Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment (JAFE) | ISSN (Online Version): 2708 - 5694

Public health implications of microbial findings in commercially canned tomatoes in West Africa

2025-03-30T09:39:56-05:00

Canned tomatoes are widely consumed, but microbial spoilage can compromise their quality. This study aimed to identify the microorganisms responsible for spoilage in various brands of canned tomatoes from West Africa. Six popular brands were purchased from markets in Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana. Microbiological screening involves culturing, morphological, and biochemical techniques to identify spoilage organisms. Total bacterial counts observed in the study were Salsa (3.4 ± 0.22 × 10³), Gino (4.2 ± 0.31 × 10³), Sarah (5.8 ± 0.35 × 10³), Ginny (3.0 ± 0.34 × 10³), Derica (2.1 ± 0.14 × 10³), and Tasty Tom (2.2 ± 0.21 × 10³). Fungal counts include: Salsa (2.4 ± 0.30 × 10³), Gino (2.3 ± 0.51 × 10³), Sarah (2.4 ± 0.21 × 10³), Ginny (5.8 ± 0.12 × 10³), Derica (2.3 ± 0.13 × 10³), and Tasty Tom (4.1 ± 0.10 × 10³). Bacterial isolates included Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Clostridium spp., with Bacillus spp. (30%) being the most prevalent and Streptococcus spp. (10%) being the least bacteria. Fungal isolates comprised of Saccharomyces spp., Candida spp., Mucor spp., Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium spp., with Aspergillus niger (33%) being the most common while Mucor spp. (10%) being the least fungi. The study revealed significant microbial contamination in all canned tomato brands. High microbial counts indicate potential public health risks. Further research is crucial to understand the source of contamination. Implementing effective sanitization measures during production is essential to minimize spoilage and ensure food safety

Effect of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons levels in suya and barbecue fish on cancer risk index in Warri Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

2025-03-30T10:08:22-05:00

This study examined the levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Suya (peppered meats) and barbecue (grilled seafood) and applied them as potential cancer risk indices. A total of 24 samples, comprising 12 Suya and 12 grilled fish, were analyzed for 16 priority PAHs as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (HPLC-FID) was employed for the quantitative analysis. The analytical method had a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.00 x 10^-3mg/kg, with recovery rates ranging from 52.90% to 71.30%, ensuring reliable detection of PAHs. Concentrations of individual PAHs varied across the samples, with 2-PAHs ranging from below detection limit (BDL) to 0.16 mg/kg, 4-PAHs from BDL to 0.21 mg/kg, 8-PAHs from BDL to 0.52 mg/kg, and total 16-PAHs from 0.03 to 2.48 mg/kg. In Suya samples, five of the 13 sampling stations recorded benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentrations exceeding the European Union (EU) limit of 2.00 x 10^-3 mg/kg, with a peak value of 0.12 mg/kg. Additionally, seven of the 12 Suya samples had 4-PAH concentrations above the EU threshold of 0.01 mg/kg. In contrast, grilled fish samples exhibited higher contamination levels, with seven sampling locations exceeding the BaP limit and nine samples surpassing the EU limit for 4-PAHs. Notably, the NPA sampling site recorded the highest BaP concentration of 0.27 mg/kg among all samples. The comparative analysis indicated a higher percentage of grilled fish exceeding regulatory limits than Suya, suggesting a greater potential health risk from grilled seafood consumption. Overall, 66.60% of Suya and 33.30% of grilled fish samples were within tolerable risk levels based on international standards. The findings highlight significant public health concerns for residents of Warri Metropolis, emphasizing the need for stringent monitoring and regulation of local cooking practices to mitigate PAH exposure.

Effect of browse plants’ formulated feed on rumen microbial population and growth performance of Red Sokoto goat breed (Capra aegagrus hircus)

2025-03-30T10:15:59-05:00

This research appraised the effect of browse Plants formulated feed on rumen microbial population and the animal performance of Red Sokoto goat for 14 weeks. Eight browse plants; Acacia alibido, Piliostigma thonnigi, Teminalia jigosona, Vitellaria paradoxa, Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum, Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis were pre-screened for its phytochemical composition out of which four Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum, Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis were selected and used to formulate the animal diets. Three groups of goats were assigned to each of the browse plant diets, while the control group was placed on a basal diet only. Rumen liquor were collected from the goats intermittently for three periods, and analyzed for microbial population. The results showed that browse plant formulated feed have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the population of the rumen microbes. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in fungal count was recorded in all the formulated diets treatments except the control diets. Besides, significant (p < 0.05) higher concentration was recorded in Protozoa and Bacteria count in all treatments except the control diets. Significant growth performances of 28.2%, 28.2%, 28.0% and 26.2% were recorded for T2, T3, T1 and T4, consecutively, relative to 15.8% in the control (T5). Overall, this study demonstrated that browse plant feed is able to significantly improve animal performance and as well,alter the microbial popullation in ruminant animals.

From nanotechnology concepts to pioneering patents: Innovations in nanotherapeutic nutrition

2025-03-30T10:23:18-05:00

Recent advances in nano-nutrition have opened up new avenues for the treatment and prevention of a variety of health conditions. Emerging approaches focus on improving nutrient delivery, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy through novel nano-carrier systems. Leading patients, often facing chronic diseases or unique health challenges, are at the forefront of this advanced approach. Collaborative research and innovative clinical trials are providing invaluable insights into the real-world applications of nano-nutrition, helping to improve treatment modalities and ensure that nutritional therapies are effective, accessible, and sustainable. These innovations address global challenges such as malnutrition, obesity, and chronic diseases. Advances in food processing, sustainable sourcing, and nutrient delivery systems are enhancing access to and increasing the efficiency of essential nutrients. Additionally, digital tools such as artificial intelligence and wearable devices are enabling real-time monitoring of dietary habits, encouraging more informed and healthier food choices. Nanotechnology enables the precise delivery of therapeutic agents directly to diseased cells, reducing side effects and increasing therapeutic effects. Using nanoparticles, liposomes, and nano-polymers, the bioavailability of drugs is enhanced, their solubility is improved, and controlled release is enabled. In oncology, these technologies pave the way for more effective, personalized, and less invasive medical treatments. In addition to therapeutic applications, nanotechnology plays a major role in the development of functional foods and nutritional supplements that offer therapeutic benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved gut health, and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It also contributes to ensuring food safety through smart packaging solutions with antimicrobial properties and real-time biomonitoring of food quality. Despite the transformative potential of these developments, challenges related to safety, regulatory frameworks, and long-term effects require careful consideration to ensure the safe integration of nanotechnology into nutrition and healthcare. This review highlights the latest innovations, applications, and future directions of nanotechnology in nutrition and disease prevention, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize global health.

Water quality and bacteriological analysis during newly practiced live fish transportation in Bangladesh

2025-03-30T10:38:12-05:00

In Bangladesh, live fish transportation through a modified open truck system is relatively new. This system aids in the delivery of fresh fish to the farthest locations in the country, although it is considered a difficult task to keep the fish alive and maintain their quality while being transported. The present study aimed to assess the water quality and bacteriological status during live fish transportation through this modified open truck system. For this purpose, the physicochemical characteristics of the fish transporting water, as well as the bacteriological state of both the water and the fish, were analyzed at various time intervals when approximately one ton of Indian major carps (Rui, Catla, and Mrigal) was transported from the Natore district to Sylhet Sadar. During the 14-hour travel, the fish holding water was changed every four hours. Thus, the current study tracked all of the characteristics for the first four hours, from fish loading to water change. The initial values of pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were 7.41, 25.5℃, and 3.56 ppm, respectively, and observed a change to 7.62, 27.2 ℃, and 2.91 ppm, respectively, at the end of the tracking period. An increasing trend was observed in the case of water conductivity and TDS, but these values did not differ significantly within the study period. On the contrary, when a microbial load of water, gill, and intestine samples were analyzed, it was recorded that the total viable count (TVC) increased several folds from the initial values. Initially, the microbial load was lower (10³ cfu/ml) as the fresh underground water was loaded, which dramatically increased after 3 hours of transportation and reached 10⁸ cfu/ml water. The mean Probable Number (MPN) was also found to increase, which was probably imposed due to the lack of personal hygiene. The findings revealed important information about live fish transportation.

Seasonal variation of bacteriological parameters of rui (Labeo rohita) and kalibaus (Labeo calbasu) collected from the Hakaluki Haor, Bangladesh

2025-03-30T10:44:38-05:00

The fish in situ bacterial flora correlated with the aquatic environment. The higher initial bacterial flora in fish ultimately affects the storage life and quality of the products. The present study aimed to collect 36 samples of Rui (Labeo rohita) and Kalibaus (Labeo calbasu) from three locations in four seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter) of Hakaluki haor to investigate their seasonal bacteriological changes. The samples were investigated for total bacterial load in term of Total Viable Count (TVC) and Total Coliform Count (TCC) as sanitary index The prevalence of E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp were also investigated. The higher viable bacterial loads (logarithmic scale) were observed in Kalibaus than Rui in all study seasons. In Rui, the bacterial load was 5.56±0.078, 5.51±0.043, 5.36±0.065, and 5.48±0.091 (CFU/g±SD) whereas in Kalibaus, those were 5.68±0.050, 5.58±0.057, 5.52±0.040, and 5.63±0.067 in monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon, respectively. For total coliform (TCC), Rui were 73, 72, 28, and 48 MPN/g, while in Kalibaus, the values were 78, 96, 65, and 86 MPN/g in monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon, respectively. E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio spp. were also present in both fish at each season. The results indicate that Rui had a lower prevalence of pathogenic bacteria than Kalibaus. The occurrence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. in both fish samples indicates fecal contamination, which may be linked to unhygienic environmental conditions.

How Bangladesh can contribute to a competitive global orange industry: An opinion

2025-03-30T10:52:43-05:00

The demand for oranges is on the rise globally and in Bangladesh. However, despite having a favourable climate and soil, Bangladesh’s share in the global orange industry is still negligible, subsequently making the country a leading importer. Rising national demand, unstable international markets, soaring market prices and changing consumer preferences strongly justify the necessity for increasing domestic production. A 50 thousand-ha orange orchard could earn USD 1.5 to 2.0 billion from the sector by 2035, contributing to the global orange industry significantly. However, the commercial introduction of a new fruit crop is challenging in a land-scarce country like Bangladesh. This opinion article discussed how to increase national production by inserting oranges in the current cropping systems. A national citrus policy facilitating orange cultivation, extension, management, processing, and marketing is recommended. An innovative cropping system management and efficient land use policy can accommodate this perennial fruit crop in the existing farming system. The availability of suitable varieties, efficient extension services, modern management practices, government incentives, strong value-chain and agricultural land-use planning could help achieve the goal of a competitive orange industry in Bangladesh by 2035.