Browsing by Author "Mdegela, Robinson H."

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DNA barcoding reveals endangered and protected elasmobranchs in Tanzanian fish markets
(Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, 2023) Rumisha, Cyrus; Simwanza, Rehema J.; Nehemia, Alex; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Kochzius, Marc
Western Indian Ocean countries have banned elasmobranch finning and enacted legislation to of Marine Science 22(1): 57-65protect endangered elasmobranchs, however finned and morphologically deformed specimens [doi: 10.4314/wiojms.v22i1.6]are still landed and traded on Tanzanian fish markets. Such specimens are difficult to identify Received:morphologically, and it is possible that protected elasmobranchs are among these. This study September 19, 2022used DNA barcoding to uncover protected elasmobranchs in 102 specimens traded on Tan- Accepted:zanian fish markets. The sampled specimens revealed 23 elasmobranch species, 12 of which April 04, 2023(52.1 %) were classified as endangered (EN) or critically endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Published:Three of the identified species (great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran, oceanic whitetip shark June 16, 2023Carcharhinus longimanus, and pelagic thresher Alopias pelagicus) are protected by Tanzanian laws. Copyright:Hence, it is advised that steps be taken to strengthen law enforcement at landing sites and fish Owned by the journal.markets in the country. Furthermore, the Third Schedule of Fisheries (Amendment) Regula- The articles are open accesstions of 2009 should be updated to include 11 EN and CR elasmobranchs that are not on the list. articles distributed underAdditionally, national and regional elasmobranch conservation plans should be developed to the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. prevent the exploitation of endangered elasmobranchs.
Do market opportunities for the nile perch matter in contributing to household income? Evidence from lake victoria fisheries in Tanzania
(The sub Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SJSSH), 2021-06-15) Fausta M. Mapunda 1.* ,2, , 3 , 4,5 and 6; Medard, Modesta N.; Kusiluka, Lugano L.; Anders Dalsgaard, A; Mdegela, Robinson H.
Increasingly fish marketing in Tanzania has become demand-driven. Recently, domestic and regional markets for fish are emerging as lucrative business ventures. To what extent Lake Victoria Nile Perch marketing contributes to fishers, processors, and traders’ income in the region remains unclear. This study specifically: (i) examined the marketing opportunities of the Nile perch (Lates niloticus) in the Lake Victoria basin and its contribution to household income and (ii) analyzed opportunities and challenges facing the Nile perch value chain actors. Random sampling was employed to select 100 fishers, processors, and traders. A structured questionnaire was the primary tool for data collection. A multiple regression model was used to estimate the causal effect relationship between fish market opportunities and the income earned. Results indicate that the size of the business capital, knowledge of fish quality control, and bookkeeping were statistically positive and significantly contributed to increased household income at P<0.01. The quantity of fish sold per month shows a significant contribution to household income at p<0.05. The freshness of fish was an important attribute affecting customers' attraction, thereby increasing the income of the fisheries. Weak institutional support forms another potential constraint for Nile perch stakeholders from realizing the benefits of integration in the regional market. The fish chain actors need to develop appropriate marketing strategies such as segmenting the market according to consumers’ preferences to exploit new market opportunities. There is a need to promote policies that support strengthening domestic and regional fish markets for increasing employment opportunities, household income, and economic growth. A comprehensive policy analysis governing fish marketing arrangement and credit markets remains a potential area for further research.
Human and animal campylobacteriosis in Tanzania: a review
(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2013) Komba, Erick V.G; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Msoffe, Peter L.M.
The thermotolerant species of Campylobacter have become very important in public health, particularly as agents of infectious diarrhoea in human beings. Though the mechanism by which they cause disease is yet to be fully explained, they have been recognized as the leading cause of bacterial enteritis in both developed and developing countries. The organisms colonize different animal species without causing any symptoms of disease; and humans acquire infections through contact with or consumption of contaminated meat especially raw/undercooked poultry meat. The growing trend of antibiotic resistant Campylobacter isolates continues to pose significant public health challenges. In this review we present the available information generated in Tanzania about Campylobacter infections in humans and animals. We conducted a structured literature search of PUBMED and ScienceDirect electronic databases and identified 15 articles. Studies on humans reported Campylobacter infections in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects; with higher prevalence in children under the age of five years. Studies on animals found colonization of both domestic and wild species. Among isolates, some demonstrated antimicrobial resistance. The available information for both human and animal Campylobacteriosis in the country is sparse. It however provides an insight of the bacteriological and epidemiological aspects of Campylobacter infections in the country and eventually creates more awareness on the need to develop control strategies. Since the organism is zoonotic its control strategies should adopt the “One Health” approach involving collaborative efforts from veterinary and human medicine.
Occurrence, species distribution and antimicrobial resistance of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates from farm and laboratory animals in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Veterinary World,, 2014) Komba, Erick V.G; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Msoffe, Peter L. M.; Matowo, Denis E.; Maro, Makori J.
Aim: To determine the carriage and antimicrobial resistance of Thermophilic Campylobacter species in the gastrointestinal tracts of farm and laboratory animals in Morogoro, Tanzania Materials and Methods: Faecal samples were collected from farm (n=244) and laboratory (n=466) animals and were subjected to the Cape Town protocol for isolation of Campylobacter. Isolates were preliminarily identified based on potassium hydroxide string and hippurate hydrolysis tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for confirmation of isolates.Antimicrobial resistance testing was done using disc diffusion method. Results: Of the laboratory animals, 26.7% of guinea pigs (n=30) and 1.2% of rats (n=242) were colonized with Campylobacter. Four isolates from guinea pigs were Campylobacter jejuni and the other four were Campylobacter coli. From rats, two isolates were C. jejuni and one was C. coli. In farm animals thermophilic Campylobacter were detected from 31.6% of sheep (n=57) and 60% horses (n=5). Of the isolates 12 (57%) were C. jejuni (10 from sheep and 2 from horses) and the remaining were C. coli (8 from sheep and 1 from a horse). The isolates were frequently resistant to erythromycin, norfloxacin, colistin sulphate and nalidixic acid; whereas low levels of resistance were observed for ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Conclusion: Our study reveals carriage of antimicrobial resistant thermophilic Campylobacter in the intestines of the study animals. This highlights possibilities in involvement of these animals in the epidemiology of Campylobacter infections. Thus, there is a need to consider these animal species when planning control measures for this zoonotic bacterium.
Optimization of Extraction Conditions and Phytochemical Screening of Root Extract of Synadenium glaucescens Pax
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2013-10-20) Mabiki, Faith P.; Magadula, Joseph J.; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Mosha, Resto D.
Optimization of extraction conditions and phytochemical screening of the root bark of Synadenium glaucescens were carried out in a stepwise manner in order to obtain the highest yields and the constituents of the extracts. Sequential extraction using Soxhlet method was performed using dichloromethane, hexane and petroleum ether, respectively, each followed by ethanol. Extraction conditions included: running time of 2 to 6 hours, temperature at 25 o C to 95 o C and particle size ranging from 0.4mm to >3mm diameter. Phytochemical screening was done using derivatisation techniques, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Extraction with dichloromethane followed by ethanol resulted in a higher yield by 25%, within 4 hrs of extraction, particle size of 1mm, at temperatures of 30 o C for dichloromethane and 75 o C for ethanol. Fatty acid analysis indicated absence of free fatty acids in both Dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts. Silylation and Thin Layer Chromatography indicated the presence of non hindered and hindered functionality and the presence of triterpenoids in the dichloromethane extract. Phytochemical screening of the dichloromethane extracts indicated that it is composed of two main triterpenoids that best matched with Lanosterol (42%) and Cycloartenol (31%). Other minor compounds identified through chromatographic analysis were phytol, ergostadiol, hentriacontane, sitastirol aceate, lupeol and hopenone. The ethanolic extracts indicated the presence of polyphenolic compounds.