Different Regions Of Ethiopia Research Articles

Review on Ethnomedicinal and Pharmacological Uses of <i>Echinops kebericho</i> Mesfin in Ethiopia

The genus <i>Echinops</i> is native to African countries, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia comprises 120 species. In Ethiopia, this genus is represented by well known endemic and critically endangered species <i>Echinops kebericho</i> Mesfin also known as “ <i>Kebercho</i>,” in Amharic language which has a long history of ethnomedicinal uses. Due to the popularity of species as a source of ethnomedicine, this species is severely over-harvested throughout their distributional ranges. This review documents fragmented information on traditional uses and pharmacological evidence of <i>Echinops kebericho</i> in Ethiopia. This review article was carried out by searching studies in PubMed, Google scholar and Google search up to August 2019. The search terms were “<i>Echinops kebericho</i> Mesfin”, “therapeutic” & “pharmacological”. Ethnomedicinal uses of <i>Echinops kebericho</i> Mesfin has been recorded from different regions of Ethiopia for 32 human and 2 livestock ailments. <i>E. kebericho</i> is used to treat evil eye, headache, cough, stomachache, febrile illness and malaria ailments. The extracts of <i>E. kebericho</i>, particularly those from root, exhibited a wide range of pharmacological effects including antihelminthic, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiarrheal, anti spasmolytic and antimalarial activities. These pharmacological studies have established a scientific basis for therapeutic uses of <i>Echinops kebericho</i> Mesfin. Although Ethiopian <i>Echinops kebericho</i> is widely used by traditional practitioners but, it is threatened due to over exploitation of root part. Therefore, <i>E. kebericho</i> need urgent conservation attention, micro propagation, effective documentation and further research.

Microbial Evaluation of Spices in Ethiopia

Introduction:Since spices are taken as ready-to-eat products, they are not subjected to heat treatment. The use of spices contaminated with pathogens can lead to morbidity and mortality.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 162 samples of 25 spices collected from retail and production sites in different regions of Ethiopia between January 2010 to December 2017 to determine the concentrations of heterotrophic plate count andStaphylococcus aureusby pour plate method; for coliforms using NMKL Method No. 44; for mould and yeast enumeration using spread method and forSalmonellausing ES ISO 6579. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.Results:Moulds, yeasts, total coliforms, heterotrophic plate count, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms,E. coliandS. aureusabove the acceptable limits were observed in 5 (3%), 7 (4.3%), 2 (1.2%), 20 (12.3%), 10 (6.2%), 9 (5.6%) and 19 (11.7%) samples respectively.Salmonellaspecies was notnoticed in any of the samples tested. No bacterial and fungal contaminations were observed in 11 of 25 spices.Conclusions:Few spices samples had 1.2 to 12.3% of the microbiological indicators, spoilages or pathogens exceeded the ICMFS guidelines. The use of these contaminated spices may pose risk to human health.

Spatial Variations in Utilization of Modern Contraceptives in Ethiopia

Background: Even though modern contraceptives are known to be important for fertility control, utilization of these services varies across different geographical areas. A geographically linked data analysis using population and health facility data is important to investigate and map the use of family planning services. Thus, this study aimed to assess the spatial patterns of modern contraceptive use and to identify its associated factors among married women in Ethiopia. Method: A secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey and the 2014 Ethiopian Service Provision Assessment was conducted. A multilevel analysis was conducted to identify the potential factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives among married women in Ethiopia using the SAS GLIMMIX procedure. Furthermore, a spatial analysis was done to identify the potential hot spot areas of modern contraceptive prevalence rates using ArcGIS. Results: Being exposed to family planning messages, having a higher number of living children, husbands'/partners' education level, and wealth were strongly associated with increased use of modern contraceptives. More importantly, a one unit increase in the mean score of health facilities' readiness to provide short-term modern contraceptives in a typical region was associated with a 20 fold increase in the odds of modern contraceptive use. 24.47% of the variation in the use of modern contraception was accounted for by location. Moreover, the spatial analysis found that Addis Ababa and the Amhara region had high clusters of modern contraceptive use rates as compared to clusters of low contraceptive use rates in the Afar and Somali regions. Conclusion: There were significant variations in the use of modern contraceptives across the different regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, regions with low contraceptive rates and high fertility rates should be targeted for scaling up and tailoring of services to the lifestyles of the population of those regions. Funding: Not applicable. Declaration of Interest: The authors declared that they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee, The University of Newcastle. We also got the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the Measure DHS program approval to access the datasets.

