Biology

MICROBIAL QUALITY AND HYGIENIC PRACTICES OF SELECTED FRESH FRUIT JUICES IN HARAR CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

MICROBIAL QUALITY AND HYGIENIC PRACTICES OF SELECTED FRESH FRUIT JUICES IN HARAR CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA Dejene Gurme; Zekeria Yusuf (PhD); Mulugeta Desta (PhD) Freshly prepared fruit juices are widely consumed in urban centers of Ethiopia due to their nutritional value, affordability, and accessibility. However, their microbiological safety remains a growing public health concern, particularly when juices are prepared under poor hygienic conditions. This study assessed the microbial quality and hygienic practices associated with mango (Mangifera indica) and avocado (Perseaamerican)juices vended in Harar city. A total of 20 juice samples (10 Mango and 10 Avocado) were collected from local juice houses such as Addot, Selam, Silase, TeshitaJuice, and Berger house between April and May 2022. Standard culture-based methods were employed to enumerate indicator organisms (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli) and spoilage microbes (yeasts, molds, Staphylococcus species), and to detect selected pathogens (E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Shigella). Additionally, a structured questionnaire was administered to 30 vendors and consumers to assess socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, and hygienic practices. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results showed that both mango and avocado juices were contaminated with coliforms, E. colicounts ranging from 2.42 ± 0.05 to2.77 ± 0.08 log₁₀ cfu/mL. Staphylococcal counts were significantly higher in avocado juices (4.97 ± 0.15 log₁₀ cfu/mL) than in mango (4.30 ± 0.12 log₁₀ cfu/mL, p ≤ 0.05). Yeasts and molds exceeded Codex limits (≤3 log₁₀ cfu/mL) in all samples. Pathogen prevalence included E. coli (30% of samples), S. aureus (40–50%), Salmonella (10–20%), and Shigella (20% in avocado only). All juice samples failed to meet Codex microbiological standards, indicating potential health risks to consumers. Survey data revealed that most respondents were young (67% aged 21–23 years), lacked formal training in food hygiene (83%), and relied exclusively on untreated tap water during preparation.Hence, freshly prepared mango and avocado juices sold in Harar are unsafe for consumption due to high microbial loads and the presence of pathogens. So, it needs urgent interventions on food hygiene training for vendors, stricter regulatory monitoring, improved water quality, and consumer awareness campaigns to safeguard public health 48p.

ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF Guizotia scabra Sub Species Schimperi ON SEEDS GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLINGS GROWTH OF FABA BEAN (Vicia fabaL.)

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT

ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF Guizotia scabra Sub Species Schimperi ON SEEDS GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLINGS GROWTH OF FABA BEAN (Vicia fabaL.) SHUMI HAILU TASEW; Dr.Meseret Chimdessa (PhD); Dr.Yohannes Petros (PhD) Guizotia scabra sub species schimperi is widely prevalent and commonly distributed type of weed in Faba beans, Cereals and other varieties of crops species. This research was designed to analyze the chemical composition of Guizotia scabra (schimperi) extracts and assess the allelopathic effects on the selected Dosha (coll-155/00-3) and Gora (EH91026-8-2XBPL44-1) Faba beans varieties. The experiment was designed in complete randomized with three replications. Extracts were prepared using Ethanol, Hexane and distilled Water as solvents from Leaves and Roots extracts in 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% concentration levels while distilled water was used as negative control. Data collected were on germination and early seedling growth of the two faba bean varieties. The obtained raw data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance by using SPSS version 20. Results of analysis showed the presence of secondary metabolites Alkaloids, Terpenoids and Phenolicsfrom leaf and root extracts of Guizotia Scabra schimperi. The allelopathic effects results showed that all extracts were significantly p<0.05 inhibited seeds germination and seedling growth and the effect happened was the concentration level dependent. The allelopathic effects of the extracts were more pronounced on Gora Faba bean than Dosha Faba bean variety which is more tolerant to alellochemical effect. This showed that, the Dosha faba bean had better tolerance to allelochemicals of Guizotia scabra sub species schimperi extracts and more advisile by cultivars to grow it. 59

PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC FREQUENCIES OF ABO AND RH(D)BLOOD GROUPS AMONG STUDENTS IN CHORORA SECONDARY AND PREPATATORYSCHOOL, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA,ETHIOPIA

Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT

PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC FREQUENCIES OF ABO AND RH(D)BLOOD GROUPS AMONG STUDENTS IN CHORORA SECONDARY AND PREPATATORYSCHOOL, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA,ETHIOPIA KEBEDE KUMA; YohannesPetros(PhD); Zekeria Yusuf (PhD) The Knowledge of distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups is helpful for effective management of blood banks and safe blood transfusion services. The frequency of these blood groups varies worldwide and may not be found in equal numbers even among ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to find out the distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups among students attending Chorora Secondary and Preparatory school in West Hararghe Zone Oromio Ethiopia. The study was designed from January–March 2020 in the laboratory of study area.. Blood samples were taken from 422 (N = 422) volunteer students from finger pricks and blood groups were determined on open slide by haemagglutination method using commercially available anti-sera A, B, and Rh (D). Descriptive statistics was used to calculate percentage frequencies of blood phenotype,The genotypic and allelic frequencies of the blood groups were calculated from the observed phenotypes under the assumption of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In the ABO blood grouping system, type O was the most prevalent (39%) followed by A (32%), B (23%) and AB the least (4.5%), in the pattern O > A > B > AB. Most of the students were found to be Rh+ (95%) and Rh- 4.5. Regarding the combined ABO/Rh blood groups, O+ was the most prevalent (161), A+ (129), B+ (93) and AB+ (18) and A- was also the most frequent 9(2.13%) B- 5(1.18%) and AB- 1(0.24%) among Rh-negative students. The allelic frequencies of O (r), A (p) and B (q), D and d were 0.3957 0.6291, 0207, 0.1500, 0.7768 and 0.3468, respectively. Genotypic frequency of IOIO was the most (0.3957) frequent while that of IBIB was the least (0.0232) while DD and dd were and 0.6034,0.2232 respectively. The observed and expected frequencies of individuals having ABO and Rh blood were not significantly different in both blood systems (goodness-of-f= 1 and χ2 for Rh = 7.6x10-12 , df = 1; P < 0.05). The present study gives vital information regarding the management of blood bank and transfusion services in the study community. These study was first document in the study area and evidence for other person who wants making research on phenotypic and genotypic frequency of ABO and Rh(D) blood system . 73

PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM CO-DIGESTION OF SHEEP MANURE AND SUGARCANE LEAVES (Saccharum officinarum) UNDER ANAEROBIC CONDITION

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM CO-DIGESTION OF SHEEP MANURE AND SUGARCANE LEAVES (Saccharum officinarum) UNDER ANAEROBIC CONDITION Ekram Ayalew Ahmed; (PhD) Misrak Kebede; (PhD) Meseret Chimdessa he production of biogas through anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials offers an environmentally friendly and renewable energy alternative. Evaluate biogas production from sugarcane leaves (SL) and sheep manure (SM) using anaerobic digestion at five treatments: 100% SL, 100% SM, 60:40% SL to SM, 60:40% SM to SL, and a 50:50 SL to SM mix. This was evaluated under mesophilic conditions (38ºC) using a batch digester in the Botanical Laboratory of Haramaya University over a period of 29 days. In all treatments, parameters such as total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), organic carbon, pH, and nitrogen were measured before and after digestion, while the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio was measured only before anaerobic digestion. The results indicated that the highest pH value (7.18) was observed in the 100% SM treatment, while the lowest pH value (6.61) was recorded in the 100% SL treatment before anaerobic digestion. Comparisons of pH values before and after anaerobic digestion showed a significant increase in pH across all treatments. Additionally, the highest values for TS and VS were recorded in the 100% SM treatment. The C/N ratios were also analyzed, revealing that the highest ratio was in the 100% SL treatment, while the lowest was in the 40% SM + 60% SL mix. Biogas production was measured in all treatments from the first day of digestion, eventually declining to zero after about 29 days of incubation in all treatments. All measured physicochemical parameters of each substrate showed significant variations between the before and after AD measurements, with the rate of variation differing between substrates. The maximum cumulative biogas production (2073 ml) was recorded in the 60% SL and 40% SM mix, while the minimum (1102 ml) was observed in the 100% SM treatment, suggesting that the 60% SL and 40% SM mix is the optimal combination for higher biogas yield. The study results demonstrated that co-digested substrates of the three mix ratios produced a higher amount of biogas compared to the individual substrates alone 61p.