Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 2Katinan Rémi Coulibaly, Konan Mathurin Yao, Ollo Kambire, Kouadio Ernest Koffi, Nogbou Emmanuel AssidjoBissap juice, obtained by decoction of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes, is a non-alcoholic drink consumed by populations in sub-Saharan Africa in general, and particularly by students of primary and secondary schools in Korhogo city. This refreshing drink, produced under hygienic conditions beyond any official control, could constitute a public health problem. This study was carried out to assess the health quality of bissap juice consumed by students. Physicochemical analysis revealed that bissap juice is very acidic (pH varies between 2.52 ± 0.09 and 2.79 ± 0.58). This acidity would protect the bissap against the proliferation of certain pathogenic germs. Indeed, microbiological analysis revealed that these juices contain less than 1 CFU/mL of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus. For these sprouts, these juices would be of acceptable sanitary quality. However, this acidity of the juices promotes the proliferation of yeasts and molds with an average value which varies between 1.21×102 ± 0.22 CFU/mL and 2.91×102 ± 0.91 CFU/mL. The addition of sugar makes bissap a refreshing sweet drink with an average Brix degree value ranging between 10.15 ± 0.35 and 18.95 ± 2.47. This sugar constitutes a substrate which would promote the proliferation of yeasts and molds. These microorganisms could release secondary metabolites into bissap juice which could have an adverse effect on the health of consumers. It is therefore necessary to characterize and identify the different fungal flora as well as their possible pathogenic metabolites in perspective, in order to assess the health risk incurred by the consumer.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 2Edem Segbefia, Philip Batsa AdoteyBackground: This is a study seek to assess the factors affecting quality healthcare delivery and among the aged in Ghana. The study was conducted among three hospitals namely Korle Bu, Accra regional and Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Method: The study considered a sample size of 397 patients representing 99.25% of respondents from the point of accessing service from the Hospitals through a random sampling method. The Warp PLS statistical software version 7.0 was used to perform SEM. Result: The study revealed that respondents believe that quality healthcare is incomparable irrespective of the cost. Though quality healthcare is more expensive, the study reveals expectations of the patients are not meant anytime the visit these hospitals. Loneliness, social isolation and social exclusion are important risk factors for ill health and mortality in older people. Conclusion: The aged are very vulnerable and fragile in living, considering their safety, mindset and values are good indicators to attract them to re access services from a healthcare Centre. Although a variety of services to aged persons are available in these hospitals, utilization of these services is adversely affected by lack of resources, personnel and complicated bureaucratic systems.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 2Wilson D. W., Griffiths K. G., Takahashi T., Tokunaga M., Yasukawa Z., Nishimura S., Horiuchi R., Buttar H. S., Singh R. B., De Meester F.The early work of Marrian and Haslewood, discoverers of equol, and the much later oestrogenic plant sources of isoflavones, are described, together with clinical applications. Equol in humans may appear in the urine, plasma, saliva, faeces and tissues, and other body fluids, as polar metabolites, but the positions and biological sites of the conjugates must be carefully evaluated before hypotheses on health benefits/risks are generated. Equol enantiomers suggest that phase I metabolism is part of a complex biotransformation of the soy isoflavone daidzein in humans. The potential utility of equol in areas of human medicine is documented; equol is implicated in improving human health in bone, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunology, the gut microbiome, kidneys, liver, reproductive health, skin, thyroid, etc. Two potential dietary innovations are suggested, viz. Equol-enriched functional eggs, and changing diet history and preferences, all governed by strict food security considerations. The limitations on equol research are indicated. This overview calls for a different approach to equol research, e.g. a starting point could be a standard a lifetime dietary system delivered to the dining table, and/or supplements of palatable recreational drinks, nutritional snack bars, capsules: all at affordable prices under a food security umbrella. Regulatory and commercial organisations should work closer together and include equol in their cornucopia of activities on food safety and ‘market claims’.