Assessment of improvement of the IRI model over Ethiopia for the modeling of the variability of TEC during the period 2013–2016

This paper discusses the monthly and seasonal variation of the total electron content (TEC) and the improvement of performance of the IRI model in estimating TEC over Ethiopia during the solar maximum (2013–2016) phase employing as reference the GPS derived TEC data inferred from four GPS receivers installed in different regions of Ethiopia; Assosa (geog 10.05°N, 34.55°E, Geom. 7.01°N), Ambo (8.97°N, 37.86°E, Geom. 5.42°N), Nazret (8.57°N, 39.29°E, Geom. 4.81°N) and Arba Minch (6.06°N, 37.56°E, Geom. 2.62°N). The results reveal that, in the years 2013–2016, the highest peak GPS-derived diurnal VTEC is observed in the March equinox in 2015 over Arba Minch station. Moreover, both the arithmetic mean GPS-derived and modelled VTEC values, generally, show maximum and minimum values in the equinoctial and June solstice months, respectively in 2014–2015. However, in 2013, the minimum and maximum arithmetic mean GPS-derived values are observed in the March equinox and December solstice, respectively. The results also show that, even though overestimation of the modelled VTEC has been observed on most of the hours, all versions of the model are generally good to estimate both the monthly and seasonal diurnal hourly VTEC values, especially in the early morning hours (00:00–03:00 UT or 03:00–06:00 LT). However, it has also been shown that the IRI 2007 and IRI 2012 versions generally perform best in matching the diurnal GPS derived TEC values as compared to that of the IRI 2016 version. In addition, the IRI 2012 version with IRI2001 option for the topside electron density shows the highest overestimation of the VTEC as compared to the other options. None of the versions of the IRI model are proved to be able to capture the effects of geomagnetic storms.

Spatial distribution of blackleg outbreak in different regions of Ethiopia

Spatial distribution of blackleg outbreak in different regions of Ethiopia

Drug-susceptible tuberculosis treatment success and associated factors in Ethiopia from 2005 to 2017: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to assess the overall tuberculosis (TB) treatment success in Ethiopia and to identify potential factors for poor TB treatment outcome.DesignA systematic review and...

Assessment of metals in roasted indigenous coffee varieties of Ethiopia

The metals content (Ca, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of roasted coffee varieties grown in five different regions of Ethiopia was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Representative samples were collected from Coffee Quality Inspection and Liquoring Center in the capital city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the metals were extracted by wet digestion. The optimal digestion required 4 hours refluxing at 270 o C on Kjeldhal hot plate with a mixture of 5 mL HNO 3 (70%) and 1.5 mL HClO 4 (70%) to completely digest 0.5 g of roasted coffee samples. Recoveries of metals in the spiked samples varied from 90 to 110%. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the concentrations of Ca, Co, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni and Zn with the variation of coffee beans geographic origin. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated high positive correlation among some metals and high negative correlation among others. The amounts of metals that a person can get from two cups of coffee are well below the daily recommended values and drinking two cups of coffee is safe for an adult person and free from the risks of Cd and Pb toxicity. KEY WORDS : Metals content, Roasted coffee, Indigenous coffee varieties, Ethiopia Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018 , 32(1), 27-38 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v32i1.3

Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Diarrhoeal Related Diseases in Ethiopia.

This paper presents a review of relevant antidiarrhoeal medicinal plants based on the fundamental knowledge accumulated by indigenous people of Ethiopia. The review includes an inventory carried out on the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of plant species used in the treatments of diarrhoeal diseases. This study is based on a review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, theses, proceedings, and reports. A total of 132 medicinal plants used by local people of Ethiopia are reported in the reviewed literature. Herbs (43.6%) were the primary source of medicinal plants, followed by trees (27%). Some findings include the predominance of leaf material used (78%), as well as the frequent use of crushing of the plant parts (38%) as a mode of preparation. This study demonstrates the importance of traditional medicines in the treatment of basic human ailments such as diarrhoeal diseases in Ethiopia. Baseline information gaps were observed in different regions of Ethiopia. Thus, documentation of the knowledge held by other regions of Ethiopia that have so far received less attention and urban ethnobotany is recommended for future ethnobotanical studies. In addition, phytochemical studies are recommended mainly on frequently utilized medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases which can serve as a basis for future investigation of modern drug development. Although societies in Ethiopia have long used medicinal plants for diarrhoeal diseases treatment, it is also a good practice to perform toxicological tests.

