JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

Abstract: Ceramic household water filters have been identified as a simple and scalable water treatment technology to help meet the world’s growing demand for potable and affordable drinking water. However, the high cost and potentially toxic nature of colloidal silver, which is mostly used in filter manufacturing, have made it essential to develop affordable and safer ceramic filters. This study fabricated and investigated the morphological characteristics of the Nnsupa ceramic filter for water treatment. Locally sourced clays mixed with starch were moulded, dried, and fired to produce filters called NHCWF filters. The structural properties, microscopic characteristics, and physicochemical parameters of the filters were then characterised. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed a closely packed ceramic structure with scattered porosity. The filters showed multilayer adsorption with a type IV isotherm during gas physisorption analysis, which, combined with mercury intrusion porosimetry, demonstrated the presence of micropores, mesopores, and macropores. The pore sizes of the filters ranged from 0.01 to 10.0 μm, with log reduction values ranging between 4 (99.99%) and 5 (99.999%), which meet both Ghanaian and WHO drinking water standards. Fourier transform infrared analysis also indicated the presence of functional groups consumed over time when the filters were used. The average flow rate of filtered water under gravity was 0.27 L h^-1 with an experimental filtering setup that used the NHCWF filter. This study has shown that the NHCWF presents as a feasible alternative to conventional silver-embedded ceramic filters used in household production of potable drinking water.

Keywords: Ceramic water filtering, non-chemical filter, sustainable water treatment, low-cost water treatment, innovative filtering.

Abstract: This study investigates the nutritional composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from aquaculture systems (tanks, cages, and ponds) and wild sources in the Asuogyaman District of Ghana. The focus was on their contributions to the Recommended Nutritional Intakes (RNIs) for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant and lactating women (PLW), and the elderly. A total of 40 Nile tilapia samples were analysed, comprising 10 from each culture system (tank, cage, and pond) with a common water source, and 10 from wild sources. The proximate composition—comprising moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and ash—was consistent across systems, with protein content ranging from 15.9 to 17.3 g/100 g and lipid content ranging from 0.52 to 1.54 g/100 g. Energy values were highest in cage-cultured tilapia (87.93 kcal/100 g) and lowest in tank-cultured fish (79.88 kcal/100 g). Mineral analysis showed that farmed tilapia, especially those from pond systems, had more calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc than wild tilapia. The iron contribution to RNIs was particularly significant from pond-cultured tilapia, reaching up to 30.1% of the RNI for adults and PLW. Wild tilapia, although nutritionally beneficial, provided lesser contributions to the RNIs, particularly for calcium and zinc. Furthermore, the sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio varied across systems, with tank-cultured tilapia showing the most favourable balance for cardiovascular health (Na/K = 0.35). These findings emphasise the nutritional advantages of farmed tilapia, especially in improving mineral intake in vulnerable populations. The study provides important insights for aquaculture policy and consumer guidance, focusing on tilapia’s potential to address micronutrient deficiencies in Ghana.

Keywords: Proximate, Nile Tilapia, Ghana, Vulnerable groups, Recommended Nutritional Intakes, Culture systems.

Abstract: The construction of an affordable and environmentally friendly water purification system for domestic usage is the main goal of this study. The model was designed part by part in the ordered environment of the Solid Edge 2021 version, after which it was assembled as one component in the assembly environment. It integrates a compact sand-charcoal filter with solar disinfection (UV radiation and thermal effects). Performance evaluation of the system was done using dam water with a turbidity of 185 NTU and a pH of 6.70. Without alum, the system reduced turbidity to 151 NTU (removal efficiency of 18.4%). With alum coagulation, turbidity decreased to 9 NTU (removal efficiency of 95.1%). The performance with alum exceeds the WHO standard of ≤5 NTU, likely due to unoptimized alum dosing and/or settling time. In addition, the pH of raw water decreased from 6.70 to 6.34, corresponding to 5.9% reduction, for both alum-treated and untreated samples, which is slightly below the WHO standards. Despite not fully meeting WHO standards, the system demonstrates potential as a low-cost, sustainable pre-treatment option for rural households. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, and 13. Further tests could confirm the system’s microbial disinfection efficacy.

Keywords: Turbidity, pH, solar disinfection, sand filtration, alum coagulation, potable water, sustainable development goals.

