Browsing by Author "Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa"

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Diversity Of Underutilised Vegetables In Africa And Their Potential In The Reduction Of Micronutrient Deficiency:A Review
(Science publishing Group, 2023) Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa; Majaliwa,Nuria Kudra; Nyamete,Frida Albinusi; Chove,Lucy Mlipano
Micronutrient deficiency affects all groups worldwide and is a major public health issue. It has devastating effects on all ages, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It causes anemia, night blindness, increased mortality in children and pregnant women, osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children, lower infectious disease resistance, weariness, and cognitive impairment. Recent attention has focused on micronutrient deficits. Fortunately, these micronutrients are abundant in vegetables. Many African vegetables are endemic due to various weather variations. Diverse geographical areas on the continent allow for exotic and indigenous vegetable kinds. In Africa, many African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are grown and eaten. Exotic veggies are popular in cities, but rural Africans still prefer indigenous crops. Despite their availability, most of the indigenous vegetables are underutilised and have not been adequately explored due to the decreased attention to their production, consumption and utilization. Due to their diversity, they have a great potential to contribute to food security by providing nutrient rich healthy diets. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and hence make a potential source of micronutrients that can help reduce the reported deficiencies. This paper provides a literature review on the wide variety of underappreciated vegetables grown in Africa, their health benefits, and their potential to alleviate micronutrient shortages. It also investigates the barriers to increasing consumption and explores some of the strategies that have been employed to address these problems. Due to their significant role in ensuring food and nutrition security, along with their rich nutrient composition, there exists an urgent imperative to enhance public awareness regarding their consumption and the attainment of nutritional security.
Evaluation of heavy metals contamination in rabbit fish (signus sutor) from selected landing sites in Zanzibar, Tanzania
(Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene, 2023) Mohamed,Zeyana Nassor; Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa; Nyamete,Frida
The increase of heavy metals concentrations in aquatic and terrestrial environments and their toxicity is of global concern. The bioaccumulation of toxic metals in fish poses a serious risk to human health when consumed. This study assessed the quality of Rabbit fish (Signus Sutor) and their associated health risks from four landing sites (namely Malindi, Mazizini, Kizimkazi and Matemwe) in Zanzibar. The concentrations of toxic metals, including Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Arsenic (As), in the fish muscle were scrutinized using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The detected mean concentration (mg/kg) of Pb, As, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Ni at Malindi were 0.25±0.14, 2.22±0.44, 0.02±0.02, 0.01±0.00, 0.02±0.02 and 0.00±0.00 respectively; at Kizimkazi were 0.39±0.39, 2.30±0.44, 0.11±0.01, 0.07±0.04, 0.17±0.13 and 0.15±0.04 respectively: at Matemwe were 0.38±0.12, 0.52±0.14, 0.04±0.02, 0.05±0.01, 0.65±0.21 and 0.09±0.03 respectively; and Mazizini were 0.21±0.12, 5.56±1.37, 0.02±0.02, 0.03±0.01, 0.05±0.02 and 0.15±0.05 respectively. The mean concentration levels detected for all the elements in the fish gathered from all four landing sites were below international and local maximum (FAO/WHO) permissible limits for human consumption, except for Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). The study also investigated the relationship between fish size and metal concentration which shows a positive correlation for Cu and Ni. However, it was negative for the remaining metals, possibly due to ecological and metabolic differences. The study emphasizes the necessity for regular monitoring of the marine environment and enforcement of hygienic regulations, as well as the treatment of land-based pollutants before they are discharged into the marine environment to protect fish quality
Formulations, standardization and quality evaluation of ready-to-cook pancake (cheela) mix for children
(Science Publishing Group, 2023) Chuwa,Caresma; Dhiman,Anju; Saidia,Paul; Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa
The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of formulated ready-to-cook pancake (cheela) mix from blends of rice flour supplemented with ripe pumpkin powder with table salt, black salt, garam masala, kitchen king masala and refined oil was kept as constant (base recipe), rice flour supplemented with chickpea flour, rice flour supplemented with soybean flour and rice flour supplemented with green gram flour with pumpkin powder, table salt, black salt, garam masala, kitchen king masala and refined oil was kept as constant. Refined oil was used for the preparation of pancake (cheela) mix for serving. From each blend, six recipes were formulated, standardized and subjected to consumers for sensory evaluation. The best recipes from each blend based on sensory evaluation were prepared and referred to as R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 . R 1 (75% rice flour+ 25% pumpkin powder), R 2 (65% rice flour +10% chickpea flour), R 3 (55% rice flour+20% soybean flour) and R 4 (45% rice flour+30% green gram flour) were prepared and kept to the Aluminiun Laminated Pouches (ALP) and glass jars for nutritional characteristics evaluation. Based on sensory evaluation, the ready-to-cook pancake (cheela) mix for serving from the recipe (R 1 ) had the highest overall acceptability score of 8.79 however all recipes had scores above the acceptable limit. The ready-to-cook pancake (cheela) mix supplemented with soybean flour (R 3 ) exhibited the highest nutritional values for crude protein 25.76%, crude fat 8.78 %, crude fibre 7.04 % and total energy 382.46 Kcal/100g. Soybean flour is very nutritious therefore, it should be incorporated into staple foods for children in least-developed countries to alleviate malnutrition, especially Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). The recipes of the present study are relevant to the Government, NGOs and other agencies to eradicate malnutrition
Microbial inactivation mechanism and properties of slightly acidic electrolyzed water: a review
(Science Publishing Group, 2023) Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa
Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) obtained by electrolyzing 2-6% dilute hydrochloric acid in a chamber without membrane is novel non-thermal sanitizer widely used in the sterilization of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meat owing to its effective antibacterial activity and low operating costs. Despite the well-documented and validated antimicrobial and sporicidal properties of SAEW, its precise mode of action against bacteria and bacterial spores remains uncertain and subject to ongoing debate. The primary aim of this review article is to scrutinise the active constituents of SAEW that contribute to its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the review critically elucidates the mechanisms by which SAEW effectively inactivate vegetative bacteria cells and spores, based on a comprehensive scrutiny of existing literature. It is demonstrated that the application of SAEW can kill vegetative bacterial cells by the disruption of their cellular membrane, disruption of their intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance, and lowering their ATP levels, deactivation of key enzyme and damaging DNA affecting other bacterial cells vitals. Bacterial spore inactivation by SAEW being achieved through the induction of structural modifications in the spores, including coat damage, mutagenesis, and alterations in the properties of the inner membrane (IM).
Microbiological quality and safety of poultry processed in Africa: a review
(Academic Journals, 2024) Mugabe,Noémia André; Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa; Kussaga,Jamal
Poultry is the second most consumed meat in the world. In Africa, chicken production and processing are practiced both formally and informally, with smallholders constituting the majority in this sector. Informal practices are vulnerable to the production and processing of chicken, which is easily contaminated by pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The growth of the poultry industry in Africa, coupled with intensive production, has led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistance, posing a risk to the health of consumers. However, there are limited studies evaluating the quality and safety of chicken consumed in Africa. Several studies report that chicken is the main vehicle for pathogens related to foodborne diseases, suggesting that foodborne diseases pose a threat to human health. Adequate hygiene and safety practices by producers and processors are suggested as the main intervention. These practices would need to be followed by laboratory analysis and inspection to assess chicken quality and prompt changes in behavior, attitudes, and practices to reduce contamination and promote the rational use of antimicrobials. This review provides an overview of the quality and microbiological safety of processed chicken in Africa. It delves into details about the poultry sector, covering production, slaughter, and processing of chicken. The review highlights the sources and mechanisms of poultry contamination, describes diseases transmitted through the consumption of poultry, presents data on the quality and microbiological safety of chicken, proposes good practices in chicken production and processing, discusses the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic residues, and presents alternatives against contamination and antimicrobial resistance as potential tools for the production of healthy and safe foods.
