GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION (GSA) KUMASI BRANCH

IN COLLABORATION WITH

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, KNUST

7TH GSA RESEARCH SEMINAR AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Theme: “Scientific Research and Innovation: The Driving

Wheels of the Sustainable Development Goals”

College of Science Allotey Auditorium, KNUST, Kumasi

18 April 2018

i

7TH GSA RESEARCH SEMINAR AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Theme: “Scientific Research and Innovation: The Driving

Wheels of the Sustainable Development Goals”

College of Science Allotey Auditorium, KNUST, Kumasi

18 April 2018

Local Organising Committee

Dr. Jacob K. Agbenorhevi (Chairman)

Dr. Abena Achiaa Boaky (Secretary)

Dr. Leonard De-Souza (Member)

Dr. Caroline R. Kwawu (Member)

Rapporteurs

Dr. Ellen Antwi-Agyei

Dr. Kojo Owusu Akuffo

Dr. George Parker-Lamptey Support Team

Manuela Tobil

Grace Asantewaa Twumasi

Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom

Akosua Afriyie Boakye

Vincent Abe-Inge

Nadratu Musah Bawa

Clarisse Ann Sahe

Local Executives

Dr. Nathaniel Owusu Boadi –Local President

Dr. Patrick Addo-Fordjour – Local Secretary

Mrs. Linda Aurelia Ofori – Local Treasurer

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT GSA ................................................................................................................................................ 1

PROGRAMME OUTLINE ......................................................................................................................... 2

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHAIR: DR.

JACOB K. AGBENORHEVI ........................................................................................................ 3

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE GSA KUMASI BRANCH PRESIDENT: DR.

NATHANIEL OWUSU BOADI ................................................................................................... 4

PROFILE OF CONFERENCE CHAIR: PROF. ABOAGYE MENYEH ............................................ 5

PROFILE OF SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR: PROF. (MRS.) IBOK ODURO ............................ 6

PROFILE OF KEY SPEAKER: PROF. R.C. ABAIDOO ...................................................................... 7

PROFILE OF POSTER SESSION CHAIR: DR. IR. PETER TWUMASI .......................................... 8

ORAL PRESENTATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 9

O-1 SURROGATE REFERENCE STANDARDS IN DRUG QUALITY MONITORING: THE

CASE OF ARTEMETHER/LUMEFANTRINE COMBINATION ANTIMALARIAL

DRUG................................................................................................................................................ 9

O-2 QUALITY EVALUATION OF FLUCONAZOLE AND KETOCONAZOLE IN

PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS USING THE HPLC TECHNIQUE WITH

SURROGATE REFERENCE STANDARDS .......................................................................... 10

O-3 DIETARY PATTERNS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THEIR EFFECT ON BODY

MASS INDEX OF KNUST STUDENTS ................................................................................. 11

O-4 EFFECT OF DIFFERENT EGG STORAGE DURATION AND STORAGE

TEMPERATURE ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COBB 500 BROILER

BREEDER ..................................................................................................................................... 12

O-5 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND DURATION OF EGG STORAGE ON

HATCHABILITY AND CHICK QUALITY OF COBB 500 BROILER BREEDERS ..... 13

O-6 INFLUENCE OF DRYING ON THE PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANT

PROPERTIES OF GOLD COAST BOMBAX (Bombax buonopozense) SEPALS

(CALYX) ....................................................................................................................................... 14

iii

O-7 IMPROVING NON-TRADITIONAL EXPORT TRADE: DEVELOPMENT OF RP-

HPLC METHOD FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL OF THE SEEDS OF VOACANGA

AFRICANA STAPF ...................................................................................................................... 15

O-8 QUANTIFICATION OF FRACTURE OF ROCK ANALOGUE USING FRACTAL

GEOMETRY TOOLS – MORFA & BOX-COUNTING ....................................................... 16

O-9 THE EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND STORAGE DURATION ON

COBB 500 BROILER GROWTH RATE ................................................................................. 17

O-10 DEVELOPMENT OF DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS FROM NATURAL DYES . 18

O-11 PROXIMATE AND SOME FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF PINEAPPLE CORE

FLOUR AS AN ANTICAKING AGENT ................................................................................ 19

O-12 QUALITY OF WATER USED ON SELECTED POULTRY FARMS IN THE ASHANTI

REGION OF GHANA ................................................................................................................. 20

POSTER PRESENTATIONS .................................................................................................................... 21

P-1 HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION AND HEALTH RISK EVALUATION OF

SELECTED TRACE METALS IN COMMUNITES IN THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY

......................................................................................................................................................... 21

P-2 DEVELOPMENT OF SWEETPOTATO PICKLE BY MEANS OF WILD

FERMENTATION ....................................................................................................................... 22

P-3 THE POTENTIAL OF SPENT YEAST IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROTEIN

CONTENT OF CASSAVA-WHEAT COMPOSITE BREAD .............................................. 23

P-4 LEVELS OF SOME TRACE METALS IN BROILER CHICKEN IN THE ASHANTI

REGION OF GHANA ................................................................................................................. 24

P-5 MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS IN PHYTOPHTHORA COLOCASIAE ISOLATES

CAUSING TARO LEAF BLIGHT IN THE SEMI-DECIDUOUS AGRO ECOLOGICAL

ZONE OF GHANA ...................................................................................................................... 25

P-6 MINERAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES, PHYTOCHEMICAL

AND ANTI-NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN PALMYRA PALM FRUIT

FLOUR ........................................................................................................................................... 26

P-7 EFFECT OF DRYING ON THE NUTRIENT AND ANTI- NUTRIENT COMPOSITION

OF BOMBAX BUONOPOZENSE SEPALS ............................................................................. 27

iv

P-8 ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER QUALITY IN SELECTED STUDENTS HOSTELS

AROUND THE KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI, AND THEIR HEALTH EFFECTS ......................................... 28

P-9 BROMELAIN ACTIVITY OF WASTE PARTS OF TWO PINEAPPLE VARIETIES ... 29

P-10 N UPTAKE BY COCOA (THEOBROMA COCOA L) ORGANS DERIVING FROM

DECOMPOSING GLIRICIDIA (GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM JACQ.) SHOOTS ..................... 30

P-11 PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GREWIA GUM EXTRACTED USING

DIFFERENT SOLVENT TECHNIQUES ................................................................................ 31

P-12 PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF FRESH OKRA SEED FLOUR ........................ 32

P-13 EFFECT OF OKRA PECTIN ON THE SENSORY, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND

MICROBIAL QUALITY OF YOGHURT ............................................................................... 33

P-14 EVALUATION OF SOME NEW TOMATO VARIETIES PROPOSED FOR RELEASE . 34

P-15 QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF SOME ORGANIC VERSUS CONVENTIONAL FRUITS

AND VEGETABLES IN GHANA ............................................................................................ 35

P-16 INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON CHARACTERISTICS OF STARCH FROM NEW

CASSAVA ACCESSIONS ......................................................................................................... 36

P-17 YIELD AND INTRINSIC VISCOSITY OF PECTIN FROM OKRA AT DIFFERENT

MATURITY .................................................................................................................................. 37

P-18 EMULSIFYING CHARACTERISTICS OF PECTIN FROM SIX DIFFERENT OKRA

GENOTYPES ................................................................................................................................ 38

P-19 NITRITE ASSESSMENT OF PROCESSED MEAT PRODUCTS COMMONLY

CONSUMED IN GHANA .......................................................................................................... 39

P-20 GLYCEMIC INDEX OF YAM AS INFLUENCED BY BOILING, FRYING AND

ROASTING ................................................................................................................................... 40

P-21 GLYCEMIC INDEX OF FIVE MAIZE AND CASSAVA STAPLES IN GHANA ............. 41

P-22 PROXIMATE, MINERAL CONTENT AND MICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF MILLET

FRUIT BARS ................................................................................................................................ 42

P-23 ACRYLAMIDE EXPOSURE AND RISKS IN MOST FREQUENTLY CONSUMED

FOODS IN A TOTAL DIET STUDY ....................................................................................... 43

v

P-24 QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED GLIBENCLAMIDE

TABLETS ON THE GHANAIAN MARKET ......................................................................... 44

P-25 QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF AMLODIPINE TABLETS PRODUCED BY LOCAL AND

FOREIGN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ON THE GHANAIAN MARKET ........ 45

P-27 INVESTIGATING HETEROGENEITY IN MORTALITY OF MALE PENSIONERS ...... 47

P-28 XYLOPIC ACID DERIVATIVES: SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL

CHARACTERIZATION ............................................................................................................. 48

P-30 EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIMICROBIAL AND

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THE METHANOL AND CHLOROFORM

EXTRACT OF THE SEEDS OF UROPHYLLUM AFZELII (RUBIACEAE) .................... 50

P-31 PATTERN FORMATION IN MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR CHOLERA

