Science and Development Journal

Optimization Of Process Variables to produce whole Cashew Kernels using Response Surface Methodology

2025-07-10T06:12:25+00:00

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a vital economic crop on the international market. Thermal processing, specifically drying and steaming is the adopted preservation technology in making this cash crop available all year round. This research involves critical study of the unit operations required in the dehulling of whole cashew nut and makes attempts to reduce the persistent high breakages encountered through process optimization via response surface methodology (RSM). The steaming time, drying time, drying temperature, and shaft speed applied during dehulling are the operational parameters that were studied to determine their effects on the moisture content and breakage rate of cashew kernels. These factors were optimized to produce whole cashew nut kernels through RSM with five-level-four-factor full factorial central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions were found to be 30 mins of steaming, 8 mins of drying time at a drying temperature, of 85^oC and a shaft speed of 100 rpm. Applying these optimum conditions resulted in moisture content of 4.2% and breakage rate of 3.13%, meeting the Association of Food Industries (AFI) standards for cashew nuts. This exploratory research aims to help cashew nut processing companies to effectively reduce the high loss of whole kernels encountered during processing for sale. Consequently, aid in the reduction of processing cost and conserve resources, thereby maximizing overall operational gain.

Indigenous Microorganisms as an alternative Odour-reduction approach in Pig Production systems: A review

2025-07-10T06:12:26+00:00

Odour emissions from pig production facilities are the most significant limitations to pig production. Effective interventions to control odour such as dietary modification, liquid-solid separation, bio-filtration, covers for manure storage, and dust suppression have been made. However, these measures are costly and unaffordable by most pig farmers. The use of Indigenous micro-organisms (IMOs) has been suggested as a less costly alternative approach to control odour. The IMOs can be used to manage odour in a natural and environmentally beneficial way. They aid in the breakdown of organic materials and lessen the offensive smell by introducing helpful bacteria to the farm. The micro-organisms help to break down faecal material rapidly to a fertilizer rich material, while ensuring that there are no smells or flies. This enables rearing of pigs close to the living quarters in areas where land is scarce and heavily populated, hence encouraging more farmers to adopt the enterprise. This review focuses on the use of IMOs as a less costly approach to control odour in pig production systems.

Examining the potential of growing sweet potatoes in polypropylene sacks as a food security strategy in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, Ghana

2025-07-10T06:11:56+00:00

To compare the growth and yield of six sweet potato varieties grown on polypropylene sacks in Dukomah Garden in Yorogo Gaabiisi, Bolgatanga Municipal, Upper East Region, Ghana. A Randomized Complete Block Design in six treatments was used. Each treatment was a variety of sweet potatoes, housed in a sack filled with soil. Each sack, placed vertically erect, was divided into three equally spaced replicate rows. Six equally spaced holes were made on each row, for planting the vines. Data was collected fortnightly, from one plant per row, on the number, area and length of leaves; petiole length, number and length of vines, number and mass of tubers. The data was analyzed using STATA 15.0. In 2021, the leaf area of the NYO variety (67.30 ± 19.36 cm²) was significantly higher than those of the APO (41.22 ± 17.83 cm²; P = 0.00), SUY (37.67 ± 34.75 cm²; P = 0.00), -39 (44.96 ± 10.85 cm²; P = 0.00) and JUN (12.33 ± 15.55 cm²; P = 0.00) varieties. In 2022, the mean leaf area was generally lower and did not vary significantly between the varieties. However, there were significant differences in leaf area between 2021 and 2022 (P = 0.00). Leaf area had a positive influence on tuber yield (r = 0.187). The NYO vines (141.22 ± 89.08 cm) were significantly longer than those of the APO (85.70 ± 62.75 cm, P = 0.01), SUY (69.22 ± 79.97 cm, P = 0.00) and JUN (15.96 ± 22.15 cm, P = 0.00) varieties in 2021. There were no significant differences in vine length between 2021 and 2022. Whereas in 2021, the NYO variety produced the highest yield of tubers (17.62 ± 2.21 t/h, P = 0.00) and biomass, the APO variety produced the higher tuber yield (11.27± 2.18 t/h), than FEV, -39 and JUN (P = 0.00) but not SUY (P = 1.00) and NYO (P = 0.61) in 2022. On the other hand, the SUY variety produced 6.19 ± 8.92 t/h, significantly higher than the -39 (2.86 ± 2.21 t/h) and JUN (0.16 ± 0.22 t/h) varieties (P = 0.00) in 2021 and (10.79± 4.78 t/h) in 2022, significantly higher than FEV (5.40± 3.00 t/h, P = 0.00), -39 (2.86 ± 1.05 t/h P = 0.00) and JUN (3.97± 0.83 t/h P = 0.00). The APO, NYO and SUY varieties produced the highest biomass and tubers and are therefore, recommended for the production of tubers for human and vines for livestock consumption.

