Fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of breast meat from broiler chickens supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal over a period of refrigeration.

Effects of diets supplemented with or without Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on fatty acid (FA) composition and oxidative stability of broiler breast meat during refrigerated storage was determined. Dietary treatments (T) were as follows: T1, positive control, 668g/ton Salinomycin and 500g/ton Albac; T2, T3 and T4 contained graded levels of MOLM at 1%, 3% and 5% of dry matter (DM) intake, respectively; and T5, a negative control (0% additives). Oxidative stability was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on day (D) 1-8 of storage at 4°C; and FA analysis was done on samples obtained on D1 and D8. Significant effects on TBARS were noted on day (D) 1, 3, 4 and 7; increased with increasing storage time, and with increase in MOLM supplementation. Highest (P<0.05) C18:0 and C15:0 levels were noted on D1 in T2; C20:0 in T4 on D8; C20:2, C20:3n6 and C22:6n3 in T2; C18:3n6 and P/S ratio in T4 on D1; and n-3 in T3. Thus, despite the high SFA content, additive supplementation of M. oleifera leaf meal up to 5% of the bird's DMI improved the FA profile and reduced lipid oxidation in broiler breast meat.

Chemical composition, fatty acid content and antioxidant potential of meat from goats supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves, sunflower cake and grass hay.

The present study determined the chemical composition, fatty acid (FA) content and antioxidant capacity of meat from goats supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) or sunflower cake (SC) or grass hay (GH). The meat from goat supplemented with MOL had higher concentrations of total phenolic content (10.62±0.27 mg tannic acid equivalent E/g). The MOL significantly scavenged 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid (ABTS) radical to 93.51±0.19% (93.51±0.19%) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical to 58.95±0.3% than other supplements. The antioxidative effect of MOL supplemented meat on catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid oxidation (LO) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than other meat from goat feed on grass hay or those supplemented with sunflower seed cake. The present study indicated that the anti-oxidative potential of MOL may play a role in improving meat quality (chemical composition, colour and lipid stability).

The potential of Elephantorrhiza elephantina as an anthelminthic in goats.

Elephantorrhiza elephantina Bruch. Skeels. is used by farmers in the Eastern Cape Province to control helminths in goats. An in vitro study revealed efficacy of its fractions against adult Haemonchus contortus. This study was conducted to validate efficacy of fractions in vivo, on gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats. A total of 36 goats (18 males and 18 females) between ages of 8 and 12 months were used; these were randomly assigned to six treatments (A-F). For treatments A and B, goats received Prodose orange® (Albendazole 1.92 % m/v, closantel 3.94 % mv) at 2 ml/10 kg and distilled water at 0.5 ml/kg per os, respectively, whereas those under treatments C to E received aqueous fractions of E. elephantina at concentrations of 12. 5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/ml, dosed at 2 ml/10 kg. On days 1, 28 and 56, faecal samples were collected for faecal egg counts (FEC) and larval count, blood samples taken for packed cell volume (PCV) and body weights recorded to assess weight changes. The aqueous fraction caused highest the total faecal egg count reductions (TFECR) % of 81.7 %, 96.8 % and 98.6 % at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg, respectively, on day 56. This was comparable to the commercial drug Prodose orange®, which caused TFECR% of 94.9 % at the same time. The fraction also caused reduction of Haemonchus contortus and strongyloides larvae at all dose levels, but these were not significantly different (P > 0.05) to the negative control. There was an increase in body weights of animals at dose concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg. Animals receiving the fraction had weight increases of between 3 and 4 kg by end of experiment (over 56 days), but those drenched with Prodose orange ® gained by less than 2 kg. The fraction also increased PCV levels at all doses on days 28 and 56 and this was comparable to the group on commercial drug. The reductions of FEC and worm larvae, as well as increase in PCVs are indicative that E. elephantina posses some antihelmintic properties against gastrointestinal parasites in goats. With a minimum dose concentration of 25 mg/ml being effective, this means that farmers can use little material. Increase in weight gain revealed in this study may indicate that the plant may have some nutritional value; further study is therefore called for to validate the plant for its nutritive value.

