Department of Food Science and Nutrition
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Item INFLUENCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN STAR RATED HOTELS IN MT. KENYA REGION, KENYA(2022-10-10) CHOMBA, Grace Wanjiru; BICHAGE, Gesage; KARIUKI, AnnThis study sought to establish the effect of energy conservation practices on customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted all 24 star rated hotels in Nyeri, Laikipia, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Yamane formula was used to obtain a sample of 243 respondents. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents. Primary data collected using structured questionnaires was used. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 25. The study found that energy conversation practices had a significant and positive relationship with customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study recommends the need for hotels to adopt sustainable technologies, include the use of energy efficiency measures/equipment, building design techniques that maximize the available daylightItem In Vitro Bioactivities of Commonly Consumed Cereal, Vegetable, and Legume Seeds as Related to Their Bioactive Components: An Untargeted Metabolomics Approach Using UHPLC–QTOF-MS2.(2023-07) Aloo, Simon Akomo; Ofosu, Fred Kwame; Muchiri, Mary; Vijayalakshmi, Selvakumar: We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-glycation activities associated with the consumption of broccoli, red cabbage, alfalfa, and buckwheat seeds. Additionally, we explored the relationship between these biological activities and the profiles of amino acids, polyphenols, and organic acids identified in the seeds. Our findings demonstrated that red cabbage, broccoli, and buckwheat extracts exhibited significantly higher antioxidant potential compared to the alfalfa extract. Moreover, buckwheat displayed the most signif icant capacity for inhibiting alpha-glucosidase. Remarkably, broccoli and red cabbage demonstrated substantial anti-glycation and lipase inhibitory potentials. We identified the presence of amino acids, polyphenols, and organic acids in the extracts through untargeted metabolomics analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that pyroglutamic acid positively correlated with all the investigated functional properties. Most polyphenols made positive contributions to the functional properties, with the exception of ferulic acid, which displayed a negative correlation with all tested biological activities. Furthermore, gluconic acid and arabinonic acid among the organic acids identified displayed a positive correlation with all the functional properties. These results strongly support the anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-glycation potential of red cabbage, broccoli, and buckwheat seeds.Item Insights on Dietary Polyphenols as Agents against Metabolic Disorders: Obesity as a Target Disease(2023-02-08) Aloo, Simon Akomo; Ofosu, Fred Kwame; Kim, Nam-Hyeon; Kilonzi, Sheila M.; Oh, Deog-Hwan: Obesity is a condition that leads to increased health problems associated with metabolic disorders. Synthetic drugs are available for obesity treatment, but some of these compounds have demonstrated considerable side effects that limit their use. Polyphenols are vital phytonutrients of plant origin that can be incorporated as functional food ingredients. This review presents recent developments in dietary polyphenols as anti-obesity agents. Evidence supporting the potential application of food-derived polyphenols as agents against obesity has been summarized. Literature evidence supports the effectiveness of plant polyphenols against obesity. The anti-obesity mechanisms of polyphenols have been explained by their potential to inhibit obesity-related digestive enzymes, modulate neurohormones/peptides involved in food intake, and their ability to improve the growth of beneficial gut microbes while inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic ones. Metabolism of polyphenols by gut microbes produces different metabolites with enhanced biological properties. Thus, research demonstrates that dietary polyphenols can offer a novel path to developing functional foods for treating obesity. Upcoming investigations need to explore novel techniques, such as nanocarriers, to improve the content of polyphenols in foods and their delivery and bioavailability at the target sites in the bodyItem Prevalence and potential for aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts and peanut butter from farmers and traders in Nairobi and Nyanza provinces of Kenya(2013-06-12) Ndung’u, J. W.; Makokha, A. O.; Onyango, C. A.; Mutegi, C. K.; Wagacha, J. M.; Christie, M. E.; Wanjoya, A. K.Objective: Most of the peanut butter marketed in Nairobi is processed in cottage industry and its aflatoxin contamination status has not been documented. This study was therefore conducted to determine the status of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts and peanut butter in Nairobi and Nyanza. Methodology and results: Eighty two fresh samples comprising raw and roasted groundnuts and peanut butter were obtained from market outlets and cottage processors in Nairobi and Nyanza regions. The marketers and processors were asked for information on the source of groundnuts. The incidence of Aspergillus section Flavi was determined using standard laboratory methods. Defective nuts in raw groundnuts were determined by manual sorting. Aflatoxin analysis was done using competitive ELISA technique. Groundnuts in Nairobi