Microbiological quality of rabbit fish (signus sutor) and food safety practice of fish handlers from selected landing sites in Zanzibar
(2023) Mohamed,Zeyana Nassor; Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa; Nyamete,Frida
The study aimed to evaluate the handling practices and microbiological contamination of pathogenic bacteria in Rabbit Fish (Signus Sutor) from Zanzibar, specifically at four landing sites: Malindi, Mazizini, Kizimkazi, and Matemwe. A semi-structured questionnaire and checklist were used to assess hygiene practices by fish handlers, and swabbing method was used to assess cleanliness of the boat and landing floor before fish were collected for consumption. Standard methods for microbial analysis (ISO7218:2007(E)) were used to analyze Total viable counts, S. aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella. The mean total viable (TVC) ranged from 2.82-3.30 log CFU/g across landing sites. S. aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium, with an isolation rate of 53.33% in Malindi, 60% in both Mazizini and Kizimkazi, and 46.67% in Matemwe. E. coli was present but less frequently, with isolation rates of 6.67% in Malindi, 33.33% in Mazizini and Kizimkazi, and 20% in Matemwe. Salmonella spp was absent in all samples, with a 0% isolation rate across landing sites. There was positive correlation of 0.59 and 0.65 between fish contamination and swab samples from boats and landing floors respectively. Inadequate practices by fish handlers, such as not wearing gloves, neglecting health checks, and insufficient training, were revealed. The facilities used were also poor, with poor sanitation and low-quality raw materials. The findings emphasize the urgent need for intervention measures to enhance fish quality and safety in Zanzibar, including improvements in raw materials, infrastructure, training, and good practices throughout the fish value chain.
Quality evaluation of fresh selected orange fleshed sweet potatoes in lake zone of Tanzania
(Science Publishing Group, 2023) Chuwa,Caresma; Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem in developing countries in children below five years. Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) are rich in β-carotene a pre-cassor for vitamin A. Being a cheap and affordable source, can be utilized by incorporating in staple foods to combat VAD in developing countries. OFSP fresh roots (Ejumla, Jewel and Carrot dar) were collected from Ukerewe and Misungwi District, Mwanza region for quality evaluation. The findings of the study indicated that there was considerable variance in the nutrient content across the several types of OFSP that were tested. Among the varieties that were chosen for analysis, it was found that Jewel had the maximum quantity of β-carotene (113,565 ± 1.45 μg/100 g), whilst Carrot dar had the lowest concentration (5,165 ± 3.38 μg/100 g). In addition to β-carotene, the aforementioned varieties of OFSP exhibited a diverse array of nutrients, including protein (3.82% - 8.86%), fat (0.32% - 0.51%), fibre (1.83% - 3.15%), carbohydrate (87.05% - 92.60%), ash (0.86% - 1.09%), ascorbic acid (15.04 mg/100 g - 17.27 mg/100 g), and energy content (385.19 Kcal/100 g - 392.92 Kcal/100 g). Several minerals were discovered in the selected OFSP varieties. Jewel exhibits a high content of essential minerals such as calcium (44.30 mg/100g), iron (1.34 mg/100g), zinc (0.35 mg/100g), and potassium (317.12 mg/100g). Conversely, Ejumla is characterized by its notable sodium (112 mg/100g) and magnesium (2.73 mg/100g) content, making it a valuable source of these minerals. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that OFSP possesses a high concentration of essential nutrients that play a crucial role in addressing both macro and micro-nutrient deficiencies in developing countries. Hence, individuals should integrate Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes into their primary food sources as a means of enhancing the overall nutritional value.
Voluntary maize flour fortification in Tanzania: adequacy of small-scale processors' implementation of the quality assurance and quality control programmes
(Science Publishing Group, 2023) Zacharia,Abdulsudi Issa; Mareni,Gudila Boniface
This study systematically evaluated the implementation of fortification practices, including quality assurance and quality control, among small-scale processors to ensure regulatory compliance. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ubungo district (Dar es Salaam) and Morogoro municipality, Tanzania, involving 38 processors. Data collection relied on observational checklists and IBM SPSS ® version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics revealed critical insights. Cleanliness and sanitation standards were met in only 36.8% of warehouses and 42.1% of production areas, underscoring hygiene deficiencies. Alarmingly, 26.3% of micronutrient premixes were inappropriately stored near heat-generating milling machines. Written procedures for quality assurance and quality control were virtually absent, with just 2.6% of processors having such documentation. A mere 13.2% of processors conducted quality checks on fortified maize flour to confirm micronutrient presence. This study identified pervasive shortcomings in quality control and assurance practices among small- scale processors. Hindrances included inadequate training in fortification standards, limited processing capacity, and constrained access to quality control facilities. Strengthening these practices is imperative to ensure the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality fortified maize flour, essential for the nutritional well-being of target populations. This action holds significant public health and food safety implications.