This study evaluated effects of feeding flaxseed and plant polyphenol extracts on breast meat characteristics, functional properties, egg quality and consumer acceptability in Sasso dual-purpose T451A hens. Completely randomized block design was used to assign 126 hens (seven replicates of three) into six dietary groups; NC: 0 g/kg flaxseed + no antioxidant, FS: 75 g/kg of flaxseed + no antioxidant and remaining four groups received 75 g/kg flaxseed supplemented either with 800 mg/kg α-tocopherol (VE8) or 800 mg/kg of plant polyphenol extract derived from D. angustifolia, T. schimperi, or C. domestica. The FS diet increased breast muscle drip loss, whereas the CD8 diet significantly reduced it (1.39% vs. 0.74%). Breast muscle pH elevated in FS, while polyphenols reduced it. Haugh Unit values increased significantly from 75.4 in FS to 77.5 in CD8 and 81.2 in TS8 diets. Inclusion of polyphenols improved albumen height and Haugh Unit, enhancing egg freshness. Eggs from both FS and polyphenols groups were well-accepted by consumers with no off-flavors detected. In conclusion, 800 mg polyphenol extract inclusion enhanced functional properties meat and eggs without affecting consumers perceived sensory attributes; while mitigating adverse effects associated with flaxseed feeding. However, possible effect of feeding whole plant material compared to extract form needs to be explored.

This study estimated the acrylamide exposure of the Ethiopian population through traditional brewing of Coffee arabica. Acrylamide concentrations in traditionally processed Ethiopian C. arabica varieties from Jimma, Sidama, Yirgacheffe, Nekemte, and Hararge were measured. A qualitative survey in Addis Ababa was used to develop a traditional coffee brewing flowchart, which was then applied in a laboratory setting. Acrylamide concentrations in roasted coffee powders were found to be 944.01, 861.67, 739.63, 726.35, and 326.60 mu g/kg for Hararge, Nekemte, Jimma, Yirgacheffe, and Sidama, respectively. First brew concentrations were 119.97, 112.10, 108.68, 94.07, and 6.67 mu g/L, and second brew concentrations were 21.41, 16.45, 16.77, 3.92, and 6.31 mu g/L for the respective varieties of Nekemte, Yirgachefe, Jimma, Hararge, and Sidama. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of acrylamide, based on coffee consumption data, were well below harmful levels (<200 g/kg bw/day), with Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values indicating minimal noncarcinogenic risk (<1). The study also found low concern for nonneoplastic effects (intake < 0.2 mu g/kg bw/day) from Sidama and Nekemte coffees, although a relatively higher concern was observed for Nekemte in specific areas. The findings suggest that reducing acrylamide content in coffee through preventive actions and mitigation strategies is advisable to minimize potential health risks.

In chicken diet with dietary fat, adding plant polyphenols as a natural antioxidant is recommended to enhance the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) content and improve oxidative stability in meat and eggs. However, high plant polyphenol doses could act as a pro-oxidant and interfere with the absorption of n-3 PUFAs. The study aimed to determine the effects of Dodoneae angustifolia (D. angustifolia) polyphenol levels in flaxseed-enriched diets on fatty acid content and oxidative stability in the meat and eggs of Sasso chickens. Chickens received 0, 200, 500, or 800 mg of D. angustifolia extract/kg diet designated as DA0, DA2, DA5, and DA8 treatments, respectively. Results showed that the breast muscle content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) in 200 and 500 mg extract/kg diet and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) in 800 mg extract/kg diet increased (p < 0.05) compared to those who did not receive. Feeding D. angustifolia polyphenol levels had no significant effect on egg yolk n-3 PUFA content. However, a decrease (p < 0.05) in egg yolk n-6 PUFAs was observed in hens with an increase in the dose of D. angustifolia polyphenol extract. In breast muscle, feeding on a 500 mg extract/kg diet decreased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) compared to the control diet. However, feeding different doses of D. angustifolia extracts had no effect on egg yolk lipid peroxidation.