were imported from Malawi while those Nyanza were grown in the region. The fungal species isolated from the samples were: Aspergillus flavus (L and S strains), A. parasiticus, A. niger, A. tamari, A. alliaceus, A. caeletus and Penicillium spp. The percentage of defective nuts among all unsorted groundnuts ranged from 0.0% to 26.3%. The mean percent defective nuts was higher for Nairobi samples than Nyanza. Aflatoxin levels in all samples ranged from 0 to 2377.1 μg/kg. The mean aflatoxin level was higher for raw samples from Nairobi than Nyanza. The source of groundnuts and defective nuts were positively associated with aflatoxin levels. Conclusions and application of findings: The source of groundnuts and presence of defective nuts were identified as the main factors influencing increased aflatoxin contamination in the cottage industry. Mechanisms for inspection and certification of imported groundnuts should be put in place accompanied by effective monitoring for compliance to set aflatoxins standards. All the market players should sort their groundnuts before selling or processing in order to reduce aflatoxin contamination of peanut butterItem Development, Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Qualities of a Millet based Food Replacer for Geophagy among Adolescent Girls(2016-01) Waswa, Judith; Imungi, Jasper K.Abstract Development, Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Qualities of a Millet based Food Replacer for Geophagy among Adolescent Girls Millet grains (Eleusine coracana L), Amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus L) and Winged Termites (Macrotermes subhylanus R) are traditional foods among communities in Western province of Kenya. Although traditional foods have huge benefits to human health, they are generally uncultivated and under–utilized. The non-availability of ready to use processed millet based foods has limited the usage and acceptability, despite their nutritional superiority. The purpose of this study was to develop an iron- rich product from millet, amaranth and termites as replacer of soil for geophagists. The study further sort to establish the acceptability and nutrient content of the product. Linear programming was used to come up with four formulations of Finger millet, Amaranth and Termites in the proportions of 100:00:00; 70:15:15; 70:10:20 and 70:20:10 respectively. The flour made from the three ingredients was hydrated at a ratio of 500g of flour to 300ml of water; these were then mixed to a thick consistency. Approximate 8 mm thick layer of the dough was spread on baking trays then baked in an oven at 120°C for one and a half hours. The product was then dried in an oven at 40°C for one hour. The product was left to cool and stored in polythene bags and sealed. The sprinkles were subjected to a taste panel test to determine the most acceptable formulation. The most preferred formulation had a ratio of 70:20:10 (millet: amaranth: termites), it had high content of iron; one hundred grams of the product would provide more than the recommended dietary allowance for adolescent girls. The study recommends development of a program for commercial production of the soil replacer at community level or industrial level in order to offer a food alternative, which will not only help stop the practice but also supply essential nutrients to the users.Item Geophagy amidst Compulsory Iron Supplementation among Pregnant Women Attending Ant-Natal Clinics in Likuyani Sub- County (Kenya)(2016-05-26) Waswa, Judith; Asiko, L.; Ngugi, L. W.Geophagy the deliberate and frequent ingestion of soil commonly regarded as a form of pica –an appetite for non-food substances is a widely reported practice, especially among people in the tropics. There are number of reasons put forward for the habit of consuming soil. There are three major postulates that have been advanced to explain the physiological causes of geophagy: among them, iron deficiency. In Kenya there has been a campaign on compulsory iron supplementation. However, it has not been established whether the supplementation has reduced the prevalence of anemia and its related health implications including geophagy. A cross-sectional study was carried out in three rural based health centers, in Likuyani sub County of Kakamega County. A sample of 180 respondents was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The healthcare providers were also interviewed on the access and coverage of iron supplements to the pregnant mothers. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi square and logistic regression. Results of this study indicated that 60% of pregnant women were geophagic. Age of the mother and spouse’s education level were the predictors of geophagy. More than two thirds of the respondents indicated that they have never received iron supplements in the health facility. Those who had ever received indicated that they were given tablets to last seven days at their first visit to the ante natal clinic. Interviews with the healthcare providers in the facility indicated that they had less supply of the supplements and therefore resulted to giving dietary advice to the pregnant mothers. The prevalence of geophagy in Kenya still remains high despite compulsory iron supplementation. Compulsory iron supplementation for pregnant women in Kenya has not been achieved since there are inadequate supplies in the rural areas.Item Coping strategies to food insecurity employed by students of karatina university, kenya(2022-05-20) Sewe, Daniel, S.; Lokuruka, Michael N.I.It has been reported