East African Journal Of Science, Technology and Innovation
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Phytochemical profile and acaricidal efficacy of Syzygium cordatum bark extracts against the tick Rhipicephalus evertsi in Tanzania
Full text linkTick infestations significantly hinder livestock productivity, especially in small-scale practices across various agro-ecological zones. The primary control method, through application of synthetic acaricides faces challenges such as growing resistance, scarcity, environmental impact, and high costs, particularly for low-income farmers. One of the promising alternatives by livestock keepers is the use of botanical pesticides, derived from herbal plants, in recent times researchers explore these plants for their potential to control tick populations. This study explored the potential of Syzygium cordatum a herbal plant, specifically evaluating its phytochemical profile and the acaricidal effectiveness of hexane, methanol, and water extracts of S. cordatum bark against larval and adult Rhipicephalus evertsi ticks in Tanzania. Extracts were screened for its phytochemical properties by standard laboratory procedures using Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry and tested at 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml concentrations using an immersion technique. The bark extracts contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds and all extracts achieved nearly 100% mortality at 200mg/ml within 24 hours, except for the negative control. The hexane, methanol, and water extracts caused 100% larval mortality at 25, 50, and 100, and 200 mg/ml concentrations, and adult mortality at 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml concentrations. Hexane extract was the most effective, with an LC50 of approximately 10.23 and 17.38 mg/ml and an LC99 of around 35.48 and 48.92 mg/ml for larvae and adults, respectively. These findings suggest that different extraction solvents selectively capture distinct classes of phytochemicals from S.cordatum barks, potentially offering diverse bioactive compounds for R. evertsi management. Field-based trials are recommended to validate the efficacy of S.cordatum bark extracts under real-world livestock management conditions for tick control
Production of Furfural from Sisal Bole Bagasse in a single-stage Simultaneous Biomass Fractionation and Pentose Conversion reaction using H2SO4/MIBK Biphasic Solvent System
Full text linkFurfural, a green bio-based chemical and a promising renewable platform compound is commonly produced from hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass in an acidic medium through pentose dehydration. This study systematically investigated the influence of three operating parameters, namely temperature, acid concentration, and reaction time on the yield of furfural and the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a simultaneous Sisal Bole Bagasse (SBB) fractionation and conversion in an aqueous H2SO4/MIBK Biphasic Solvent System. The statistical software Minitab V. 21 was used to design the experiments, evaluate the main effects and interactions and optimize the parameters using response surface methodology (RSM) technique with Central Composite Design (CCD). Biomass analysis of SBB showed that the structural carbohydrates responsible as substrates for furans production (glucan and xylan) amounted to approximately 49% of the SSB, with 5.3% pentosans and 14.7% lignin content. The developed regression model was statistically significant and showed that acid concentration and reaction temperature played a vital influence in furfural production from sisal bole bagasse as compared to time. The acid concentration showed significant interaction with both temperature and reaction time while the square term coefficient for reaction time also appeared to be significant. The model prediction showed that the optimum yield for both furfural (9.65%) and HMF (8.24%) was obtained at process temperature of 170 °C, 75 minutes and acid concentration of 1.2 (wt. %). This study has shown the potential of using sisal boles bagasse as a source of furfural production, thus increasing the utilization of the sisal plant and reduce the dependency on edible food resources for the production of these non-petroleum based, chemical feedstock compound
Readiness and foresighting of higher learning institutions for large language model in Zanzibar: A student perspective
Full text linkGenerative Artificial intelligence systems, including large language models, are transforming higher education by providing real-time academic support, facilitating student engagement, and enabling personalized learning. As these technologies expand globally, understanding the preparedness of Zanzibar’s higher education institutions to adopt them is essential. This study explores students’ perspectives on institutional preparedness to integrate large language models into teaching, learning, and academic support systems. A qualitative design was employed, combining online surveys with roundtable discussions to assess students’ access to technology, awareness of Generative AI, and their perceptions of its impact on educational settings. The findings show that 97.7% of students have access to essential technologies such as smartphones and internet connectivity, despite instability on some campuses. A significant majority of students demonstrate familiarity with Generative AI, and approximately 83% use it comfortably. Students perceive AI as beneficial for self-directed learning, academic performance, and career development. However, they also raised concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated content, the risk of plagiarism, and a potential decline in critical thinking. Institutional readiness varies widely: while students exhibit high awareness, institutions face challenges related to insufficient training, the absence of guidelines, and a lack of comprehensive ethical frameworks. The study underscores the need for a balanced, student-centered, and collaborative approach to integrating Generative AI in higher education. Greater investment in digital infrastructure, capacity building, the development of ethical guidelines, and active student involvement in AI policy formulation is foreseen as a responsible approach to effective, scalable adoption of Generative AI across academic institutions in Zanzibar
Consumer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards meat adulteration in Kilosa, Tanzania
Full text linkMeat adulteration refers to the intentional or unintentional substitution, mislabeling, or contamination of meat products with lower-quality or undeclared animal species, additives, or non-meat substances. This practice can lead to serious consequences, including food safety risks, economic fraud, loss of consumer trust, and potential health hazards such as allergic reactions or exposure to harmful contaminants. The fight against meat adulteration in most developing countries is still hindered by a lack of consumer awareness of the concepts of meat adulteration and a clear description that constitutes a legal case of this fraudulent act. Limited studies on consumer awareness, perception and buying practices regarding meat adulteration in Tanzania made this study particularly interesting. From December 2023 to March 2024, a survey of 384 individuals in Kilosa District revealed that 95.1% of consumers had a low knowledge of meat adulteration (mean score: 4.8 ± 1.4). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed five significant predictors of consumers’ knowledge: age (31–45 years), education level (tertiary), occupation (butcher and business), employment status, and residency time (1–10 years). Notably, 65.4% were unaware of legislation addressing meat adulteration in Tanzania, and 87.7% linked the upsurge of adulteration practices to economic incentives. Additionally, consumer meat purchasing decisions were primarily influenced by price (86.2%) and appearance (52.9%) of the meat. This study highlights a critical lack of knowledge and practices of identifying adulterated meat in most of the consumers in Kilosa district. Therefore, the urgent need for targeted consumer education and stricter regulatory enforcement to combat meat adulteration in Tanzania is suggested
Usage patterns of Teachers\u27 Continuous Professional Development Learning Management System in Primary schools in Tanzania
Full text linkThis study aims to understand how primary school teachers in Tanzania use the Teachers\u27 Continuous Professional Development (TCPD) Learning Management System (LMS). There is currently limited information about how effectively the LMS supports teachers\u27 ongoing professional development through structured Communities of Learning. Without clear data on usage patterns, it is difficult to identify barriers to access and measure the success of the LMS in improving teacher training. To fill this knowledge gap, the study examined LMS log data over a period of one year (July 2023–June 2024). It specifically looked at how often teachers logged into the system, which modules they enrolled in, what resources they accessed, and from which regions they logged in. The analysis revealed that usage was highest during key academic periods, such as the start of school terms and exam preparations, suggesting that teachers engage more actively with the LMS during these critical times. Teachers predominantly accessed practical modules, including those related to curriculum guidelines and foundational education training. This indicates that teachers prefer resources directly applicable to their teaching tasks. There was also a noticeable increase in LMS access through mobile devices, highlighting the growing importance of mobile technology in teacher professional development. However, significant challenges remain, such as limited internet connectivity and varying digital literacy levels, particularly in rural areas. These issues create obstacles for equitable LMS usage. The study recommends targeted efforts to enhance internet infrastructure, provide digital literacy training, and improve mobile accessibility. Addressing these challenges can increase the effectiveness of the TCPD LMS, ensuring equitable and widespread professional development support for primary school teachers across Tanzania
Environmental Pollution through Multiple Integrated Hazard Sources in their Shared Environment: A Case Study of Muvumba Community, Rwanda
Full text linkA community-based One Environmental Health Toxicology (OEHT) study is a holistic approach to examine environmental toxicant exposure in vulnerable communities. It is a novel approach evaluating health effects of environmental toxicant exposure on individuals and/or whole communities, in concert with addressing the health of animals, and of the ecosystem. This approach is novel in Africa. This study first identified a vulnerable community in Rwanda and investigated environmental pollutants impacting the health of the community. The objective of the study was to determine environmental contaminants impacting the Muvumba community, a vulnerable agricultural community in Rwanda. The study was conducted in a vulnerable agricultural community with significant pesticide and fertilizer use and linked to the Akagera-Nile water ecosystem. The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) campus employing conservation agriculture and One Health (OH) principles was selected as a control site. Environmental water was passively sampled for pesticides and harmful algal blooms. Grab drinking water samples were collected from both sites and analyzed for pesticides, organic contaminants, and heavy metals. Rice from Muvumba was analyzed for pesticides and metallic elements. Environmental water samples from Muvumba river tested positive for three organophosphorus pesticides (diazinon, malathion, and profenofos), while imidacloprid was detected in water samples from RICA. Microcystins were not detected in any of the water bodies. Environmental and drinking water samples tested positive for diisononyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and ricinine. Lead and arsenic were detected in rice samples from the Muvumba site. The findings of this community based OEHT indicate a significant public health and environmental concern and are vital in advancing a holistic integrated one-health research approach to safeguard human, animal and ecosystem health and ensure sustainable development in Africa
Plants and procedures used for traditional processing of sour milk (Amakamo) by the Bahima of Kiruhura District, Uganda
Full text linkAmakamo, a traditionally fermented milk product has been consumed by the cattle keeping communities of South-Western Uganda for a long time but its production process is not well understood. To achieve this, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Kiruhura District to document the plants and procedures followed during amakamo processing though interviews and focus group discussions. The plants were collected, identified and vouchers deposited at the Makerere University Herbarium. A total of 108 respondents were interviewed, majority of whom were females (92.6%), had experience in amakamo processing ranging between 20 and 29 years (69.4%), and learnt the skill from their parents (92%). Most (55.6%) respondents were aged between 31 and 40 years, processed amakamo daily (88%), mainly for home consumption (92.6%). The key steps in amakamo processing include cream separation, boiling, cooling, backslopping, fermentation and curd breaking. The most reported cause of amakamo processing failure is the plant used to smoke the vessels (60. 2%, n=108), followed by poor quality starter culture (18.5 %, n=108). The commonest sign of unsuccessfully processed amakamo is milk separation (60.2 %, n=108). Eighteen plants belonging to 14 families were reported most of which (16.7%) belong to Poaceae family. All respondents (100%) cited Thunbergia alata, Hoslundia opposita, Albizia coriaria, Combretum molle, Loudetia kagerensis and Hyparrhenia filipendula as useful plants in amakamo processing. The most predominant plant life forms were shrubs (33.3%) followed by trees (27.8%). Most plants (27.8%) were used to scrub and smoke fermentation vessels. Aerial parts were the most commonly (50%) used parts and almost all (94.4%) of the plants used were from wild habitats. Further studies should be done to investigate the phytochemical composition of the plants used to smoke fermentation vessels and how they affect the quality of the amakamo
Seroprevalence and risk factors of Brucella infection in commercial cattle farms in the Lake Zone of Tanzania
Full text linkBrucellosis is an important zoonotic disease among livestock and humans worldwide and in Low-and-Middle Countries (LMICs) including Tanzania. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that could influence seroprevalence of brucellosis in commercial cattle farms. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 54 commercial cattle farms randomly selected in Kagera, Mara, and Mwanza regions of the Lake Zone in Tanzania. Serum samples were collected from 1,080 cattle comprising both dairy and beef animals of both sexes and tested for Brucella-specific antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). Positive samples were confirmed by using competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Animals in each farm were randomly selected for blood collection whereby a total number of 20 adult animals from both sexes were involved in the study. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analysis were conducted to assess the risk factors associated with brucellosis.The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 6.9% at the animal level and 51.9% at the farm level. Medium scale farms Odds ratio (OR = 11.304; Confidence Interval 95% CI 1.140 – 112.108;) and small - scale farms (OR = 37.170; 95% CI 1.119 – 1235.006) demonstrated a significantly higher likelihood of seropositivity to brucellosis than large - scale farms. Dairy cattle farms were less likely to be seropositive (OR = 0.046; 95% CI 0.003 – 0.728;) than beef cattle farms. The findings from the present study indicated that more than half of the farms are positive for Brucella antibodies. The study also revealed that the scale of production and functional type of cattle increase the risk of seropositivity. The findings provide baseline information for the development of targeted intervention programme in the control of brucellosis
Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae postbiotics on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile Tilapia fingerlings
Full text linkAquaculture is a major contributor to global food and nutrition security, yet its productivity is constrained by challenges such as slow growth and high disease prevalence in cultured species. The use of functional feed additives has emerged as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics. With the potential to improve growth performance and enhance fish health. This study evaluated the effects of the growth performance and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A feeding trial was conducted in which monosex tilapia fingerlings were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, each with three replications and a stocking density of 25 fish per tank. The basal diet (30% crude protein; 3000 kcal DE/kg) was supplemented with SCFP at 0g/kg (control), 2 g/kg, 4g/kg, or 6g/kg. Fish were fed three times daily at approximately 3% of their body weight for the duration of the trial. Growth performance and feed utilization parameters were monitored biweekly and analyzed at the end of the experiment. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and significant means were separated using Tukey’s test at a significance level of p>0.05. Fingerlings fed the 4g/kg diet exhibited the highest growth performance, followed by those receiving 6 g/kg and 2 g/kg, while the control group showed significantly lower performance. No significant differences were observed between the 4g/kg and 6g/kg groups. Survival was significantly lower in the control, but did not significantly differ among supplemented groups. Overall, the findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with yeast-based postbiotics, particularly 4g/kg, can effectively enhance growth performance and support improved production efficiency in tilapia aquaculture
Phenotypic Characteristics of Lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) Accessions Compared Between Water Stressed and Non-Stressed Seedling Phases to Determine Stress Tolerant Accessions in Semi-arid Conditions
No full textDrought poses a severe threat to agriculture, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the effects of climate change are most noticeable. There are few crop’ species that are able to resist drought stress. Despite the fact that Lablab is a multipurpose crop with high potential on drought tolerance, little research has been conducted to evaluate the crop\u27s early responses to the drought stress in arid and semi-arid conditions. This study therefore aimed to identify stress-tolerant Lablab accessions by analyzing their phenotypic seedling traits under different moisture regimes (MR) in semi-arid conditions. In the study, seventeen potential accessions were subjected to the water stressed (S/ST) and non-stressed (NS) experiments in screen-house after germination. Two checks were considered in the experiments. Throughout the three repeated experiments, data collection involved several morpho-physiological traits including plant height, root length, shoot and root biomass, and relative water content (RWC), monitored every two days since withdrawal of water to the experiment. Seed weight (SW) was measured in triplicate before the beginning of the experiment. The Bartlett\u27s and Levene\u27s tests demonstrated (p > 0.05) normal distribution of the data. Using Gen-Stat and R software, ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (p ≤ 0.05) were performed to examine the differences between the accessions across the seedling traits, days and MR. The findings revealed the significant difference (p < 0.05) in the traits in relation to the accessions, MR, and their interactions. Variation of the accessions on different traits as compared between the ST and NS experiments at day 7 was also proven significant. Through the ranking method, D349, D352, D363, D359, D147, HA4 and D348 were selected as the best drought tolerant (DT) accessions at seedling stage recommended for further assessment towards releasing the DT-high yield varieties potential in semi-arid conditions such as the central zone of Tanzania