ABSTRACT Malaria is a global disease prevalent in the tropics caused by Plasmodium species. It affects 300-500 million people and kills 1.5-2.7 million people annually. To date, a large number of herbal remedies are used to treat malaria and manage related fever; nevertheless, in most of these cases of plant therapies, efficacies have not been proven nor have their active components been identified. Most malaria episodes are accompanied by clinical complications attributable to radical oxyge...
ABSTRACT Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes transmit malaria resulting into about 500 million infections globally every year. Recent studies estimate that more than 50% of the world‟s population is at risk of malaria infections. Apart from the development of insecticide resistance, the use of synthetic insecticides to control mosquito vectors continues to cause adverse effects to the environment, human health and non-target organisms. Plant derived larvicidal compounds are increasingly being exp...
ABSTRACT Information on the vertebrate hosts of blood feeding vectors forms a useful decision-making tool in the planning of tsetse fly control and eradication operations. The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase I and Cytochrome b gene sequences in the identification of tsetse fly blood meals in order to provide a basis for more rational control of trypanosomosis in East Africa. Blood fed Glossina swynnertoni were sampled from the Sere...
ABSTRACT Due to the high bills involved in the importation of modern medicinal drugs, about 80% of the African population use traditional medicine from plants to treat common infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. The main objective of this research was to determine the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts and isolated compounds from Turraea abyssinica, Meyna tetraphylla (Abyssinian coral tree) and Leonotis mollissima (Lion’s ear) from Meliaceae, Rubiaceae and Lamiaceae families...
ABSTRACT The biosafety of commonly used domestic grinding techniques was investigated; the effects of attrition mills using new (attrition mill 1) and old (attrition mill 2) plates, wooden mortar and pestle, grinding stone and electric blender on iron content of wetground staple foods, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Capsicum frutescens (pepper) were examined in this study. Attrition mill 1 was in use 4 weeks prior to this study while the attrition mill 2 had newly installed grinding plate....
ABSTRACT Dried, milled cassava and yam peels were inoculated separately with A. nigermidRhizopus sp in solid state. The changes in crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and hemiccllulose were evaluated til 0. 4. X, and 10 days after inoculation. At. the end of the 10th day of fermentation with A. niger the crude protein of cassava peel meal (CPM) increased from 3.5% to 7.0% while that inoculated with Rhizopus sp increased to 5.25%. Cru...
ABSTRACT The levels of selected heavy metals in water, plant, soil and sediment samples collected around the Fluorspar Mining and Processing Plant in Kerio Valley were determined using AAS and EDXRFS. Digested soil 7 reference material (IAEA) was used as the standard for analysis of the soil and sediment samples. The results obtained from AAS were compared with those obtained using EDXRFS. The concentration of fluoride in the water, soil and sediment samples was determined using fluoride sel...
ABSTRACT Intensive mining activities and highly mineralised rock formations have a significant impact on both surface and underground water. Mining activities shuffle the rock formations creating fissures and cracks enhancing greater percolation and movement of water underground. Macalder mines(gold mining region) in Nyatike –Karungu Divisions was divided into two regions (Epicentre and surrounding).This research sought to determine the concentration levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, and water har...
ABSTRACT The female Anopheles gambiae, a malaria vector, detects ultrasound by its antenna, which can initiate an attractive or repulsive response. Modern electronic mosquito repellent devices exploit this concept in attempt to control malaria. However, they have shown only 20 % effectiveness in repellency. This work determines the transmission parameters of Amolops tormotus, Coleura afra sounds and their combination and hence their startling effects on female Anopheles gambiae. The sound of...
ABSTRACT Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito borne viral infection, first reported in the Rift Valley province of Kenya in 1912 and identified in 1931. Major outbreaks have been reported in Kenya in 1997/1998 and 2006/2007. Baringo, Garissa and Kilifi district of Kenya were hot spots in the last major RVF outbreak that occurred in the country in 2006/2007. Investigations were conducted during the outbreak to establish putative mosquito vectors and vertebrate host of RVF virus. Engorged fem...
ABSTRACT The Lake Victoria region of western Kenya is malaria endemic with a suitable environment throughout the year for the transmission of Plasmodium parasites by its primary mosquito vector, Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), as well as other secondary vectors. Malaria control largely depends on vector control using long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) that protect humans from infectious bites while sleeping. However, the success of this strategy is greatly threatened by resistance t...
ABSTRACT Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is bulky and perishable with up to 50% of losses in 3-5 months of storage. Losses can be reduced through processing into less bulky and more stable products. The aim of this study was to investigate morphological and biochemical factors which affect potato quality, effect of potato cultivars and fermentation on quality of French fries and crisps as well as starch characteristics. Cultivars used included vartieties like Gikungu, Kigega, Kinigi, Kirundo, ...
ABSTRACT Tomato is one of the most widely cultivated horticutural crops but the production is affected by the pest problems like Fusarial wilt. Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. Lycopersicit is a destructive disease of the tomato and one of the main causes of the crop decline worldwide. The disease is currently managed using synthetic fungicides but there is a growing concern about the traces of the pesticide residues on the product and resistance to the current fungicides. Fungicides are applied at...
ABSTRACT The rapidly growing Nakuru town needs expansion to accommodate the increasing population. This vast expansion can only be done at the outskirts of the town. However, no single research has been done with the aim of checking the geological stability of the regions around Nakuru town; either by mapping new fault zones or by confirming using geophysical methods the presence of faults shown on geological maps. Kiamunyi estate being in the outskirts of the town was therefore chosen for t...
ABSTRACT Petroleum – polluted sites are disturbed ecosystem with scanty plants. Study was carried out in such sites to assess the area of its rhizobacterial status, particularly comparing that of the rhizospheres and non-rhizospheres in the site. The samples were suspended and serially diluted in physiological saline and inoculated on nutrient media by spread plates method. After incubation and isolation, the isolates were characterized by morphological examination, gram staining, biochemic...