Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences

Optimization of the production process and nutritional composition of Zambian Munkoyo and Chibwantu Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Grace Kabombo Munthali — 2025-05-25

This study investigated the optimization of production procedures and nutritional content of Munkoyo and Chibwantu, traditional Zambian non-alcoholic beverages. Key production parameters, such as, pH, Total Titratable Acidity, viscosity, and Total Soluble Solids were evaluated for optimization, while analyses for proximate composition, calcium, iron, and zinc were conducted to assess nutrient content. Results revealed no significant differences in fermentation outcomes between extracts from 100 g and 150 g of dried Munkoyo root (p > 0.05), with pH levels ranging from 3.53 to 3.77 and TTA below 1%. Nutritional analyses indicated that Munkoyo contains 2.7 to 4.1 mg/100 g of calcium, 0.04 to 0.05 mg/100 g of iron, and 0.19 to 0.38 mg/100 g of zinc, while Chibwantu provides 2.4 to 4.7 mg/100 g of calcium, 0.03 to 0.05 mg/100 g of iron, and 0.25 to 0.46 mg/100 g of zinc. The low mineral content suggests supplementation with nutrient-rich ingredients. This research lays a foundation for quality standards and supports the sustainability of Munkoyo root, aiding the growth of Zambia's traditional beverage market.

Antimicrobial Potential of Combretum molle Leaf Extracts: Insights from Zambia

Joshua Ngwisha — 2025-05-19

The global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates innovative solutions. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical composition of Combretum molle, a native Zambian plant, to explore its potential as a cost-effective source for novel antimicrobial agents. Exhaustive extraction using solvents of varying polarities was performed on dried leaf extracts of C. molle. These extracts were tested against a panel of clinically significant gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial isolates and screened for phytochemicals. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and glycosides. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using disk diffusion and broth microdilution techniques, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined through spectrophotometry and spot inoculation. The results revealed substantial antimicrobial activity, with hexane extracts showing the highest efficacy (MIC range: 3.6 to 50.4 mg/ml) and ethanol extracts exhibiting comparable activity to tetracycline (inhibition zones: 6 to 26 mm, P-value < 0.05). These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of C. molle extracts and support their possible integration into ethnomedicine as alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. By tapping into nature's arsenal, this study contributes to the search for effective strategies against multi-drug resistance, offering hope in the fight against AMR.

Evaluation of Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Factors Contributing to Hygienic Production of Raw Milk in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division

Enock Francis Chilambula — 2025-05-25

Dairy products provide nutrition to households but, could also serve as a source of many milk-borne diseases when produced under poor hygiene conditions. This cross-sectional study administered 410 questionnaires, collected 90 raw milk samples and visited 90 farms to evaluate hygienic milk production practices in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division (BLADD). The majority of farmers 86% and 66.6% (n=410) had formal education and structured pre-training in hygienic milk production respectively. The overall KAP knowledge was only 54%, most smallholder dairy farmers reported positive attitudes at 88% and excellent practices at 63%. Few farmers (27.1%; n=410) had low aggregate score of knowledge, attitude and practice were six (OR=5.910, 95% CI: 1.997-17.489) times less likely to produce hygienic milk. Inadequate pre-training and a low aggregate score were identified as key factors behind the failure of smallholder farmers in Malawi’s BLADD to meet Malawian and European Union (EU) standards, raising concerns about potential milk-borne diseases. Out of 90 raw milk samples analysed for presence of E. coli, 11 (12%) and 50 (55.5%) raw milk samples were within acceptable limits of Malawian and European Union standards respectively. These low percentages obtained could be attributed to unsanitary animal quarters, as half of smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division do not remove waste daily and some workers milk cows without supervision. In conclusion, smallholder dairy farmers had positive attitudes and good milk hygiene practices without grounded knowledge, and it was difficult to meet legal limits of Malawi and European Union Standards for E. coli. To address this, it is recommended that initial training and ongoing annual refresher sessions be offered to dairy farmers.

A case of 4 year old female sheep-goat hybrid born under natural conditions in Namibia

Matias Natangwe Naunyango — 2025-05-14

This article reports a 4 year old female sheep x goat interspecific hybrid born under natural conditions in Namibia. Repetitive DNA sequencing using microsatellite markers was used to confirm the hybrid. Morphological characteristics of the sheep-goat hybrid had higher parameters in terms of heart girth, height at withers and trunk length compared to other animals in the flock. The weight of hybrid was 74 kg while the weight of its dam, a goat doe, was 42 kg and the possible sire, a sheep ram, weighed 51 kg. The hybrid had long and thick tail, a head resembling a sheep whereas its skin, horns, and teats were like those of a goat and its legs were relatively long. The hybrid conceived on two occasions with a buck, but aborted at about 4 months into the pregnancy. The hybrid in terms of body weight and dimensions was bigger than common goats and sheep found in the rural livestock traditional farming area of the region possibly indicating hybrid vigour. The hybrid’s large size brings hope about need of more research and breeding and the possibility towards cloning of such animals using nuclear transfer technology for increased meat production in future. The authors believe this is the first documented report of a sheep-goat hybrid from Namibia, and third in Africa, that lived normally for a long time to full adulthood and even conceived, even though the conceptus was aborted.

Biosecurity Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Cage Aquaculture: A Study of Fish Health and Disease Risk Management on Lake Kariba, Siavonga, Zambia

Kunda Ndashe — 2025-05-25

Cage aquaculture in Lake Kariba, Zambia, is critical to the region’s fish production but faces significant challenges in disease outbreaks. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of aquaculture producers in Siavonga concerning fish health and disease risk management. Data were collected through structured interviews with 14 producers, representing small, medium, and large-scale farms. The study aimed to identify gaps in biosecurity awareness and practices, particularly in relation to disease prevention and control. The results showed that knowledge of biosecurity and disease risks was predominantly low across all farm scales. Specifically, 90% of small-scale producers and 100% of medium-scale producers exhibited low knowledge, while 50% of large-scale producers showed low knowledge. Attitudes toward biosecurity were generally negative, with 90% of small-scale producers holding negative attitudes, compared to 50% of large-scale producers who demonstrated positive attitudes. The implementation of disease management practices was more consistent in medium- and large-scale operations, with 100% of large-scale farms following moderate to good practices, compared to 100% poor practices in small-scale farms. Significant gaps in adherence to best biosecurity practices were observed, particularly in small-scale farms. For instance, 60% of small-scale farms did not follow quarantine procedures, and only 20% assessed disease risks pre-movement. In contrast, 100% of large-scale farms implemented quarantine measures and assessed disease risks before moving fish. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve biosecurity knowledge and practices, especially among small-scale producers, who constitute 71.4% of the respondents. Training, resource allocation, and policy enforcement are crucial to addressing these gaps and mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks that threaten the aquaculture sector’s sustainability in Lake Kariba.