ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of some pharmacological and histological profiles of the effect of an alcoholic extract of the dried roots of mondia whitei (periplocaceae) on albino rats, using projected doses based on the folkloric use of the plant

The alcoholic extract of the dried roots of M. whitei (reported to have aphrodisiac properties in local folklore) was evaluated for its pharmacological potential on the vas deferens of male rats and on the uterus of non-pregnant female albino rats. It was administered orally to the immature male rats to evaluate it androgenic or anti-androgenic activity in the testis and some accessory organs of the reproductive system. No acute toxic symptoms were observed after an oral administration of up to 1052.16 mg/kg of M. whitei extract. Sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies also revealed no damage to vital organs like the kidney and liver. Doses of ethanolic extract of M. whitei that were used were based on the prescribed folkloric intake of M. whitei dried roots. The dose required by an average 70 kg man was calculated and dose per body weight of each rat used extrapolated. Oral doses of 2.05, 4.11 and 8.22 mg/kg body weight administered for 3 weeks showed no androgenic or anti-androgenic effects with respect to the relative weights and histological profiles of sections of the testis, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate and epididymis. Increases in ventral prostate and epididymal weights of the extract-treated rats indicated no antiandrogenic activity. However, the reduction of the weight of the seminal vesicles after 7 days of treatment could indicate its inhibitory effect in this gland type and may be time dependent. However, a combination of 2.05 mg/kg M whitei and 1 mg/kg testosterone had a stimulatory effect on the weights of seminal vesicles and ventral prostate over the administration period of 21 days. There was also an increase in epididymal weight for this same dose level combination indicating possible androgenic activity of M whitei. M whitei administered at all dose levels was not anti-androgenic and therefore gave no indications of anti-fertility potential. Experiments on the isolated rat vas deferens and rat uterus preparations indicate that M whitei may have agonist activity on 3-adrenoceptors. A relaxation effect on the uterine smooth muscle occurred. It is safe to take M. whitei root extract even up to a dose of 1052.16 mg/kg with no visible toxic effect as well as causes no damage to the liver and kidneys at 8.22 mg/kg dose levels. M. whitei has no anti-androgenic effect on the male reproductive processes at the folkloric dose.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) varieties for resistance to striga (striga hermonthica) in Northern Guinea Savanna of Ghana

Sorghum is an important food crop in Ghana and its production is mainly concentrated in the three northern regions (Upper East, Upper West, Northern regions). Its production is negatively influenced by Striga. In the objective to increase sorghum production in these areas fourteen progenies was assessed for their resistance to striga.The resistance study was carried out in infested field and pots at Savana Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in northern Ghana. The experiment was Randomized complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replication. Data collection was done on: plant height, days to 50% flowering, striga counting on each experimental unit. GNSTAT 2013 version 12 was used for data analysis and LSD at 5% to compare different means. In the infected field mean data of the sorghum progenies across the two parents (Framida, SRN 39) were presented since analysis of variance revealed significant differences for somes of the traits studied. Sorghum progenies under striga infestation showed reduced plant height, 50% flowering, panicle length, and grain yield by 9%, 8%, 9%, 13% respectively. Analysis of variance showed that for 50% flowering there were highly significant differences among the sorghum F4 (p< 001) and the two parents. The first early maturing genotype (70 days) was SRN 39. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among sorghum F4 and two parents for striga emergence. The first germination of striga was observed in Framida plot (61 DAP) and the last germination of striga (73 DAP) was observed in the plot of 013-KE-F3T-208 (G8). Analysis of striga counts showed that there were significant, highly significant differences among sorghum F4 and the two parents at the fourth and fifth counts respectively. The lowest means (1.36, 1.04) were recorded respectively for 013-KE-F3T-208 (G8) at the fourth count and Framida for the fifth count. Plant height showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among sorghum F4 and two parents, 013-KE-F3T-205-P2 (G6) was recorded as the tallest (2.25 m) and SRN 39 the shortest (1.25 m). For grain yield one of sorghum progenies 013-BE-F3P-219-P2 (G3) recorded the heigher grain yield (1324Kg/ha) than the resistant parents Framida and SRN 39 which recorded 1320 and 1030 Kg/ha respectively. Sorghum progenies G3 recorded highly resistant to Striga hermonthica. The yield was negatively correlated to striga damage rate (SDR) and different striga weekly counts. Some of the sorghum F4 progenies (013-BE-F3P-194 (G1), 013-KE-F3T-205-P3 (G7), 013-KE-F3T-235-P1 (G11), 013-KE-F3T-235-P2 (G12)) that showed appreciable levels of tolerance to Striga also recorded a excellent grain quality.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Starch from Ghanaian Sweet Potato Varieties as Excipients for Solid Oral Dosage Forms