Morphological Variation and Inter-Relationships of Quantitative Traits in Enset (Ensete ventricosum (welw.) Cheesman) Germplasm from South and South-Western Ethiopia.

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is Ethiopia’s most important root crop. A total of 387 accessions collected from nine different regions of Ethiopia were evaluated for 15 quantitative traits at Areka Agricultural Research Centre to determine the extent and pattern of distribution of morphological variation. The variations among the accessions and regions were significant (p ≤ 0.01) for all the 15 traits studied. Mean for plant height, central shoot weight before grating, and fermented squeezed kocho yield per hectare per year showed regional variation along an altitude gradient and across cultural differences related to the origin of the collection. Furthermore, there were significant correlations among most of the characters. This included the correlation among agronomic characteristics of primary interest in enset breeding such as plant height, pseudostem height, and fermented squeezed kocho yield per hectare per year. Altitude of the collection sites also significantly impacted the various characteristics studied. These results reveal the existence of significant phenotypic variations among the 387 accessions as a whole. Regional differentiations were also evident among the accessions. The implication of the current results for plant breeding, germplasm collection, and in situ and ex situ genetic resource conservation are discussed.

Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors and Its Regional Distribution in Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing as the main cause of death, disability, unproductivity and indisposition in Ethiopia.OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to establish healthcare professionals’ perception on non-communicable disease risk factors and their regional distribution in Ethiopia.METHODS: A mixed method sequential explanatory design was conducted with a questionnaire survey obtaining quantitative replies from 312 healthcare professionals working in 13 referral hospitals in the first phase and qualitative data among 13 hospital managers in the second phase.RESULTS: Statistically significant prevalence of NCDs risk factors were reported with the lack of physical exercise (M=4.94, SD=.245, t (311) = 139.383; p &lt; .0005), hypertension (M=4.89, SD=.312, t (311) = 107.021; p &lt; .0005), and unhealthy diet (M=4.61, SD=.782, t (311) = 36.426; p &lt; .0005) ranking as the top three leading NCDs risk factors. The prevalence and distribution of NCDs risk factors varied within Ethiopia, with a high perceived prevalence of lack of physical exercise, unhealthy diet, alcohol use, and blood glucose in Addis Ababa city followed by Amhara region. A high prevalence of tobacco use and hypertension was also observed in the regions of Benishangul Gumuz.CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the prevalence of NCDs risk factors are increasing in different regions of Ethiopia. Regionally specific non-communicable disease intervention strategies are required to revert the growing burden of the risk factors effectively.

Antibacterial potential of the 80% methanol and chloroform extracts of Clematis hirsuta

The leaves and roots of Clematis hirsuta Perr and Guill is traditionally applied to heal respiratory tract and for the treatment of various animal diseases in different regions of Ethiopia. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antibacterial activities of C. hirsuta. The leaves were collected and air dried in shade at room temperature, made into powder and was soaked in 80% methanol and chloroforms (1 g: 10 ml). The powder was placed in a shaker for 72 h at room temperature. The extract was prepared in 3% Tween 80 for antibacterial test. The antibacterial activities and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test were determined by paper disk diffusion and agar dilution methods respectively. The 80% methanol and chloroform extract of the leaves of C. hirsuta showed significantly higher inhibition zone than the negative control on some pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigela boydii and Salmonella thyphi), but the extracts had significantly lower inhibition zone than the standard drugs (chloramphenicol and ampicilin). The chloroform crude extract of the leaves C. hirsuta showed the best inhibition zone (12.33±0.50) on P. aeruginosa at 200 mg/ml concentration. The chloroform extract of C. hirsuta had the lowest MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) at 3.125 and 6.25 mg/ml on P. aeruginosa, respectively. The 80% methanol C. hirsuta leaf extract was not toxic at 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to albino mice. Keywords: Inhibition zone,acute toxicity,minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration.