Sugar and caffeine content of energy drinks and its consumption patterns among consumers at selected lorry stations in Accra

2025-07-10T06:12:26+00:00

Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that are rich in caffeine and sweeteners. Their consumption has become popular in Ghana over the past decade, however there is poor data on their caffeine content, consumption patterns and factors driving consumption among consumers. The aim of the study was to determine the sugar and caffeine contents of energy drinks and their consumption patterns at lorry stations in Accra. A total of 360 participants were interviewed at 3 selected lorry stations in Accra, using semi-structured questionnaires to assess their demographics, socio-economic status and consumption patterns of energy drinks. Five locally produced and four imported energy drinks brands were analyzed for their caffeine and sugar concentrations.It was observed that most of the study participants (78.3%) were energy drink consumers, and they were aged between 18 to 40 years (81.6%). Commercial drivers (25.5%), traders (25.2%) and students (22.0%) were the major consumers of energy drinks. About 35% of the consumers had been consuming energy drinks for five or more years. Most consumers took energy drinks to enable them to work for longer hours (50.4%) or stay alert (36.4%). About 20% of the consumers drank about 1-2 bottles a day, while 16% drank 3-5 bottles in a day. Consumers (83.3%) and non-consumers (79.5%) where aware excessive consumption of energy drinks was associated with adverse health effects. Insomnia (16.0%) and accelerated heartbeat (9.2%) were adverse effects experienced by some consumers. Locally produced energy drinks were consumed by study participants more than the imported ones. The caffeine and sugar content of energy drinks ranged from 121 to 340 mg/L and 75 to 113 g/L respectively. Energy drink consumption is highly prevalent at lorry stations in Accra, hence the need to enhance public awareness programs to educate consumers on the dangers associated with excessive consumption of energy drinks.

Assessment of DNA Quality of Chrysophyllum perpulcrum (Mildbr.ex Hutch. & Dalziel) and Chrysophyllum albidum (G.Don) using CTAB-Based Method

2025-07-08T02:55:29+00:00

The establishment of the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol in plants has been very useful in DNA extraction. This has been useful in the extraction of high-quality DNA from plants for molecular studies. This study was carried out to assess the quality (in terms of purity, concentration, and yield) of the DNA extracted from the leaves of Chrysophyllum perpulcrum and Chrysophyllum albidum using the CTAB-based method. A modified CTAB extraction protocol was used for the extraction of DNA from the leaves sampled from mature trees of Chrysophyllum perpulcrum, Chrysophyllum albidum and wildlings of Chrysophyllum perpulcrum. Although this study revealed that a significant difference (P > 0.05) did not exist in the DNA purity (at an absorbance ratio of A260/280), DNA concentration, or yield of DNA, Chrysophyllum perpulcrum wildlings had the highest DNA yield (7.43 µg) and DNA concentration (742.96 µg/ml). The DNA purity for this study was in this order: 1.82125 (Ca) < 1.87750 (Cpm) < 1.87800 (Cpw). A ratio of about 1.8 is generally accepted as ‘‘pure’’ for DNA. This implies that the DNA isolated using the CTAB-based method is suitable for further molecular analysis and, as such, is recommended.

Factors Influencing the adoption of Precision Agriculture Technologies for Food Production at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Nigeria

2025-07-10T06:12:27+00:00

There is an urgent need to increase agricultural productivity sustainably to meet the demands of a growing population, hence, this study examined the factors influencing the adoption of Precision Agriculture (PA) for food production at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria. Employing a positivist research philosophy and a deductive approach, the research used a quantitative survey methodology with a cross-sectional time horizon. Primary data was collected from 200 farmers at IITA using a structured questionnaire, focusing on demographics, PA usage, adoption factors, and perceived impact. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Regression Analysis were utilized to analyze the data. The study found that while many farmers were aware of PA technologies and demonstrated a willingness to adopt them, a gap persisted between awareness and actual implementation. Factors such as government support, access to information, education level, affordability, potential income gains, and land ownership security were perceived as influential, yet statistical analysis revealed weak or no correlation between many of these factors and actual adoption. Notably, government support showed a negative correlation, suggesting a need for more farmer-centric approaches. Farmers generally had a positive perception of PA’s impact, reporting improvements in crop yields, sales, profits, and productivity. The study concludes by highlighting the complex dynamics of PA adoption and offering recommendations, including bridging the knowledge and access gap, addressing economic constraints, enhancing government support, promoting user-friendly technologies, and strengthening land tenure security, to foster wider and more sustainable adoption of PA in Nigeria.

