Consuming small‐sized fish species whole, and bones of large fish could contribute significantly to reducing the level of micronutrient and protein malnutrition. These fish products are more affordable and could therefore meet the needs of poor, vulnerable groups, particularly in rural and urban areas where limited economic resources prevent dietary diversity. The objectives of the study were to produce fish powder from dried edible byproducts from fish processing factories, an underutilized fish species, burrito and to determine the physical, micromineral, macronutrient and microbiological quality of the dried fish powder. Edible fish processing byproducts and an underutilized fish, burrito (Brachydeuterus auritus) were cleaned thoroughly and dried with a Council for Scientific and Industrial Research‐Food Research Institute (CSIR‐FRI) gas‐fuelled oven at 55°C for 8 h or until dried. The dried products were milled into powder, and packaged into polythene bags. Proximate analysis of the fish powder was done Official Methods of Analysis (AOAC) methods. Minerals and heavy metals in the fish powder were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Microbiological quality was determined by Nordic Committee on Food Analysis Method (NMLK) methods. Tuna trimmings contained 80.71 g/100 g protein, whereas burrito contained 70.40 g/100 g protein. Concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, and mercury varied from <1.00 to 1 mg/kg. Lead was found at 0.04 mg/100 g in tuna frames and gills only. All fish byproducts contained high levels of iron, for example, trimmings contained 16.58 mg/100 g, whereas tuna frames and gills also contained 16.82 and 19.54 mg/100 g, respectively. Burrito contained 8.92 mg/100 g. Zinc levels also ranged from 0.41 mg/100 g in tuna trimmings to 1.88 mg/100 g in tuna gills. The powdered samples according to the standards set by Ghana Standard Authority, were acceptable. Consuming small‐ sized fish species whole, and bones of large fish could contribute significantly to reducing the level of micronutrient and protein malnutrition. These are more affordable and could therefore meet the needs of poor, vulnerable groups.

BackgroundPoor nutritional status during childhood and its long-term impact on economic growth and wellbeing is well known. This study assessed the nutritional status of children in selected communities in northern Ghana, to serve as baseline data for the Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) project that sought to improve farm-household nutrition through agriculture.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among children 0–59 months in selected communities in the Northern (Tibali and Cheyohi No. 2), Upper West (Goli and Zanko) and Upper East (Bonia and Sambulgu) regions of northern Ghana. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on background characteristics of caregivers and children. Weight and height were measured for children following World Health Organization (WHO) procedures and transformed into z-scores using the WHO Anthro.ResultsAll the caregivers (522) were females; majority (73.4 %) had no formal education, 82.7 % were married and 70.5 % engaged in farming. In all, 533 children were recruited: Northern region (38.6 %), Upper West (33.4 %) and Upper East (28.0 %). Majority (52.5 %) of the children were males. The mean age was 32 ± 19 months. Levels of stunting, underweight and wasting were 27.2, 17.6 and 8.2 % respectively. Stunting, underweight and wasting levels increased within the first two years of life. Overall, 33.8 % of the children in northern Ghana were malnourished; 20.2 % were from the Northern region, 7.0 and 6.8 % were from Upper East and Upper West respectively.ConclusionDifferent forms of malnutrition still exist as a public health problem in various communities in northern Ghana and need to be curtailed using effective agriculture-nutrition sensitive interventions.

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), a green leafy vegetable, is a good source of minerals and vitamins which could be consumed as part of diet to improve human health and well‐being. Drying M. oleifera leaves could make it readily available for use as a food fortificant. The objectives of the study were to determine micromineral and β ‐carotene content of dried M. oleifera leaves, and leaf‐incorporated local dishes, and also assess school children's (4‐12 yr) acceptability of dried M. oleifera leaf‐incorporated local dishes and feasibility of introducing dried leaves into a school lunch menu. M. oleifera leaves were solar dried, milled into powder, and packaged into polythene bags. Moisture level in the dried leaves and pH were determined. Minerals in the leaf powder were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Beta‐carotene levels were determined by spectrophotometry. Acceptability tests of dishes fortified with M. oleifera leaf powder were conducted with score sheets (Smileys) on a 5‐point hedonic scale of “Like Extremely” to “Dislike Extremely”, and dishes ranked to determine preference. Dried M. oleifera leaves contained high levels of micronutrients: 0.36 ± 0.04 mg/100 g Copper (Cu); 5.80 ± 0.68 mg/100 g Manganese (Mn); 20.96 ± 1.37 mg/100 g Iron (Fe); 6.79 ± 1.82 mg/100 g Zn; and 21.42 ± 1.67 mg/100 g β‐carotene. The dishes showed significant levels of these minerals compared to the nonfortified dishes (P < 0.05). M. oleifera leaf‐fortified dishes were also highly acceptable to the children (highest mean score of 5.0 ± 0 of 5 and lowest of 3.50 ± 1.43 of 5). M. oleifera leaf powder contains high levels of the micronutrients β‐carotene, Zn, Mn, and Fe, comparable to levels found in amaranth and spinach. M. oleifera leaf‐fortified local dishes were well accepted by children in Ada‐East district. M. oleifera leaf fortified dishes could be good sources of β‐carotene and other minerals for children vulnerable to malnutrition in Ghana.

