Locusts In Africa Research Articles

PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF AFRICA LOCUST BEAN HULL (PARKIA BIGLOBOSA) SUBJECTED TO DIFFERENT TREATMENT METHODS

The proximate composition of Africa Locust bean hull (Parkia biglobosa) subjected to different treatment methods was evaluated. The Parkia biglobosa bean Hull was collected at various processing sites around Itakpe community, air-dried, ground, divided into five portions and respectively treated with molasses, ashes, urea and water (soaking) while the untreated served as the control. It was thereafter fermented in air-tight containers for a period of 14 days. The result showed that the moisture content was statistically similar (P>0.05) among means of samples soaked in water, urea-treated and molasses-treated but differed significantly (P<0.05) from untreated (highest-11.91%) and ash-treated (lowest-8.43%) samples. The moisture content values ranged: 8.43-11.91%. Different trend was noticed for ash contents as the untreated, urea-treated and ash-treated shows no significant difference (P>0.05) but differed from samples soaked in water and molasses-treated, with highest value recorded for water-soaked sample (9.44%) and lowest value in untreated (2.88%). The crude fibre content differs significantly (P<0.05) among means of the treatment methods. The observed highest (49.26%) and lowest (11.11%) values were recorded for untreated and molasses-treated respectively. The protein content obtained values are, viz: Untreated (25.14%),water-treated (26.71%), urea -treated (29.62%), molasses-treated (15.57%) and ash-treated (20.14%).The crude fibre contents for molasses and ash-treated samples revealed the excellent fibre-reducing ability of molasses and ashes with little effects on the crude protein. It is therefore concluded that molasses and ash-treated samples have proven to be a viable option that could be harness for use in non-ruminant diets.

Assessment of Effect of Different Packaging Materials on Microbial Quality of Locust Beans during Storage

This study assesses the effect of different packaging materials on the microbial quality of Africa Locust beans during storage. Locust beans (Dawadawa) also known as iru, among the Yorubas in South-west Nigeria, is a popular condiment used as a taste and flavour enhancer in soup and dishes in Africa. Locust bean is traditionally produced from locust beans seed (Parkia biglobosa) and preserved using different packaging materials before use in order to prolong its shelf life. The Microbiological examination of the produced locust beans was carried out on samples wrapped with different packaging materials such as plastic containers, nylon, and dry banana leaves. The suspected organisms isolated include Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus lactis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus plantarium, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Leuconostoc sp, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus sp. It was observed from this study that locust beans packaged with banana leaves had the highest microbial load, few of which are of public health concern while plastic containers had the least microbial load. It is therefore recommended that locust beans should be produced and packaged with sealed plastic containers to avoid contamination by pathogenic organisms.

Development, Optimization and Evaluation of Enriched Custard Powder from Selected Local Food Ingredients