Updating the biochemical composition of coffee beans across the years is necessary. This is important to understand the vulnerability of coffee toward climate adaptation longitudinally. Accordingly, in this study the influence of growing area and traditional roasting on the biochemical composition of five common Ethiopian Arabica coffee beans collected in the harvest year of 2021/22 were investigated. With an average of 11.34 g/100 g, the Hararge and Jimma coffee beans had the highest crude fat content (p < 0.05). The crude protein content of the five varieties was in the range of 13–15 g/100 g, with respective highest and lowest contents in the (Hararge and Nekemte) and (Sidama and Yirgachefe) coffee beans (p < 0.05). The total phenolic content (TPC) of the coffee beans was in the order of Jimma (46.52) > Nekemte (44.55) > Sidama (44.31) > Hararge (39.02) > Yirgachefe (34.25) mg GAE/100 g. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ascorbic acid, coffee bean extract from Jimma and Hararge against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical was 19.86, 20.22 and 20.02 μg/mL, respectively. The respective highest and lowest caffeine concentration was obtained in the Yirgachefe (10.38) and Hararge (7.55 g/100 g) coffee beans (p < 0.05). The Jimma, Sidama, and Nekemte coffee varieties had the highest chlorogenic acid content of 45 g/100 g (p > 0.05); whereas the lowest content was in Hararge coffee (36.78 g/100 g). While the caffeine concentration did not show significant (p > 0.05) difference, with all the coffee beans the roasting has reduced significantly the TPC, trigonelline and mainly the chlorogenic acid (p < 0.05). These data can update the existing facts on biochemical diversity of coffee beans in the country which can be used for evidence based innovations of climate adaptation in predicting the quality of coffee. Further recommendation of optimizing the traditional coffee processing method is supported from this study.

Adding flaxseed was found to decrease oxidative stability in feed and increase the antioxidant needs of chicken. This has also been associated with a decrease in the nutritional value and oxidative stability of meat if sufficient dietary antioxidants are not included. Furthermore, dietary flaxseed has been explored in fast-growing chickens as such studies are limited with slow-growing chickens. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding plant polyphenol extracts as an antioxidant alongside flaxseed on fatty acid content, oxidative stability, and lipid health indices in breast muscle of slow-growing Sasso T451A dual-purpose chicken. A total of 126 chickens assigned to six groups (seven replicates of three) were fed on NC (control and no antioxidants), FS (75 g flaxseed and no antioxidants), VE8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg vitamin E), TS8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Thymus schimperi), DA8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Dodonaea angustifolia) and CD8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Curcuma domestica) extract per kg diet. Feeding on CD8 and VE8 in raw and TS8, CD8 and VE8 diets in cooked breast muscle increased (p < 0.05) the C22:6n − 3 (DHA) and C20:5n − 3 (EPA) contents compared to the FS diet. Feeding FS increased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in breast muscle, whereas TS8 in cooked and raw and CD8 and DA8 diets in raw breast muscle decreased it (p < 0.05). No added benefit was observed in feeding VE8 over plant extracts in terms of improving fatty acid composition and lipid health indices and reducing lipid oxidation in breast meat.

Previous attempts to increase the level of flaxseed in hens' diet for the production of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs)-enriched eggs have been commonly associated with undesirable effects on production efficiency, lipid health indices, and oxidative stability of eggs, requiring adequate research attention. This study investigated the effects of feeding a moderate level of flaxseed (FS) and plant polyphenol extracts (PPEs) on fatty acid content, oxidative stability, and lipid health indices in eggs of slow-growing Sasso T451A laying hens. One hundred and five hens were assigned to five groups (seven replicates of three) and fed on FS (75 g flaxseed and no antioxidants), VE8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg vitamin E), TS8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Thymus schimperi), DA8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Dodonaea angustifolia), and CD8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Curcuma domestica) extract per kg diets. The egg yolk content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) in the DA8, TS8, and CD8 diets and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) in TS8 and CD8 diets significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared with the FS diet. The FS diet significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in egg yolks, whereas the TS8 diet decreased it by 67% (p < 0.05). Little difference was observed in yolk fatty acid content between cooked and raw eggs. Production of n-3 PUFA-enriched eggs with favorable lipid health indices was possible through inclusion of PPEs extracted from local plant species grown in Ethiopia and a moderate dose of flaxseed in the diet of laying hens.

