Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/1174

Browse

Browsing Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection by Author "Bakari, Gaymary George"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Correlation between aspergillus flavus fungal biomass and aflatoxin contamination in harvested maize: insights from Kenya and Tanzania
    (Tehran university of medical sciences., 2023) Temba, Benigni Alfred; Bakari, Gaymary George; Mgonja, Frida Richard; Mushi, James Richard
    Controlling the occurrence of aflatoxins in foods must be accompanied by managing the fungi responsible for their production. The abundance and diversity of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus are responsible for the accumulation of these toxins in crops, posing a persistent threat to public health and the economy in tropical developing countries. A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and level of A. flavus and relate them to aflatoxin levels in maize in Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 786 maize samples were collected during harvesting in selected areas of the two countries for analysis. The fungal abundance in the samples was measured as the amount of fungal DNA relative to maize DNA. This was accomplished by quantifying the fungal DNA using qPCR, targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene, while the maize DNA was quantified through the alpha-tubulin gene, the two genes known to be conserved. Aflatoxins were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, coupled with ultra-high sensitivity, ultra-fast triple quadrupole tandem-mass spectrophotometer. A. flavus was detected in 88.5% of the 786 tested samples, and the average fungal load for these samples (expressed as the log host/pathogen ratio) was 5.53. Aflatoxin occurrence was positive in 31.9% of the samples, with an average level of 2.3 ± 0.643 ppb. The study established a positive relationship between the occurrence and level of aflatoxin B 1 and the presence and biomass of A. flavus, which was statistically proven. These findings emphasize the need to place substantial attention on preharvest control of A. flavus in cereal fields as an effort to control the accumulation of aflatoxin B1 in foods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of A. nilotica pods and A. lebbeck stem bark extracts on the reproductive system of male mastomys natalensis: an anti-fertility studies
    (African journal of biological sciences, 2022) Mwangengwa, Lusekelo Msomba; Bakari, Gaymary George; Kanuya, Noel Lemree; Max, Robert Arsen
    The contraceptive potential of Acacia nilotica pods and Albizzia lebbeck stem bark methanolic extracts were evaluated in male rodent pests. Ninety (90) multimammate rats (M. natalensis) were randomized into a 3 × 3 factorial design for treatment groups (control, A. lebbeck and A. nilotica) (n = 10) and treatment durations (15, 30, or 60 days). Control rats consumed plain feed. Treated rats consumed feed with 2% w/w of either of the plant extract. Following treatment, male rats were mated to untreated females before they were sedated in ether and humanely sacrificed. Assessments were done on fertility success rates (number of impregnated females), weight of testes and reproductive glands, sperm cell parameters, and testes histopathology. Fertility success rate was reduced to 0% in the A. nilotica treated rats at all the treatment durations and in the A. lebbeck treated rats after 60 days of treatment. Also, the extract-treated rats revealed a significant reduction in the testes, seminal vesicles, and epididymides weights compared to the control group. Moreover, sperm cell density and the proportions of live and progressively motile spermatozoa were significantly reduced and there were numerous damaged seminiferous tubules reflected by sloughed off germ cells, thinned germinal epithelium and widened empty lumen in the extract- treated rats. Thus, treatment with A. nilotica or A. lebbeck extract in male M. natalensis reduced their fertility success rates through distortion of testicular structure and disruption of spermatogenesis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of A. nilotica pods and A. lebbeck stem bark extracts on the reproductive system of male mastomysnatalensis : anti-fertility studies
    (African Journal of Biological Sciences, 2022-04-05) Mwangengwa, Lusekelo Msomba; Bakari, Gaymary George; Kanuya, Noel Lemree; Max, Robert Arsen
    The contraceptive potential of Acacia nilotica pods and Albizzia lebbeck stem bark methano lic extracts w ere ev aluated in male ro d ent pests. N inety (90) multimammate rats ( M. natalensis ) were randomized into a 3 × 3 factorial design for treatment groups (control, A. lebbeck and A. nilotica ) ( n = 10) and treatment durations (15, 30, or 60 days). Control rats consumed plain feed. Treated rats consumed feed with 2% w/ w of either of the plant extract. Following treatment, male rats were mated to untreated females before they were sedated in ether and humanely sacrificed. Assessments were done on fertility success rates (number of impregnated females), weight of testes and reproductive glands, sperm cell parameters, and testes histopathology. Fertility success rate was reduced to 0% in the A. nilotica treated rats at all the treatment durations and in the A. lebbeck treated rats after 60 days of treatment. Also, the extract-treated rats revealed a significant reduction in the testes, seminal vesicles, and epididymides weights compared to the control group. Moreover, sperm cell density and the proportions of live and progressively motile spermatozoa w ere significantly reduced and there w ere numerous damaged seminiferous tubules reflected by sloughed off germ cells, thinned germinal epithelium and widened empty lumen in the extract- treated rats. Thus, treatment with A . nilotica or A. lebbeck extract in male M . natalensis reduced their fertility success rates through distortion of testicular structure and disruption of spermatogenesis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Perceptions, attitudes, and practices of Tanzanian university communities regarding the use and formalization of traditional medicine
    (European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2023) Kimario, Wilfrida Adolfu; Mgonja, Frida Richard; Mushi, James Richard; Bakari, Gaymary George; Temba, Benigni Alfred
    Introduction: Traditional medicines (TMs) play a vital role in the public healthcare system of Tanzania and other sub-Saharan countries. The community has been advocating for greater recognition and formalization of this sector. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the community's knowledge and views on formalization to maximize the beneficial use of TMs in Tanzania.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the university community, involving a total of 458 students and staff from three major public universities in Tanzania. Participants were interviewed regarding their history, knowledge, and inclination towards using TMs. They were also asked about their opinions on community involvement and the necessity of strengthening the formalization of education and usage in this field. Results: The results revealed that 84.7% of the participants had utilized TMs, with 71.6% currently using them and 16.8% using them on a regular basis. Furthermore, 30.5% of the participants agreed that the community is aware of the importance of TMs, while 18.8% believed that the community receives adequate education regarding their significance. Additionally, 33.6% indicated that the government recognizes and promotes the importance of TMs. The study also found strong community support for introducing TM practitioners who can attend to patients and provide TMs. There was also strong support for formalizing education on TMs within the Tanzanian education system. Conclusion: The study's findings underscore the significance of recognizing and leveraging traditional medications to improve public health and preserve the benefits of local knowledge.