The study aims at establishing an empirical correlation between biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of effluents from selected industries in the Kumasi Metropolis to facilitate speedy effluent quality assessment or optimal process control. Hourly effluent samples were collected for an 8-h period three times per week for analysis of the principal parameters BOD 5 and COD, using the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Measured BOD 5 and COD of the effluents were above the required discharged guideline of 50 mg/l and 250 mg/l, respectively, specified by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana. These levels of BOD 5 and COD of the wastewaters could pose potential pollution to the waterbodies in which they are discharged since untreated. Results also indicate that the degree of common variation between the two variables COD and BOD 5 is highly positive for the effluents from Ghana Brewery Limited (GBL), Guinness Ghana Limited GGL) and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana (Coca-Cola), thus, the variables are correlated. However, the degree of common variation between the variables was low for the effluent from the Kumasi Abattoir. The fitted equations were GBL, y = 0.6558x -270, r = 0.93; Coca-Cola, y = 0.3536x + 113.6, r = 0.81; GGL, y = 0.225x + 1343.7, r = 0.83; Kumasi Abattoir, y = 0.1331x + 54806, r = 0.22) with x and y representing COD and BOD 5 , respectively. The BOD 5 /COD ratio for the wastewater from the selected industries can also be approximated to the gradient of their respective fitted equations, i.e. GBL, 0.66; Coca-Cola, 0.35; GGL, 0.23. The fitted equations for GBL, Coca-Cola and GGL can be used to facilitate rapid effluent assessment or optimal process control by these industries once the chemical oxygen demand is measured.

Background: Nutritional anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency are public health issues confronting Ghanaian children. Their adverse effects are likely pronounced during the dry season when green leafy vegetables, rich-sources of iron and provitamin-A are scarce. This study assessed the effect of dried green leafy vegetables on anaemia and vitamin-A status of Ghanaian school children. Method: This was 3 months pretest, posttest nutrition intervention study. Children 4-9 years were randomized to receive or not receive supplement. High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Haemocue hemoglobinometer were used to determine vitamin-A and haemoglobin concentrations respectively. Malaria-parasitaemia and helminthes were examined by Giemsa-staining and Kato-Katz respectively. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry. Student's t-test was used to establish significant differences between groups. Results: At baseline, the mean haemoglobin concentrations of control and supplemental were 116.9 ± 9.9 g/l and 117.6 ± 12.7 g/l respectively. At end-line, it was 121.9 ± 13.5 g/l for supplemental and 113.4 ± 8.5 g/l for control, significant at p = 0.001. At baseline prevalence of anaemia was 37.3 and 41.5% in control and supplemental respectively. At end-line it was 33.3% in supplemental against 57.5% in control, significant at p = 0.024. At baseline mean retinol concentrations were 16.79 ± 8.74 μg/dl and 16.97 ± 7.74 μg/dl for control and supplemental respectively. Mean retinol concentrations for control and supplemental were 24.35 ± 5.50 μg/dl and 26.96 ± 6.86 μg/dl respectively at end-line. At end-line 60% of control against 64.0% of supplemental had low vitamin-A status. At end-line, anaemic-control had mean retinol concentration of 23.78 ± 5.23 μg/dl and anaemic-supplemental had 27.46 ± 7.28 μg/dl. Prevalence of low vitamin-A status was 64.3 and 84.2% in anaemic-control and anaemic-supplemental respectively at baseline but it became 23.1 and 21.1% respectively, at end-line. The mean haemoglobin concentrations of anaemic-control and supplemental were 105.7 ± 7.5 g/l and 113.6 ± 13.6 g/l respectively at end-line. The change in prevalence of anaemia between the anaemic groups was 12.2%, significant at p = 0.042. Conclusion: Consumption of green leafy vegetables powder increased mean haemoglobin and retinol concentrations of the study participants. It had the potential to minimize prevalence of anaemia and low vitamin-A status of study participants.

