ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical characterization of four commercial rice varieties in Ghana

This study evaluated the physical characteristics, proximate and mineral composition, and functional properties of four commercial Ghanaian rice varieties compared to two imported rice brands to provide data for quality improvement. Imported brands were significantly different (p<0.05) from local varieties in grain dimensions and colour. Local varieties had higher mean values for grain width (2.21-2.26 mm), 1000-grain weight (19.5-22.3 g) and bulk densities (0.87-0.91 g/mL). Physical properties that negatively affect grain quality - brokens (13.60-32.70%); moldiness (0.89-22.3%); chalkiness (0.17-0.44%); and immature grains (0.05-0.33%) - were also higher. However, the local varieties were nutritionally superior to the imported brands, having higher iron (5.0-8.2 mg/kg) and phosphorous (1166-1374 mg/kg) contents. All the samples were nonwaxy rice types with high gelatinization temperatures (83.8-88.2°C), soft gels (66-98 mm) with low to intermediate amylose content (15.9-22.7%). The competitiveness of locally grown rice can be enhanced by improving physical quality and adopting a marketing strategy that emphasizes the nutritional quality and suitability for specific foods. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011.

Source: UG
Physicochemical, Microstructural, and Rheological Characterization of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) Starch

The aim of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties of starch isolated from two varieties of tigernuts. The results showed wide variations between the two types of tigernuts. Mean granule sizes were 11.1 and 6.1 ��m, respectively, for starch from the yellow and black while amylose content ranged from 19 to 21%. Starch gels from the yellow variety were more stable to freeze-thaw and recorded 37.1% syneresis, compared to 56.5% after the first storage cycle. Pasting properties were significantly different (p < 0.05) among starch from the two tigernut varieties, with black recording higher peak viscosity, lower breakdown, and higher setback viscosity. Gels made from the yellow variety were clearer, softer, more adhesive, and more cohesive. Both gels showed a pseudoplastic flow behavior without thixotropy

Source: UG
Physiological and morphological responses to water stress in two Acacia species from contrasting habitats

Container-grown seedlings of Acacia tortilis Forsk. Hayne and A. xanthophloea Benth. were watered either every other day (well watered) or every 7 days (water-stressed) for 1 year in a greenhouse. Total plant dry mass (T dm), carbon allocation and water relations were measured monthly. Differences in leaf area (LA) accounted for differences in Tdm between the species, and between well-watered and water-stressed plants. Reduction in LA as a result of water stress was attributed to reduced leaf initiation, leaf growth rate and leaf size. When subjected to prolonged water stress, Acacia xanthophloea wilted more rapidly than A. tortilis and, unlike A. tortilis, lost both leaves and branches. These differences between species were attributed to differences in the allocation of carbon between leaves and roots and in the ability to adjust osmotically. Rapid recovery in A. xanthophloea following the prolonged water-stress treatment was attributed to high cell wall elasticity. Previous exposure to water stress contributed to water-stress resistance and improved recovery after stress. © 2005 Heron Publishing - Victoria, Canada.

Source: UG
Physiological role of hydrogen sulfide in the kidney and its therapeutic implications for kidney diseases

For over three centuries, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been known as a toxic and deadly gas at high concentrations, with a distinctive smell of rotten eggs. However, studies over the past two decades have shown that H2S has risen above its historically notorious label and has now received significant scientific attention as an endogenously produced gaseous signaling molecule that participates in cellular homeostasis and influences a myriad of physiological and pathological processes at low concentrations. Its endogenous production is enzymatically regulated, and when dysregulated, contributes to pathogenesis of renal diseases. In addition, exogenous H2S administration has been reported to exhibit important therapeutic characteristics that target multiple molecular pathways in common renal pathologies in which reduced levels of renal and plasma H2S were observed. This review highlights functional anatomy of the kidney and renal production of H2S. The review also discusses current understanding of H2S in renal physiology and seeks to lay the foundation as a new targeted therapeutic agent for renal pathologies such as hypertensive nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease and water balance disorders.

Source: UG
Phytic acid-to-iron molar ratio rather than polyphenol concentration determines iron bioavailability in whole-cowpea meal among young women

The overall goal of the department is to conduct research and provide solutions to nutritional problems in Ghana. In pursuance of this goal, the Nutrition Department since its inception has focused its research in the areas of maternal, infant and young child nutrition, food consumption and food security and micronutrient deficiency and interventions. These are priority food and nutrition problems in Ghana.

Source: UG
Phytochemical Analysis and Elemental Contents of Varieties of Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites

Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family Annonaceae, and it is distributed in the tropics. This plant is widely grown in West Africa for its ornamental and medicinal purposes. There are two varieties of P. longifolia which are commonly distinguishable by the direction of their branches. One has spreading perpendicular branches, and the other has drooping pendulous branches. Traditional herbal practitioners believe that one variety (P. longifolia cv. pendula) is more medicinal than the other. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the phytochemical components of the two varieties of P. longifolia by HPTLC, UPLC, and elemental analysis by ICP-EOS. No observable differences were found in the phytochemical and elemental profiles of these varieties that could help distinguish one from the other or could account for its supposed differences in medicinal properties. A total of 22 elements were detected in the samples of the two varieties of the plant. Qualitatively, the elemental content of both varieties was similar. Only Iridium was not detected in all samples. Heavy metals including As, Pb, Cd, and Hg had their levels above the recommended limits.

Source: UG
Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity of Tetrapleura tetraptera

Tetrapleura tetraptera, claim to be beneficial for curing of human ailments. In this study, we determined phytochemicals, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T. tetraptera. Phytochemicals (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids, saponins and phenols) were examined in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the pulp, seeds and whole fruit. The recovery of all compounds was satisfactory, in the range of 90%–108%. The screening test revealed the presence of many phytochemicals in either one or both extracts. After the qualitative analysis, UV-Spectrophotometer was used to quantify phenols, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids where higher phytochemical concentrations were recorded in the pulp followed by whole fruit and then the seeds. The metal chelating capacity was determined using EDTA standard, and was in the order of pulp>whole fruit>seeds. Also, the pulp was established to exhibit much antioxidant activity as compared to the whole fruit or seeds. This study therefore supports the use of T. tetraptera in traditional systems of medicine owing to its active chemical compounds, and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera fruit to consume as concentrations of these compounds varies in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit.

Source: UG
Phytochemical and Structural Changes of Chickpea Beverage Prepared Using Ultrasound-Assisted Fermentation with Optimized Ultrasound Parameters Modelled by Response Surface Methodology

To improve the quality of fermented chickpea beverages, a highly nutritious substitute for dairy, the Box-Behnken design and the response surface methodology were used to obtain optimized ultrasonic parameters for producing ultrasound-assisted fermented chickpea beverages. The determining parameters were the lactic acid, reducing sugar content, and the cell viability of the treated product. The most significant parameters obtained were frequency and treatment duration, while power density was relatively insignificant. The optimum fermentation parameters obtained were a treatment start time of 3 h, treatment duration of 80 min, frequency of 27.5 kHz, and power density of 100 W/L with optimum yields of 0.23096 mg/mL, 2.92898 mg/mL, and 0.488189 for reducing sugar, lactic acid, and cell viability index, respectively, with desirability above 0.95. Further analysis of the ultrasound treatment’s effect on the product’s structure showed the ultrasound assisted fermented chickpea beverage was more structurally stable and homogenous, with even distribution of macromolecules present.

Source: UG
Phytochemical Properties and Nutrigenomic Implications of Yacon as a Potential Source of Prebiotic: Current Evidence and Future Directions

The human gut is densely populated with diverse microbial communities that are essential to health. Prebiotics and fiber have been shown to possess the ability to modulate the gut microbiota. One of the plants being considered as a potential source of prebiotic is yacon. Yacon is an underutilized plant consumed as a traditional root-based fruit in South America. Yacon mainly contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin. Therefore, it has bifidogenic benefits for gut health, because FOS are not easily broken down by digestive enzymes. Bioactive chemical compounds and extracts isolated from yacon have been studied for their various nutrigenomic properties, including as a prebiotic for intestinal health and their antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. This article reviewed scientific studies regarding the bioactive chemical compounds and nutrigenomic properties of extracts and isolated compounds from yacon. These findings may help in further research to investigate yacon-based nutritional products. Yacon can be considered a potential prebiotic source and a novel functional food. However, more detailed epidemiological, animal, and human clinical studies, particularly mechanism-based and phytopharmacological studies, are lacking for the development of evidence-based functional food products.