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 1E. C. Merem, Y. Twumasi, J. Wesley, D. Olagbegi, M. Crisler, C. Romorno, M. Alsarari, P. Isokpehi, A. Hines, G. Hirse, G. S. Ochai, E. Nwagboso, S. Fageir, S. Leggett, J. Offiah, S. EmakporMilk production and intake in many countries in the African continent is very essential in the daily lives of communities. Dairy is not only at the center of community welfare from North to Southern portions of Africa, but it remains a vital component of economic viability in terms of employment and income generation and nutritional intake in many countries. Yet, over the last several years, milk production among nations continues to be besieged by multiplicity of challenges that are both regional, global, and local in nature and somewhat compounded by current policy in the continent regarding marketing access to foreign producers and limited intake below the required thresholds in the globe. Being a continent with the lowest median age in the world with many very young citizens, one would assume that in the context of food security, public enlightenment campaigns over regular milk and dairy intake should be the norm, but that has not always been the case. At the same time, the problem seems compounded by the current pace at which many European Union nations are turning the African continent into a dumping ground of imported milk. This anomaly impacts the capacity of local producers in meeting the rising demands among consumers. Given the current policy lapses in Africa and the ability of EU producers and other nations to exploit it in the face of limited production capacity, and regional disparities in the continent in which the North and Southern zone outpace the other areas. Very little has been done in the literature using mix scale techniques of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and descriptive statistics to capture this issue spatially. While this enquiry will fill that void in research, this paper assesses milk production trends in the continent of Africa. The study emphasizes the issues, trends, factors, and future lines of action. Accordingly, the results under the mix scale model shows rising output, and changes in production, gains and declines, regional disparities, limited usage of milk and gradual dispersion of production indices across space. In as much as the changing trends emanate from a host of socio-economic and physical and environmental factors located within the larger agricultural structure. The paper proffered five solutions ranging from education on milk intake among the public, efficient policy, monetary assistance to local producers, closure of dumping loopholes, periodic monitoring, and the design of regional and continental dairy management information system.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 1Victus Bobonkey Samlafo, Kofi Essel, Bright AnkudzeThe soil determines the quality of food and hence the health of the individuals. However, most lands in the District are under mining or concessions to the detriment of livelihood. This situation resulted in the cultivation of food crops on reclaimed mining land sites contrary to the accepted norm. To assess the human health risk and the quality of cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in Prestea-Huni Valley District, soil and cassava samples were taken randomly in separate polyethylene bags in triplicates from four farms located on reclaimed mining land sites within the Prestea-Huni Valley District. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) technique was employed in the determination of the metals after digestion. The precision and accuracy of the analytical methods were evaluated by analysing IAEA-soil-7 and 1547-Peach leaves, which are standard reference materials with recoveries ranging from 87% to 98%. The trend in metal tolerance for both the cassava tuber and its peel were similar and in the order Cd> Pb>Cr>Zn>As. Both soil Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) were below their respective values. Using the health index of 0.8017< 1.0 () as a criterion for human health assessment, the cassava cultivated on reclaimed mining land sites in the Prestea-Huni Valley District, are safe and of high quality, since the health index was below the threshold level of 1.0, a level below which the cassava is deemed fit for human consumption.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 12, Number 1Cornellius Musembi Muendo, Gideon Kikuvi, Susan MamboFood hawking is an enterprise widely practiced both in developed and developing economies. Indeed, hawking cooked foods is an important livelihood activity in many households across the globe. However, the trade is associated with regular breaches in food safety standards and especially hygiene requirements. This certainly predisposes the hawked cooked foods to an increased likelihood of microbial contamination. The current study investigated cooked foods hawked in Tharaka Nithi for microbial contamination. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect 151 cooked food samples which were analyzed for Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella. The results indicated that more than half (59%) of cooked foods hawked at Chuka town were contaminated with either one or a multiplicity of these microorganisms. Escherichia coli was detected in 51.7% of the foods, with the numbers in individual foods ranging from 0 to 444 cfu/g, and a mean of 46.6 ± 86.97cfu/g for all the foods. When categorized based on the established safety criterion for Escherichia coli, 68.9% of the foods were satisfactory, 13.2% in the borderline, and 17.9% unsatisfactory. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 34.4%, whereas Shigella and Salmonella were detected in 21.2% and 15.2% of the foods respectively. Consequently, cooked foods hawked at Chuka town are not safe for human consumption. County government of Tharaka Nithi should develop and implement a policy and programs to prevent likely foodborne infections from the consumption of these foods.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 11, Number 3Sigbeku O. T., A. O. Mosuro, O. A. Ogunwole, A. B. OmojolaIn Nigeria, goats are raised under extensive system of management solely for chevon. The animals could be exposed to feeds and water contaminated with heavy metals (HM) during scavenging and browsing. The HM residues (HMR) in meat and meat products constitute health hazards in humans when consumed. However, information on HM concentration in raw and cooked chevon have not been adequately documented. Thus, occurrence of HMR in raw chevon and the effect of cooking on HMR in chevon sold in Lagos state was evaluated in this study. Samples of Chevon (n=60) each taken from muscle, liver, kidney, and skin were randomly purchased from five purposively selected markets in each of the three senatorial districts of the state (East, West and Central). The HMR (ppb) concentrations of the raw, boiled, grilled, fried, and roasted chevon samples were analyzed. Results revealed that lead concentrations in raw muscle (306.7±0.1), liver (309.3±0.2), kidney (248.4±0.1) and skin (193.1±0.7), increased significantly (p
