Nutritional characteristics of selected insects in Uganda for use as alternative protein sources in food and feed

Open Access Journal; Published online: 18 Dec 2019Insects are potential ingredients for animal feed and human food. Their suitability may be influenced by species and nutritional value. This study was aimed at determining the nutritional profile of four insects: Dipterans; black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) family stratiomyidae and blue calliphora flies (Calliphora vomitoria Linnaeus) family Calliphoridae; and orthopterans; crickets (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus) family Gryllidae and grasshoppers (Ruspolia nitidula Linnaeus) family Tettigoniidae to establish their potential as alternative protein sources for animals (fish and poultry) and humans. Gross energy, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and total ash were in the ranges of 2028.11–2551.61 kJ/100 g, 44.31–64.90, 0.61–46.29, 5.075–16.61, 3.43–12.27, and 3.23–8.74 g/100 g, respectively. Hermetia illucens had the highest energy and ash content; C. vomitoria were highest in protein and fiber content, R. nitidula were highest in fat, whereas A. domesticus had the highest carbohydrate content. All insects had essential amino acids required for poultry, fish, and human nutrition. The arginine to lysine ratios of H. illucens, C. vomitoria, A. domesticus, and R. nitidula were 1.45, 1.06, 1.06, and 1.45, respectively. The fatty acids comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Palmitic acid (23.6–38.8 g/100 g of total fat) was the most abundant SFA, exception R. nitidula with 14 g/100 g stearic acid. Linoleic acid (190–1,723 mg/100 g) and linolenic acid (650–1,903 mg/100 g) were the most abundant PUFAs. Only C. vomitoria had docosahexaenoic acid. The study indicates that the insects studied are rich in crude protein and other nutrients and can potentially be used for human and animal (fish and poultry) feeding

Structural Modeling of Food Safety Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Food Handlers in Highway Tourist Stop-Over Food Service Establishments in Uganda

The study examines the socio-demographic characteristics, food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food handlers in highway tourist stop-over food service establishments in Uganda. The study further explores the relationship between the above factors using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). Understanding food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food handlers can inform future interventions toward food safety assurance in food service establishments. The study used a cross-sectional design and data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). Approximately half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of food safety and good practices. The results from SEM confirmed that food safety knowledge significantly affected practices (β= 0.37 p<0.05), attitude insignificantly, and negatively affected practices (β= -0.04 p>0.05). Only 13.3% of the changes in practices were explained by the knowledge and attitudes of the respondents (R-squared 0.133). The majority of the food handlers were males, had experience of more than 2 years, attended food safety training, and had limited knowledge about Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). The study is the first of its kind in Uganda. The findings suggest that future interventions should look beyond food safety knowledge and attitudes of the food handlers in food safety assurance efforts

Cross-cultural acceptance of a traditional yoghurt-like product made from fermented cereal

BACKGROUND: Akpan is a traditional ready-to-drink fermented yoghurt-like cereal beverage consumed in urban and rural areas in Benin. With the aim of adapting the product to new local and export markets, this work maps African and European consumer preferences for different types of Akpan. RESULTS: A sensory profile of Akpan was created and consumer tests were conducted with 103 consumers of African origin and 74 consumers of European origin. Consumer acceptance was significantly correlated with fermented odour (r=−0.94) and milky taste (r = 0.92–0.97) attributes. Cluster analysis revealed different behaviour by African and European consumers with respect to acceptability of Akpan; European consumers did not like the sour taste and African consumers liked an intense sweet milky taste. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on how Akpan, and other fermented yoghurt-type cereal products, could be adapted to African and European consumer preferences

Fiscal Policy, Uncertainty and Output Growth in Uganda: 1980-2020

Does uncertainty inevitably alter how Uganda’s fiscal policy influences the country’s economic growth? Using the most recent datasets and rigorous econometric practice, we offer an empirical response to this fundamental topic. Indeed, several nations frequently tweak their fiscal policies as a way to give countercyclical stimulus during periods of uncertainty. In fact, the operations of fiscal policy fluctuate regularly with the sequence of uncertainty and thus create a two-way interaction between fiscal policy, uncertainty, and output growth. We demonstrate using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model that in the presence of uncertainty, tax revenue and expenditure are most affected, whereas borrowing is least affected both in the short and long term. Consequently, the fragility of rising global and domestic uncertainty is destined to generate huge and considerable divergences between the predicted and the actual growth outturn unless government’s macroeconomic frameworks adequately include economic uncertainties into the estimates. As a result, we urge that government borrowing be used as effectively as possible to promote and maintain growth. While tax revenues have been shown to promote growth in both the short- and long-term, the effect will inevitably diminish in the face of uncertainty