Polyphenolic content and antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts and enzymatic activity of liver from goats supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaves/sunflower seed cake.

The study investigated antioxidant potency of Moringa oleifera leaves in different in vitro systems using standard phytochemical methods. The antioxidative effect on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were investigated in goats supplemented with M. oleifera (MOL) or sunflower seed cake (SC). The acetone extract had higher concentrations of total flavonoids (295.01 ± 1.89 QE/g) followed by flavonols (132.74 ± 0.83 QE/g), phenolics (120.33 ± 0.76 TE/g) and then proanthocyanidins (32.59 ± 0.50 CE/g) than the aqueous extract. The reducing power of both solvent extracts showed strong antioxidant activity in a concentration dependent manner. The acetone extract depicted higher percentage inhibition against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals which were comparable with reference standard antioxidants (vitamin C and BHT). MOL increased the antioxidant activity of GSH (186%), SOD (97.8%) and catalase (0.177%). Lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by MOL. The present study suggests that M. oleifera could be a potential source of compounds with strong antioxidant potential.

Toxicity evaluation of the aqueous extract of the rhizome of Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels. (Fabaceae), in rats.

Elephantorrhiza elephantina root extract has been used as a traditional remedy for a wide range of ailments both in humans and livestock. As part of the safety assessment of the extract, acute, sub-acute and chronic toxicity tests were conducted by the oral route in rats. Male and female rats were divided into four groups consisting of five rats each and given doses of 200-1600 mg/kg bwt, 200-800 mg/kg bwt and 50-400mg/kg bwt in acute (1 day), sub-acute (14 days) and chronic toxicity (35 days), respectively. During the experiment, no deaths were observed in any groups and there were no remarkable changes in general appearance, as well as in food and water consumption. Significant (P<0.05) changes were however noted in body weights, haematological and serum biochemical parameters between the control and treated groups. Histopathological changes were also noted in kidneys, lungs, liver and spleen of rats receiving high doses. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that the plant has some potential toxicity at certain dose levels; therefore caution has to be taken when using E. elephantina for medicinal purposes.

Features of Integrated Professional Training for Physically Disabled People in a Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme in the Rural and Urban Areas of Congo

Background: The rehabilitation of physically disabled people has been explored from the perspectives of patients; health professionals; rehabilitation agencies; etc. However; no study has linked disability types; training programmes and career prospects. In this study; we therefore evaluated the professional integration of trained disabled people. Methods: This retrospective survey included all physically disabled people admitted to two rehabilitation centres in Congo between 1996 and 2005. Data collection used registers from two units; the medical unit and the rehabilitation unit; to obtain information on age; sex; disability type; follow-up training; present living activity and field of training. We defined `professional integration' as being when the current profession matched the training received at the rehabilitation centre. Results: The percentage of participants with integrated training was 96.8(95CI; 92.1-98.7). In the urban setting; 6.7(95CI; 2.6-16.1) of the trainees were not integrated; while all were integrated in the rural setting. Trainees aged between 16 and 25 years and those 51+ years represented 12.5(95CI; 4.9-28) and 50(95CI; 25.3-74.6) of the non-integrated cases respectively. Paralysis from poliomyelitis was the most common [62.9(95CI; 54.3-70.8)] disability; and the non-integrated participants included people with poliomyelitis [1.2(95CI; 0.2-6.7)]; general paralysis [10.5(95CI; 2.9-31.3)] and sight disorders [50(95CI; 9.4-90.5)]. Tailoring was the main field of training [57.4(95CI; 48.7-65.7)]; and high numbers of participants with non-integrated training worked in tailoring; shoe making; welding and computer repair. Conclusions: Despite a high rate of integration in Congo; professional training and subsequent integration would still benefit from a comprehensive approach that considers the type of disability; training and socio-demographic features. Further studies targeting alumni from the training programmes and their ongoing assessment are warranted

Toxicological evaluation of the essential oil from Mentha longifolia L. subsp. capensis leaves in rats.

The effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Mentha longifolia L. subsp. capensis on some biochemical parameters of Wistar rats were studied. The oil at 125, 250, 375, and 500 microL/kg of body weight reduced (P < .05) the red blood cells and lymphocytes with no definite pattern on the white blood cells and mean cell volume. The doses significantly increased the neutrophils, monocytes, large unstained cells, liver-body weight ratio, and serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and inorganic phosphate but had no effect on the heart body weight ratio and serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, Na(+), Ca(2+), Cl(-), K(+), creatinine, and uric acid. The oil at 500 microL/kg of body weight also increased the kidney-body weight ratio. In contrast, the oil reduced the serum urea and atherogenic index. The total and conjugated bilirubin, together with the total protein and albumin, in the serum increased only with oil at 125 microL/kg of body weight. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity also increased with no significant change in those of gamma-glutamyl transferase and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase. The results indicate dose- and parameter-specific effect of the essential oil. Although the essential oil from M. longifolia leaves may not predispose to atherosclerosis, it may increase the functional activity of the rat liver at the lowest dose investigated. Therefore, the essential oil from M. longifolia may not be completely "safe" at the doses investigated.

Ethno-veterinary control of parasites, management and role of village chickens in rural households of Centane district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Mwale and Masika 2009 Ethno-veterinary control of parasites, management and role of village chickens in rural households of Centane district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Tropical Animal Health and Production. Village chickens contribute significantly towards rural livelihood in the African continent through the provision of animal protein, income and socio-cultural uses. However, village chickens are susceptible to parasite infestation. Due to limitations of using western drugs to control these parasites, farmers resort to the use of ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM). However, there is dearth of information on EVM use in chickens. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to document various EVM practices used in controlling gastro-intestinal parasites in village chickens. Stratified random sampling was used to select 62 chicken farmers that were interviewed using a structured questionnaire About 70 and 96.7% of farmers provided housing and water for their chickens respectively whereas the rest did not. The chief role of chickens was meat provision (91.7%). Most households (86%) reported parasite problems in chickens, particularly gastro-intestinal parasites. Eighty-three percent of the interviewed respondents use medicinal plants to control both internal and external parasites in chickens. Use of plants increased with parasite incidences (r=0.347; P<0.01). Mainly gastro-intestinal parasites were problematic and were largely controlled by medicinal plants. Further research on pharmacological properties, safety and efficacy of these plants is important for improved chicken productivity and hence rural livelihood.

An in-vivo study of the efficacy and safety of ethno-veterinary remedies used to control cattle ticks by rural farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Ticks feed on blood, are vectors of tick-borne diseases and cause considerable skin damage to livestock. They are commonly controlled using commercial acaricides, which are expensive to the rural farmers, causing them to resort to alternative tick control methods. The objective of this study was to assess the acaricidal properties and safety of some materials (Ptaeroxylon obliquum, Aloe ferox, Lantana camara, Tagetes minuta, Used engine oil and Jeyes fluid, used by rural farmers to control cattle ticks in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 52 cattle were divided into 13 experimental groups with 4 cattle in each. Jeyes fluid at 76.8% concentration and Used engine oil had an efficacy that was almost similar to that of the positive control Ektoban (Cymiazol 17.5 and cypermethrin 2.5%). Extracts of L. camara at 40% concentration had an efficacy of 57% while A. ferox, P. obliquum and T. minuta were not effective. The test materials had no irritation effect on rats. The study revealed that the materials rural farmers use as acaricides vary in their efficacy in controlling ticks.

Tick control methods used by resource-limited farmers and the effect of ticks on cattle in rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

A survey to document tick control methods used by resource-limited farmers in the control of cattle ticks in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was conducted by interviewing 59 cattle farmers using structured questionnaires and general conversation. Information collected was on external parasites of cattle, their effects and their control methods. Ticks were reported to be a major problem causing diseases like anaplasmosis (89.8%), babesiosis (55.9%) and ehrlichiosis (16.9%), as well as wounds that predispose to screwworm infestation, tick worry and teat damage to cows troubling farmers in their farming enterprises. The main tick control methods were; acaricides provided by government, however 94.9% of the farmers interviewed were of the opinion that the dip wash is not effective in killing the ticks. As a result, farmers complement the government dipping service with their own initiatives like spraying with conventional acaricides (22%), household disinfectants such as Jeyes fluid (18.6%), used engine oil (10.2%), chickens (5.1%), manual removal (5.1%), and pouricides (1.7%). In addition, some farmers also use plants (6.8%), mainly the leaf of Aloe ferox and the bark of Ptaeroxylon obliquum. The study revealed ticks to be a major problem in the study area.