Wife beating refusal among women of reproductive age in urban and rural Ethiopia

BackgroundWife beating is the most common and widespread form of intimate partner violence in Ethiopia. It results in countless severe health, socio-economic and psychological problems and has contributed to the violation of human rights including the liberty of women to enjoy conjugal life. The main purpose of this study is to assess the levels and patterns of wife beating refusal and its associated socio-cultural and demographic factors in rural and urban Ethiopia.MethodsThe 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data based on 11,097 and 5287 women in the reproductive age group (i.e. 15–49 years) living in rural and urban areas, respectively,were used in this study. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the measure of women’s attitudes towards wife beating. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was applied to analyze the data. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify variables that significantly predict respondents’ refusal of wife beating. Separate analysis by a place of residence was undertaken as attitude towards wife beating vary between rural and urban areas.ResultsThe likelihood of refusing wife beating in Ethiopia was significantly higher among urban women (54.2%) than rural women (24.5%). Although there was a significant variations in attitude towards refusing wife beating among different regions in Ethiopia, increasing educational level, high access to media, age of respondents were associated with high level of refusal of wife beating. In contrast, rural residence, being in marital union, high number of living children, being followers of some religions (Muslim followers in urban and Protestants in rural) were associated with low level of refusal of wife beating.ConclusionThe findings of this study reveal that wife beating in Ethiopia is a function of demographic and socio-cultural factors among which age and educational attainment of respondents, number of living children, religious affiliation, marital commitment and region of residence play significant roles. As factors governing perceptions and behaviours of individuals and institutional settings appear to shape knowledge and attitude towards gender equity and equality, awareness creation and behavioural change initiatives should be considered to abolish violence against women.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B and C virus infections among blood donors in Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among blood donors in different regions in Ethiopia. A total of 56 885 sera were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. Of these, 3.9% were found HBsAg-positive, 0.52% anti-HCV-positive, and 0.054% dual positive. HBV prevalence was relatively higher in Adama (5.91%) than Gondar (4.05%), Jimma (3.87%), Addis Ababa (3.75%), and Tigray (3.7%); and in males (4.64%) than females (2.1%). Overall, HBV and HCV prevalence increased with age. In conclusion, HBV and HCV seroprevalence among blood donors in Ethiopia is intermediate and low, respectively.

Bacteriological milk quality: possible hygienic factors and the role of Staphylococcus aureus in raw bovine milk in and around Gondar, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, around 97% of the annual milk production is accounted by the traditional milk processing system using on-farm traditional milk processing materials that are generally poor in processing capacity, causing high product loss and risky for public consumption. A cross-sectional study was carried out in and around Gondar town, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia from October 2014 to may 2015 with the objective to assess the bacteriological milk quality, possible hygienic factors and status of S. aureus as contamination of bovine raw milk. The study employed questionnaire survey and raw bacteriological load analysis and cow milk samples for isolation and detection of S. aureus from raw cow milk. Sixty (60) randomly selected dairy farms were interviewed for the survey-based study of farm hygienic practices and 72 raw milk samples [60 from directly from teats and 12 from collecting tanks (buckets) were aseptically collected and tested for bacteriological load analysis and isolation of S. aureus.ResultsThe overall average total bacterial count (TBC) were 4.59 ± 0.118log10 (38,904.51 cfu/ml) and 4.77 ± 0.23log10 (58,884.37 cfu/ml) for milk samples collected directly from teat during milking and milking buckets at farm level respectively. Accordingly, the count increased by 0.18 ± 0.23 log10 or 19,979.86 cfu/ml (51.36%) increase from teat to milking buckets. Results showed very significant differences in plate counts (P < 0.05) between the two milk collection points. 73.30% of the milk samples collected directly from the teat were found (>100,000 bacteria per ml), evidence of poor milk hygiene when compared to international standards. In this study hygienic and management factors like udder cleaning, water and soap using for cleaning of udder, hand washing and water and soap using for milking vessels were significantly (P < 0.05) affects the bacteriological count of the milk. ConclusionsThe results of the current study indicated that the cow milk produced and distributed in the study area can generally be considered as substandard in quality for consumption unless pasteurized. Therefore, this risk assessment study with similar different studies reported from different regions in Ethiopia might provide a foundation for the establishment of national milk quality standards that currently do not exist in Ethiopia.

Evaluating the Toxicity Effect of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Euphorbia Contifolia&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; on Honey Bees (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) at Field Condition

The recent decline of honey bee population raises speculations from different angles. Exposure to poisoning substances is proposed as prime factor for honeybee deaths and colony reduction. Euphorbia contifolia, commonly known as “key abeba” is suspected as poisonousplant to honeybees and other animals in different regions of Ethiopia. An attempt was made to test the phytotoxic effect of this plant on honeybees in Illubabora and Jimma zones of Oromia region. Questioner survey and controlled experiment were used to assess the effect of E.contifolia on honeybees during its flowering season. Data on numberof dead adult bees and bee broods were counted at every 3hr, 4hr, 5hr, 6hr and 12hr of the day for five consecutive days. The survey result indicates that anaverage of 52% of the respondents of the two zones suspected that E. contifolia causes death and narcosis of foraging bees. In contrast, the mean mortality rate of adult and brood bees between the treatment and control group did not significantly differ (P >0.05), and no any narcosis symptom observed during the experimental test. This demonstratesthe absence of distinct toxic effect of the plant on honeybees. However, further study on the plant’s nectar and pollen active compound is recommended to reach into full understanding.

