ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Ten Genotpyes of Sweetpotato for Fries

Several genotypes of sweetpotato are being developed by breeders due to its nutritional and economic potentials. In order to ensure increased consumption and constant demand creation, its potential use in several food types need to be ascertained. Moisture, fat, colour, starch and beta-carotene content of fries from ten sweetpotato genotypes: Apomuden, Bohye, Nanungungun, Otoo, CIP442162, Patron, CIP440390, Obare, Dadanyuie and TU-Purple, were determined by standard methods. Sensorial properties of the fries were further evaluated by an in-house consumer panel of 8 using standard methods. The starch content of the genotypes before frying, ranged from 10.12% in Apomuden (orange-fleshed variety) to 19.79% in Bohye (orange-fleshed variety), dry matter from 24.05% in Apomuden to 38.25% in Dadanyuie (white-fleshed) and beta-carotene from 330.76 in Bohye to 6205.07 µg/100g in Apomuden. After frying, fat content was highest in CIP442162 and low in Dadanyuie. Beta-carotene content reduced by 44.27% in Bohye and 13.20% in Nanungungun. Browning index was highest in the orange-fleshed and purple genotypes but this was mostly due to their flesh colours and not the frying conditions. Fries from orange-fleshed genotypes, Apomuden and Nanungungun, were considered to be sweeter than the other genotypes. Detection of caramel and starch (rawness sensation) was very low for all genotypes assessed. Oily mouthcoat, moistness and sogginess were detected in mostly the orange-fleshed genotypes; particularly, Apomuden and Nanungungun. TU-Purple, Bohye and CIP440390 produced moderately crunchy fries, and had the highest score for desirable attributes compared with the other genotypes. TU-Purple, Bohye and CIP440390 could be explored in commercial production of fries for enhanced utilization of developed sweetpotato genotypes.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the SD Bioline Hiv/Syphilis Duo and SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0 Test Kits for Hiv/Aids and Syphilis Screening at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

Diagnostic tests are needed for the control of sexually transmitted infections, as many infected individuals are asymptomatic. Rapid advances in molecular biology have led to the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. New diagnostics tests must be evaluated in the situations in which they will be deployed. This study evaluated the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo and the SD Bioline syphilis 3.0 test kits in HIV and syphilis testing. A total of 644 well characterised, archived serum samples were used. IMMUTREP® RPR, IMMUTREP® TPHA, Genscreen ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab and First Response® HIV 1-2-0 were used as gold standards. All 644 samples were assayed for the presence of antibodies to HIV and T. Pallidum by the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo, the SD Bioline syphilis 3.0 and the Abbott DetermineTM Syphilis TP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the SD Bioline syphilis 3.0 test kits were 91.67%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 89.29% respectively. The Abbott DetermineTM Syphilis TP had 75.69%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 74.07% respectively. In HIV testing, the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo had 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 100.00% respectively. In syphilis testing, it had 100.00%, 99.33%, 99.60% and 100.00% respectively. The kappa value for SD Bioline syphilis 3.0 and Abbott DetermineTM Syphilis TP were 0.90 and 0.72 respectively, whiles the SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo had 1.00 and 0.99 in HIV and syphilis testing respectively. The SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo and SD Bioline syphilis 3.0 compared favourably with the gold standards. They are highly specific and very sensitive. They can be performed in clinics and/or hospitals without laboratory training and require no equipment or refrigeration. The SD Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo can be used for simultaneous screening of HIV and syphilis at antenatal clinics in Ghana. This would increase the coverage of HIV and syphilis screening, which will also increase the proportion of cases treated, facilitating the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the agricultural credit scheme as a means of agricultural development with special reference to Nkoranza Sub-Region, in the Brong Ahafo Region Ghana