Abstract: Isotope geochemistry, specifically the Samarium-Neodymium (Sm-Nd) and Rubidium-Strontium (Rb-Sr) systems, has emerged as a robust tool for tracing sediment origins. By comparing the isotopic composition of sediments to potential source regions, geologists can quantify the contributions of different source terranes. This abstract highlight the application of Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopes in provenance studies of the Oti-Pendjari and Tamale-Obosum Group rock formations of the Voltaian Supergroup. Thirty (30) fine sediment samples from the two groups were collected and analyzed for their whole rock elemental compositions using the ICP-MS and XRF. Nd and Sm isotope measurements were conducted using a low-resolution mode on a Nu Plasma II MC-ICPMS (Nu Instruments, Wrexham) located at the Analytical Facility of the University of Johannesburg. Preliminary results indicate distinct isotopic signatures between the Tamale-Obosum Group and the Oti-Pendjari Group. Nd and Sr isotopic analysis of the Tamale and Oti Groups indicates a continental crustal origin for both units. TDM model ages for these groups range from 1.31 to 2.2 Ga, suggesting a dominant Proterozoic crustal source. Specifically, the Tamale-Obosum Group likely sourced from a combination of Birimian and Kwahu-Bombouaka rocks, while the Oti-Pendjari Group likely sourced from a mix of Birimian rocks and rocks from the Pan-African belt.

Keywords: Voltaian Supergroup, Sm-Nd isotopes, Rb-Sr isotopes, provenance, Neoproterozoic, West Africa.

Abstract: Yogurt is a dairy product produced by the souring of pasteurized milk by the lactic acid-producing bacteria Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophilus, leading to its characteristic taste and texture. It is categorized as a probiotic food because of the health benefits it reportedly provides its consumers. However, for yogurt to confer added probiotic benefit beyond fermentation, well-characterized probiotic strains should be incorporated into the starter cultures used. Our study sought to delineate the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in Ghanaian yogurts labelled as probiotic. Twelve locally produced yogurts were obtained from random supermarkets within the Accra Metropolis. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the yogurt matrix using the DNeasy Mericon Food Kit. Multiplex PCR on extracted DNA was performed using eleven primers comprising universal Lactobacillus primers and species-specific probiotic LAB primers. Next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from samples with multiple distinct bands was carried out. The Simpson and Inverse Simpson indices were used to compute alpha diversity and determine species richness and evenness in the locally produced yogurt samples. Seven out of the twelve locally produced yogurts passed sequencing QC and were taxonomically classified. The data showed low Simpson and Inverse Simpson indices for all yogurt samples, which is consistent with the dominance of defined starter cultures expected in yogurt fermentation. Lactobacillus delbrueckii was the dominant taxon in all seven sequenced samples, accounting for a mean of 86.6 ± 10.2% of reads per sample (range 69.1–97.2%). Apart from Lactobacillus delbrueckii, other strains of Lactobacillus, such as L. fermentum and L. reuteri, were detected in some samples. Reads matching potentially pathogenic taxa, including the Bacillus cereus group and Clostridioides difficile, were also identified, although their taxonomic reliability requires confirmation by culture-based or species-specific methods. Although there was variability in species abundance between the different yogurts, Lactobacillus delbrueckii was consistently dominant. Since yogurts are classified as a probiotic food due to the health benefits they confer, our study highlights the need to incorporate well-characterized probiotic strains into the starter cultures and to ensure microbiological safety, rather than relying on spontaneous taxonomic diversity for probiotic benefit.

Keywords: Lactic acid bacteria, Probiotics, yogurt, Next Generation Sequencing.