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 11, Number 2Funmilayo G. Adebiyi, Kofoworola I. Adediran, Omobolanle A. Olaoye, Aderonke O. Mosuro, Oluwatobi A. Olaomi, Olugbenga A. OgunwoleThe production of low cost and high-quality nutritional foods for infants is a major challenge in developing countries which often contribute to the high prevalence of malnutrition with its attendant risks. Consequently, the biological assessment of locally available cereal and legume blends as weaning foods for the feeding of infants was investigated in this study. In a 10-day trial, weanling male Wistar rats (n=36) were randomly allotted to nine treatments, each in quadruplicate. Diets 1 to 7 consisted of different cereal multimixes; Diet 1 (millet 40: malted millet 20: soyabean 30:sucrose 10), Diet 2 (corn 40: malted corn 20: soyabean 30: sucrose 10), Diet 3 (millet 20: malted millet 10: corn 20: malted corn 10: soyabean 25: groundnut 5: sugar 10), Diet 4 (millet 20: malted millet 10: corn 20: malted corn 10: soyabean 25: crayfish 5: sugar 10), Diet 5 (sorghum 70: malted sorghum 10: soyabean 20), Diet 6 (corn 70: soyabean 30), Diet 7 (sorghum 60: malted sorghum 10: soyabean 15: cowpea 15). Diet 8 was the control, casein-based diet while Diet 9 was the nitrogen-free diet. All Diets, except Diet 9, were isonitrogenous, formulated to have approximately 10% crude protein. Feed and protein intake of rats on all test diets were similar (p>0.05). Feed conversion ratio were significantly higher (p
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 11, Number 2Assohoun-Djeni Nanouman Marina Christelle, Voko-Bi Rosin Don Rodrigue, Kouassi Kra Athanase, Koffi Gnagne Jérémie Junior, Kouassi Kouassi Clément, Djeni N’dédé ThéodoreArtisanal curd milk, commonly known as "yogurt", is increasingly consumed in the Ivory Coast where it is served as a dessert or a refreshing drink. Because of its accessible cost to all budgets, it occupies a prominent place in the eating habits of Ivorians. Unfortunately, its consumption has been associated with pathologies questioning its quality. The main objective of our work was to study the microbial contamination and the physicochemical characteristics of artisanal curd milk sold in various public markets in the city of Daloa. The survey carried out to locate the knowledge, the mode and the frequency of consumption of this artisanal curd milk made it possible to show that it is a food known and consumed by many Ivorians and some nationals of neighboring countries of all ages and of any social level. A total of 15 samples consisting of 45 elementary samples were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analysis. These samples were taken from 5 public markets in Daloa city (Abattoir 1, Grand Marché, Lobia, Orly and Tazibouo) at the rate of 3 samples per market. Physicochemical analyzes revealed low pH ranging from 3.22 ± 0.21 to 4.22 ± 0.35 negatively correlated with titratable acidity levels which varied from 1.62 ± 0.45 to 0.95 ± 0, 17. Microbiological analyzes of artisanal curdled milk samples taken from this various public markets showed high loads of fermentation germs (lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds) and of contaminating germs (Aerobic Mesophilic Count, total and thermotolerant coliforms). Salmonella were not detected in samples taken at the Grand Marché. On the other hand, they were present in 50% of the curdled milk samples taken at the Lobia, Orly and Abattoir 1 markets and in all the samples (100%) taken at the Tazibouo market. The presence of Salmonella which is a pathogenic flora in these samples demonstrates that this artisanal curd is not of good microbiological quality. Its consumption can automatically lead to food poisoning.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Food and Public Health, Volume 11, Number 1Dago A. Gnahé, Abba P. Obouayeba, Massé Diomandé, Koffi P. V. Niaba, Avit G. M. BeugréThe malnutrition of children remains a health problem in Côte d'Ivoire. In this context, a nutritional survey by questionnaire and anthropometric measures was carried out in the urban area in the Upper Sassandra region to nearly 419 children with an age of between 0 and 36 months in the city of Daloa. Describe the feeding of the infant and the young child through a nutritional survey and evaluate the nutritional status of children through anthropometries were the goals pursued in this study. The results show the average prevalence of chronic growth or malnutrition (7.32%). The skinny that reflects acute malnutrition affects only 16.92 percent of the children and is specific to the poor. As a result, some results obtained in the Court of Inquiry revealed that an exclusive breastfeeding of the birth to 6 months, and then a suitable supplement diet, are major factors in the nutritional status of Infants.
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