A novel consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus for increased access to functional fermented foods

Background: The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most studied probiotic bacterium with proven health benefits upon oral intake, including the alleviation of diarrhea. The mission of the Yoba for Life foundation is to provide impoverished communities in Africa increased access to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG under the name Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012, world's first generic probiotic strain. We have been able to overcome the strain's limitations to grow in food matrices like milk, by formulating a dried starter consortium with Streptococcus thermophilus that enables the propagation of both strains in milk and other food matrices. The affordable seed culture is used by people in resource-poor communities. Results: We used S. thermophilus C106 as an adjuvant culture for the propagation of L. rhamnosus yoba 2012 in a variety of fermented foods up to concentrations, because of its endogenous proteolytic activity, ability to degrade lactose and other synergistic effects. Subsequently, L. rhamnosus could reach final titers of 1E+09 CFU ml(-1), which is sufficient to comply with the recommended daily dose for probiotics. The specific metabolic interactions between the two strains were derived from the full genome sequences of L. rhamnosus GG and S. thermophilus C106. The piliation of the L. rhamnosus yoba 2012, required for epithelial adhesion and inflammatory signaling in the human host, was stable during growth in milk for two rounds of fermentation. Sachets prepared with the two strains, yoba 2012 and C106, retained viability for at least 2 years. Conclusions: A stable dried seed culture has been developed which facilitates local and low-cost production of a wide range of fermented foods that subsequently act as delivery vehicles for beneficial bacteria to communities in east Africa.Peer reviewe

A Review of Smartphone as an Office: Security Risks and Mitigation Measures

Smartphones have become the most popular mode of communication as well as a novel mode of work, allowing users to work from anywhere and increasing their efficiency and responsiveness. However, the flexibility and convenience of mobile phones are associated with security risks. The objective of this study was to examine the threats and risks that smartphones face and to suggest mitigation strategies. A literature searches of scientific research articles published in online journals and databases was carried out. Some of the databases used are Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore Digital Library and Science Direct. The paper concludes that smartphones are not only capable of supporting office work but can also serve as a gateway to the Internet of Things (IoT) and a tool for user interaction with numerous electronic devices. This comes with concerns about technical threats associated with cybercrime, privacy infringements, and hidden data collection tendencies. The paper recommends advanced research to enhance counter-measures to mitigate the many existing security threats as well as those that may emerge in the future

Determinants of Non-Performing Loans in Uganda’s Commercial Banking Sector

Over the past decade, Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in Uganda’s commercial banking industry have exhibited a positive trend, in spite of the reforms undertaken in the industry. The continued increase in NPLs has not only affected credit growth, but also resulted in the collapse and closure of some commercial banks. Against this backdrop, it was necessary to understand the determinants of NPLs in Uganda’s commercial banking sector. To execute the study, quarterly data for the period 2002q1 to 2017q2 was analyzed using ARDL and bounds test techniques while controlling for both bank-specific and macroeconomic factors. The findings of the study indicate that NPLs increase with increase in lending rates, real effective exchange rate and unemployment rate while increase in returns on assets and GDP growth rate lower NPLs. Based on the findings, commercial banks are advised to diversify their asset portfolio by holding other income earning assets such as governments bonds, equity so as to reduce on credit risk exposure. In addition, commercial banks need to focus more on internationally competitive sectors. Measure that reduce lending rates, promote GDP growth, reduce unemployment would also serve to reduce NPLs.

Sectoral Growth Patterns and Unemployment in Uganda

Uganda’s labour market is typically characterized by extensive productivity and earning variations with large amounts of labour trapped and toiling in low-productivity subsistence activities. A policy aimed at reallocating such underemployed labour to higher productivity activities plays a role in tackling the unemployment problem and is a top priority for policymakers. This study examines the asymmetric effects of differential sectoral growth on unemployment in Uganda, considering both the size and composition effect of sectoral growth. The results of this study indicated that a positive shock in agricultural sector value added has a positive causal effect on unemployment. Also, a positive and negative shock in the industrial sector does not affect the level of unemployment. Finally, both a positive and negative shock in the service sector value added has a negative effect on the unemployment level. Another interesting finding of this study is that both the size and composition of sectoral growth matter in addressing the unemployment problem in Uganda. Therefore, both positive and negative shocks should be forecasted and incorporated in government planning frameworks for short, medium, and long particularly during manpower planning. However, sectors with higher labour intensity should be prioritized in budgetary allocations, the government should devise means of reducing underemployment of labour trapped in low-productivity agriculture and other small-scale production activities to create meaningful employment

Black in White: The Private and Public Lives of Black Alums in Cape Town Private Schools

Sociology and Social Anthropolog