ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determination of Adherence to Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy (Act) As the First Line Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in the Mampong Municipality, Ashanti

INTRODUCTION Following the failure of chloroquine as first line for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, many countries including Ghana have changed their anti-malarial treatment policy to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). However, adherence remains the key to the realisation of the goals of the new policy. OBJECTIVES The main objective was to determine the adherence of prescribers and clients to ACT as the first line treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Mampong Municipality. METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross-sectional survey using methods recommended in the WHO guidelines on “How to investigate drug use in health facilities” by the “International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD)” was employed. A total of 2,776 OPD records of cases of uncomplicated malaria between 1st January, 2006 to 31st December, 2008 were systematically sampled and reviewed. Fifteen prescribers, eleven pharmacist/dispensing technicians and 250 clients were interviewed. All the six accredited NHIS Pharmacies (2) and chemical shops (4) and ten randomly selected chemical shops were also surveyed for the availability of ACT. FINDINGS Prescribers and clients adherence to ACT was found to be moderate (75.4 percent and 74.4 percent for prescribers and clients respectively) although prescribers had been trained and were prescribing ACT as first line treatment for uncomplicated. Some prescribers still prescribe mono-therapies such as suspension amodiaquine since they claimed there is no better formulation of ACT (Artesunate-Amodiaquine) for children. xiii ACT was available in all public health facilities in the municipality. ACT prescribing increased from 2006 to 2008 as chloroquine and sulfadoxine pyrimethamine prescribing reduced to zero in 2008. Major side effect of ACT was bodily weakness. CONCLUSION Adherence to the new anti-malaria treatment policy was found to be 75.4 percent and 74.4 percent for prescribers and clients respectively at the time of the survey.

Source: KNUST
Determination of aflatoxin-producing fungi strains and levels of aflatoxin b1 in some selected local grains

Aflatoxins are bisfurans that are polyketide-derived, toxic, and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by some species of Aspergillus and other fungi on food crops and feed. The versatility of these fungi to different factors determine the infestation and colonization of the substrate, the type and amount of aflatoxin produced. Aflatoxin B1, is classified as the most toxic of the aflatoxins, responsible for not only causes great economic loss but also is the most potent naturally occurring chemical liver carcinogen known. Random and replicated samples of groundnut, maize, beans and rice were purchased from the Kumasi Central Market and analyzed for their aflatoxin levels using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The contamination levels found ranged from trace amount to 31.11ppb with groundnut registering the highest aflatoxin content. A further microbial culture examination revealed that most of the crop samples especially groundnut and maize were susceptible to various species of aflatogenic A. flavus, A. paracitius, A. tamarii, P. expansum, Mucor hiemalis, A. niger P. citrinum, Moniliella and other pathogenic fungi. Colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) from the microbial cultures ranged from 4.3×10 6 to 2.1×10 3 . However, a poor correlation existed between the aflatoxin contamination level and the CFU/g per sample. Furthermore, molecular assessment of aflatoxin producing fungi in the grains samples involving five pairs of universal and eight specific aflatoxin primers were carried out. A consistent correlation could not be made between the molecular analysis and microbial results. Just as in A. versicolor, four universal primers 0817F/1196R, U1/U2 and FF2/FR1 and ITS1/IST2 and one specific aflatoxin producing fungi primer Nor1/Nor2 was able to show positive bands on A. versicolor. Which means these particular fungi, have the gene to produce aflatoxin however it could not produce detectable aflatoxin by the HPLC.

Source: KNUST
Determination of aluminium in some raw foods and treated water from Kumasi and its leaching from aluminium pots during cooking

Aluminium in treated water and 18 Ghanaian foods comprising of 6 vegetables; 6 cereals, seeds and grains; and 6 starchy roots and tubers from Kumasi have been determined in the state by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. Aluminium leached by tomato, plantain, banana and cocoyam leaves cooked in aluminium pots have also been determined by the same technique. Treated water contained mean aluminium level of 0.56 mgL-1. Raw tomato contained the least mean level of aluminium of 1.12 mgkg-1 wet weight among the raw foods while cowpea contained the highest level of 58.08 mgkg-1. In general the cereals, seeds and grains contained the highest level of aluminium followed by the starchy roots and tubers, and then the vegetables. The mean coefficient of variation was 93.08%. in the leaching studies tomato leached 23.49; plantain, 4.88; banana, 3.58 while Kontomire leached the least amount of 1.31 mg Al/kg wet weight from the aluminium pot.

Source: KNUST
Determination of antibiotics residues in beef and mutton from some selected markets in Kumasi –Ghana

A study was conducted between October 2013 and January 2014 to determine antibiotics residues levels in beef and mutton from some selected markets in Kumasi-Ghana. A total of 60 samples comprising beef and mutton were bought using the random and systematic sampling methods. Antibiotics are substances either produced naturally by living organisms or synthetically in the laboratory, and they are able to kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Antibiotics are also used as feed additives for the purpose of livestock health maintenance. Antibiotics residues in feedstuffs (beef and mutton) are currently a problem of some magnitude in different parts of the world (Ghana), particularly due to associated public health concerns that include hypersensitivity reactions, antibiotic resistance, toxicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive disorder and carcinogenicity. In Ghana as in other parts of the world, antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods have been extensively recorded, these residues have exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum residues limits in most African countries. Tetracyclines are the most predominantly prescribed antibiotics in Africa and for that matter Ghana followed by β-Lactams. The mean concentrations for chloramphenicol in the beef and mutton for the three markets Central, Asafo, and Central Abattoir were 217.92 mg/kg, 213.19 mg/kg and 164.36 mg/kg respectively for beef and that for mutton were 259.63 mg/kg, 154.16 mg/kg, and 270.22 mg/kg respectively for the markets above. In all 30 beef and mutton samples were bought and for beef 24 samples had detectable chloramphenicol levels (80%) and for mutton 25 samples (83%) had detectable chloramphenicol levels. v The mean concentrations for Oxytetracycline in the beef and mutton for the three markets mentioned above were 86.18 mg/kg, 87.17 mg/kg, and 480.25 mg/kg respectively for the three markets mentioned earlier and that for mutton were 181.13 mg/kg, 239.70 mg/kg, and 105.08 mg/kg respectively for the three markets. Out of 30 samples each for beef and mutton, 15 samples (50%) had detectable Oxytetracycline residues for both beef and mutton. Penicillin G was not detected in any of the samples. The risk assessment analysis performed on the samples had risk quotients less than 1 (RQ<1) indicating that the consumption of such meat may pose no danger or harm to its consumers for all the samples except Oxytetracycline in beef from the Central Abattoir Market with a RQ of 1.04 indicating that there may be harm in consuming such meat.

Source: KNUST
Determination of arsenic (III), arsenic (V) and total arsenic in urine of inhabitants from Obuasi and some of its surrounding villages.

The molybdenum blue colorimetric method met most of the qualities of an appropriate analytical method for arsenic determination in urine. The amount of Arsenic excreted by the 75 inhabitants of Obuasi and of its surrounding villages was generally low compared with results found in literature. The highest value for Total Arsenic was found at Obuasi (0.083ppm). The highest value for Arsenic (III) was found at Kokotesua (0.068ppm). The highest value for Arsenic (V) was found at Tutuka (0.03lppm) Females and smokers excreted more arsenic than males and nonsmokers respectively. The length of time stayed in the community had a bearing on the amount of arsenic excreted, the longer the length of time the less arsenic excreted. The working age group excreted more arsenic than the youth.

Source: KNUST
Determination of arsenic in water, sediments and fish in some rivers found at Konongo and its surrounding towns and villages by neutron activation analysis