Lindane is listed among the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) pesticides, and agricultural uses of lindane have been banned in 52 countries due to its hazardous nature. However, lindane is still widely used in vegetable cultivation in Ghana. The effect of increasing rates of application of lindane (156.0, 244.0 and 312.0 g ha-1), unden (propoxur) (125.0, 187.5 and 250.0 g ha-1), dithane and karate (166.6, 209.8 and 333.3 g ha-1) on garden eggs, okro and tomatoes was studied to find out if it has any advantage that makes its use attractive to farmers despite its ban. Yields of garden eggs were suppressed by all the rates of lindane applied. In tomatoes, lower rates of lindane increased yields whereas the higher rates suppressed yields lower than the control. In okro yields were higher than the control at all levels of lindane applied though yield increments were low. Unden application had the highest effect on garden egg yields followed by tomatoes and least on okro. In the garden egg and tomato treatments, increasing concentration of unden resulted in decreasing yields though yields were higher on the control plots. The optimum unden rate for garden egg and tomato was U20 (i.e. 125.0 g ha-1). Increasing rates of unden on okro did not have any significant effect. Pesticide application had a higher effect on fungal population (50-70% reduction) than on bacterial population in the soil (23.0-38.4% reduction). Dithane suppressed bacteria most whereas karate suppressed fungal population most. Lower levels of chloride residues in tomato fruits corresponded to lower rates of lindane application. Lindane did not have any advantage over the other pesticides as it caused the least increase in yield. It is recommend that farmers are educated on the adverse effects of lindane use, and government enforces the restriction on lindane importation and use in agriculture.

Background. Plant-based foods are staple diets and main micronutrient sources of most rural Ghanaian households. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Amaranthus cruentus and Solanum macrocarpon leafy vegetable flour on micronutrient intake and nutritional status of rural Ghanaian school children. Method. This study was a randomized controlled trial that consisted of baseline data collection and a three-month nutrition intervention feeding program. Two groups of 53 children, age 4–9 years, involved in the Ghana School Feeding Program took part in the study. An experimental group consumed Amaranthus cruentus and Solanum macrocarpon leaves flour (ACSMLVF) stews and soup. The control group consumed stews and soup without ACSMLVF. Haemoglobin and serum vitamin A concentrations were determined. Dietary and anthropometric data were collected and analysed. Participants were screened for malaria parasitaemia and hookworm. Results. Anaemia was present in 41.5% and 37.3%, respectively, of the intervention and control groups at baseline. It was present in 28.3% and 53.3%, respectively, at the end of the study. This was significantly different (p=0.024). There was a low vitamin A concentration in 66.0% and 64.7% at baseline and 20.8% and 23.4% at the end of the study in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean iron, zinc, and provitamin A (beta-carotene) intakes of the intervention group were 14.2 ± 7.1 mg, 5.7 ± 2.1 mg, and 214.5 ± 22.6 μg, respectively, at baseline. Those of the control were 13.7 ± 6.1 mg, 5.4 ± 2.1 mg, and 210.6 ± 20.1 μg, respectively. At the end of the study, the mean intake of iron, zinc, and beta-carotene for the intervention group was 24.1 ± 10.9 mg, 13.8 ± 8.2 mg, and 694.2 ± 33.1 μg, respectively. The intake of these micronutrients for the control at the end of the study was 14.8 ± 6.2 mg, 5.9 ± 2.3 mg, and 418.4 ± 34.7 μg, respectively. Conclusion. Consumption of ACSMLVF stews and soup increased iron, zinc, and beta-carotene intakes. Anaemia prevalence was lower in the intervention group at the end of the study.

With limited protein resources and depleting commercial fish species there is the need to improve utilization of some of the lesser known species which are underutilized, for example, big eye grunt (burrito), Bachydeuterus auritus, and the flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), (other names Cephalocanthus volitans (local) Pampansre). This study was to characterize some of the proximate and biochemical properties of burrito and the flying gurnard so as to evaluate their potential for use in human nutrition and other value‐added products. Proximate and chemical analysis were determined by the methods of AOAC. Fatty acid profiles were determined following the method of Saaed and Howell (1999). Amino acid profiles for the species were determined according to Bidlingmeyer et al. (1987). The protein content of both the water soluble and salt soluble protein extracts of the fish species were determined by the Bradford Protein Assay method (Bradford 1976). Rancidity of the fish species was assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and Peroxide value (PV) as described by Saeed and Howell (1999). Burrito contained 18% protein, whereas the flying gurnard contained 22.3%. Calcium content was 296 mg/100 g for burrito and 185 mg/100 g for flying gurnard, whereas iron content was 4.1 mg/100 g and 1.0 mg/100 g for burrito and the flying gurnard, respectively. Palmitic acid (C16) was 27% and 14.3% for the flying gurnard and burrito, respectively. C17: 1ω8 was 3% in the flying gurnard and 0.2% in burrito. Oleic (C18:1ω9) was 17% in the flying gurnard and 6% in burrito. C20:4ω6 was 1.6% in the flying gurnard and 3% in burrito. Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6ω3) was 4.9% in the flying gurnard and 4.0% in burrito. Both burrito and the flying gurnard are of high nutritional quality as they had a high protein content, good general amino acid profile and abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids.