Organic Farming

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Browsing Organic Farming by Funder "National Research Fund"

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    Aflatoxin B1: Chemistry, Environmental and Diet Sources and Potential Exposure in Human in Kenya
    (IntechOpen, 2019-10-05) Lalah, Joseph Owuor; Omwoma, Solomon; Orony, Dora A. O.; Lalah, Joseph Owuor; Omwoma, Solomon; Orony, Dora A. O.
    Cancer incidences and mortality in Kenya are increasing according to recent reports and now number among the top five causes of mortality in the country. The risk factors responsible for this increase in cancer incidences are assumed to be genetic and/or environmental in nature. The environmental factors include exposure to carcinogenic contaminants such aflatoxins (AFs). However, the exact causes of the increase in cancer incidences and prevalence in many developing countries are not fully known. Aflatoxins are known contaminants produced by the common fungi Aspergillus flavus and the closely related Aspergillus parasiticus which grow as moulds in human foods. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is most common in food and is 1000 times more potent when compared with benzo(a)pyrene, the most potent carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Aflatoxins have therefore drawn a lot of interest in research from food safety and human health point of view. In this chapter, the chemistry, synthesis, identification, toxicology and potential human health risks of AFB1 in Kenya are discussed.
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    Publication
    Physical Characterization of Eri Silk Fibers Produced in Kenya
    (Taylor & Francis, 2021-01-02) Oduor, Edison Omollo; Ciera, Lucy; Adolkar, Vijay; Pido, Odoch
    Eri silk produced in Kenya was characterized for sericin content, moisture content, surface morphology, thermal properties, functional groups, crystallinity, and single fiber tensile strength. It was found that Kenyan Eri silk possesses comparable physical properties to those of commercial silk producing countries. At a degummed tensile strength of 6.81cN, Kenyan Eri silk had comparable strength despite having low crystallinity (29.2%). This is an indication that on optimizing rearing procedures and practices of Eri silkworms to certain regions of Kenyan environment, better quality silk fibers can be produced that are competitive in the world market.