Volume 12, Issue 1 (2017)

Quality parameters of honey produced in Silti district, southern Ethiopia

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Quality parameters of honey produced in Silti district, southern Ethiopia Kebede, A.; Seifu, E.; Adgaba, N. This study was conducted to determine the quality of honey produced in Silti district of southern Ethiopia. The honey samples were collected from different locations representing two agro-ecological areas: Dega (highland) and Weyna Dega (midland). From each of these locations honey samples were obtained from traditional and movable frame hives. In addition, honey samples were also collected from the local market. Analysis of physicochemical parameters of honey was carried out at the Health and Nutrition Research Institute and the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia. The analyzed samples had average moisture, ash, free acidity, water insoluble matter, pH, reducing sugars and sucrose contents of 15.95 (g/100g), 0,34 (g/100g), 19.32 (meq/kg), 0.26 (g/100g), 4.45, 69.04 (g/100g) and 4.1 (g/100g), respectively. Comparison of quality parameters of honey samples from the two agro-ecological areas and the market showed that market honey samples had significantly (P<0.05) higher reducing sugars content than honey samples from the two agro-ecological areas, but no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed for the remaining parameters. All the quality parameters analyzed for honey produced in Silti district comply with both national and international standards except the water-insoluble matter which was high in honey samples collected from traditional hives. Thus, there is a need to educate beekeepers about proper honey harvesting, straining and handling techniques. Research article

Effect of maturity stages on nutritive quality and sensory properties of Fig fruits

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of maturity stages on nutritive quality and sensory properties of Fig fruits Diba, D.; Bultosa, G.; Tolesa, G. N. This study was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the physical character, proximate composition, minerals (Fe, Zn, Ca and P) and sensory properties of early, mid and late maturity stages of Ficus sur fruits (FSF) collected from five trees. The physical parameters were determined at the sample collection site. Fresh fruit samples collected were used for sensory evaluation. The other sub-sample was dried at 65°C for 48 h to constant weight and stored in a sealed plastic bag at refrigeration temperature (5°C) for nutrient content analysis. The early maturity stages of FSF was most preferred except for its taste in which the late maturity stage was the best accepted fruits. The early maturity stage attained the highest fruits size, crude fat, crude protein and aril weight. The late maturity stage attained the highest dry matter, crude fiber and total carbohydrate. Iron and zinc contents were high for late maturity stages while calcium and phosphorus contents were high at early stages. The condensed tannin contents were not significantly different among the three maturity stages. The study showed that harvesting FSF at early maturity stage would be best for most sensory preferences and physical characteristics while late maturity stage is better for most of the nutrient contents analyzed. Research article

Can Axonopus compressus (Beauv.), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. or Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. be used as green solution to soils heavily polluted with crude oil?

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Can Axonopus compressus (Beauv.), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. or Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. be used as green solution to soils heavily polluted with crude oil? Vwioko, E. D.; Oyanoghafo, O. O.; Iyamu, K. O. The objective of this study is to assess the survival of three grass species, Axonopus compressus (Beauv.), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, and Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. in crude oil polluted soil and propose an explanation for their responses. Top Ultisol soils (0-15 cm depth) collected from demonstration farm were pooled to make composite sample, air-dried and sieved (˂2mm). Experimental pots were prepared from the composite sample and individually treated with 0%, 10% or 20% (w/w) crude oil by gradual manual mixing. Ten equally sized stumps of a grass species were sown in a pot. Each species had 9 pots representing three replicates per oil treatment, arranged in a completely randomized design. Parameters assessed were plant height, number of leaves, stem circumference, leaf length, root length and biomass. Soil pH was monitored every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content and GC-FID analyses of soil samples before and after plant growth were done. Bacterial species associated with the soil samples after plant harvest were determined. Growth of the test species were suppressed by oil when compared to plants grown in unpolluted soil. Mean height of A. compressus plants recorded 10 weeks after planting (WAP) were 24.37, 12.27 and 9.78 cm for 0, 10 and 20% oil polluted soil respectively. C. dactylon and E. indica failed to sustain growth in 20% soil. TPH was reduced from 6.704 to 2.965 mg/kg and 6.176 to 2.032 mg/kg for 10 and 20% soil respectively by A. compressus, 6.704 to 2.503 mg/kg and 6.176 to 1.819 mg/kg for 10% and 20% soil respectively by C. dactylon, and 6.704 to 2.282 mg/kg and 6.176 to 1.522 mg/kg for 10 and 20% soil respectively by E. indica. Soil pH increased from 5.8 – 8.3 and 4.5 - 7.8 in 10 and 20% soil respectively where A. compressus plants were grown. Soil pH where C. dactylon and E. indica plants were grown did not exhibit this. The study suggests that A. compressus is able to sustain growth in 20% crude oil polluted soil by modifying soil pH from acidic to neutral conditions. Research article