Custard powder is a breakfast cereals meal, primarily, made from corn starch; processed with added flavour and fortified with vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study is to formulate, characterize, and optimize enriched custard powder from bio-fortified cassava, pearl millet, soybeans, Africa locust beans fruit pulp, ginger, egg powder, and milk powder; using a seven-component constrained, D-optimal mixture experimental design, with thirty-eight randomized experimental runs. The formulation design constraints were: bio-fortified cassava (10% - 70%), pearl millet (10% - 70%), soybeans (10% - 60%), Africa locust beans fruit pulp (5% - 30%), ginger (1% - 2%), egg powder (0.5% - 1.5%), and milk powder (0.5% - 1%). The formulated samples were analyzed and evaluated for proximate properties, functional properties, vitamin contents, mineral contents, anti-nutritional contents, and sensory properties; using standard procedures. The result of the numerical optimization gave optimized enriched custard with an overall desirability index of 0.833, based on the set optimization goals and individual quality desirability indices. The optimal formulated enriched custard was obtained from 51.3% bio-fortified cassava, 30.469% pearl millet, 10.0 % soybeans, 5.0% Africa locust beans fruit pulp, 2.0% ginger, 0.5% egg powder, and 0.731 % milk powder. The quality properties of this optimal enriched custard are 6.202 % moisture content, 1.139 % crude fibre, 2.548 % ash content, 20.0 % protein content, 6.668 % lipid, 61.786 % carbohydrate, 0.157 (mL/g) water absorption capacity, 0.121 (mL/g) oil absorption capacity, 19.005 (% vol) foaming capacity, 8.886 (%) foaming stability, 52.474 (deg C) gelation temperature, 5.178 (%) least gelation concentration, 0.758 (g/cubic metre) bulk density, 88.383 (mg/100g) vitamin C, 1.832 (mg/100g) beta carotene, 0.6 (%) tannin, 3.072 (mg/100g) cyanide, 19.032 (%) phytate, 5.313 (mg/100g) oxalate, 16.737 (mg/100g) sodium, 469.150 (mg/100g) potassium, 201.332 (mg/100g) calcium, 167.254 (mg/100g) magnesium, 585.770 (mg/100g) phosphorus, 4.694 (mg/100g) iron, and 6.10 overall acceptability, The result of the study showed that the formulated enriched custard was found to be of higher quality than the traditional custard which are produced from mono-cereals. Improving the nutritional quality of food and tackling nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein energy malnutrition in populations, is possible through the application of numerical optimization technique in the development of new food products.

Chemotherapeutic Propensity of Africa Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Seed on Lipid Profile against Potassium Bromate-induced Cardiotoxicity

Background: Cardiovascular disease cases are on the increase despite many standard medical practices. Some disorders have been successfully treated by medicinal plants.
 Aim: The current study was designed to assess the chemotherapeutic propensity of Parkia biglobosa against potassium bromate-induced cardiotoxicity.
 Methodology: Using a soxhlet extractor with ethanol as the solvent, P. biglobosa was extracted. Twenty-four mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D after being acclimated in the lab. Oral distilled water was administered to Group A. Although groups C and D likewise received 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of P. biglobosa, respectively, the animals in groups B, C, and D received 100 mg/kg body weight of potassium bromate (KBrO3). Rats received daily doses of freshly prepared potassium bromate and P. biglobosa extract by oral gavage. After receiving the therapy for 28 days, the animals were slaughtered 24 hours after the last treatment ended while being lightly sedated with diethyl ether. Through a heart puncture, blood was taken. Additionally, the animals' hearts were removed and homogenized. Standard techniques were used to measure the lipid profile parameters.
 Results: When compared to the untreated group, the plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and the CHD risk ratio were significantly higher in the study's animals treated with KBrO3, while HDL and the HDL/LDL ratio were significantly lower. Compared to the control group, administration of KBrO3 significantly decreased cardiac levels of total cholesterol, HDL and HDL/LDL ratio, while increasing levels of triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL, as well as the coronary heart disease (CHD) risk ratio. P. biglobosa attenuated these perturbations in a dose-dependent manner.
 Conclusion: Potassium bromate caused increase in the levels of triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and a reduction in HDL and HDL/LDL ratio and this effect was found to be attenuated by intake of P. biglobosa. This effect will result in the reduction of CHD risk factors induced by potassium bromate.

Geographic Distribution of Desert Locusts in Africa, Asia and Europe Using Multiple Sources of Remote-Sensing Data