The phytochemical profiles and antioxidant capacities of 14 cowpea varieties (7 improved and 7 landraces) grown in Ethiopia were studied. The total phenolic, flavonoids, and monomeric anthocyanin contents (mg/100 g flour dry matter basis, db) ranged from 1210 to 1610 gallic acid equivalents, 250 to 1110 catechin equivalents and 3 to 7 cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents, respectively. The antioxidant capacity measured using the 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays ranged from 26 to 92 and 89-125 mu mol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, and 62-90 mu mol Fe2+/g db, respectively. p-Coumaric acid followed by sinapic acid predominated in the soluble fractions while salicylic acid followed by rosmarinic acid predominated in the bound fractions. The principal component analysis showed that most landrace cowpea grains showed higher total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities than the improved grain varieties. The results suggested that landraces should be given due attention in future planning of cowpea breeding strategies.

Cowpea is a drought-tolerant legume consumed as a high-quality plant protein source in many parts of the world. In this study, crude protein contents, Osborne fractions, in vitro protein digestibility and amino acid composition of proteins of 5 different cowpea varieties (Asebot, Asrat, Bekur, TVu and WWT) were investigated. The crude protein contents varied from 28.1 to 31.8 g/100 g. Results showed that the globulin and albumin fractions were the predominant protein fractions, accounting for 38.4-49.1 and 19.6-22.5% of the total protein, respectively; followed by glutelins contributing from 6.4 to 10.4%, while prolamins were 1.0-1.14%. In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of cowpea flour ranged between 68.7 and 72.0%. IVPD showed a significant negative correlation with phytic acid (r = -0.673) and globulins contents (r = -0.846), and did not correlate with tannins content. The amino acid analysis showed that proteins were mainly comprised of non-essential amino acids: Glx and Asx (including Gln and Asn). Except for Ile and His, the amino acid score of the cowpea varieties was below the FAO/WHO requirement for essential amino acids for infants and preschool children. Trp was the first limiting amino acid for all varieties except for TVu, followed by the sulphur-containing amino acids. On the basis of crude protein content, digestibility and balance of essential amino acids, WWT, Bekur and TVu varieties can be recommended for value added food products and in breeding programs to develop high protein quality cowpea varieties.

This study evaluated the proximate and sensory properties of traditionally fermented maize-teff-cassava flour blended product (Injera). The composite flour were formulated as: the negative control sample had 100% whole teff flour while other samples had 10 % maize flour and 10, 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50% of cassava flour. The blended flour product Injera was analyzed for proximate composition and organoleptic evaluation, using standard methods and data generated were statistically analyzed. The percentage composition analysis of composite flour Injera crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, moisture content and carbohydrate were ranged from 6.37 ± 0.49 to 8.67 ± 0.68, 0.66 ± 0.13 to 1.84 ± 0.07, 3.66 ± 0.06 to 4.08 ± 0.09, 1.60 ± 0.01 to 1.84 ± 0.01, 7.03 ± 0.06 to 8.08 ± 0.05 and 80.58 ± 0.44 to 83.85 ± 0.60, respectively. The blended flour food product Injera nutritional values were found to be estimated to cover energy of 15 % (MTC2, 373 of 2500 kcal) daily recommended RDA value that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98 %) healthy individuals in each age and gender group of adult man (age, 19-50). The pH value for the whole teff Injera (3.38) was lower than other blended composite flours. The blend MTC1-4 samples of the attributes had score above the mean (3.5) of the maximum score 7 of the scale. Thus, maize (10%) and (10, 20, 30 & 40%) cassava flour substitutions for teff flour did not reduce the sensory quality of the Injera sample.