Agricultural credit and subsidies for farmers were thought of as far back as in the 1960’s. The seven years development plan proposed that management of the credit scheme was to be done by Bank of Ghana which will use the facilities of the local Commercial Banks to execute the credit scheme. Technical advice as to the feasibility of farming proposals put up to the Bank, as well as supervision of the use of agricultural credits, will be a function of the Extension and Development officers. Credit is given in the form of seed and stock distribution schemes, cash for purchase of fertilizer and insecticides as well as individual purchases of farm equipment and for the construction of farm buildings. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure increased gricu1ttral production. To this end credits are channelled through co-operative societies, except in the case of very large agricultural investment schemes which are to be dealt with on individual basis. The operation of such a scheme is very important, in view of the important role agriculture plays in the national economy. Nkoranza sub-region has been chosen as the study area because majority of the people are agricultural and rural. Also, the credit scheme has been in operation since its introduction in the country. The sub-region is in the transitional zone where mechanised agriculture could be practised however, the government realized this could be dined only if the people can afford it. In view of the average low income of the people (¢7,000.00 per annum) in the area, alternative solution to this problem of capital lies in the provision of credit to the farmers - hence: the scheme. It was hoped that with the scheme, substantial increase in productivity could be realized, all things being equal; but this was found not to be the case. Therefore, having evaluated the operation of the credit scheme in the sub-region, suggested proposals on how best to carry out the scheme to increase agricultural production.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Holarrhena Floribunda in Murine Models of inflammation

Holarrhena floribunda in Ghanaian folk medicine is claimed to be used to treat inflammatory diseases. To validate its anecdotal use, a 70% ethanolic extract of Holarrhena floribunda (HFE) was prepared and evaluated on murine models of inflammation. The effect of HFE on acute inflammation was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats. HFE (50, 200 and 500 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited paw oedema. The total paw oedema induced over 4 h was inhibited by 39.85 ± 11.19, 61.00 ± 7.35 and 65.41 ± 3.85 % respectively prophylactically and by 33.43 ± 6.83, 48.33 ± 6.83 and 56.55 ± 2.05 % respectively when administered therapeutically. Administration of HFE dose- dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced mouse systemic anaphylactic shock (0, 16 and 50 % respectively for the 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg HFE). HFE dose dependently protected rats from LPS-induced anaphylactic shock on both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches with maximum protection of 20 % and 40 % respectively. Pinnal inflammation reaction model was employed in the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis study. The antigen-induced inflammation was significantly (p<0.001) suppressed in a dose dependent (44.77%, 69.89% and 80.69%) manner. The anti-arthritic effect of HFE was evaluated using the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. HFE (50, 200 and 500 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited swelling of the injected paw and prevented the systematic spread of arthritis to the uninjected paw. The maximal inhibition in total paw oedema in rats given prophylactic and therapeutic treatments was observed to be 78.21 % and 67.92 % respectively. HFE also showed inflammation alleviation properties in indices monitored such body weight, radiology, histology, and haematology. HFE dose dependently inhibited histamine-induced paw oedema and exhibited an indirect anti-histaminic activity in clonidine-induced catalepsy test. HFE also showed inhibitory effects on serotonin and prostaglandin E2-induced paw oedema. HFE inhibited the serum expression of IL-1α, IL-6 and protein kinase C and enhanced the expression of IL-10, Cyclic adenosine monophosphate and protein kinase A levels in chronic inflammation. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Holarrhena floribunda indicated the presence of saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and reducing sugars which possibly could be responsible for its observed inhibitory effects on acute and chronic inflammation.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of the hydroethanolic extract of holarrhena floribunda in murine models of inflammation

Holarrhena floribunda in Ghanaian folk medicine is claimed to be used to treat inflammatory diseases. To validate its anecdotal use, a 70% ethanolic extract of Holarrhena floribunda (HFE) was prepared and evaluated on murine models of inflammation. The effect of HFE on acute inflammation was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats. HFE (50, 200 and 500 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited paw oedema. The total paw oedema induced over 4 h was inhibited by 39.85 ± 11.19, 61.00 ± 7.35 and 65.41 ± 3.85 % respectively prophylactically and by 33.43 ± 6.83, 48.33 ± 6.83 and 56.55 ± 2.05 % respectively when administered therapeutically. Administration of HFE dose- dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced mouse systemic anaphylactic shock (0, 16 and 50 % respectively for the 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg HFE). HFE dose dependently protected rats from LPS-induced anaphylactic shock on both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches with maximum protection of 20 % and 40 % respectively. Pinnal inflammation reaction model was employed in the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis study. The antigen-induced inflammation was significantly (p<0.001) suppressed in a dose dependent (44.77%, 69.89% and 80.69%) manner. The anti-arthritic effect of HFE was evaluated using the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. HFE (50, 200 and 500 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited swelling of the injected paw and prevented the systematic spread of arthritis to the uninjected paw. The maximal inhibition in total paw oedema in rats given prophylactic and therapeutic treatments was observed to be 78.21 % and 67.92 % respectively. HFE also showed inflammation alleviation properties in indices monitored such body weight, radiology, histology, and haematology. HFE dose dependently inhibited histamine-induced paw oedema and exhibited an indirect anti-histaminic activity in clonidine-induced catalepsy test. HFE also showed inhibitory effects on serotonin and prostaglandin E 2 -induced paw oedema. HFE inhibited the serum expression of IL-1α, IL-6 and protein kinase C and enhanced the expression of IL-10, Cyclic adenosine monophosphate and protein kinase A levels in chronic inflammation. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Holarrhena floribunda indicated the presence of saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and reducing sugars which possibly could be responsible for its observed inhibitory effects on acute and chronic inflammation.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the anti-proliferative effect, antioxidant and phytochemical constituents of Ficus pumila Linn.

Plants, such as Ficus pumila, have been indispensable in treating and managing diverse forms of diseases including cancer. About 80% of the people living in developing countries depend on medicinal plants for their healthcare needs based on the knowledge of traditional use of medicinal plants. This study was aimed at evaluating the heavy metal content of the raw powder and extract of the plant, the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant effect by the use of DPPH assay, the total phenolic content using Folin Ciocalteu assay and the cytotoxic effect using the MTT Assay of Ficus pumila ethanolic extract, methanolic and hydro fractions on liver cancer cells (HepG2), Leukemic cell (Jurkat) and normal liver cells (Chang). FTIR analysis was also done to determine the functional groups of the active components of the F. pumila fractions. The structure of the compound of the most active fraction was determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, saponins and tannins were present in the ethanolic extract of F. pumila. The heavy metal analysis revealed the presence of Iron in both the raw powder (1.97 ± 0.11 mg/l) and extract (0.92 ± 0.02 mg/L). Zinc was also detected in both the raw powder (1.19 ± 0.00 mg/l) and extract (0.6595 ± 0.02 mg/l). These levels were below the permissible level set by FAO/WHO. The results from the FTIR revealed the presence of alkynes, alkyl halides, aromatics and aliphatic amines common to all fractions and compounds such as Phenol, 2,4 –bis (1,1-Dimethylethyl) and Dodecane, 2,6, 10-trimethyl were detected in the samples by GC-MS. The DPPH assay also showed that all the fractions scavenged DPPH free radical in a dose dependent manner as compared to the positive control (Ascorbic acid). The hydro fraction had the strongest DPPH scavenging activity (EC50 =0.09 ± 0.00 mg/ml). Phenolic compounds were present in all the fractions with the hydro fraction having the highest level (16950 ± 331.95 mg GAE/100g). The MTT assay revealed that all the samples were cytotoxic against the cancer cell lines but only methanolic fraction was selective towards the Jurkat cell lines (Selectivity Index = 2.822) with IC50 value of 248.1 µg/ml. The most active fraction in terms of the antioxidant assay was the hydro fraction and with respect to the cytotoxicity assay was the methanolic fraction. This increase the prospect that this plant contains compound(s) which could serve as leads for novel anticancer drugs.

Source: KNUST
EVALUATION OF THE ANTI - PROLIFERATIVE EFFECT, ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF FICUS PUMILA LINN

This study sought to evaluate the heavy metal content of the raw powder and extract of the plant, the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant effect by the use of DPPH assay, the total phenolic content using Folin Ciocalteu assay and the cytotoxic effect using the MTT Assay of Ficus pumila ethanolic extract, methanolic and hydro fractions on liver cancer cells (HepG2), Leukemic cells (Jurkat) and normal liver cells (Chang). FTIR and Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the functional groups and major constituents of the most active fraction of F. pumila. Alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, saponins, and tannins were present in the ethanolic extract of F. pumila. The heavy metal analysis revealed the presence of Iron in both the raw powder (1.97 ± 0.11 mg/l) and extract (0.92 ± 0.02 mg/L). Zinc was also detected in both the raw powder (1.19 ± 0.00 mg/l) and extract (0.6595 ± 0.02 mg/l). The results from the FTIR revealed the presence of alkynes, alkyl halides, aromatics and aliphatic amines common to all fractions and compounds such as Phenol, 2,4-bis (1,1-Dimethylethyl) and Dodecane, 2,6, 10-trimethyl were detected in the samples by GC-MS. The DPPH assay also showed that all the fractions scavenged DPPH free radical in a dose-dependent manner as compared to the positive control (Ascorbic acid) and positively correlated to the phenolic contents. The MTT assay revealed that methanolic fraction was selective towards the Jurkat cell lines (Selectivity Index = 2.822). This increases the prospects that this plant contains compound(s) which could serve as leads for novel anticancer drugs.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the antioxidant activities of some wild edible indigenous Ghanaian mushrooms

