Effect of seasonal variation and farming systems on the properties of Nile tilapia gelatin extracted from scales.

Although fish gelatin has become a research hotspot in recent years, researchers and manufacturers are still looking for high-quality sources of fish galatin to meet the commercial demand for safer gelatin.became This study aimed to evaluate the impact of seasonal variation and farming systems on the properties of gelatin extracted from Nile tilapia scales. Gelatin extracted from farmed tilapia had lowest impurities, higher clarity as well as desirable color characteristics (L* = 65.95 and a* = -0.33). The protein and fat composition of Wild (91.00 ± 0.00c) and 1.94 ± 0.05a respectively were higher than farmed gelatin of protein (91.00 ± 0.00c) and fat (0.84 ± 0.08b) but gelatin from the farmed type were clearer (98.30 ± 0.28a) than wild type (94.60 ± 0.28b). In addition, the XRD analysis confirmed its amorphous structure (2θ = 11°, 21°. 29°, and 31°). The gelatin extracted from wild tilapia showed an average yield of 1.98 % and good physicochemical and functional properties. Furthermore, FTIR indicated a strong bond positioned in the amide I region (1650.88 cm-1) of the wild tilapia gelatin. Partial Least Square (PLS) confirmed that viscosity is positively correlated with melting temperature upon a unit change in gelatin yield. This work highlights the significance of farming systems and seasonal variation in extraction conditions and great parameter to comprehensively navigate the functional, biochemical, and physical properties of Nile tilapia gelatin for broadening both food and non-food industrial appliactions.

Assessing aflatoxin safety awareness among grain and cereal sellers in greater Accra region of Ghana: A machine learning approach.

Studies have established high prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in grains and cereals produced in Ghana. Mitigation strategies have focused mainly on capacity building for farmers, agricultural extension officers, bulk distributors and processors to the detriment of the market women who act as the final link between consumers and producers. This study used supervised machine learning algorithms by means of Classification and Regression Trees (CART) to investigate aflatoxin knowledge and awareness of market women in Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey and probability sampling methods were employed for data collection. Ninety-two (92%) of participants had never heard about aflatoxins and yet, 62% reported that they usually observe mould growth in their cereals/grains. Unsurprisingly, 97% of participants indicated that they had no knowledge of the aflatoxin bill passed by the government of Ghana parliament. Despite participants not being aware of aflatoxin menace, the percent correctness of their aflatoxin safety measure score was 40%. A regression tree algorithm showed that, participant's ethnic group was the most significant parameter to consider regarding their aflatoxin safety knowledge. Their educational background and age were 95.5% and 72.5% as significant as their ethnic group. A classification tree algorithm showed that, educational level was the most significant parameter to consider when it comes to sorting of grains/cereals. Their ethnic group and marital status were 92.4% and 89.3% as important as educational level. It is therefore imperative for the Ghana government to extend sensitization and awareness programs to these market women, targeting the uneducated and specific age and ethnic groups.

Effect of xanthan gum and carboxymethyl cellulose on structure, functional and sensorial properties of yam balls.

Yam and its products can be modified during processing to reduce losses and ensure food security in the developing world. Xanthan gum (XG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were added at different concentrations to yam balls and their effect on the structural, functional, and sensory properties of frozen yam balls were investigated in this study. Freeze-thaw stability and oil absorption capacity of yam ball mix were determined. Sensory evaluation and instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA) were done on samples of deep-fried yam balls using TA-XT Texture Analyser. Yam balls mixture containing XG and CMC had significantly (p < 0.05) lower oil uptake and water migration rates of 0.19 g/g and 4.10% as compared to control products 0.25 g/g and 11.05% respectively. Deep-fried yam balls samples containing 1 g of both XG and CMC obtained higher scores for their sensory attributes, while samples containing 2 g of both hydrocolloids were the chewiest. The findings suggest that the addition of hydrocolloids; XG and CMC enhances the freeze-thaw stability and reduces the oil absorption potential of the yam balls mix, and improve the sensory and texture properties of deep-fried yam balls.

HIV/AIDS stigma and persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural Ghana.

This qualitative study investigated community and family members' perceptions and attitudes toward persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in rural Ghana and how PLWHAs viewed themselves. The purpose was to provide insights into the nature and extent of HIV/AIDS-related stigma for program and policy interventions. Interviews and focus group discussions examined the stigma. Seventy-four participants 18 years and above (60 community members, 10 PLWHAs, 2 family members of PLWHAs, and 2 HIV/AIDS counselors) participated. Results showed that PLWHAs experienced various forms of negative perceptions, were stigmatized by community and family members, and held strong negative views of HIV/AIDS, which negatively affected the way they lived. To reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma in rural areas, HIV/AIDS education programs that call for strong community and family member support for PLWHAs are essential.

Health worker (internal customer) satisfaction and motivation in the public sector in Ghana.

This paper describes factors affecting health worker motivation and satisfaction in the public sector in Ghana. The data are from a survey of public sector health care providers carried out in January 2002 and repeated in August 2003 using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. It is part of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) effort in the health sector in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Workplace obstacles identified that caused dissatisfaction and de-motivated staff in order of the most frequently mentioned were low salaries such that obtaining basic necessities of daily living becomes a problem; lack of essential equipment, tools and supplies to work with; delayed promotions; difficulties and inconveniences with transportation to work; staff shortages; housing, additional duty allowances and in-service (continuous) training. Others included children's education, vehicles to work with such as ambulances and pickups, staff transfer procedures, staff pre-service education inadequate for job requirements, and the effect of the job on family and other social factors. There were some differences in the percentages of staff selecting a given workplace obstacle between the purely rural districts, the highly urbanized Accra metropolis and the districts that were a mixture of urbanized and rural. It is unlikely that the Ghana Health Service can provide high quality of care to its end users (external customers) if workplace obstacles that de-motivate staff (internal customers) and negatively influence their performance are not properly recognized and addressed as a complex of inter-related problems producing a common result--dissatisfied poorly motivated staff and resulting poor quality services.