Abstract: This study aimed to determine the infestation levels of different Moroccan date palm cultivars by Ectomyelois ceratoniae in seven areas of the Tafilalet region, both under field conditions, where a total of 1900 dates at both Khalal and Tmar stages were sampled, and in four warehouses, where 210 Tmar fruits were examined. Infestation rates were determined from the collected samples, and associated biochemical traits, including total sugar content, total phenolic content, and moisture content, were evaluated to better understand their relationship with infestation patterns. Sampled dates were also analysed to determine their water, total sugar, and total phenolic content. Results showed that the infestation rate differed significantly by date stage and cultivar (stage: p < 0.001; cultivars: p = 0.034) with significant interaction between stage and cultivar (p = 0.031). Infestation rates were significantly lower during the Khalal stage compared with the Tmar stage. However, during the late Tmar stage, the rate ranged from 1.67% to 11.78% by area and from 3.25% to 11.33% by cultivar. As for stored dates, the level of infestation varied significantly by cultivar (p = 0.004), ranging from 0% to 5%. Regarding biochemical analyses, under field conditions, cultivar, fruit stage, and their interaction had a significant impact on moisture content (p < 0.05), fruit stage alone had a significant impact on total sugar content (p < 0.05), and fruit stage also had a significant impact on total phenolic content (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the hardness index between cultivars (p < 0.05). Total sugar, total polyphenol, and moisture content did not significantly differ between cultivars in dates that were stored. Results show that dates at the Khalal stage contain low levels of total sugars (from 24.42% to 37.54%). At the Tmar stage, all cultivars are rich in total sugars, with contents ranging from 69.66% to 79.39%. As for the water content, it is higher at the Khalal stage than at the Tmar stage for all the cultivars studied (from 77.17% to 81.39%). It decreases with maturation, reaching levels fluctuating between 9% and 30.8%. Based on these results, it appears that all cultivars, except for the “Maajouna” cultivar (semi-soft), were classified as dry and are more susceptible to attack than the semi-soft cultivar. The polyphenol content seems to be independent of the cultivar factor, but it was linked to the stage factor. Regression analyses indicated significant correlations between infestation rate and sugar, polyphenol, and water contents at the Tmar stage (R2 ≈ 0.29–0.35, p < 0.05), suggesting that biochemical factors affect infestation. The findings reveal the most attacked fruit stage and associated fruit biochemical traits, offering insights for improved pest management in the Tafilalet region.

Keywords: Ectomyelois ceratoniae, date palm, infestation rate, biochemical traits, Tafilalet, Morocco.

Abstract: Four experiments were conducted to test the homogeneity of chicken diets using dry matter (DM), ash, and particle size distribution (PSD) analyses as rapid assays. In both on-farm and on-station experiments, 100 and 200-kg chicken diets were mixed. In each experiment, the diets were manually mixed at different intensities (2–7 times) on a cemented floor. After each intensity of mixing, 5 samples of 300 g were fetched from the cardinal coordinates and the top of the heap for the analysis of DM (%), ash (%), and PSD and calculation of their coefficient of variations (CV). The results indicated that in all 4 experiments, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in the DM and ash content across all mixing intensities. Mixing 5 and 6 times on-farm (100 kg) reduced the quantity of (P < 0.05) < 75 μm particles. Also, mixing 7 times on-farm (200 kg) reduced (P = 0.88) < 75 μm particles. The CV of the 100-kg diet (on-station) was lower for particle size > 1000, > 500, and > 250 μm. For the 200-kg diet (on-station), the CV was lower for particle sizes > 250, > 75, and < 75 μm. For the 100-kg diet (on-farm), the CV was lower for DM, ash, and particle size of > 500 and < 75 μm. A lower CV was observed for the ash and particle sizes > 500 and < 75 μm for the 200-kg diet (on-farm). In conclusion, the hypothesis that DM, ash, and PSD analysis can be used as a reliable, rapid assays for determining feed uniformity was not fully supported in this study and warrants further studies.

Keywords: Feed uniformity, feed analysis, poultry diet, rapid assay.

Abstract: This study emphasizes the application of a web-based expert system in diagnosing honey bee diseases, utilizing the R shiny package. The main objective was to provide accessible and continuous web-based support for beekeepers and agricultural specialists at all times. The proposed expert system diagnoses honey bee diseases based on the user’s selection of the observed symptoms. The knowledge base of the BEECARE application contains comprehensive information about the symptoms of nine major diseases affecting honey bees. During the diagnostic process, both images and detailed information related to diseases are displayed to assist the user in confirming the diagnosis. The BEECARE application is accessible to beekeepers in two languages (English and Arabic) and demonstrates precision and reliability in its diagnostic outcomes, achieving 84.4% accuracy in expert validation tests and improving beekeeper diagnostic accuracy by 30% (from 52% to 82%), with a high user satisfaction score of 4.2/5 for ease-of-use. It serves as a practical tool for identifying and managing diseases.

Keywords: Expert system, Bee, Disease, Brood, Worker.