Reseach articles

Comparative metabolite profiling, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of three medicinal plants from Botswana

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Comparative metabolite profiling, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of three medicinal plants from Botswana Setlhoka, Modiri D.; Motlhanka, Koketso; Kgasudi, Bakang K.; Atamelang, Eunicah; Modise, Goodwell; Bultosa, Geremew; Mareko, Molebeledi H. D.; Batlhophi, Mpho G.; Thema, Force T.; Nthoiwa, Kereilemang K. Natural resources provide vital support to communities, and in this regard indigenous plants remain particularly important, as they are widely used for food, medicine, and cultural practices. In the quest to integrate these resources into modern applications, exploring their phytochemical composition is essential for both conservation and utilization. This study compared the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A.Schreib., Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw., and Ozoroa paniculosa (Sond.) R.Fern. & A.Fern. using water, 80% methanol, and 50% acetone extracts. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) profiling revealed M. flabellifolius bears diverse phytochemicals, with major flavonoids including quercetin 3-O-glucuronide and quercitrin. Acetone extracts of M. flabellifolius exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (57.13%) and strongest antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar typhimurium (ATCC 13311) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The 50% acetone extracts particularly demonstrated dose-dependent antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones reaching up to 20.1 mm for E. coli and 16.9 mm for S. typhimurium. Solvent type significantly influenced the phytochemical content and bioactivity of the extracts, with 50% acetone generally outperforming water and 80% methanol. Overall, the indigenous plants of Botswana demonstrated considerable potential as sources of bioactive compounds for use as natural antimicrobial agents in food packaging and preservation. In particular, Myrothamnus flabellifolius exhibited the most diverse phytochemicals profile and the strongest antimicrobial properties. These findings highlight the plant’s potential for development into natural antimicrobial products, warranting further investigation and application-focused research. Journal Article

Child feeding style is associated with food intake and linear growth in rural Ethiopia

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Child feeding style is associated with food intake and linear growth in rural Ethiopia Abebe, Zeweter; Haki, Gulelat Desse; Baye, Kaleab Background Little is known about mother-child feeding interactions and how this is associated with food intake and linear growth. Objective To characterize mother-child feeding styles and investigate their associations with accepted mouthful and linear growth in west Gojam, rural Ethiopia. Subjects/design Two, in-home, meal observations of children aged 12–23 months (n = 100) were video-taped. The number of mouthful accepted was counted and the caregiver/child feeding styles were coded into positive/negative categories of self-feeding, responsive-feeding, active-feeding, social-behavior and distraction. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, child feeding practices, perception about child's overall appetite, and strategies adopted to overcome food refusal were collected through questionnaire-based interviews. Child and mothers' anthropometric measurements were also taken. Results Stunting was highly prevalent (48%) and the number of mouthful accepted was very low. Offering breastmilk and threatening to harm were the main strategies adopted to overcome food refusal. Although all forms of feeding style were present, active positive feeding style was dominant (90%) and was positively associated with mouthful accepted. Talking with non-feeding partner (64%), and domestic animals (24%) surrounding the feeding place were common distractions of feeding. Feeding was mostly terminated by caregivers (75%), often prematurely. Overall, caregivers of stunted children had poorer complementary- and breast-feeding practices and were less responsive to child's hunger and satiation cues (P < 0.05). Positive responsive feeding behaviors were associated with child's number of mouthful accepted (r = 0.27; P = 0.007) and stunting (r = 0.4; P < 0.001). Conclusion Low complementary food intake in this setting is associated with caregivers’ feeding style and stunting. Nutrition interventions that reinforce messages of optimal infant and young child feeding and integrate the promotion of responsive feeding behaviors are needed. Journal article

Distribution, traditional utilization, processing, and health benefits associated with the consumption of morama bean [Tylosema escululetum (Burch.)]: a survey from selected districts of Botswana

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Distribution, traditional utilization, processing, and health benefits associated with the consumption of morama bean [Tylosema escululetum (Burch.)]: a survey from selected districts of Botswana Gwamba, John; Imathiu, Samuel; Kinyuru, John; Onyango, Arnold; Motaung, Masa Veronica Morama bean [Tylosema escululetum (Burch.)] is a nutrient-dense underutilized legume that can address proteinenergy and micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries. An ethnographic study using a snowball sampling method was conducted in Kweneng, Ghanzi, Southern, and Central districts of Botswana. The survey sought to gather and document information about demographic characteristics, traditional use, cultural norms, harvesting, processing, preservation, and health benefits of morama beans. A 5-point Likert-type scale was used to assess and rate the respondent(s) perceptions on traditional utilization and potential of the bean. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic grouping. It was found that morama bean is distributed in Botswana’s sandy desert regions and is consumed by people who are native or migrated into these areas. Roasting in heated sand (mean=4.93) and boiling fresh beans with water or milk (mean=4.49) were the most popular methods of cooking morama beans. Across the four districts, morama bean was found to be an important component in traditional food and medicinal mixtures for undernourished infants, and expectant and lactating mothers, mostly prepared with soft porridge. Respondents cited a significant lack of scientific knowledge about the bean’s medicinal properties (mean=1.27–1.38), indicating the need for additional research. The nutritious density of morama beans (mean=4.87) and their potential for processing into value-added products (mean=4.10) were known to the respondents. As a result, the bean has a high potential to improve food and nutrition security in these communities.

Distribution, traditional utilization, processing, and health benefits associated with the consumption of morama bean [Tylosema escululetum (Burch.)]: a survey from selected districts of Botswana

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT