ISSN 2756-3286
Research Article
Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessing Food Safety and Intestinal Parasite Prevalence among Food Handlers in Mekelle University Student’s Cafeteria, Mekelle: A Study on Hygiene Practices and Parasitic Infections
Daniel Nigusse1 and Abera Kumie2
1Mekelle University, Public Health Department, P.O. Box.1871, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Accepted 28 May, 2023
Abstract
An adequate supply of safe and wholesome food is essential to the health and well-being of humans. Reports indicate that approximately 10 to 20% of food-borne disease outbreaks are due to contamination by the food handlers. The objective of this study was to assess food handlers practice on food hygiene and describe prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers working in Mekelle University student’s Cafeteria. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in student’s cafeteria of Mekelle University in January 2011. A total of 277 food handlers were used to collect data using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique with population proportion to size allocation was used to identify study subjects. Stool samples of 229 were collected and subjected to microscopic examination to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites through both direct and formol-saline ether sedimentation technique. The prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study groups was 49.4%. Food handlers working in Ayder campus [AOR: 20.15, 95% CI: (4.40-91.8)] and having good knowledge on food hygiene [AOR: 3.61, 95% CI: (1.51-8.65] were determinants for the practice of food handlers on food hygiene. The logistic regression analysis result also indicated that utilization of soap during hand washing [AOR: 0.15, 95% CI (0.06-0.38)], washing hands after toilet [AOR: 0.06, 95% CI (0.02-0.14)], practice of medical checkup [AOR: 0.47, 95% CI (0.22-0.97)] and history of de-worming [AOR: 0.25, 95% CI (0.11-0.54)] were determinants for intestinal parasitic infection. There existed poor food hygiene practice among food handlers. The learned behavior did not match with the intended hygienic practice. Hand washing practice after toilet, utilization of soap, medical checkup and de-worming history of the respondents were determinants for intestinal parasite infections. This study also found high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers. The provision of food safety measures focusing on personal hygiene and periodical medical checkups is highly advised.
Keywords: Food handler, intestinal parasites, protozoa, helminthiasis, and University cafeteria.
Abera Kumie, Daniel Nigusse
Page: 1 - 7
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1148Research Article
Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluating microbial safety of Kunun-Zaki beverages in Girei Town: A comprehensive study in Adamawa State, Nigeria
Elmahmood, A. M.* and Doughari, J. H.
Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, PMB 2076 Yola 640002, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Accepted 13 August, 2023
Abstract
Thirty Kunun- zaki samples were obtained as freshly formulated beverages from 10 different local hawkers in Girei town, Adamawa State, Nigeria and screened for microbial contamination. The pH of the samples ranged between 3.44 - 4.34 and total bacterial count ranged between 1.0 x 103 - 1.8 x 104 cells/ml. The presence of high microbial loads was indication of poor hygiene and/or poor quality cereals and water used in the preparations. The microorganisms recovered were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococuus pyogenes, Rhizopus nigricans, Penicillium digitatum, Asper-gillus fumigatus and Monilia sitophila. The types and density of microorganisms recovered from calls for urgent measures to be taken by regulatory authorities in the processing and handling of the product before being sold to the unsuspecting general public.
Key words: Microbial quality, Kunun-zaki, microbial load, microbial contamination.
J. H., Elmahmood , A. M.* and Doughari
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1147Research Article
Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Studies on character association and path analysis of certain quantitative characters among parental lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and their f1 hybrids in a diallel cross
A1*. U. Izge, A2. M. Kadams, and D3. T. Gungula
1Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture,University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Department of Crop Production and Horticulture, Schoolof Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, P.M.B. 2076, Yola, Nigeria.
3Department of Crop Production and Horticulture, Schoolof Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, P.M.B. 2076, Yola, Nigeria
Accepted 10 November, 2022
Abstract
A two- year study was conducted during the cropping season of 2004 and 2005 at Maiduguri (110 53I N, 130 16I E) and at Yola (90 8I N, 120 29I E), Nigeria. The study was conducted to determine the correlation and path coefficients among the yield and yield component characters in 10 parental lines and 45 hybrids of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br), formulated by a diallel cross excluding recipro-cals. Strong and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations were observed between total grain yield with yield/plant, number of tillers/plant, number of leaves/plant, plant height, panicle length and number of seeds/panicle. The path analysis indicated that, grain yield/plant, days to 50% flowering and plant height had the highest direct effects on total grain yield. The panicle length and the threshing percentage had the least direct effects on total grain yield. The direct effect of yield/plant was greatly reduced by the negative indirect effects through days to 50% flowering and downy mildew incidence, even though it was not significant. Similarly, the direct effect of plant height was very much influenced by the negligible indirect effects of threshing percentage, downy mildew incidence and 100-grain weight. The grain yield/plant, number of seed/panicle, and plant height in this study has been identified as selection criteria for obtaining good parental lines and hybrids in a pearl millet breeding program.
Key words: pearl millet, total grain yield, correlation, path analysis, parental lines, hybrids.
and D T. Gungula, *A.U. Izge, A. M. Kadams
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1146Research Article
Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Comparison of potential pod yield and loss in old and rehabilitated cocoa plots
Olaiya, A.O1; Fagbayide, J.A2; Hammed, L.A1 and M.O. Aliyu3
1Agronomy Group Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B. 5244,Ibadan Oyo State,Nigeria
2Agronomy Department University of Ibadan.
3Plant Breeding Group Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria,Ibadan.
Accepted 20 October, 2022
Abstract
A field study was carried out between 1999 and 2001 to comparatively evaluate the potential pod yield and losses in old and rehabilitated cacao plots. Two plots made up of an old and a rehabilitated plots were chosen and four trees were randomly selected as experimental unit at four different locations within each of the plots to serve as the replicates. The experimental units were then laid out in a randomized complete block design. Data on total fruit set (TFS), number of damaged pods (DMP), number of diseased pods (DSP), number of Cherelle wilted pods (CWP) and number of fermentable pods FMP) were collected over two years and subjected to ANOVA and correlation analysis. The result showed that pod loss to cherelle wilt was 34.9% and to diseases 22.3% while the damaged pods amounted to 11.5% in the old plot. In the rehabilitated plot, damage due to mirid infestation was responsible for about 27.4% pod loss followed by cherelle wilt of 25.6% and diseased pods 11.7%. The total number of fermentable pods of 19.8% and 41.6 were obtained in both old and rehabilitated plots respectively. The result showed that TFS was significantly (P<0.01) improved by rehabilitation though damage due to insect infestation and pod loss to cherelle wilt still accounted for the loss of over 50% TFS.
Key words: Cherelle wilt,damaged pods,diseased pods,old plot,rehabilitated plot.
L.A and M.O. Aliyu, J.A; Hammed, A.O; Fagbayide, Olaiya
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1145Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A phenotypic study of growth traits in indigenous Nguni cattle of Zimbabwe
N. Assan
Matopos Research Station, Bag K 5137, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 10 October, 2022
Abstract
Data from 2438 indigenous Nguni calves born at Matopos Research Station representing a total of 526 dams and 56 sires were used to evaluate the phenotypic variability and correlations of growth traits. Traits analyzed were weights at birth (BWT) (, weaning (WWT), yearling (YWT) and eighteen. A multivariate statistical model was used to analyze the data using SAS (1985 ). Sex and year of birth were highly significant (p<0.01) on all growth traits. Males were significantly heavier than females for all growth traits. The correlation of BWT with WWT, YWT and 18MO were positive, medium and significant. WWT was highly correlated with post weaning growth traits (YWT and 18MO). The estimates of phenotypic correlations were positive showing no antagonism among the growth traits.
Key words: Growth Traits, Correlation, Indigenous Nguni cattle, Zimbabwe.
N. Assan
Page: 1 - 3
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1142Short Communication
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Effect of Intra- and inter-row mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field
B.S. Aliyu1* and A.M. Emechebe2
1Biological Sciences Department, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
2International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.
Accepted 26 October, 2022
Abstract
A trial was conducted in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm in Kano, Nigeria during the 2002/2003 cropping season to evaluate the effect of intrarow and interrow mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field. Significantly (P 0.05) highest number of Striga per sorghum plant were obtained with sorghum only, which also have the lowest yield (2370 kg/ha). A significantly (P 0.05) higher yield (3709 kg/ha) was obtained with intra-row mixture of sorghum and densely planted cowpea variety, IT96D -452-1. This treatment also had the least number of Striga per net plot and per plant, which may be attributed to the effectiveness of the cowpea trap crop in stimulating the suicidal germination of the Striga seeds which would have otherwise attacked and reduced the productivity of the host plant. It may also be attributed to the effectiveness of the cropping method, with a ratio of sorghum : cowpea plants of 1:13, which improves the productivity of the system and at the same time suppresses the germination of Striga seeds.
Key words: Sorghum, yield, Intra-row, inter-row, cowpea, mixed-cropping.
B.S. Aliyu*, A.M. Emechebe
Page: 1 - 3
https://doi.org/10.46882/AFST/1141