Source: UG
Phytochemistry, data mining, pharmacology, toxicology and the analytical methods of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae): a comprehensive review

Cyperus rotundus L. has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases in traditional systems of medicine around the world, such as nervous, gastrointestinal systems diseases and inflammation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its rhizomes are frequently used to treat liver disease, stomach pain, breast tenderness, dysmenorrheal and menstrual irregularities. The review is conducted to summarize comprehensively the plant’s vernacular names, distribution, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and analytical methods, along with the data mining for TCM prescriptions containing C. rotundus. Herein, 552 compounds isolated or identified from C rotundus were systematically collated and classified, concerning monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavo noids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics and phenolic glycosides, triterpenoids and steroids, diterpenoids, quinonoids, alkaloids, saccharides and others. Their pharmacological effects on the digestive system, nervous system, gynecological diseases, and other bioactivities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti cancer, insect repellent, anti-microbial activity, etc. were summarized accordingly. Moreover, except for the data mining on the compatibility of C. rotundus in TCM, the separation, identification and analytical methods of C. rotundus compositions were also systematically summarized, and constituents of the essential oils from different regions were re-analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. In addition, the toxicological study progresses on C. rotundus revealed the safety property of this herb. This review is designed to serve as a scientific basis and theoretical reference for further exploration into the clinical use and scientific research of C. rotundus.

Source: UG
Phytomedicines Used for Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana: A Systematic Search and Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Background . Available data indicate that diabetes mellitus leads to elevated cost of healthcare. This imposes a huge economic burden on households, societies, and nations. As a result many Ghanaians, especially rural folks, resort to the use of phytomedicine, which is relatively less expensive. This paper aims at obtaining information on plants used in Ghana to treat diabetes mellitus, gather and present evidence-based data available to support their uses and their mechanisms of action, and identify areas for future research. Method . A catalogue of published textbooks, monographs, theses, and peer-reviewed articles of plants used in Ghanaian traditional medicine between 1987 and July 2018 for managing diabetes mellitus was obtained and used. Results . The review identified 76 plant species belonging to 45 families that are used to manage diabetes mellitus. Leaves were the part of the plants frequently used for most preparation (63.8%) and were mostly used as decoctions. Majority of the plants belonged to the Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apocynaceae families. Pharmacological data were available on 23 species that have undergone in vitro studies. Forty species have been studied using in vivo animal models. Only twelve plants and their bioactive compounds were found with data on both preclinical and clinical studies. The records further indicate that medicinal plants showing antidiabetic effects did so via biochemical mechanisms such as restitution of pancreatic β -cell function, improvement in insulin sensitivity by receptors, stimulating rate of insulin secretion, inhibition of liver gluconeogenesis, enhanced glucose absorption, and inhibition of G-6-Pase, α -amylase, and α -glucosidase activities. Conclusion . This review contains information on medicinal plants used to manage diabetes mellitus, including their pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action as well as models used to investigate them. It also provides gaps that can form the basis for further investigations and development into useful medications for effective treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Source: UG
Phytoremediation potential of indigenous ghanaian grass and grass-like species grown on used motor oil contaminated soils

This study investigated the ability of Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake (Poaceae), Cyperus ligularis L. (Cyperaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Mariscus umbellatus (Rottb.) Vahl (Cyperaceae), Fimbistylis miliacea L. (Cyperaceae) and Torulinium odoratum L. (Cyperaceae) to clean up various levels of used motor oil (UMO) contaminated soils. The plants were grown in 2 kg garden soils treated to 0%, 1%, 5% and 10% levels of UMO contamination. The plant growth parameters, chlorophyll contents and dry weight of test plants were measured. The phytoremediation ability of these test plants were assessed by measuring the uptake of hydrocarbons in terms of total hydrocarbon content (THC) as well as their percentage degradation values. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in leaf chlorophyll contents and dry weights of the test plant species planted in UMO contaminated soils. THC as well as the percentage uptake (or degradation) of hydrocarbons were both lowest in C. ligularis but highest in T. odoratum in all cases. The phytoremediation potential of test plants was highest in soils contaminated with 5% UMO. Based on the results of this study, all test plants with the exception of C. ligularis were potentially capable of undertaking phytoremediation. However, B. bladhii and T. odoratum proved most effective in the uptake and degradation of UMO. © 2014 The Ecological Society of Korea. All rights are reserved.

