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USE OF FISH BIOMARKERS TO ASSESS MICRO- POLLUTANT EXPOSURE AND EFFECTS IN LAKE KANYABOLI, KENYA
(2016-11) CORNEL AKWIR OMONDI
A lot of research in ecotoxicology is currently focused on identifying and developing
suitable biomarkers for use in assessing environmental pollution. This study, set out to
evaluate the use of a suite of biomarkers in Clarias gariepinus in assessing micropollutant exposure and effects in Lake Kanyaboli from November 2013 to April 2014.
Fish were collected with the aid of a gill net of mesh size 4” and 5” whereas bottom
sediment was collected by ErkMan crab sampler. The concentrations of Cadmium,
Chromium, Zinc, Copper, and Lead in lake sediment and in the liver of Clarias
gariepinus were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS).
A necropsy-based health assessment index (HAI), the condition factor, hepatosomatic
index (HSI), and splenosomatic index (SSI) were measured in fish from all the sampling
stations. Fish were semi-quantitatively sampled from which an organ index was
calculated to examine the micro- pollutant exposure and effects in fish from all the study
stations. Metals concentrations were significantly (Fα, v1, v2 = 7.16; p < 0.05) higher in
station 2 than at the other stations. The mean heavy metal concentration in Clarias
gariepinus liver were Cd (nd-0.22±0.01), Cr (0.37 ± 0.01 - 1.67 ± 0.03), Zn (7.12 ± 0.03 -
13.40 ± 0.32), Cu (2.12 ± 0.12 - 4.16 ± 0.12) and Pb (1.63 ± 0.33 - 14.40 ± 0.58). Zn
exhibited a significance difference between the stations (Fα, v1, v2 = 7.79; p < 0.05).
Redundancy ordination analysis (RDA) revealed positive linear relation between heavy
metals in sediments and fish liver except for Zinc concentration in sediments and fish
liver which showed a negative relationship. The mean of the biomarkers were HAI (20.61
± 1.01 - 47.43 ± 1.12), Condition factor (0.60 ± 0.03 - 0.91 ± 0.29), HSI (0.53 ± 0.03 -
0.67 ± 0.03), SSI (0.08 ± 0.00 - 0.12 ± 0.01) and Semi-quantitative histological
assessment index (8.3 ± 0.41 - 17.63 ± 0.36). The multivariate analysis of the histology –
based fish health assessment index (HBFHAI) showed that these biomarkers are being
influenced by the concentration of heavy metals in sediments as well as fish liver and
therefore qualified as biomarkers for assessing pollutant exposure and effects. It is
concluded that histology-based fish health assessment index biomarkers can be used to
assess the health of aquatic organisms and ecological health of Lake Kanyaboli and other
aquatic habitats within the Lake Victoria Basin. However, a more comprehensive
chemical analysis of water and sediments samples including the measurements of
endocrine disrupting chemicals is recommended for future studies to further investigate
possible causative agents regarding liver alterations identified.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR JOB CREATION AND GROWTH OF LEATHER GOODS AND FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
(2025-11-19) DR. PAUL TANUI
Goal:
The goal of this project is to provide a structured way of upgrading the skills of the players involved in the production of leather goods and footwear in Kenya.
Specific objectives:
To conduct baseline survey on the status of production and capacity gaps of leather goods and footwear by MSMEs in Kenya.
To provide a structured training to youth and women-based MSMEs involved in the production of leather goods and footwear from selected counties in Kenya.
To promote learning culture among the players involved in the production of leather goods and footwear in Kenya.
SCREENING, ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROCARBONOCLASTIC BACTERIA FROM OIL CONTAMINATED SOILS
(2017-05) Mwaura N. Agnes
Petroleum and its products continue to serve as a principle source of energy for
industries and daily life. However, their release into the environment is a worldwide
concern since some products are acutely toxic or possess mutagenic, teratogenic and
carcinogenic properties. Several oil disposal methods have been applied over time
with bioremediation emerging as the most promising technology. It takes advantage
of the versatility of soil microbes to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. Unlike
conventional disposal methods, bioremediation is an environmentally friendly and
cost effective method that simulates natural processes for complete degradation of
hydrocarbons into innocuous compounds. This study focused on isolation,
morphological and biochemical characterization as well as molecular identification of
bacteria possessing hydrocarbon-degrading properties. The study also aimed at
optimizing appropriate culture conditions for the isolates as well as screening for
alkane hydroxylase enzyme. Isolation of hydrocarbon degrading microbes from soils
polluted with used motor oil around Ngara, Nairobi-Kenya was carried out using
Bushnell Haas media supplemented with used engine oil. The isolates were screened
for ability to utilize heating oil, hexane, octane, toluene and diesel oil hydrocarbons.
Characterization of the isolates was carried out by performing Gram’s iodine and
potassium hydroxide as well as starch, catalase and carbohydrate fermentation tests.
The isolates were also identified through PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S
rDNA gene and comparison of obtained sequences with those retrieved from Genbank
database. Optimization of culture conditions of three efficient degraders was
performed using diesel oil and cellular growth monitored through biomass
determination. Hydrocarbon analysis was performed using GC-MS following
culturing in diesel oil. Alkane hydroxylase (alkB) gene was amplified using alk-3F
and alk-3R primer pair. Among 21 microbes isolated, nine were selected based on
their ability to utilize the hydrocarbons and characterized. The isolates were observed
to mineralize heating oil, hexane, octane and toluene as well as diesel oil. PCR
amplification of 16S rDNA gene revealed that the nine isolates belong to six different
genera; Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Salmonella and
Ochrobactrum. Based on their ability to degrade the hydrocarbons, three isolates were
selected and their growth conditions optimized. Optimum degradation of diesel oil
was recorded at <1 % substrate concentration, pH 7, temperature of 37 0C and using
yeast extract as a nitrogen source. GC-MS analysis of diesel oil degradation
demonstrated that the isolates were capable of readily degrading linear, branched,
cyclic and isoprenoid alkanes as well as aromatic hydrocarbons with fatty acids,
aldehydes and alcohols produced as intermediate metabolites. Isolate 1C was
identified as the most efficient hydrocarbon degrader based on utilization of the
different hydrocarbons tested. Its alkane hydroxylase gene was successfully amplified
indicating the isolate’s potential catabolic capability in degrading alkanes. Overall, the
characterized bacterial isolates may constitute potential candidates for
biotechnological application in environmental cleanup of petroleum contaminants
FACTORS INFLUENCING ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN EMBU TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, EMBU COUNTY, KENYA
(2017-03) EVANGELINE KANANU NJUE MUGOH
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a major predictor of the survival of individuals
living with HIV/AIDS. Appropriate use of antiretrovirals (ARV’s) has improved the
health of many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. The
effectiveness of HIV treatment depends on sustenance of high levels of adherence to
ARV; however, ARV regimens are often complicated and can be affected by varying
dosing schedules, failing to have proper dietary requirements and patients developing
adverse effects. The main objective of this study was to determine factors influencing
adherence to Anti-retroviral drugs among HIV and AIDS patients 18 years and above
in Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital comprehensive care clinic. A cross sectional
study was carried out at EmbuTeaching and Referral Hospital in EmbuCounty,
Kenya. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain relative proportion of male and
female adult respondents in the sample population. Three hundred and thirty one HIV
positive patients were chosen from a total of 1694 patients who were active in ART
for more than one year. A semi-structured interview schedules was used to obtain
demographic information and patients view on various dimension or ART services at
the facility. The study revealed thatalmost half (48.2%) of the respondents had
optimal adherence to ART treatment while 51.8% had sub-optimal adherence to ART
treatment. Over a third (34.9%) of the patients indicated that travelling was the main
cause of hindrance to optimal adherence to treatment. Other reasons included
forgetfulness 23.5%, tiredness of taking drugs all the time 20.8% and side effects
20.8%. Patients aged below 25 years were more likely to have optimal ART
adherence as compared to respondents aged 56 years and above (ᵡ
2
=10.745, df=4, pvalue = .030). Monogamously married and polygamous married patients more likely
to have optimal adherence as compared to widowed or widower respondents
(ᵡ
2
=17.944, df=4, p-value = .001). Majority (88.0%) of the respondents had disclosed
their HIV status to other people of whom 46.9% had disclosed to their spouse/sexual
partner and 49.7% of them had been accorded moral support. There was significant
association between adherence to ART and the type of drug respondent was using
with AZT, ddl, NFV having the highest proportion of sub-optimal adherence to
treatment while respondents on D4T, 3TC, NVP had the lowest proportion of suboptimal adherence to treatment. Patients who had sub-optimal ART adherence
significantly had longer waiting time and deemed costs of co-infection treatment to be
higher as compared to respondents who had optimal ART adherence. Convenience of
the facilities for people with chronic ailments and waiting time at the facilities were
reported to be lower. The study concludes that majoritypatients had sub-optimal
adherence to ART treatment. Adherence was significantly influenced by age; marital
status; engagement in income generating activity;type of drug takenand costof coinfection treatment;health facility accessibility and perceived waiting time.The study
recommends that HIV patients should be sensitized on importance of carrying ART
drugs when travelling and the use of treatment assistants to ensure optimal adherence
thus enabling them fully realize its life extending benefits as it has been shown that
there is significant non-adherence among HIV positive patients on ART in the
County.
Extraction and Characterization of Gelatin from Lates niloticus Scales and Potential Industrial Applications
(2016-07-31) CHEBON SAMMY KIPLAGAT
This study sought to extract and characterize gelatin from Lates niloticus (Nile perch) scales,
then blend it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Hydrolysis of the scales was done using a crude
alkaline protease harvested from a bacterium, Bacillus cereus strain wwcp 1, obtained from Lake
Bogoria and the resulting solution lyophilized to obtain gelatin powder. The yield was calculated
based on the dry weight of the scales and was shown to be 16.3%.
The sample was characterized using infrared spectroscopy and showed peaks at 3442 cm-1, 1653
cm-1 and ~ 1590 cm-1 corresponding to Amide A, Amide I and Amide II bands respectively.
Amino acid analysis of the sample was done using an Agilent 1260 HPLC. Glycine was the most
abundant amino acid (21.7%), followed by proline (14.6%) and alanine (11.8%). Isoleucine,
Histidine and Tyrosine were the least abundant (1.8, 1.4 and 0.9% respectively).
Polyvinyl alcohol-gelatin blend films of various compositions ranging from 10% to 90% PVA
were prepared by solution casting method, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and
Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) tests showed the films had glass transition, melting and
thermal decomposition onset temperatures intermediate between those of the respective
individual polymers ( PVA and gelatin). The thermal stability of the films reduced with the
increase in the amount of the less thermally stable constituent.
Lastly, potential applications of the prepared blend films were investigated. Batch experiments to
assess the potential of the polymer blend films as adsorbent material were done using Methylene
Blue dye. The films were found to adsorb up to 64% of the dye. The percent dye removal varied
with initial concentration of the dye and contact time
