Mixture Of Cassava Research Articles

Food Poisoning Investigation in an Under-resourced Environment: A Case Report

Food borne diseases are of public health importance. A food poisoning incident occurred on 24th October 2010 amongst 22 mourners who had consumed porridge one day after the funeral rites of a child in Mubachi Sub-Location of Suba West Division in Migori District, south western . An investigation of the incident was conducted with only two objectives in mind, i.e. (1) to document the poisoning incident for learning and for future reference and (2) to determine the causative factors so as to recommend appropriate public health interventions. Both patient and clinician interviews were conducted. A total of seven patients were interviewed. Patients denied any knowledge of environmental contamination within or without the homestead. They also denied care-less handling of tobacco farming pesticides. The investigation established that the water used in preparing the porridge had been left uncovered on the verandah overnight and it had developed a brownish discoloration. The porridge was prepared from a mixture of cassava and sorghum flour in the ordinary way and mourners had consumed between 250ml-500ml in clean plastic cups. The victims developed signs and symptoms about 30ГўВҖВ“60 minutes after consumption. Children were affected first. They collapsed, vomited, complained of abdominal pains and had diarrhea. Other signs and symptoms occurring in both adults and children were fever, generalized body weakness, and profuse sweating. The frequency distribution of signs and symp-toms showed 63% generalized body weakness, 50% vomiting, 27% nausea, 23% abdominal pain, 14% diarrhea, 9% cough and 5% restlessness. The attack rate was 100%. The suspected cause of poisoning was either hydrocyanic acid in cassava flour or pesticide contamination of the water used in preparing the porridge. In order to arrive at a differential diagnosis, an internet-based literature search was con-ducted to provide an overview of the signs and symptoms associated with the suspected toxicological agents. On this basis, hydrocyanic acid, organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides were ruled out. There was a near-perfect match between the signs and symptoms of the poisoning to classical signs and symptoms of organophosphate poisoning in the literature. We conclude that the poisoning agent was an organophosphate. Though the victims denied any knowledge of environmental contamination, we strongly believe that the water used in preparing the porridge had been chemically contaminated either by careless handling of pesticides or foul play. We recommend that since the affected area and indeed the rest of Migori district are tobacco growing areas, there is need for mass health education on the safe handling and disposal of pesticide products as these are widely used. Pesticide dispensing outlets should provide also pesticide safety education to customers on each pesticide sold to encourage safe use and handling.

Socio-economic analysis of cassava-based cropping system in Rivers State, Nigeria.

An analysis of the Socio-economic factors influencing the value of the outputs of the cassava mixture farming in Rivers State was carried out. Thirty – six farmers were randomly selected from each stratum of the five majorcassava crop mixtures, making a total sample size of180 farmers studied. The cassava crop mixtures studied are cassava/maize, cassava/melon, cassava/yam, cassava/maize/melon and cassava/maize/yam. The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression models. Results of T-values showed that farming experience (3.739), education level of farmers (7.2.3), household size (7.459) and extension workers’ visits (1.661) were socio-economic variables which positively and significantly influenced the output of cassava growing farmers. Farming age (-0.433) was inversely related to output. Improvement in the extension services, more capacity building of the farmers, credit incentives and skill acquisition would go a long wayto increasing the level of cassava farming output in the area.

Production and Nutrient Composition of Fufu Made From a Mixture of Cassava and Cowpea Flours

High consumption of cassava products such as cassava fufu characterize the food habits of rural dwellers. Although cassava roots are rich in calories, they are grossly deficient in proteins, fats, and some minerals and vitamins. The nutritional hazard of cassava dependency includes chronic protein deficiency. Research toward the enrichment of cassava fufu is needed, especially for children under 5 years. This study aims to develop fufu from flours of fermented cassava and cowpea, evaluate the new cassava–cowpea fufu produced using sensory evaluation procedures, and determine their micronutrient content. Three cassava–cowpea flours BZC, FZC, and FIC were obtained. Cassava–cowpea fufu BZC was produced from cowpea seeds that were first boiled and then fermented for 2 days (48 hours). Cassava–cowpea fufu FZC was made from cowpea seeds that went through 2 days (48 hours) of fermentation, and cassava–cowpea fufu FIC was produced from cowpea seeds that were soaked for one day (24 hours). These cassava–cowpea fufus were evaluated using sensory methods and then sent to the laboratory for the determination of calcium, iron, and zinc using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using evaluation scores that were rated according to the level of acceptance or rejection of the cassava–cowpea fufu. BZC cassava–cowpea fufu was the cassava–cowpea fufu of choice and it had a higher protein content of 4.92 g than control cassava fufu FFF (0.47 g). It also had higher calcium, iron, and zinc content (79.47, 1.09, and 0.82 mg, respectively) compared to cassava fufu FFF, which had calcium, iron, and zinc values of 75.64, 0.39, and 0.19 mg, respectively. The cassava–cowpea fufu contained significantly higher amounts of protein and micronutrients than the commonly consumed cassava fufu. The addition of cowpea to cassava fufu will improve nutrition derived from cassava consumption among young children in rural areas who depend on monotonous cassava meals. This study has shown that cassava fufu can be enriched with cowpea to increase its protein and micronutrients content.

Physicochemical, functional and sensory properties of bread from cassava and sweet potato starches

This study investigates physicochemical, functional and sensory properties of bread from cassava and sweet potato starch. There were significant differences (p less than 0.05) in the chemical and functional properties of the starches. Ash, sugar, starch and dispersibility ranged from 0.46-0.69%, 1.15-2.45%, 71.25-73.22% and 68.95-82.05% respectively. The study also shows that significant differences (p less than 0.05) existed in the pasting properties of starch samples, as well as in the sensory properties of starch bread samples. Bread from a mixture of cassava and sweet potato starches had the highest value for crust color (7.80), taste (6.80) and overall acceptability (7.00). From this study therefore, bread made from the mixture of starches from sweet potato and cassava appears to be the best in terms of properties and acceptability.

Effect of wedding regime on Crop Yield in cassava-fluted pumpkin intercrop in Rivers State, Nigeria

…Field trials were carried out in the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Science, Rivers State College of Education, Ndele Campus (Latitude 4o58'N and longitude 6 o45'E) to determine the effect of weeding regimes and crop population on a cassava-fluted pumpkin intercrop. Cassava planted at 10,000 plants ha-1 mixed with fluted pumpkin at 40,000 and 26,667 plants ha-1 with 3 weeding regimes: 3 weeks after planting (WAP); 3 and 8 WAP; and 3, 8 and 12 WAP were evaluated. The results showed that cassava (10,000 plants ha-1) intercropped with fluted pumpkin (40,000 plants ha-1) weeded at 3, 8 and 12 WAP produced the best weed control and the least weed dry weight. Greater weights of cassava tuber (22.40 and 24.53 t ha-1 in 2001 and 2002 respectively) and fresh fluted pumpkin leaves (110.1 and 111.2 t ha-1 in 2001 and 2002 respectively) were obtained with weeding carried out at 3 and 8 WAP which were not significantly different from those in weeding regimes of 3, 8 and 12 WAP at a mixture of cassava and fluted pumpkin (26,667 plants ha-1) in the two growing seasons. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 10 2005: pp. 75-81

Production function analysis of Cassava-based cropping systems in River state, Nigeria

An analysis of production function of cassava-based cropping systems in Rivers State is the main focus of this paper. A total of 180 cassava mixture growing farmers were randomly selected from three out of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers state. The three LGAs are very predominant in cassava growing. The cassava growing farmers were stratified into cassava/maize, cassava/melon, cassava/yam, cassava/maize/yam and cassava/maize/melon mixtures based on ADP (1996) field survey. Data collection was done through structured questionnaire and constant field visit during the 2000/2001 cropping season. Multiple regression model was the main tool of data analysis where different functions were tried. Results showed that Cobs-Douglas function had the best fit in explaining the relationship between output and inputs used. Labour and fertilizer were not significant at specified levels (5%) in all the crop mixtures while farm size was significant in all the cropping systems. Planting material was only significant for cassava/melon and cassava/m/yam. Recommendations therefore include timely delivery of inputs at cheaper rates devoid of undue politicization, artificial scarcity and inefficient extension services. br> Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp.51-57

The fate of cyanogens during the cooking of cassava in mumu, a traditional oven in Papua New Guinea

Four (Alotau, Mt. Hagen, Goroka, and Rabaul) types of mumu (earth-oven) in Papua New Guinea were evaluated to ascertain their potential to detoxify cassava. The acid hydrolysis method was used for the determination of cyanogens. Each mumu exhibited different detoxification capacity. The loss of cyanogens in the (coconut) creamed cassava dough was lower than in the uncreamed dough. This was more evident when coconut cream–cassava mixture was cooked in boiling water than in a conventional oven set at 180 °C. Certain interactions were suspected to exist between the coconut cream and cyanogens or between the coconut cream and the appropriate enzymes that are responsible for the hydrolysis of the cyanogens. Such interactions resisted the loss of cyanogens and/or their quantification by the analytical method. The results are discussed in the light of nutritional consequences of such interactions, as coconut cream is a popular dietary item in Papua New Guinea (and the South Pacific islands).

Soil Fertility Status and Cassava Yield in Tanzania: (I) Nutrient Levels in Cassava-Growing Soils

One of the main objectives of the Collaborative Study of Cassava in Africa (COSCA) was to obtain data on the cassava production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania soils grown to cassava and other major arable crops in 45 villages were sampled in order to assess and compare their fertility status and relate the fertility status to factors which could have given rise to any observed variations. Soils were collected from 0–20 and 20–40 cm depth and 16 physicochemical properties were considered. Both climate and altitude significantly influenced at least 11 of the soil properties in fields grown to cassava. Human population density and cassava mixture significantly influenced particle-size distribution, total nitrogen, organic matter (OM) and exchangeable acidity. The soils of the non-humid and those of the low altitude zones were respectively, on average, more fertile than those of the subhumid and mid-altitude zones. Comparatively, soils grown to cassava were as fertile as or more fertile than soils grown to other arable crops, except in the cases of Mg++, total exchangeable bases (TEB) and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) for soils grown to banana or plantain. Based on the rating scale for optimum cassava performance, only nitrogen was found to be lower than the critical minimum required by cassava and thus needs to be applied in most of the soils. On average, the soils of the entire area sampled were generally medium to high in fertility.

Low Cost Feeding Strategies for Dual Purpose Cattle in Venezuela

This simulation study was to evaluate low cost feeding strategies in response to higher cost of commercial concentrates to maintain current milk sales from dual purpose cattle herds in the humid lowlands of western Venezuela. Data were from farm surveys in 1987 and 1988. Baseline net margins from milk and beef per cow per year were $132 and $99 for two farm cases with average daily milk of 10 and 7kg/cow and grazing mature forage supplemented with commercial concentrate. Alternative diets were 1) improving forage quality by more intensive grazing; 2) replacing commercial concentrate with a mixture of cassava tuber (Manihol esculenta), urea, and molasses: and 3) supplementing grazing with a mixture of molasses and urea. Alternatively priced feeding strategies were compared by partial budgeting. Using less mature forage was always more profitable than mature grass. Feeding molasses and urea with mature forage increased profits at least $64/cow on the high milk yield farm and $44/cow on the low milk yield farm compared with feeding commercial concentrate. The most costly cassava mixture with mature forage increased annual profit over the baseline diet at least $11/ cow on the high milk yield farm and by $22/cow on the low yield farm. Efficient use of existing feed resources may enhance economical livestock production in the humid lowlands of Venezuela.

Use of Rank Correlation Methods to Determine Food Preferences

SUMMARYCertain statistical techniques, useful in collecting and interpreting ordinal data, are described and their applicability in plant breeding explained. It is suggested that these statistical techniques may be particularly valuable to plant breeders in determining taste Preferences. A series of experiments are described, investigating the taste Preferences of the Itero of Uganda, who show a strong preference for a mixture of cassava, sorghum and Eleusine millet for food. They do not apparently prefer white sorghum grains for food, nor coloured grains for beer, although such Preferences have been recorded elsewhere. They dislike maize and Pennisetum millet. It is suggested that an experimental approach to quality in the breeding of tropical food crops is both desirable and possible, using rank correlation techniques.

Use of Rank Correlation Methods to Determine Food Preferences

SUMMARYCertain statistical techniques, useful in collecting and interpreting ordinal data, are described and their applicability in plant breeding explained. It is suggested that these statistical techniques may be particularly valuable to plant breeders in determining taste Preferences. A series of experiments are described, investigating the taste Preferences of the Itero of Uganda, who show a strong preference for a mixture of cassava, sorghum and Eleusine millet for food. They do not apparently prefer white sorghum grains for food, nor coloured grains for beer, although such Preferences have been recorded elsewhere. They dislike maize and Pennisetum millet. It is suggested that an experimental approach to quality in the breeding of tropical food crops is both desirable and possible, using rank correlation techniques.