Groundwater quality assessment from Phalombe Plain, Malawi

In the present study, groundwater samples were collected from ten boreholes in the Phalombe plain, Southern Malawi. The main objective was to assess the suitability of the borehole water for human consumption. Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of the groundwater samples were determined using standard methods. Results were compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Malawi Standard (MS) drinking water guidelines to assess suitability. All analyses for physicochemical parameters were within acceptable limits except for fluoride concentration levels which were above WHO recommended limit of 1.5 mg/L in twoboreholes (Lihaka Primary School, 2.9 mg/L and Phalombe T.C, 2.0 mg/L). Trace metal contamination was below detection limits with atomic absorption spectrometry. Feacal coliform units exceeding WHO tolerated limits of 0 cfu/100 mg/L were observed in five groundwater samples from Lihaka Primary School (11 cfu/100 mL), Migowi trading center (4 cfu/100 mL), Phalombe T.C (77 cfu/100 mL), Thetheleya Village (73 cfu/100 mL), and Mpasa T.D.C (102 cfu/100 mL) boreholes. It was concluded that not all the borehole water is safe for human consumption. The presence of feacal coliform in some boreholes is indicative of health risk to the inhabitants of the geographical location. The study recommends mobilization of onsite possible means of treatment of groundwater such as boiling and use of chlorination tablets so as to prevent possible adverse health effects.Keywords: Bacteriological, Borehole, Malawi, Phalombe Plain, Water quality, WHO/MS drinking water guideline

Proximate Composition, Mineral Composition and Phytic Acid in Three Common Malawian White Rice Grains

Rice is the second most important food crop in Malawi, after maize. Some studies have reported on losses of macro- and micronutrients in rice grains subjected to different polishing rates. In this study, the proximate composition, mineral contents and phytic acid profile of three white (i.e. polished) rice varieties in Malawi were investigated. Proximate composition was determined by adopting AOAC method. Mineral contents were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and phytic acid determined using standard procedures. The results show that proximate composition for the three varieties were variable in the with ranges being 9.35-10.42%, 0.69-0.90%, 5.43-7.03%, 0.72-1.71%, 1.42-3.15%, 81.41-82.45% and 39.56-42.10%, for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate and energy content, respectively. Significant amounts of minerals were present in all three rice varieties in the ranges: 5.19-7.81 mg/100g for calcium; 30.21-40.32 mg/100g for magnesium; 216-268 mg/100g for potassium; 0.33-0.58 mg/100g for manganese; 0.77-1.40 mg/100g for zinc; 0.26-0.47 mg/100g for copper; and .83-2.49 mg/100g for iron. Phytic acid ranged between 93.10 and 204.92 mg/100g in all the three rice varieties, whereas heavy metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium were not detected in all varieties. The results suggest that the white rice varieties could serve as an alternative source of food for humans and animals after quality processing. Keywords: Malawian White Rice Grains, Proximate Composition, Minerals, Nutrient Content, Phytic Acid

The miracle mix of moringa : status of moringa research and development in Malawi

Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala are grown in Malawi in different agro-ecological zones. Moringa oleifera is the most widely cultivated pan-tropical species of a monogeneric family, the Moringaceae, regarded as versatile because of its ability to provide edible food, oil and purify water for local communities. The tree is sometimes referred to as a “Miracle Tree” because of nutritional and pharmacological properties. Despite its great importance, M. oleifera is still not well exploited and hence considered as underutilized in Malawi. Natural distribution of M. oleifera in Malawi and elsewhere reveals rich variability in fruit types of semi-domesticated populations. Distribution pattern among others has had an influence on domestication trends in Malawi in terms of diversity. Despite the great variability of M. oleifera, there is no properly established genebank or database with either cultivated or spontaneous accessions in Malawi and elsewhere. Absence of elite varieties adapted to local conditions and use of seeds obtained through open pollination from planted plants are some of the major factors that limit productivity. In Malawi, there is limited knowledge of available genetic diversity present in Moringa species to warrant serious breeding programmes for meaningful scaling up. Furthermore, commercialization of Moringa products in Malawi is still very informal making it difficult to get reliable information of production volumes and prices thereby making it unattractive for scaling up. There is however a growing interest to upscale Moringa species distribution nationwide. Moringa oleifera is fairly distributed in specific agro-ecological zones of Malawi and easily adapted to new sites. This offers an opportunity to be planted much more widely by introducing the species within the existing farming systems as the species can also survive in degraded soils. As such, increased use of the species could have a positive impact on the nutritional and health status of people of Malawi.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb2020-03-26hj2019Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research.

Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human-ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: the need for long-term and site-based research

Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human–ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems