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Evaluation of Blood, Crayfish, and Black Soldier Fly Meals as Alternative Protein Sources in the diets of Three-spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) Fingerlings
No full textThe escalating cost and limited availability of fish meal (FM) have prompted increased research into alternative protein sources, including insects and animal by-products, for sustainable application in aquafeed formulation. This study evaluated red-claw crayfish meal (CFM), blood meal (BM), and black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) as alternative protein sources for three-spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii). A total of 180 sex-reversed fingerlings (2.92 ± 0.1 g) were randomly assigned to four diets—fishmeal (FM, control), CFM, BM, and BSFM—each replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Fish were fed at 5% body weight twice daily for 12 weeks. Survival rates were high across all diets, ranging from 89 ± 0.05% to 98 ± 0.02%, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). Water quality parameters remained within acceptable ranges (dissolved oxygen: 3.5–5.0 mg/L; pH: 6.8–7.4; ammonia: 0.09–0.85 mg/L). Growth performance was highest in fish fed BSFM (final weight: 28.4 ± 0.5 g; specific growth rate: 3.12 ± 0.02%/day; FCR: 1.24 ± 0.01), comparable to the control (final weight: 27.9 ± 0.6 g; SGR: 3.08 ± 0.03%/day; FCR: 1.40 ± 0.02). Diets containing BM and CFM recorded lower growth and feed efficiency. The superior performance of BSFM is attributed to its high protein and lipid content and digestibility. These results indicate that BSFM can completely replace fishmeal in O. andersonii diets, whereas BM and CFM should only be used partially. Further research is recommended on low-temperature effects and nutrient profiling of alternative protein sources
Setting National Pace for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030: The Critical Role of Universities
No full textOn 29 September 2015, at its seventieth session, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution themed "Transforming our World: the 2030 agenda for Sustainable development. "l The World council on Environment and Development in its report titled "Our Common Future" had earlier defined the concept of Sustainable Development as "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The UN General Assembly had also earlier, at its 68ül Session, received a proposal of 17 specific Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs) developed by the UN's Open Working Group (OWG) an intergovernmental process established to develop the SDGs. These 17SDGs (See Figure 1) cover a wide range of interrelated goals and are hatched on three developmental pillar themes namely economic, social equity, and environmental protection, sustainable development. They are Global goals that member states have committed to achieve by 2030 and emanates from major earlier commitments of member states, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), UN Convention on Biodiversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Now the scope and nature of these 17 SDGs necessitate concerted and coordinated efforts across all sectors and players in order to ensure their success and achievement by 2030 by all committed member countries
Basilombe-lombe Ceremony of Mukuni Chiefdom in Zambia: The Role of Culture in the Fight against Climate Change
No full textThis study aims to demonstrate that cultural heritage is an important asset in the fight against climate change. This is done by examining the Basilombe-lombe ceremony of the Leya speaking people of Chief Mukuni, who live close to the Victoria Falls near Livingstone town in Zambia. The study reveals that some cultural practices, such as Basilombe-lombe ceremony are invaluable in the fight against climate change, probably at a scale exponential to the level of the pollution of the atmosphere by the rural folks in Zambia and Africa at large. The study exposes that and discusses how a sense of environmental conservation is harnessed, articulated, and passed on to the boys and girls of this tribe, including how they should identify with the Victoria Falls itself and conserve it. Using this ceremony, an argument is made that culture and tradition should be regarded as one of the main resources that Africa should exploit in the efforts aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. The study concludes that cultural practices such as Basilombe-lombe are not just important from a cultural perspective, but also from a front of the war against climate change, where they can be regarded as ‘smart culture’. Thus, a recommendation is made in the study that an effort should be made to identify the cultural practices that can contribute to the fight against climate change, especially in Africa, and that such practices should be supported and popularised
Editorial Comment
No full textAlthough diverse in disciplinary orientation, the five articles featured in Issue 4 of Volume 6 of the University of Zambia Journal of Law and Social Sciences converge around three thematic pillars. These are environmental consciousness and human agency, social justice and structural inequality, and the persuasive power of narrativ
The Artificiality of Linguistic Boundaries: Evidence from Multilingual Urban Discourses in Lusaka, Zambia
No full textThe conventional understanding of languages has historically implied distinct demarcations between languages with predetermined contexts for usage. However, empirical evidence reveals that these linguistic boundaries are more fluid and malleable than previously assumed. Thus, this paper conducts a thorough analysis of linguistic data collected from various informal urban settings in Lusaka. The primary objective is to demonstrate how individuals amalgamate linguistic elements from diverse languages to establish a cohesive communication system that surpasses traditional linguistic constraints. Additionally, it emphasizes the unpredictable nature of language choices within specific domains, where conventional language forms are typically expected. This paper contends that the conventional concept of language domains inadequately captures the language practices of multilingual speakers across the varied social settings of Lusaka
Parasitic Infestation by Clinostomum spp. in Polyculture Fish Ponds in Kitwe, Zambia
No full textUrolithias Parasitic infections remain a critical yet underreported challenge in African aquaculture systems, particularly in polyculture settings. This study reports a parasitological case of Clinostomum spp. metacercarial infestation in a polyculture fish pond in Kitwe, Zambia,highlighting its clinical impact on fish health and implications for aquaculture management.A total of 13 symptomatic fish representing four species (Oreochromis macrochir, O.andersonii, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, and Clarias gariepinus) were sampled from an earthen pond and subjected to clinical, necropsy, parasitological, and microbiological evaluations.Metacercariae were excised, morphologically identified, and bacterial cultures wereperformed to assess secondary infections.Tilapia species (O. macrochir and O. andersonii) were the most affected, showing lethargy,exophthalmos, ascites, and organ friability.Clinostomumspp. metacercariae were detected in the gills and viscera of these species. Clarias gariepinus(catfish) showed minimal pathology.One case of Aeromonas spp. Infection was identified in a heavily parasitizedO. macrochir.Contributing risk factors included high stocking density, presence of snail intermediate hosts,and unregulated access by fish-eating birds.This case confirms the pathogenic role of Clinostomum spp. in Zambian aquaculture, particularly in tilapia-based polyculture systems. The findings underscore the need for integrated control measures involving environmental management, snail and bird vector exclusion, improved biosecurity, and routine fish health monitoring. Addressing such parasitic threats is critical for ensuring sustainable aquaculture production and mitigating economic losse
Evaluation of Temperatures Attained During Steam Inhalation With and Without Eucalyptus saligna Fresh Leaves Crude Extract on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro infectivity
No full textCoronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a highly transmissible virus. During the initial stages of COVID-19 pandemic there was an urgent need for remedies to counter the disease’s effects. Among alternative remedies to conventional ones was steam inhalation, locally called Ukufutikila in Zambia. Steam inhalation was conducted with or without the presence of various herbs, including Eucalyptus leaves. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of temperature attained during steam inhalation, both in the presence and absence of Eucalyptus saligna fresh leaves crude extract on SARS-CoV-2’s in vitro infectivity of Vero T2 cells. Eight human participants, above 18 years of age, were recruited to undergo steam inhalation for 20 minutes following the determined temperature profile from steam inhalation. Steam inhalation temperatures ranged from 94.7°C to 54.4°C. Pre-heat treated using determined steam inhalation temperatures and non-heat-treated SARS-CoV-2 material was inoculated into Vero T2 cells, both in the absence and presence of E. saligna crude hydro extracts. No cytopathic effects (0% of assays) were observed on Vero T2 cells over a period of 72 hours after inoculation with heat treated SARS-CoV-2 material or SARS-CoV-2 material exposed to E. saligna crude extract. In addition, there was no significant virus growth (p = 0.771) estimated after exposure to the two treatments. The results shed light on the use of steam inhalation to diminish SARS-CoV-2 infection of mammalian cells. Further investigations are needed to establish any synergistic nature of the combined use of heat inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and E. saligna fresh leaves crude extracts
Ethical Issues Surrounding the Exportation of Samples from Developing Countries I
No full textBackground: This is a two-part review of the ethical issues arising from the exportation of biological samples from the developing world. With the burgeoning of research in the developing world carried out in collaboration with partners from the developed world there has been a corresponding increase in the exportation of samples for various reasons. This has raised a number of ethical issues, ranging from the purpose of exporting the samples to the ownership of the exported samples.
Objective: To explore and discuss the main ethical issues arising from the exportation of samples from the developing to the developed world in general and using the case of Zambia.
Methods: A review of the current existing literature on the issue of exportation of biological samples and biobanking was carried out. Part I of the review will consider exportation of biological samples in general whereas Part Il will address the Zambian situation and discuss the developments in depth
Potential of a Powdered Mopane Worms-Breakfast Meal Blend as a Nutritious Porridge for Children in Zambia
Full text linkIn Zambia, the intake of animal-sourced proteins remains low in many households, despite their essential role in supporting physical growth, cognitive development in children, and overall health in adults. Among edible insects, Mopane worms are widely consumed and offer a protein content comparable to that of conventional meats. However, there is limited research on incorporating Mopane worms into cereal-based foods such as porridge to enhance their nutritional value, and little is known about the nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of such products. This study investigated the nutritional attributes and consumer acceptance of porridge made from two Mopane worm breakfast meal composite blends and one conventional breakfast meal. Mopane worms (variety Mumpa kaseke) were sourced from Muchinga Province and processed under clean, dry conditions. Two composite blends were formulated following World Food Programme super cereal guidelines: MB80 (80% breakfast meal and 20% Mopane worm powder) and MB75 (75% breakfast meal and 25% Mopane worm powder). The samples were analyzed in triplicate for proximate composition and mineral content (calcium, iron, and zinc) using AOAC (2005) methods. Consumer acceptability was also assessed for the three porridge types.
Results indicated that Mopane worm powder had a high protein content (55.60 ± 4.01%). The MB80 and MB75 composite blends contained 16.74 ± 1.98% and 19.04 ± 1.11% protein, respectively. MB75 had higher iron content (1.74 ± 0.74%) than MB80 (1.04 ± 0.19%), while MB80 had more zinc (0.57 ± 0.11%) than MB75 (0.41 ± 0.74%). Statistically significant differences (p
Performance of Cowpea Progenitor and Hybrids in Varying Concentration Levels of Phosphorus in Hydroponic Setup.
Full text linkAmong abiotic factors limiting cowpea productivity, phosphorus (P) is an important element. However, in Zambia, no study has determined optimal soil P concentrations for the available cowpea germplasm. The objectives of this study were (i) to identify cowpea genotype that performs better in different concentration levels of phosphorus in hydroponic setups, and ii) to determine the phenotypic response of agronomic variables in different concentration levels of phosphorus. The experiment was set up as 4 x 10 completely randomized design (CRD) replicated 3 times, with 4 doses of P, thus, 0mg/L, 4.7mg/L, 9.3mg/L and 13.95mg/L in nutrient medium and ten genotypes (G). Genotype LT BT1h was identified as a better performer across P concentration. Further exploration of G x P interaction main effects revealed that genotype LT BT1 h performed better than the progenitor in all doses of P concentration except in a medium with 9.3mg/L and 13.95mg/L. Overall, the results showed that applying a concentration above 9.3mg/L P impeded seedling productivity. Significant better performances were obtained with shoot biomass, plant biomass and shoot length of measured variables, implying that the identified variables in varying levels of P concentration can initially be used to aid in selecting for high performing genotypes. The identified novel and best-performing cowpea hybrids for economic traits be recommended for further evaluation