In history, every occurrence of a desert locust plague has brought a devastating blow to local agriculture. Analyses of the potential geographic distribution and migration paths of desert locusts can be used to better monitor and provide early warnings about desert locust outbreaks. By using environmental data from multiple remote-sensing data sources, we simulate the potential habitats of desert locusts in Africa, Asia and Europe in this study using a logistic regression model that was developed based on desert locust monitoring records. The logistic regression model showed high accuracy, with an average training area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.84 and a kappa coefficient of 0.75. Our analysis indicated that the temperature and leaf area index (LAI) play important roles in shaping the spatial distribution of desert locusts. A model analysis based on data for six environmental variables over the past 15 years predicted that the potential habitats of desert locust present a periodic movement pattern between 40°N and 30°S latitude. The area of the potential desert locust habitat reached a maximum in July, with a suitable area exceeding 2.77 × 107 km2 and located entirely between 0°N and 40°N in Asia-Europe and Africa. In December, the potential distribution of desert locusts reached its minimum area at 0.68 × 107 km2 and was located between 30°N and 30°S in Asia and Africa. According to the model estimates, desert locust-prone areas are distributed in northern Ethiopia, South Sudan, northwestern Kenya, the southern Arabian Peninsula, the border area between India and Pakistan, and the southern Indian Peninsula. In addition, desert locusts were predicted to migrate from east to west between these areas and in Africa between 10°N and 17°N. Countries in these areas should closely monitor desert locust populations and respond rapidly.

Production of Protease and Amylase from Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger Using Parkia biglobossa (Africa Locust Beans) as Substrate in Solid State Fermentation

<b> </b><i>Bacillus</i> <i>subtilis</i> and <i>Aspergillus niger</i> were utilized for the production of amylase and protease enzymes in this study. <i>Parkia biglobossa</i> (Africa Locust Beans) shell was used as substrate by both organisms for the production of amylase and protease enzyme. The optimum temperature for the activity of amylase and protease enzymes produced by <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> was 50<SUP>o</SUP>C, while 30<SUP>o</SUP>C and 40<SUP>o</SUP>C was recorded for amylase and protease enzyme produced by <i>Aspergillus niger </i>with an activity of 1.1 mg/ml/sec, 0.8 mg/ml/sec for amylase and protease enzyme by <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> and 0.87 mg/ml/sec, 0.77 mg/ml/sec for amylase and protease produced by <i>Aspergillus niger</i> respectively. Optimum pH was attained at pH 9 for amylase and protease enzyme produced by <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> with an activity of 1.2 mg/ml/sec and 0.83 mg/ml/sec respectively. The optimum pH for the activity of <i>Aspergillus niger</i> was recorded at pH 5 and pH 6 for amylase and protease with an activity of 0.87 mg/ml/sec and 0.74mg/ml/sec respectively. The result showed that both organisms utilized <i>Parkia biglobossa</i> to produce extracellular amylase and protease, but the activity of amylase enzyme produced by both organisms was greater than the activity of protease enzyme and enzymes produced by <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> showed superior activity which can be useful industrially.

The Yield Improvement of Resistant Starches from Africa Locust (Parkia biglobosa): The Influence of Heat-moisture, Autoclaving-cooling and Cross-linking Treatments

The Yield Improvement of Resistant Starches from Africa Locust (Parkia biglobosa): The Influence of Heat-moisture, Autoclaving-cooling and Cross-linking Treatments

Lipase Activity in Fermented Oil Seeds of Africa Locust Bean, (Parkia Biglobosa), Castor Seeds (Ricinu Communis) and African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra Macrophylla).

The activity of lipase in fermented Africa locust bean, Castor seed, and Africa oil bean was determined. The peak lipase activity for fermented Africa locust bean, Castor seed, and African oil bean were 13.3x10-3μmol/sec, 7.2 x10-3μmol/sec and 10.6 x10-3μmol/sec at day 5, 4 and 4 respectively. The optimum temperature and pH were 300C and 7.0 respectively for all the fermented seeds above. Increasing NaCl concentration decreases the activity of Lipase indicating that NaCl is an inhibitor of lipase. The effect of substrate concentration on lipase activity in the fermenting oil seeds shows the normal Michaelis-Menten curve. The Km for African locust bean is 0.065664mM, Castor seed is 0.067625mM, and African oil bean is 0.075848mM. While the Vmax are: 15.229x10-3 μmol/sec, 14.787x10-3μmol/sec and 13.184x10-3μmol/sec respectively. The findings of this work indicates that fermented African locust bean, Castor seed and Africa oil bean could be a source of lipase for industrial application. Key words: Fermentation, Lipase activity, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Daddawa

