BE) (98.5%) were greater on a 50/50 mixture of rice straw and banana leaves. Rice straw supplemented with 2% sunflower seed hulls (yield 1,087.5 g, BE 103.3%) gave similar yield and BE to rice straw supplemented with 2% cotton seed hulls (yield 1,073.8 g, BE 101.8%), and were significantly greater than (p < 0.001) other supplement ratios. By comparison, mushroom yield on banana leaves were 786.5 g, on rice straw were 582.5 g, on Leucaena leucocephala were 534.5 g, on maize cobs were 468.5 g, on rice bran were 406.0 g and on maize bran were 305.3 g. The largest mushrooms (21.0 g) were obtained from non-supplemented rice straw

Non-composted and spent mushroom substrates for production of Agaricus Bisporus

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School, College of Agricultural Sciences at the Pennsylvania State UniversityCommercial production of Agaricus bisporus is dependent upon a substrate prepared by composting. Traditional composting is associated with a number of environmental problems such as the emission of offensive odors and waste water run-off during handling. In addition, after the production of a crop of mushrooms, there is the problem of disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS). Thus, preparation of a suitable substrate for mushroom production without the generation of offensive odors and the possible re-use of SMS for the production of a second crop of mushrooms are desirable. The goals of this research were to evaluate two substrates for the production of A. bisporus: a) non-composted substrate (NCS) consisting of red oak sawdust (28%), millet (29%), rye (8%), peat (8%), ground alfalfa (4%), ground soybean meal (4%), wheat bran (9%) and CaCO3 (10%) and b) SMS. Treatments included 1) NCS and SMS alone and in combination, 2) spawn carriers, 3) strains, 4) supplements, 5) time of supplementation, and 6) substrate moisture content. The substrates were sterilized in very high porosity filter plastic bags and then spawned and incubated. Mushrooms were harvested for two flushes and yield, biological efficiency (BE) and mushroom size were determined. The highest yield and BE (27.2 kg/m2, 144.3%) were from 1:1 NCS/SMS spawned with casing inoculum (CI) and supplemented with 10% Target® at casing. The largest mushrooms were obtained from NCS spawned with CI and supplemented at spawning with 3,000 mg/kg Micromax® (57.3 g/mushroom). Mushrooms containing the highest solids content (9.9%) were harvested from NCS spawned with CI (60% moisture content). Supplementation of NCS/SMS with Micromax®, a commercial micronutrient, iv had no significant effect on yield and BE. However, the addition of 0.9% Micromax® (d.w.) to NCS significantly increased yield by 72% (from 8.5 kg/m2 to 14.6 kg/m2). This work shows the potential to produce relatively high yields on NCS or on mixtures of NCS/SMS and that a combination of supplements that contain protein, carbohydrate and micronutrients added at spawning or at casing resulted in improved mushroom yields