Food-borne pathogens are one of the leading causes of illness and death particularly in developing countries. This study was aimed at analyzing the hygiene indicator microorganisms and pathogens of minced meat and contact surface materials in butcher shops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, a checklist was applied to evaluate the hygiene condition of the establishments, and a questionnaire/checklist was used to assess food safety knowledge of the food handlers. This study has indicated that the mean microbial counts (total aerobic mesophilic, staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae , total coliforms, fecal coliforms, aerobic spores and yeasts/molds) of the minced meat and contact surface materials in butcher shops ranged between 2.35 and 6.50 log·cfu/g and between 1.80 and 6.30 log·cfu/cm 2 , respectively. The mean microbial counts of minced meat samples taken in the morning and afternoon showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The prevalence of E. coli , Salmonella , and S. aureus in minced meat and contact surface samples was exhibited as 43.75 and 29.17%, 6.25 and 4.17%, and 37.50 and 37.50% in that order. The study has indicated that minced meat samples and contact surface materials had higher microbial load with poor personal and work area sanitation. Low knowledge of food handlers in the butcher shops and broken cold chain have also been found as major contributing factors for the contamination of beef.

The purpose of this study was designed to investigate the amino acid and fatty acid composition of taro leaf and corm samples. An UHPLC and GC-FID method was used for the determination of amino acids and fatty acid composition, respectively. Taro leaf was processed as a powder and pre-curd concentrates while the corm was pre-gelatinized with and without peel prior to the analysis. The amino acid and fatty acid composition (%) of the analyzed samples were quantified with their relative area comparing with respective standards. In the present study, the leaf and corm of taro contained the three essential amino acids leucine, lysine and methionine. For the study, the calculated amino acid values were low in corm samples, but amino acid composition was higher in the leaf samples. Concerning fatty acids, the dominant fatty acid in the leaf and corm was oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) which ranged from 140.697 ± 0.054 to 216.775 ± 0.043 and 101.932 ± 0.023 to 101.950 ± 0. 04 mg/100 g, respectively. In the study, the fatty acid compositions in leaf were higher than the corm. This means that taro leaf would be considered as a good source of essential amino acid and fatty acid than the corm. Finally, from the proportion (mg/100 g) of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the unsaturated fatty acids were the predominant fatty acids observed. The presence of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids in the entire investigation of our study taro is nutritionally rich.

An observational study was conducted to determine dietary fluoride intake, diet, and prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis of school age children in three fluorosis endemic districts of the Ethiopian Rift Valley having similar concentrations of fluoride (F) in drinking water (~5 mg F/L). The duplicate plate method was used to collect foods consumed by children over 24 h from 20 households in each community (n = 60) and the foods, along with water and beverages, were analyzed for fluoride (F) content. Prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis was determined using presence of clinical symptoms in children (n = 220). Daily dietary fluoride intake was at or above tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 10 mg F/day and the dietary sources (water, prepared food and beverages) all contributed to the daily fluoride burden. Urinary fluoride in children from Fentale and Adamitulu was almost twice (>5 mg/L) the concentration found in urine from children from Alaba, where rain water harvesting was most common. Severe and moderate dental fluorosis was found in Alaba and Adamitulu, the highest severity and prevalence being in the latter district where staple foods were lowest in calcium. Children in all three areas showed evidence of both skeletal and non-skeletal fluorosis. Our data support the hypothesis that intake of calcium rich foods in addition to using rain water for household consumption and preparation of food, may help in reducing risk of fluorosis in Ethiopia, but prospective studies are needed.

BACKGROUND:Traits such as bird-, insect- and mould-resistance are the focus in selecting improved sorghum varieties, but this often increases the tannin content, which can negatively affect iron bioavailability. The grain characteristics, nutrient retention, and the fate of iron-binding polyphenols (IBPs) during injera processing, an Ethiopian traditional fermented pancake, were investigated using agriculturally improved tannin-free (TFC) and high-tannin (HTC) sorghum cultivars.RESULTS:The HTC had significantly higher IBP contents than the TFC (P < 0.05). Decortication led to iron (24-27%), calcium (18-43%), IBP (catechol 35-41%, galloyl 35-42%), and tannin (12-35%) losses. Sourdough fermentation reduced the IBP and tannin concentrations in HTC, but had no effect on the IBP concentrations in TFC. The modified injera processing that included pre-soaking resulted in the highest IBP reductions (galloyl 73% and catechol 71%).CONCLUSION:Nutrient retention in HTC and TFC processing was different. Including a pre-soaking step during injera processing of HTC could counter the negative effects of IBP on iron absorption, while benefiting from the agronomic features of HTC.