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) method has been employed for arsenic determination in water, sediments and fish in water bodies at Konongo and its surrounding villages. The work was carried out at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Acera. Water, fish and sediment samples were collected from Konongo and its surrounding towns and villages as well as those from the site of the mining company, Obenemase Gold Mine (0GM), notably the ores and the tailing dams and analysed for the presence and level of arsenic. The samples were also analysed for other parameters including gold. The general water quality of the water samples were carried out. In some of the water samples, the results showed the presence of arsenic whiles others did not give any indication of the metal. Some of the water samples gave significant levels of arsenic. For sediments and fish samples, arsenic was found in all the sampling sites. The arsenic level found in the fish samples were low but that of the sediments were very high. The average arsenic level found in the water samples analysed ranged between 0.04 and 12.2 ppm while that in the sediment ranged between 31 and 4626 ppm. The average arsenic concentration found in the fish samples ranged from 0.96 to 1.72 ppm. The sediments showed level of gold compared to that reported elsewhere. However, the water as well as the fish did not give any indication of gold contrary to expectation. The untreated ore showed the highest arsenic and gold contents compared to any of the sediments. At one of the sampling sites, sediments were collected from different sinks. It was observed that the upper sink (i.e. the surface portion) showed higher level of arsenic than the lower sink (i.e. bottom portion). For most of the water samples, the general water quality were found to be within the acceptable range recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source: KNUST
Determination of Benzoic Acid and Benzene in Soft Drinks, Fruit Juices and Herbal Products Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Benzoic acid is one of the most commonly used food preservatives. Benzoic acid and its salts are permitted food additives by international laws in processing in restrictive amounts, but their content must be declared and must not exceed the established limits by legislation. The level of benzoic acid in different brands of soft drinks, fruit juices herbal products available on the markets, stores and pharmaceutical shops in Kumasi, Ghana were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with a UV detector. Chromatographic separation was achieved with Phenomenex synergi 4µ polar – RP 80A 15 × 2 mm 4 micron column with ammonium acetate buffer (pH = 4.4) and acetonitrile (90:10) as the mobile phase and 0.4 mL/min as the flow rate for the benzoic acid determination. A mixture of methanol and water (70:30) was used as the mobile phase for the benzene analysis with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The concentrations of benzoic acid and benzene in all the samples (soft and fruit drinks) were calculated by external standard method with a calibration of correlation coefficient of 0.9980 and 0.9933 respectively from the standards calibration curves. The range of concentrations were from below detection limit to 2004 mg/L. Thirty four (34) different brands of soft drinks, 16 different brands of fruit juices and 25 different kinds of herbal products were analysed. The herbal products had high concentrations of benzoic acid than the soft drinks and fruit juices. The ranges of concentration of benzoic acid were from below detection to 548.00 mg/L for soft drinks; below detection limit to 140.07 mg/L for fruit juices; and 0.10 to 2004 mg/L for herbal products. The estimated daily intake of benzoic acid for soft drinks and fruit juices for adults was 0.13 mg/L and 0.00072 mg/L respectively which were within the range of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of benzoic acid (0-5 mg/L of body weight). Five of the soft drink samples contained levels of benzoic acid above the 150 mg/L which is the limit set by World Health Organization (WHO), while all the fruit juices were within the range. Benzene was not detected in any of the soft drinks and fruit juices. The reproducibility of the method was good with a coefficient variation of 3.11%. The mean recoveries for the samples ranged from 107 to 110%. The limit of detection and quantification for benzoic acid analysis was 0.03 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L respectively and that for benzene analysis was 0.06 mg/L and 0.20 mg/L respectively.

Source: KNUST
Determination of cocoa producer price in Ghana: an empirical investigation

Various studies done in relation to domestic price has focused on the price transmission mechanism and the effect of Structural Adjustment Program and other policies. This paper investigates the determinants of domestic price of cocoa in Ghana using the vector error correction model. There was an improvement in the error correction term when the dummy variable was introduced and it also had a significant influence on the domestic price of cocoa. This implies whenever there was a great reduction in bottlenecks, economic agents and variables responded faster in order to restore long-term equilibrium. Other factors mainly the world price and consumer price index also saw an increase in their coefficients with the inclusion of dummy. In essence the world price exerted a positive influence on the domestic price but the error of structural significance was greater than 5%. This study was also to examine the role of domestic price of on big picture of the export supply of cocoa in Ghana. The result was statistically significant though the impact was low. The hypothesis test conducted suggests that export supply of cocoa is dependent on the previous year’s domestic price implying that government will need to provide more financial incentives to cocoa farmers to enable them stimulate production and hence exports.

Source: KNUST
The determination of cholesterol in some selected foods using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

An HPLC method is described for quantifying cholesterol in some selected food items, namely, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, groundnut oil, Frytol, egg-yolk, egg- white, and Ideal milk. The method required the preparation of reference cholesterol and food sample solutions in chloroform. The prepared solutions were subjected to HPLC analysis at the following optimum operating conditions: Stationary phase: Hypersil sam, 10cm x 4.6mm ODS column Mobile phase: Ethanol 96%: Water; 89:11 Wavelength of absorption: 212nm Flow rate: 0.8m1/min Recorder speed: 2mm/mm Injection volume: 20μl The solvent was delivered isocratically at ambient temperature. Quantification was accomplished by employing reference cholesterol solutions as external standards. Cholesterol was eluted at 11.3 minutes. The percentage weight of cholesterol in undiluted coconut oil and egg-yolk samples were (0.591 ± 0.0049) and (3.147 ± 0.022), respectively. Cholesterol was not detected in Palm oil, groundnut oil, palm kernel oil, Frytol, egg-white and Ideal milk. Liebermann-Burchard’s colour reaction yielded no conclusive result on the quantity of cholesterol in the selected foods.

Source: KNUST
Determination of compositional characteristics, functional properties and cluster analysis of lima bean accessions (phaseolus lunatus)

Demand for alternative sources of protein foods have increased due to population growth especially in developing countries. Lima beans are underutilized legumes of wide importance for human and livestock nutrition. Thirty-one lima accessions have been identified in Ghana but information on their nutritional composition, genetic variability, storage protein content and functionalities is scarce. This research was carried out to determine the proximate composition and mineral content of ten lima bean accessions and to investigate the storage protein content, functional properties of the flour and on this basis classify the genotypes into groups for genetic improvement. A wide variability in seed size, seed weight, nutrient composition, storage protein content and functional properties was observed. Mean seed length ranged from 10.2 to 23.0 mm. Hundred seed weight varied from 34.2 to 138.5 g. Nine of the accessions belonged to the Andean gene pool while one was of a Meso-American origin. The range values of protein, fat, ash, fiber, and carbohydrate contents on dry weight basis was 20.5 to 24.6 %, 0.6 to 1.7 %, 3.29 to 6.7 %, 2.93 to 9.6 %, and 47.0 to 58.1 %, respectively. Mean mineral contents were 893 mg/100 g for potassium, 212 mg/100 g for calcium, 4.9 mg/100 g for iron, and 207.5 mg/100 g for phosphorus. Potassium and phosphorus was the most abundant mineral in lima beans. With regard to storage proteins, globulins were present at 19.27-61.88 % and albumins at 10.53-57.67 %. Glutelins and prolamins occurred at least concentrations of 6.68-35.77 % and 3.13-16.94 %, respectively. Lima bean flour possessed high water and oil binding capacities of 1.00-2.33g/g and 1.01-1.55g/g, respectively. However, emulsion and foaming capacities were low in comparison to soybean and cowpea. Correlation coefficients among the four groups of traits were mostly weak and nonsignificant except between bean size, hundred seed weight, and storage protein content. UPGMA cluster analysis based on seed size, proximate, storage proteins vii and functional properties clustered the ten accessions into five main groups. Principal component analysis revealed that the first six principal components accounted for 95 % of the variation in the data. Size and weight, protein, fat and carbohydrate, albumin, prolamin, glutelin and the functional properties, water and oil binding capacities, swelling capacity and bulk density were the most important traits that contributed to the variance.

Source: KNUST
Determination of copper, zinc and lead in cabbage (Brassica oleracea sp.) heads and lettuce (Lactuca sativa sp.) leaves grown on soil amended with sewage sludge

Sewage sludge from KNUST treatment plant is currently being used by many farmers for cultivation of vegetables on large scales for human consumption. This study focused on some selected heavy metals (lead, zinc and copper) levels in the KNUST treatment sludge, the effect of sewage sludge on soil properties that affect heavy metal uptake and determined levels of metals in lettuce and cabbage which are grown on the sewage sludge amended soil. In this study, three treatments were used base on recommended application rates for both cabbage and lettuce. 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha application rates were used as treatments for lettuce while 160, 210 and 260 kg/ha application rates were used for cabbage. The experiment was pot experiment arranged in a completely randomized design and under climatic conditions of Kumasi. Heavy metals (53.10±0.22, 40.77±0.36 and 24.10±0.13 mg/kg for copper, zinc and lead respectively) were found to be present in the KNUST sewage sludge but were below EU acceptable limits. Effect of sewage sludge on soil properties such as pH, organic matter content and soil conductivity were determined. Soil organic matter content and soil conductivity increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing application rates. The soil pH was not affected significantly (P > 0.05) with the application of sewage sludge. Levels of metals in the soil increased significantly with increasing application rates. The controls for both plants recorded the lowest heavy metal uptake (0.48±0.13, 1.36±0.23 and 2.60±0.29 mg\kg for lead, zinc and copper respectively for cabbage and 0.34±0.19, 1.35±0.31 and 2.30±0.14 mg\kg for lead, zinc and copper respectively for lettuce) while highest metal uptakes were recorded at the highest application rates for both plants (0.66±0.17, 2.66±0.09 and 4.33±0.14 for lead, zinc and copper respectively for cabbage and 0.54±0.01, 2.24±0.17 and 3.88±0.19 mg/kg for lead, zinc and copper respectively for lettuce). The uptake of zinc and copper were statistically significant (P < 0.05) while lead uptake was insignificant (P > 0.05) for both plants. The levels of metals in both plants for all treatments used were below WHO safe limit. Yields increased significantly with increasing application rates for both plants. Heavy metals residual levels in the soil were found to be higher in the control (13.21±0.15 for cabbage and 14.32±0.12 for lettuce) than other treatments for both plants. The results of this study showed that applying the KNUST treatment sludge based on recommended rates can enhance yields and improve soil fertility. The study also revealed that the sewage sludge can also increase levels of metals especially copper and zinc in soils and consequently leading to uptake by lettuce and cabbage plants.

Source: KNUST