that 1 in 3 Kenyans suffers from severe food insecurity and poor nutrition. This study aimed to establish the level of food insecurity among Karatina University students and coping strategies employed. A nutrition survey research design and random sampling was done with a sample size of 94 undergraduate students, who resided within the university. The students filled questionnaires for the details required. The proximate composition of frequently consumed foods was estimated by AOAC methods. Dietary and non-dietary coping strategies to food insecurity and diets consumed by students were established. The percentage of students who were food insecure was 27.85% as evidenced by skipping a meal due to lack of money variously for 1-3 days in a month. Also, 22.3% borrowed foods from friends and neighbors, 48.9% stuck to simple and affordable meals, which were either, rice+beans/green grams or ugali+cabbage/ leafy green vegetables) or ugali+beans/green grams. The non-dietary strategy showed 18.1% students reducing expenditure on airtime, while 2.1% sold assets-mobile phones and laptops. The most commonly consumed meals by both genders were chapatti + beans/green grams at 24.5% or rice + beans/ green grams or cabbage/kales/spinach either at 12.8%. The dimension of food security that was not met by students was food affordability.Item Examining the balanced scorecard approach to measuring performance of Five Star Hotels in Nairobi, Kenya.(2014-12) Gesage, , M. B.; Kuira, J.Traditional models for determining the performance and effectiveness of employees rely heavily on financial accounting indicators. This study sought to measure the performance of five star hotels in Nairobi County using the balanced scorecard approach. The findings of the study revealed that 36% of the respondents used a balanced scorecard as a method of measuring performance. The use of a balanced scorecard for measuring performance resulted in improved quality of guest profiles for 73% of the managers in five star hotels in Nairobi County whereas 67% of the managers experienced an increase in training hours per employee.Item Edible Plant Sprouts: Health Benefits, Trends, and Opportunities for Novel Exploration(Nutrients, 2021-08) Kilonzi, Sheila M.; Ofosu, Fred Kwame; Aloo, Simon Okomo; Shabbir, Umair; Oh, Deog HwanThe consumption of plant sprouts as part of human day-to-day diets is gradually increasing, and their health benefit is attracting interest across multiple disciplines. The purpose of this review was to (a) critically evaluate the phytochemicals in selected sprouts (alfalfa, buckwheat, broccoli, and red cabbage), (b) describe the health benefits of sprouts, (c) assess the recent advances in sprout production, (d) rigorously evaluate their safety, and (e) suggest directions that merit special consideration for further novel research on sprouts. Young shoots are characterized by high levels of health-benefitting phytochemicals. Their utility as functional ingredients have been extensively described. Tremendous advances in the production and safety of sprouts have been made over the recent past and numerous reports have appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, subjects such as application of sprouted seed flours in processed products, utilizing sprouts as leads in the synthesis of nanoparticles, and assessing the dynamics of a relationship between sprouts and gut health require special attention for future clinical exploration. Sprouting is an effective strategy allowing manipulation of phytochemicals in seeds to improve their health benefits.Item Overview of dairy processing and marketing in East African dairy value chains: Opportunities and challenges(African Journal of Food Science, 2016) Lokuruka, Michael N.IWorldwide, the dairy sector is one of the fastest growing productive sectors. The global sector growth in the decade 2011 to 2020 is projected to be higher than that experienced in 2000 to 2010, mainly due to expected robust growth in developing countries. Global milk production in 2014 stood at about 800 million metric tons. India is the global leader in milk production accounting for 16% of output, with the USA coming second with 14.6% of global production, while Africa produces less than 10% of global output. Sub-Saharan Africa commands 0.2% of the global trade volume in the dairy sector. Egypt is the African Continental leader in milk output, as Africa remains the largest importer of milk powders, butter and ghee. The shortfalls in demand show potential investment opportunities and growth areas in the sector. The East African output of butter and ghee stands at about 15% of the African output of these products. Kenya and Uganda produce considerable amounts of processed dairy products, although, the milk processed rarely exceeds 12 to 15% of domestic milk supply, with most milk production being consumed at farm level. Tanzania produces more butter and ghee than other East African Community (EAC) members with Burundi been the least. Although, informal marketing channels, offering cheaper fresh milk are attractive, increasing decentralization of regulatory services, growing effectiveness of law enforcement and consumer awareness of the healthfulness of processed milk, will continue to reduce informal marketing of unprocessed fresh milk in EAC countries. Despite the quest for global export, the unmet domestic dairy products demand in EAC member states may slow entry into global markets. To meet the numerous requirements in export markets requires cautious, planned and systematic forays over time.