The study sought to investigate the functional properties of starches obtained from four (4) new Ghanaian sweet potato varieties, in order to facilitate their exploitation as substitute excipients for the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The varieties, namely: CRI Hi-starch, Sauti, Ogyefo and Faara were developed by way of introgression of desirable genes into adapted local germplasm, while their respective starches were obtained by wet separation techniques. Organoleptic properties ofthesweet potato root tubers and their starches, in addition to pre-formulation studies on the starches’ physicochemical properties, proximate composition and pasting properties were undertaken in order to determine their suitability for pharmaceutical use. Furthermore, validation studies onthe sweet potato starches were carried out in order to determine their performance as pharmaceutical binder and disintegrant. Differences in the physicochemical properties, proximate composition, pasting properties and functional properties (as binder and disintegrant)for the four sweet potato starches were not significant. The Hi-starch sweet potato variety however had substantially high starch yield on fresh and dry weight basis (31.7 % fwb; 79.9 % dwb) and may becommercially suitable for industrial exploitation. Starches from all four sweet potato varieties were white in colour and predominantly fine (particle size < 75 µm). Granule shape of the sweet potato starches ranged from round to polygonal with mean diameter in the range of 14.2 - 16.3 µm. The sweet potato starches had higher bulk density (0.50 - 0.58g/cm3), tapped density (0.75 - 0.82 g/cm3) and true density (1.15 - 1.18g/cm3) compared to a commercially available maize starch (0.40, 0.61 and 1.10g/cm3, respectively). The sweet potato starches also had acidic pH (5.1 - 5.9), lower amylose content (22.3 - 26.2 %) and higher purity (97.37 - 97.84 %) compared to the commercial maize starch (5.2, 27.6 % and 96.82 %, respectively). Starch from all four sweet potato varieties had a ‘type A’ pasting pattern; which was characterized by a high swelling power, maximum granule fragmentation, low setback and final viscosities. The swellingcapacity of the sweet potato starches (694 - 762 BU) was comparable to that of a commercially available ‘super disintegrant’ [sodium starch glycolate (762 BU)], but higher than that of the commercial maize starch (451 BU). The tensile strength (tablet hardness) and friability of paracetamol tablets formulated with the sweet potato starches as binder were significantly better (p < 0.05) than similar compacts containing the commercial maize starch. The sweet potato starches also caused faster tablet disintegration and release of paracetamol. The results established thesweet potato starches to be suitable for pharmaceuticaluse andthey were more robust as binder and disintegrant compared to the commercially available maize starch.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of Sunyani water supply augmentation scheme

The reduction in discharge of the Tano River especially during the dry months of December, January, February and March coupled with the size of the Abesim reservoir (operating at full capacity), surface water supply was realized to be inadequate. Groundwater was chosen as an alternative source of water supply. Thirteen boreholes were drilled to augment surface water supply. Seven of these boreholes are large diameter boreholes and six are emergency ones drilled to augment the surface water supply. All boreholes were tested and analyzed for aquifer characteristics and water quality. Borehole yields in the vicinity of hundred liters per minute or more, a specific capacity higher than 5 I/min/m, a good recovery and transmissivities higher than 1x10-5 m2/sec fall within the range that can be tapped to augment surface water supply. All accessible water point sources in the research area were visited and the abstraction rate noted. The average quantity of groundwater abstracted from the aquifer was estimated. The annual rechargeable volume of the research area was also estimated. It was realized that annual recharge of 5.65 x 108 m3/year far exceeds the water need of 5.79 x 106 m3/year in year 2020. Three boreholes Located at Nsuatre North, Nsuatre South and Airport (Sunyani) could be mechanized to supplement municipal water supply though the total quantity obtain from these do not meet the demand. Ten boreholes have low yields and transmissivities, and could be mechanized to serve the local community. One aquifer located at Airport (Sunyani) will be mined if pumped at the rate used for test pumping but the twelve other boreholes can be pumped at rates used for test pumping. There is high groundwater potential and further exploration for groundwater should be undertaken

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of storage facilities for groundnut and cowpea in the Zabzugu and Saboba Districts in the Northern Region of Ghana