Wild edible mushrooms have been reported to contain high phenolic contents which confer free radical scavenging ability. This study investigated antioxidant potentials of wild edible mushrooms from the Ashanti region (Kumasi) in Ghana. Cultivated strain of Pleurotus ostreatus (control) and five wild edible mushrooms (Termitomyces sp., Volvariella sp., Termitomyces shimperi, Auricularis auricular, and Volvariella volvaceae) were evaluated. Total phenolic content, Glutathione content and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical experiments were run on aqueous and ethanolic extracts of each mushroom. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of T. shimperi showed the highest antioxidant activity in vitro, with their EC50 values of 0.699mg/ml and 0.47mg/ml respectively. Their EC50 values were greater than the standard, butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) value of 0.526mg/ml. Ethanolic extracts of Volvariella sp had the significantly (p<0.05) higher phenolic content (861.3 mg/GAE, p <0.01) than the cultivated control, P. Ostreatus (aqueous extracts at 284.1695 mg/GAE and ethanolic extracts at 167.7287 mg/GAE). Termitomyces sp., A. auricular, and V. volvaceae had lower antioxidant activities than the BHT control. Two wild varieties (Termitomyces shimperi and Volvariella sp.) of mushroom assayed showed significantly (p<0.05) higher antioxidant ability. Consumption of these varieties of wild edible mushrooms can therefore be recommended

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the art programme in the school for the blind, Akropong - Akwapim

This long essay is intended to examine the art, programme in the School for the Blind with the view to providing the panacea to the problems faced by the school, in terms of materials and new processes of Art. New materials like wood, metal, jute fibres, coconut fibres, leather, and cellophane, to mention these few have been introduced by the author into making different art forms. All purported to widening the scope of art for the students of the school. The introductory part deals among others, with the position and site of the school and its history, pin-pointing personalities who threw their weight behind its success. The nature of blindness has been treated and explanation given to the technical terms used throughout the script. Subsequent chapters deal with the review of related literature pertaining to art for the blind, observation of students at work and evaluation of the art programme in the school. This is followed by the introduction of new materials and processes and the impact made, problems encountered and solutions, coupled with recommendations.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of the B.A. Art Textile Degree Programme, College of Art KNUST (1966-2001)

This thesis was an attempt to assess the impact of the Textile Degree Programme at the College of Art, KNUST, to national development. To achieve this, information was obtained through questionnaire and personal interviews to assess the aims and objectives, history, course content, staff establishment, facilities, enrolment, teaching strategies, placement of graduates and the impact of the programme. The research also looked at the future projections of the TDP. The research findings have been analysed and interpreted in chapter five. The social, educational and economic values of the programme have been discussed. The research reveals some success with yet more to be done for the full realisation of the programmes’ objectives. As a result, suggestions and recommendations to help upgrade the programme to modem standard have been made in chapter six. It is envisaged that the thesis would go a long way to help improve the Textile Degree Programme.

Source: KNUST
An evaluation of the baby friendly hospital initiative at the Ho District Hospital

In 1991 UNICEF/WHO launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) worldwide to create a global breastfeeding society. The program was in response to three important events; The Convention on the Right of the Child, The world Summit on Children and the Innocenti Declaration, all of which seek to protect the health and lives of children. The aim of the BFHI is to reach out to hospitals, maternity homes and clinics as well as parents and communities to provide support, encouragement and objective advice to mothers to be able to exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least four months or more. The Ho District is one of the hospitals, which was declared baby friendly in 1998. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the program to see the extent to which it has contributed to the prevalence and duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the study area. The sample population of the study consisted of mothers of babies aged 7-12 months and health workers directly involved in the program. Data collection methods used included interviews using questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and review of literature. The study concluded that the program has on a high level helped increase the level of exclusive breastfeeding in the study area. However what needs to be done is to provide funding for the program so that it can revive the mother support groups, and to develop some incentive package for the health staff and the members of the mother support groups. There is also the need for the program organizers to provide equipment such as TV, video and flip charts to facilitate teaching and learning at the facility. Finally the breastfeeding education should not target only mothers but also other community members. This will help minimize the likely negative interference from them.

Source: KNUST