Biocontrol Potential of Chitin and Chitosan Extracted from Black Soldier Fly Pupal Exuviae against Bacterial Wilt of Tomato.

Globally, Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) is ranked one of the most destructive bacterial pathogens inducing rapid and fatal wilting symptoms on tomatoes. Yield losses on tomatoes vary from 0 to 91% and most control measures are unaffordable to resource-poor farmers. This study investigated the antimicrobial activities of chitin and chitosan extracted from black soldier fly (BSF) pupal exuviae against R. solanacearum. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques were used to isolate and characterize R. solanacearum for in vitro pathogenicity test using disc diffusion technique. Our results revealed that BSF chitosan significantly inhibited the growth of R. solanacearum when compared to treatments without chitosan. However, there was no significant difference in the antibacterial activities between BSF and commercial chitosan against R. solanacearum. Soil amended with BSF-chitin and chitosan demonstrated a reduction in bacterial wilt disease incidence by 30.31% and 34.95%, respectively. Whereas, disease severity was reduced by 22.57% and 23.66%, when inoculated tomato plants were subjected to soil amended with BSF chitin and chitosan, respectively. These findings have demonstrated that BSF pupal shells are an attractive renewable raw material for the recovery of valuable products (chitin and chitosan) with promising ability as a new type of eco-friendly control measure against bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum. Further studies should explore integrated pest management options that integrate multiple components including insect-based chitin and chitosan to manage bacterial wilt diseases, contributing significantly to increased tomato production worldwide.

The safety profile and acceptability of a disposable male circumcision device in Kenyan men undergoing voluntary medical male circumcision.

PURPOSE: We established the safety and effectiveness as well as the acceptability of the Alisklamp® device for male circumcision among Kenyan men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To qualify for this hospital based, prospective, interventional cohort study one needed to be an uncircumcised adult male who was HIV negative with no comorbid factors or genitourinary anomalies precluding circumcision. A total of 58 men were recruited from a population of 90. Outcome measures were the safety profile of Alisklamp and its efficiency and acceptability by participants. RESULTS: All 58 procedures were completed without device malfunction, hemorrhage or undesirable preputial excision. Mean ± SD procedure time was 2.43 ± 1.36 minutes and mean device removal time was 15.8 ± 7.4 seconds. There were 2 adverse events, including mild edema and superficial wound infection related to poor hygiene in 1 case each. All men resumed routine activity immediately after circumcision. Of the 58 participants 25.9% experienced mild nocturnal erectile pains that required no medication. During 6-week followup all men were satisfied with the procedure, tolerated the device well and would recommend it to a friend. CONCLUSIONS: Alisklamp has an excellent safety profile and excellent acceptability among men who undergo circumcision using the device. This technique is easy to teach and it would prove to be a handy device to scale up the rate of male circumcision. Based on these findings the device merits a comparative clinical trial.