Physician distribution and attrition in the public health sector of Ethiopia.

BackgroundShortages and imbalances in physician workforce distribution between urban and rural and among the different regions in Ethiopia are enormous. However, with the recent rapid expansion in medical education training, it is expected that the country can make progress in physician workforce supply. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the distribution of physician workforce in Ethiopia and assess the role of retention mechanisms in the reduction of physician migration from the public health sector of Ethiopia.MethodsThis organizational survey examined physician workforce data from 119 hospitals from 5 regions (Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region [SNNPR], Tigray, and Harari) and 2 city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa City). Training opportunity, distribution, and turnover between September 2009 and July 2015 were analyzed descriptively. Poisson regression model was used to find the association of different covariates with physician turnover.ResultsThere were 2,300 medical doctors in 5 regions and 2 city administrations in ~6 years of observations. Of these, 553 (24.04%) medical doctors moved out of their duty stations and the remaining 1,747 (75.96%) were working actively. Of the actively working, the majority of the medical doctors, 1,407 (80.5%), were males, in which 889 (50.9%) were born after the year 1985, 997 (57%) had work experience of <3 years, and most, 1,471 (84.2%), were general practitioners. Within the observation period, physician turnover among specialists ranged from 21.4% in Dire Dawa to 43.3% in Amhara region. The capital, Addis Ababa, was the place of destination for 32 (82%) of the physicians who moved out to other regions from elsewhere in the country. The Poisson regression model revealed a decreased incidence of turnover among physicians born between the years 1975 and 1985 (incident rate ratio [IRR]: 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51, 0.79) and among those who were born prior to 1975 (IRR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.34) compared to those who were born after 1985. Female physicians were 1.4 times (IRR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.81) more likely to move out from their duty stations compared to males. In addition, physicians working in district hospitals were 2 times (IRR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.59, 2.89) more likely to move out and those working in general hospitals had 1.39 times (IRR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.78) increased rate of turnover in comparison with those who were working in referral hospitals. Physicians working in the Amhara region had 2 times (IRR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.49, 2.73) increased risk of turnover in comparison with those who were working in the capital, Addis Ababa. The probability of migration did not show a statistically significant difference in all other regions (P>0.05).ConclusionThe public health sector physician workforce largely constituted of male physicians, young and less experienced. High turnover rate among females, the young and less experienced physicians, and those working in distant places (district hospitals) indicate the need for special attention in devising human resources management and retention strategies.

Challenges of bacterial meningitis case management in low income settings: an experience from Ethiopia

To investigate the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in the care of patients with suspected bacterial meningitis at teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. This was a hospital-based retrospective study conducted at four teaching hospitals in different regions of Ethiopia. Participants were patients aged 14 years and older treated for suspected bacterial meningitis. Presenting complaints, diagnostic strategies used and treatments given were obtained from clinical records. A total of 425 patients were included in the study; 52.7% were men and 83.8% were younger than 50 years. Fever, headache, neck stiffness and impaired consciousness were the most common clinical presentations; 55.5% underwent lumbar puncture. Overall, only 96 (22.6%) patients had cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities compatible with bacterial meningitis. A causative bacterium was identified in only 14 cases. Ceftriaxone was used as the empiric treatment of choice, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics; 17.6% of patients were also given vancomycin. Adjunctive dexamethasone was given to 50.4%. Most patients treated as bacterial meningitis did not receive a proper diagnostic workup. The choice of antibiotic was not tailored to the specific clinical condition of the patient. Such an approach may result in poor treatment outcomes and lead to antibiotic resistance. Management of patients with suspected bacterial meningitis should be supported by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and treatment should be tailored to local evidence and current evidence-based recommendations.

Levels of heavy metals in the raw and processed Ethiopian tobacco leaves.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a commercial plant. Tobacco leaves naturally accumulate and concentrate relatively high levels of heavy metals and particular cadmium in leaves. Tobacco is one of the basic agricultural products, in Ethiopia, with social and economic importance. However, there is no report in the literature on the determination of levels of heavy metals in Ethiopian tobacco leaves. Hence this research is intended to determine the levels of heavy metals in the raw and processed Ethiopian Virginia tobacco leaves. Samples of raw Virginia tobacco leaves were collected from two different regions of Ethiopia (Billate and Shewa Robit). The three processed tobacco samples were collected from National Tobacco Enterprise, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The samples were wet-digested using 3 mL HNO3 (69–72 %) and 3 mL HClO4 (70 %) at 350 °C for 3.5 h and concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean metals concentrations (in µg/g dry weight) in the raw Virginia tobacco leaves from Billate and Shewa Robit, respectively, were: Cu (4.38, 7.30), Zn (53.7, 33.2), Cd (1.20, 1.30), Cr (ND, 1.45), Ni (ND, 1.90). The mean metals concentrations (in µg/g dry weight) in the processed tobacco from Billate and Shewa Robit, respectively, were: Cu (9.80, 12.8), Ni (2.35, 2.20) Cd (1.45, 1.90), Cr (1.65, 1.75), Zn (101, 83.8). The mean metals concentrations (in µg/g dry weight) in the processed tobacco Nyala (Ethiopian cigarette leaves) were: Cu (8.95), Cd (1.55), Cr (1.62), Ni (4.70), Zn (79.3). The concentrations of Cr and Ni in tobacco leaves from Billate and Pb in all the tobacco samples were below the detection limits. This study showed that the metal contents of tobacco leaves varied with the geographical origin in which the tobacco plant grows. The metal contents of processed tobacco were higher than the corresponding raw leaves. Pb was not detected in both the raw and processed Ethiopian tobacco leaves.

Mitochondrial DNA assessment of Phytophthora infestans isolates from potato and tomato in Ethiopia reveals unexpected diversity.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for P. infestans sampled from 513 foliar lesions of late blight found on potato and tomato in different regions of Ethiopia. Among the four reported mitochondrial haplotypes of Phytophthora infestans, Ia, Ib and IIb were detected in 93% of the samples analyzed but the vast majority of these were Ia. The remaining 7% represented a previously unreported haplotype. DNA sequencing of this new haplotype also confirmed a single base nucleotide substitution that resulted in loss of EcoRI restriction site and gain of two additional MspI sites in cox1 and atp1 genes, respectively. There were 28 polymorphic sites among all nucleotide sequences including five reference isolates. Sites with alignment gaps were observed in P4 with one nucleotide deletion in 11 Ethiopian isolates. None of the reference sequence produced frame-shifts, with the exception of the 3-nucleotide deletion in the P4 region by Phytophthora andina, a feature that can be used to distinguish the new Ethiopian isolates from P. andina. While a distinguishing molecular data presented here clearly separated them from P. infestans, 7% of the isolates that share this feature formed an important component of the late blight pathogen causing disease on Solanum tuberosum in Ethiopia. Thus, these Ethiopian isolates could represent a novel Phytophthora species reported for the first time here.

Levels of essential and toxic metals in fenugreek seeds (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L.) cultivated in different parts of Ethiopia

Summary The levels of the major (Ca, K, Na, Mg), trace (Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co), and toxic (Pb, Cd) metals in the seeds of fenugreek cultivated in different regions of Ethiopia were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Wet ashing was used to digest 0.5 g of fenugreek seed flour using 1.5 mL of HNO3 and HClO4 acid mixtures (5:1 ratio), 30 min pre-digestion time, 45 min total digestion time and a temperature of 150 °C. Thirteen elements were determined, obtaining concentrations in the following ranges: Ca (15353-36771 mg kg-1) &gt; Fe (6041-18584 mg kg-1) ≈ K (6789-11517 mg kg-1) &gt; Pb (615-2624 mg kg-1) &gt; Na (201-1559 mg kg-1) &gt; Cd (285-464 mg kg-1) &gt; Cr (3-552 mg kg-1) &gt; Ni (31-108 mg kg-1) &gt; Mg (31-102 mg kg-1) &gt; Zn (15-33 mg kg-1) &gt; Mn (16-28 mg kg-1) &gt; Cu (ND-35 mg kg-1) &gt; Co (4-15 mg kg-1). A statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 95% confidence level revealed there were significant differences between the mean metal contents of fourteen sample means, except for Zn. Pearson’s correlation revealed weak positive or negative linear relationships, which implies that the presence of one metal did not affect the presence of the other metals within the plant, except for a few metals. The study showed that fenugreek seeds were a good source of essential metals. However, they also contained large amounts of the toxic metals Cd and Pb and therefore should not be consumed daily.