Source: UG
Phytotherapy of experimental depression: Kalanchoe integra Var. Crenata (Andr.) Cuf Leaf Extract

Kalanchoe sp. have been used since 1921 for central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as psychosis and depression. It is known to possess CNS depressant effects. Aims: To investigate the antidepressant properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Kalanchoe integra. Settings and Design: The study was carried out at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Materials and Methods: ICR mice were subjected to the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) after they had received extract (30-300 mg/kg), fluoxetine (3-30 mg/kg), desipramine (3-30 mg/kg) orally, or water (as vehicle). In a separate experiment, mice were pre-treated with reserpine (1 mg/kg), -methyl paratyrosine (AMPT; 400 mg/kg), both reserpine (1 mg/kg) and AMPT (200 mg/kg) concomitantly, or p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA; 200 mg/kg) to ascertain the role of the noradrenergic and serotoninergic systems in the mode of action of the extract. Statistical analysis used: Means were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In both FST and TST, the extract induced a decline in immobility, indicative of antidepressant-like effect. This diminution in immobility was reversed by pCPA, but not by reserpine and/or AMPT. The extract increased the swimming and climbing scores in the FST, suggestive of possible interaction with serotoninergic and noradrenergic systems. In the TST, the extract produced increases in both curling and swinging scores, suggestive of opioidergic monoaminergic activity, respectively. Conclusions: The present study has demonstrated the antidepressant potential of the aqueous leaf extract of K. integra is mediated possibly by a complex interplay between serotoninergic, opioidergic, and noradrenergic systems.

Source: UG
Pica Practice among Pregnant Ghanaians: Relationship with Infant Birth-Weight and Maternal HaemogloLin Level

In this study the pica habit of 502 pregnant women were studied. II was found that 48.01% of the pregnant women had pica habit. Clay eating was the major form of pica practised by the pregnant women (28 .49%). Some of them also chewed wooden-sponge or wooden-stick (9.76%) more frequently. However a few of the pregnant women chewed cola nut (4.98%). uncooked maize dough (2.79%). chalk (1.20%). and fresh starch (0.80%). Multiple pica was not observed among our study population. Two main reasons were given by the pregnant women for eating cJay. One was to prevent salivation or vomiting (16.14%) while the other was because they liked its flavour (12.35%). Clay eating Significantly correlated with maternal haemoglobin concentration (r = -0.32). Pregnant women who ate clay had a Significantly lower mean haemoglobin concentration (11 .05 ± 0.59g/dl) than women who did not eat day (11.86 ± 0.49gfdl; p<O.05). Those who ate clay had persistently lower mean haemoglobin concentration throughout pregnancy than those who did not. The overall mean birth weight of the 502 singleton infants delivered by the pregnant women was 3.01 ± 0.50kg. There was no significant difference in the mean birth-weights of infants born to women who ate clay (2.99 ± 0.39kg) and those who did not eat clay at all (3.03 ± 0.51 kg) during pregnancy. Thus the observed level of day intake did not significantly affect infant birth-weight. Clay pica is shown by this study to be associated with low haemoglobin level. Medical doctors and dieticians should ask pregnant women with anaemia about pica habit. Education of women in general about the effects of pica and other habits must be intensified to reduce the prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy.

Source: UG
PICS or poly sack: Traders’ willingness to invest in storage protection technologies

This study applies a simple financial model to compare the profitability of selected grain storage protection technologies (PICS and Poly sacks) in Ghana. To address the objectives, market survey data of soybean traders who represent a section of the soybean supply chain was used. Per the model, the price seasonality for profitable soybean storage was estimated by accounting for costs related to storage (protectants, maintenance, supervision, and labor), the opportunity cost of capital, and storage technologies (PICS and Poly sacks). Results indicated that the profitability associated with poly sacks was higher than the PICS bags over the entire support of seasonal harvest prices and consistent across the different trader types. Secondly, less than 20% of the traders were willing to invest in storage protection technologies since the value of their storage losses is higher than the value of the investment cost.

Source: UG
PICS or poly sack: Traders’ willingness to invest in storage protection technologies

ABSTRACT This study applies a simple financial model to compare the profitability of selected grain storage protection technologies (PICS and Poly sacks) in Ghana. To address the objectives, market survey data of soybean traders who represent a section of the soybean supply chain was used. Per the model, the price seasonality for profitable soybean storage was estimated by accounting for costs related to storage (protectants, maintenance, supervision, and labor), the opportunity cost of capital, and storage technologies (PICS and Poly sacks). Results indicated that the profitability associated with poly sacks was higher than the PICS bags over the entire support of seasonal harvest prices and consistent across the different trader types. Secondly, less than 20% of the traders were willing to invest in storage protection technologies since the value of their storage losses is higher than the value of the investment cost.

Source: UG