The aims of the present study were to present a methodology for toxicity tests that can be used when analytical resources to verify the test concentrations are limited, and to evaluate whether the sensitivity of a limited number of Ethiopian species to pesticides differs from literature values for, mainly, temperate species. Acute toxicity tests were performed using three Ethiopian aquatic invertebrate species, one crustacean (Diaphanosoma brachyurum) and two insects (Anopheles pharoensis and Culex pipiens) and using the pesticides endosulfan and diazinon. All species-pesticide combinations were tested in duplicate to estimate the consistency, i.e. the intra-laboratory variation, in test results. Daphnia magna was tested as well to allow the test results to be compared directly with values from the literature. Results indicate that the differences between the EC50s obtained for D. magna in this study and those reported in the literature were less than a factor of 2. This indicates that the methodology used is able to provide credible toxicity values. The results of the duplicated tests showed intra-laboratory variation in EC50 values of up to a factor of 3, with one test showing a difference of a factor of 6 at 48 h. Comparison with available literature results for arthropod species using species sensitivity distributions indicated that the test results obtained in this study fit well in the log-normal distribution of the literature values. We conclude that the methodology of performing multiple tests to check for consistency of test results and performing tests with D. magna for comparison with literature values to check for accuracy is able to provide reliable effect threshold levels and that the tested Ethiopian species did not differ in sensitivity from the arthropod species reported on in the literature.

White lupin seeds, Lupinus albus L. are known for their bitter taste due to the presence of different alkaloids and other related anti-nutritional factors which make the seeds inedible. There are reports on some of processing methods that have the potential to reduce the alkaloids and make it a safe product for consumption. However, studies on the effects of the processing techniques on other biochemical compositions of the seed are lacking. In this study, the effects of  commonly used traditional processing methods (roasting followed by soaking for five days, boiling followed by soaking for five days, germination for 48 hrs and dehulling) on the fatty acid profile and mineral composition and total alkaloid contents of L. albus seeds grown in Ethiopia are reported. The L. albus seeds were collected from two sites named Dangla and Tilili. Analysis of the seeds showed that the contents of iron, zinc, manganese and magnesium in the raw Dangla and Tilili samples were 6.01, 2.11, and 58.43, 8.93 mg/ 100 gm and 6.73, 1.81, 59.14 and 9.46 mg/ 100 gm, respectively. In raw seeds, an average value of 10 % saturated and 75 % unsaturated fatty acids were recorded. The predominant unsaturated fatty acids were C18:1 (n-9) and C18:2 (n-6), while the saturated ones contained C16:0, C18:0 and C20:0. All the traditional processing methods applied have reduced the total alkaloid contents of the raw seed from both sites significantly. Due to these treatments the content of iron in the raw seeds from both sites was reduced by (14-47) % and magnesium by only less than 10 %. Also due to these treatments no loss in the essential fatty acid contents was observed. Therefore, the minimally processed L. albus seeds using traditional methods can serve as a potential source of minerals and essential fatty acids after removing the alkaloids

Background In light of the continuing rise in food prices during and after the 2008 world food crisis, whether food and cash transfers are equally effective in improving food security and diet quality is debatable. Objective To compare the effects of conditional food and cash transfers of the Ethiopian Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) on household food security and dietary diversity. Methods Data on household dietary diversity, child anthropometry, food security, and preference of transfer modalities (food, cash, or mixed) were generated from a cross-sectional survey of 195 PSNP beneficiary households (67 receiving food and 128 receiving cash) in Hawella Tulla District, Sidama, southern Ethiopia. Results Most beneficiaries (96%) reported food shortages, and 47% reported food shortages that exceeded 3 months. Households receiving cash had better household dietary diversity scores ( p = .02) and higher consumption of oils and fats ( p = .003) and vitamin A–rich foods ( p = .002). Compared with households receiving food, households receiving cash were more affected by increases in food prices that forced them to reduce their number of daily meals ( p < .001) and spend less on nonstaples ( p < .001). While most households receiving food (82%) preferred to continue receiving food, households receiving cash (56%) preferred a mix of food and cash. Conclusions Households receiving cash had better household dietary diversity than households receiving food, a result suggesting that cash transfers may be more effective. However, the continuing rise in food prices may offset these benefits unless cash transfers are index-linked to food price fluctuations.