Assessment of CT number accuracy, image uniformity and noise of different Computed Tomography imaging machines

2025-07-10T06:12:28+00:00

Regular and recommended quality control process is essential for quality images to avoid repeated examinations. Since the dose reduction technique is important for radiation protection of patients and repeated examination should be minimized in computed tomography scan. For this reason, quality control tests for image quality based on CT number accuracy, image uniformity and image noise were done regularly. The study was to determine whether Hounsfield unit of water varies across the images and whether the standard deviation of the HU for a large region of interest at the centre of a reconstructed image is within tolerance as part of the QC process of varried CT machines. Additionally, the QC test is also to determine whether the CT number or the HU varies across different materials or tissues other than water. The design methodology used for this study was based on IAEA harmonized diagnostic radiology quality control programme for diagnostic radiology. These were done with two Toshiba 128 and 640 slice CT machine, two 64 slice Philip CT equipment and two 16 slice General Electric CT machine in Accra, which were all installed between 2016 and 2022. Comprehensive crosssectional quality control procedures were performed using two phantoms, including, manufacturers CT water phantom and ACR CATPHAN. A software analysis was used to estimate CT number accuracy, image uniformity and image noise, CT numbers of different materials and the recommended levels. The ROI was drawn in both the centre of the image and four ROIs at the periphery of the image. The mean and standard deviation were recorded; the mean values of the CT number and standard deviation were then used to estimate CT number uniformity and image noise. Additionally, CT numbers of different materials using the CATPHAN which contain different materials were analysed using the ROI technique. The study results show that the measured HU for water were between 0.24-2.21, -0.59-1.85 and -2.31- 0.84 for Center A, B and C respectively. Additionally, the results of the various measured uniformity tests were 0.07, 0.9 and 0.76 at center A, B and C respectively. This is within the accepted recommendations by both the IAEA harmonized CT protocol for diagnostic radiology and the manufacturers recommendation of +/-5. The study also shows that the maximum standard deviation between the center ROI and the peripheral ROI were greater than +/-5 HU. Therefore, both the two 64 slice Philips scanners and the 16 Slice GE scanner passed the noise test. These were done with two Toshiba 128 and 640 slice CT machine, two 64 slice Philip CT equipment and two 16 slice General Electric CT machine passed CT number of water and `image uniformity. Additionally, image noise tests values were within the manufacturer’s recommendation and acceptable limit by the IAEA harmonized CT protocol for diagnostic radiology for Africa.

Food Traceability and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Conceptual Model for Corporate Sustainability

2025-07-11T17:19:48+00:00

The expansive and complex nature of the global food supply chain presents major challenges to firms in the industry. Ensuring that quality, safe and nutritious food is adequately produced, processed, and distributed timely across the globe to meet the nutritional requirements of the ever-growing population is paramount. This should be met while simultaneously achieving corporate social, economic and environmental sustainability. To achieve this, effective information sharing using traceability systems is critical as it guarantees food security, food safety, and increases transparency in the food system. However, several factors affect the decision of firms to adopt traceability technologies including social factors (social interest versus firm interest), economic factors (cost-benefit concerns) and technological factors (perceived ease of use and perceived benefits) as well as food safety and quality concerns, and presence or absence of standardization and legislations. Since the food industry is a business that directly affects the health of people and there is lack of uniformity in the adoption of traceability system, the decision by firms to adopt food traceability system should be founded on the grounds of moral legitimacy (business ethics) through anchored on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. This will help safeguard stakeholders’ (consumers) health against food safety risks. However, evidence of the role of CSR in moderating the relationship between firms’ decisions to adopt food traceability systems and the attainment of corporate sustainability goals is yet to be investigated, hence the focus of this review. This review article therefore proposed a conceptual model to explain the moderating effect of CSR on the relationship between traceability system adoption and corporate sustainability. The review inferred that CSR plays a complementary role in promoting the adoption of traceability technologies by food supply chain companies to achieve corporate social, economic and environmental sustainability performance objectives. The finding has several implications for practice, policy and theory formulation.

Comparison of ingredients and nutrient label of four brands of tin tomatoes on the Madina market, Accra, Ghana

2025-07-12T01:52:00+00:00

Tomato paste compensates Ghana's seasonal shortage of fresh tomatoes. This study examined ingredients and nutritional labels of tinned tomato brands from Madina market, Accra. A 210 g can of four commonly brands (Kivo, Leap, Tasty Tom, and Gino) of tinned tomatoes were purchased from local vendors. Kivo had 45% concentrated tomatoes, Leap 41%, and both Tasty Tom and Gino 42%. Sugar content was 14-14.5% for Kivo, Leap, and Gino, but Tasty Tom did not specify. Salt content was listed by all except Leap, with Kivo at 0.7%, Tasty Tom at 0.52%, and Gino at 0.55%. Vitamins A, C, D, E, Zinc, and Iron were listed on Kivo, Tasty Tom, and Gino, but not Leap. Only Kivo and Tasty Tom provided nutritional labels, but all brands listed ingredients. Considering World Health Organization’s recommendation that sugar should be less than 10% of daily calories, consumers should review tinned tomato ingredients and take precautions when consuming tomatoes paste and other dietary sugar sources. Currently, there are no standards for nutritional labelling of tomato pastes. Ghana Standards Authority should establish these standards.