Three storage containers; clay pot, jute and polypropylene sacks were evaluated for postharvest losses of groundnut and cowpea in the Zabzugu and Saboba Districts in the Northern Region. The survey revealed that 60% of the respondents were males while female farmers represented 40%. The age range of respondents from 38 to 47 years (35%) formed the largest group in groundnut and cowpea farming. Out of the 100 respondents 35 farmers representing 35% had no formal education, and 32% who had only basic education. Only 18% and 14% had secondary and tertiary education respectively. The survey also revealed lack of labour as the main constraint to the cultivation of the pulses. It also showed that, a considerably high loss occurred at harvest through pod stripping, mechanical damage, self-explosion and pest attack. Jute sack, crib, clay pot, mud silo and polypropylene sack were used by farmers with mud silo used to store for long term. A storage experiment showed a significant (p<0.05) and severe pest damage of cowpea in jute sack as a result of very high level pest infestation. Similarly, pest damage on groundnut was significant (p<0.05) among the storage containers with high level detected in jute sack while low but significant equal counts were detected in clay pot and polypropylene sack. Amount of undamaged cowpea grains were significantly not different (p>0.05) in the storage containers but different (p<0.05) with groundnut whole grains count. The analysis showed that, temperature within the storage containers for which the pulses, groundnut and cowpea were stored varied slightly between the two pulses with temperature range of 30.17 – 31.27ºC with significant difference (p<0.05) recorded. But there was no significant difference (p>0.05) was recorded among the storage containers on moisture and humidity. The storing cowpea and groundnut for longer periods reduce their capacity to germinate. As seen in Figures 18 and 19, all the three treatments decreased, with time, in germination percentage. This goes to support the claim by Ripp et al (1984) that the seeds must not be stored too long, since in course of time they lose the capacity to germinate. The cowpea weevil, the notorious cowpea post harvest pest and groundnut beetles, if not handled with prudent post-harvest management techniques, can destroy a granary full of cowpea and groundnut within four or five months, as in this study there was much loss of grain in the jute sack by the first month of storage Regardless of the poor performance of jute sack with reference to pest infestation and damage, it performed best in preserving and retaining the highest protein, fat, fibre and moisture level except carbohydrate and ash content of cowpea. No significant differences were recorded among the storage containers on nutritional composition of the groundnuts. Early maturing, drought and pest resistance and good yielding varieties of groundnut and cowpea could help increase production and minimize losses.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality in the Sekyere East District: a view through Michael Patton’s focused-utilization model.

Strategies for preventing maternal deaths have been in existence for more than 20 years in almost all health facilities throughout the world. The study was an evaluation of the existing strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality within the broad framework of the Safe motherhood programme in the Sekyere East District. A focused-case descriptive study in the context of Patton Utilisation-focused evaluation model was employed to evaluate safe motherhood initiatives. This was done using structured questionnaire and observation checklist to observe pregnancy care, labour and delivery processes. The study involved women in reproductive age who developed complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery. In all 412 women who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected, using simple random sampling while purposive sampling was used to select 22 health staff comprising midwives, orderlies, pharmacist, medical officers and health administrators from Effiduase Hospital. The study results showed that all the essential logistics and supplies needed to save mothers during pregnancy, labour and delivery were available and functioning. There were trained personnel at post. All strategies suggested by the World Health Organization assist mothers during complications in pregnancy were implemented, 76% of the clients attested that there was an enabling environment, 88% said it was not difficult to access the facility, 87% reported that there was service adequacy, while 72% asserted that strategies were acceptable. Strategies appeared effective and resulted in increased utilization which was evident in the low case fatality rate of 0.082%. The study found that the maternal mortality reduction strategies in the district were effectively implemented according to safe motherhood protocols. It is recommended that the necessary resources continue to be provided for the sustenance of the achieved results of the maternal mortality reduction strategies in the district.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of supply chain management processes in the Internal marketing of Cocoa : the case of Armajaro Ghana Limited

The study looked at the Supply Chain processes at Armajaro Ghana Limited. In order to be able to evaluate the process, three objectives were formulated to guide the study with regards to the development of instruments and items for eliciting responses from respondents. The descriptive research design was used with a population that was varied. The population comprised purchasing clerks, district managers and accountants of AGL, farmers' societies, drivers, hauliers, senior managers of AGL, QCD staff and bank representatives. A total sample of 1132 respondents was selected from among the population. The instrument used for data collection was an interview guide. The instrument was pilot-tested at Kuapa Buyers another LBC with a sample of 86 respondents. The researcher employed the services of five research assistants who were assigned to nine cocoa districts each across the five regions AGL operates from. Two months was used to collect data for the study. Interviewing of senior managers and some of the bank representatives was done by the researcher himself. Return rate for data collection was one hundred percent. After all the data had been collected, they were group and edited for clarity for scientific analysis. Information were extracted and used to do the presentations and discussion in Chapter Four. After data analysis, three main findings emerged. There were the factors that accounted for the delays in SCM process of AGL, the effects the delays have on the operations of AGL and the internal marketing of cocoa generally and the measures that could be instituted to stem the tide of delays in the process. Appropriate conclusions and recommendations were made based on the whole study which emphasized on supply chain management as a modern concept of getting goods and services to the final consumer. Other recommendations went to government to construct feeder roads to farm gates and maintain existing roads networks to the cocoa growing areas and to the ports. Moreover, it was recommended that the warehouses at the ports should be expanded. AGL was also admonished to expand its warehouses to forestall any unforeseen difficulties.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice producers: A case study in Central River Region, north & south of the Gambia

There is a well-established growing demand for rice in the Gambia as a major staple. Prevailing prices in the global and local markets influence the ability of households to purchase rice. Demands for rice outweigh local production as only a fraction is met by domestic production. This study investigates the, technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice farmers in the Central River Region North and Central River Region South of the Gambia. Primary data was collected for the 2013 cropping season from a sample of 200 rice farmers; 80 were selected from the North and 120 from south, but ended up using 192 completed questionnaires for analysis. A Parametric Stochastic Frontier Production Function was used to assess technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice producers in the study area. A Cobb-Douglas frontier production function which has self-dual characteristics was used to derive technical efficiency scores for the rice producers. Constraints reported by farmers were analyzed using Kendall‟s coefficient of concordance to test for the degree of agreement in ranking. The results of the study revealed that farm size, labour and fertilizer have a significant effect on increasing farmer‟s efficiency. Results have revealed that there is a significant level of inefficiency among rice producers as illustrated by the coefficients. Technical efficiency estimates range from 0.90 percent to 93.30 percent with a mean efficiency of 65.03 percent, while Allocative efficiency estimates range from 1.10 percent to 93.50 percent with a mean of 67.47 percent. The mean economic efficiency VII was found to be 47.76 percent. This suggests that there is considerable room for improvement in increasing rice productivity through better use of available resources and existing technology. The study also showed that increase in farmer‟s subscription to cooperative membership, improved rice variety adoption and the improvement of irrigation facilities may reduce overall inefficiency among rice farmers in the study area. Constraints faced by rice farmers were ranked based on abiotic, biotic and socioeconomic factors. The study revealed that a soil related factor (salinity) was ranked as the most important abiotic factor, diseases were ranked as the most important biotic factor and limited land size and its related tenure issues were considered to be the most important socioeconomic constraint. This study therefore recommends that policies that would improve access to fertilizer, irrigation schemes, improved rice varieties and formation of farmer‟s cooperatives should be pursued.

Source: KNUST
Evaluation of technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice producers: a case study in Central River Region North & South of the Gambia

There is a well-established growing demand for rice in the Gambia as a major staple. Prevailing prices in the global and local markets influence the ability of households to purchase rice. Demands for rice outweigh local production as only a fraction is met by domestic production. This study investigates the, technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice farmers in the Central River Region North and Central River Region South of the Gambia. Primary data was collected for the 2013 cropping season from a sample of 200 rice farmers; 80 were selected from the North and 120 from south, but ended up using 192 completed questionnaires for analysis. A Parametric Stochastic Frontier Production Function was used to assess technical, allocative and economic efficiency of rice producers in the study area. A Cobb-Douglas frontier production function which has self-dual characteristics was used to derive technical efficiency scores for the rice producers. Constraints reported by farmers were analyzed using Kendall‟s coefficient of concordance to test for the degree of agreement in ranking. The results of the study revealed that farm size, labour and fertilizer have a significant effect on increasing farmer‟s efficiency. Results have revealed that there is a significant level of inefficiency among rice producers as illustrated by the coefficients. Technical efficiency estimates range from 0.90 percent to 93.30 percent with a mean efficiency of 65.03 percent, while Allocative efficiency estimates range from 1.10 percent to 93.50 percent with a mean of 67.47 percent. The mean economic efficiency VII was found to be 47.76 percent. This suggests that there is considerable room for improvement in increasing rice productivity through better use of available resources and existing technology. The study also showed that increase in farmer‟s subscription to cooperative membership, improved rice variety adoption and the improvement of irrigation facilities may reduce overall inefficiency among rice farmers in the study area. Constraints faced by rice farmers were ranked based on abiotic, biotic and socioeconomic factors. The study revealed that a soil related factor (salinity) was ranked as the most important abiotic factor, diseases were ranked as the most important biotic factor and limited land size and its related tenure issues were considered to be the most important socioeconomic constraint. This study therefore recommends that policies that would improve access to fertilizer, irrigation schemes, improved rice varieties and formation of farmer‟s cooperatives should be pursued.

Source: KNUST