Africa's locust crisis worsens

Africa's locust crisis worsens

The History of Biological Control with Nosema locustae: Lessons for Locust Management

The historical account of the rise and fall of Nosema locustae as a biological control agent of grasshoppers has substantial implications for the successful development and implementation of biological control of migratory locusts in Africa. The potential of N. locustae was ultimately not sufficient to overcome a set of impediments, including: efficacy (the rate and extent of mortality were relatively low), target specificity (not all pest species were susceptible), formulation (wheat bran bait excluded feeding by some pests), cost (the price of the formulated product was excessive), storage (the organism lacked long-term stability), complex application (the pathogen and its carrier had to be applied during a narrow set of environmental and logistical parameters) and production (the use of an in vivo production system made high-volume production difficult). Some of the most significant limitations that led to the failure of N. locustae have been overcome by work on other pathogens, including the problems of formulation, storage, efficacy and production. However, at least four relevant lessons can be derived from the N. locustae story and applied to ongoing work with biological control of migratory locusts. First, the erratic population dynamics of acridids necessitates that the production, storage and distribution of an augmentative biological control agent will be driven by a boom-and-bust cycle. Second, the immense spatial scale and low unit value of the resources (rangelands) being protected create a unique set of logistical challenges. Third, the control of acridids involves the management of a native insect pest embedded within complex, native ecosystems, which suggests that our interventions should be undertaken with a great deal of caution, monitoring and, ultimately, humility. Fourth, although pathogens can be used as ‘bio-insecticides’, biological control requires education of end-users regarding a more sophisticated approach to pest management.

Sorosporella: A cryptic pathogen of grasshoppers and locusts in Africa

Sorosporella: A cryptic pathogen of grasshoppers and locusts in Africa

Current methods of desert locust forecasting at FAO 1

Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) have been feared by farmers in Africa, the Near East and South‐West Asia since antiquity. Given favourable environmental conditions, locusts can rapidly breed and form highly mobile swarms which may threaten agriculture in about 60 countries covering more than 20% of the total land surface of the earth. During this century, there have been eight major plagues, the last being in 1986/1989. Periods of recession broken by the occasional relatively minor outbreak of locusts occur in between plagues. For example, there has been an outbreak of locusts in Africa since 1992 which has not reached the proportions of a true plague. FAO operates a Desert Locust Information Service to provide early warning to affected countries of potential locust invasions and advice to the international donor community. Within this service, the locust situation and environmental conditions in affected countries are monitored on a daily basis using reports from national locust survey teams, remote‐sensing imagery and meteorological data. Short and medium‐term forecasts are prepared indicating potential locust migrations and areas of breeding. These forecasts form the basis of action plans in affected countries. This paper presents a brief introduction to desert locust biology, behaviour and population dynamics and a general overview of desert locust forecasting at FAO.

Desert Locusts in Africa: a Disaster?

Migrating locusts, especially the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), have been feared in Africa for thousands of years as famine-inducing pests. Instead of simply waiting for outbreaks to occur, attempts are being made to take preventive action against these pests. Since the breeding areas of the desert locust are distributed across the entire Sahel region, the Arabian peninsula, Pakistan and India, a gigantic logistical and organizational effort is required. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on these preventive control measures, which are still unable to prevent locust plagues completely. The outbreaks in 1987/88 and 1993/94 are the most recent examples. Exactly how large potential disasters caused by gigantic locust swarms may be and whether the effort and expense involved in preventing them pays off economically has never been systematically investigated. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) project, 'Integrated Biological Control of Grasshoppers and Locusts', has attempted to assess, on the basis of the available data, what the costs and potential benefits are and to identify the difficulties involved in developing an effective strategy.

Locusts in Africa: A Plague Is Possible

Locusts in Africa: A Plague Is Possible