Traditional remedies used for the treatment of cattle wounds and myiasis in Amatola Basin, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

A questionnaire survey was carried out to document traditional remedies used in the treatment of cattle wounds and myiasis in Amatola Basin. Eighty-three cattle farmers from nine villages were interviewed. The majority of respondents (67.9%) use traditional remedies for treatment of these conditions. However, 25.9% of them use a combination of traditional remedies with conventional medicines. The survey revealed that 13 medicinal plants belonging to 11 families were used. Aloe ferox, Prunus persica and Phytolacca heptandra were, however, the most commonly used. Leaves are the most frequently used plant part, often prepared as an infusion. Other non-plant remedies used include disinfectants, antiseptics as well as diesel and petrol. Manual removal of maggots from wounds was also practise and treatment is usually continued until the wound heals.

Evaluation of the medicinal potentials of the methanol extracts of the leaves and stems of Halleria lucida.

The medicinal potentials of the methanol extracts of the leaves and stems of Halleria lucida (Scrophulariaceae) were evaluated by assessing their antibacterial and antioxidant properties in vitro using standard procedures. The antioxidant activities of methanol extract of the leaves as determined by the ABTS, DPPH, proanthocyanidins and total flavonoids were higher than that of the stem. On the other hand, the total phenols, the flavonoids and the FRAP contents of the stem were higher than that of the leaves. The extracts however showed poor activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The methanol extract of the stem showed activities against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis at MIC of 1.0 mg/ml. The methanol extract of the leaves did not show activity against any of the organisms used in this study. This study has to some extent validated the medicinal potential of the leaves and stems of H. lucida.

Antimicrobial activity of some plants used for the treatment of livestock disease in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Approximately 75% of rural livestock owners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa use plants or plant based remedies to treat their livestock. Prominent among these plants are Combretum caffrum, Salix capensis and Schotia latifolia. Water, methanolic and acetonic extracts as well as decoctions of the three plants were screened against ten bacteria and five fungi. The results of the antibacterial assay indicated significant activity against all the Gram-positive bacteria tested with the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/ml. A few of the extracts showed minimal activity, but the majority of extracts were not active on the Gram-negative bacteria. Generally, all the extracts showed some antifungal activity against the five test fungi. Methanolic extracts exhibited higher fungal growth inhibition, whereas the water extracts showed the least inhibition. It was noteworthy that some water extracts promoted fungal growth.

Use of herbal remedies by small-scale farmers to treat livestock diseases in Central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

The use of herbal remedies by African farmers in the treatment of livestock diseases was investigated using a range of methods, including group interviews, structured interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The study was concerned mainly with the 'why' and 'how' of herbal remedy use among African livestock holders farming on communally-owned land in central Eastern Cape Province. We found that the use of herbal remedies was still widespread because these remedies were cheap, locally available and convenient to administer. Farmers also used herbal remedies because they did not have knowledge of conventional remedies or found these too expensive and therefore used herbal remedies as a last resort. Most of the farmers interviewed (73%) had used some form of herbal remedy. A small number of farmers did not use herbal remedies at all. They rejected them because they had bad experiences in the past or because they considered the practice outdated and socially inferior. Often farmers used herbal remedies in combination with conventional ones, but a substantial number relied on herbal remedies only. Farmers obtained herbal remedies principally by preparing their own or by purchasing from herbalists. Different plant parts were used to prepare herbal remedies in the form of infusions, decoctions, powders, pastes, and juices from fresh plant material. Preparations were made from a single plant or from a range of plants. Application of a remedy was by different routes and methods, depending on the perceived cause of the disease condition. Topical applications were used for skin conditions, powders were rubbed into incisions, drenches were common in the treatment of systemic conditions, and drops to treat ears and eyes. We identified several aspects of herbal remedy utilisation that could be subject to improvement, which included the absence of standard dose regimes, the potential toxicity of certain compounds present in plants used, over-exploitation of the plant resource and a lack of interest by the youth to learn the art.

Financial analysis of animal trypanosomiasis control using cypermethrin pour-on in Kenya.

The financial impact of use of cypermethrin pour-on (Ectopor(R)) in control of animal trypanosomiosis was determined in a trial undertaken by the Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (KETRI). This trial started in December 1990 and ended in February 1992. It was undertaken in two adjacent ranches in the coast province of Kenya. The trial site was in an area of high apparent density (AD) of tsetse flies, and at the start of the trial no cattle were kept in this area. Cypermethrin was applied fortnightly to the 1100 steers which were kept in pour-on ranch 'A' while another 100 steers were kept in control ranch 'B' to act as control sentinels. From the main pour-on group, 100 animals were identified as the pour-on sentinels and compared to the control sentinels which received no pour-on.Pour-on application led to a significant decrease in the tsetse AD in the pour-on ranch A to 90% of the initial AD in some areas. The animals treated with pour-on had a significantly higher mean packed-cell volume (PCV). The weekly prevalence of trypanosome infections in animals treated with pour-on was <4% with only one exception when it was <10%. In the control animals, the prevalence ranged between 10 and 50% (with a few exceptions when it was <10%). The incidence of tick-borne diseases was lower in the pour-on animals. The mean monthly weights of the pour-on animals was significantly higher, and at the end of the trial the pour-on animals had a mean weight gain of 136.70+/-16.7kg while the control animals had gained 97.16+/-22.6kg. The financial net return of using cypermethrin pour-on was positive and the financial rate of return of 122.6% indicated that use of the pour-on was highly beneficial despite the high cost of the product.

Perceived causes, diagnosis and treatment of babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle by livestock farmers in communal areas of the central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Perceived causes, diagnosis and treatment of redwater (babesiosis) and gallsickness (anaplasmosis) in cattle by livestock farmers in communal areas of the central Eastern Cape Province were investigated by means of participatory methods, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey. Most livestock owners relate the causes of these diseases to excessive grazing of lush green grass, which is thought to bring about an accumulation of bile in the body. The majority of livestock owners diagnose gallsickness and redwater on the basis of presenting signs and post mortem findings. Eighty nine percent of a total of 343 livestock owners participating in the study claimed to administer herbal remedies to treat the 2 tick-borne diseases; 75% of these combine herbal remedies with conventional medicines and 25% use herbal remedies only. Application of herbal remedies was reportedly aimed mainly at the removal of excess bile. However, some plant species used to prepare herbal remedies are reported to possess activities ranging from anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-pyretic and purgative, and may be effective in the treatment of gallsickness and redwater. A lack of understanding of the causes and transmission of gallsickness and redwater, leading to ill-directed treatment, and widespread deviation from the directions of use when administering conventional medicines, were identified as problems that could be addressed by farmer training and the supply of appropriate information.

Tick control by small-scale cattle farmers in the central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

A survey conducted in 5 magisterial districts involving rapid rural appraisal and a questionnaire showed participation in state-managed and funded dipping programmes by cattle owners in communal areas of the central Eastern Cape to be nearly complete, with 98% of livestock owners interviewed participating in all dipping events. Disease control was the main reason for participation, but farmers perceive dipping to have a much broader disease-preventing activity than is really the case. Other reasons for participation in dipping programmes were to prevent ticks from sucking blood, provide animals with a clean appearance, and prevent damage to teats of cows. many livestock owners complement dipping with other tick control measures, including old motor oil, household disinfectant, pour-on acaricide and manual removal of ticks. Recently local farming communities were given the responsibility of buying dipping acaricide. This has presented them with the challenge of developing farmer-managed, cost-effective tick control programmes. At present, this process is constrained by lack of information and farmer training.