TRANSMISSION ......................................................................................................................... 51

P-32 EVALUATION OF SELECTED COSMETICS, HAIR PRODUCTS AND TOOTHPASTES

PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRESENCE OF FORMALDEHYDE. ................................. 52

P-33 DEPOSITION OF SILVER SULPHIDE THIN FILMS FROM SILVER

DITHIOCARBAMATE COMPLEXES USING THE SPIN COATING METHOD ......... 53

P-34 QUALITY OF IMPORTED APPLES ALONG THE POSTHARVEST IMPORT CHAIN 54

P-35 BIOACTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTENTIALS OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF A

MARINE GASTROPOD: GALEODEA ECHINOPHORA .................................................... 55

P-36 PEPTIDES FROM OLIVANCILLARIA HIATULA SHOW BROAD-SPECTRUM

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND ANTI-BIOFILM CAPABILITIES ......................... 56

P-37 NITRIC OXIDE SCAVENGING AND FERRIC REDUCING ANTIOXIDANT POWER

OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOME SELECTED GHANAIAN PLANTS. ..... 57

P-38 PALATABILITY IMPROVEMENT AND TANIN REDUCTION OF POULTRY FEED

FROM PLANTAIN PEEL MEAL: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ........................................ 58

1

ABOUT GSA

The Ghana Science Association (GSA) traces its origin to the West African

Science Association (WASA) which was formed in 1953 at the University

College of the Gold Coast. WASA was formed to provide West African

Scientist the forum to advocate the importance of Science and Technology as a

necessity and bedrock for national development.

The inauguration of the GSA in 1959 broadened the scope of activities from

reading of scientific papers to involvement in national and international affairs.

The very first international Conference of GSA was held in Accra in 1961 with a theme “The

world without the Bomb”. The Conference attracted a number of eminent Scientists from all over

the world. It was this event that catapulted the young nation of Ghana into the world’s scientific

arena and also moved Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the Republic of

Ghana, to adopt the Association and give it regular budgetary support from the consolidated fund.

The GSA was mandated to promote, popularize and demystify science and create a scientific

culture in the country.

The Association is made up of seven branches namely Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Koforidua,

Tamale, Sunyani and Asante Mampong branches. Each branch has its own officers made up of the

President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Vision

To become a dominant voice in Science and Technology advocacy by promoting and popularizing

Science and Technology to meet national developmental needs.

Mission

To advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through interaction and

cross-fertilization of ideas of all interested people to:

popularize, promote and disseminate scientific information and technology transfer for

national development,

establish linkages with industry to promote transfer and application of Science,

contribute to the development of national Science and Technology policy,

Seek affiliation and foster cooperative links with other national organizations.

The Main Policy Objectives are to:

1. Encourage scientific and technological researches that contribute to socio-economic

development of Ghana.

2. Promote the understanding of science and technology through formal and informal education

to the rudiments of everyday life.

3. Contribute to the formulation and implementation of national policy in science and technology.

4. Promote relevant technology transfer to industry and other end users

5. Seek affiliation and foster cooperative links with other national and international organizations.

6. Commercialize research findings and technology to promote economic development.

7. Develop strategies and effective mechanisms to track and evaluate the impact of short-term

and long-term effects of under-resourcing national institutions involved in Sscience and

Technology research.

2

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

Arrival

8:00-9:00 Setting up of Poster and Registration: LOC/Support Team

First Section

9:00-9:05 Opening Prayer

9:05-9:10 Welcome Address by GSA Kumasi Branch President – Dr. Nathaniel Boadi

9:10-9:15 Introduction of Chair: MC/LOC Chair

9:15-9:20 Chair’s Opening Remarks: Prof. Aboagye Menyeh

9:20-9:25 Message from Special Guest of Honour: Prof. (Mrs.) Ibok Oduro

9:25-9:55 Keynote Address: Prof. R.C. Abaidoo

9:55-10:05 Questions and Discussions: MC/LOC

Bio Break

10:10-12:00 Oral Presentations – MC/LOC

12:10 -12:15 Chair’s remarks for first section

12:15 -13:00 Snack Break/Photographs/Media/Poster Presentations

Second Section:

13:00-14:00 Poster Presentations – Dr. Peter Twumasi

14:00-14:30 Presentation of Awards – Provost-CoS, Prof. (Mrs.) Ibok Oduro

14:30-14:55 Communiqué/Closing remarks/Vote of Thanks – Rapporteur/MC/LOC

14:55-15:00 Closing Prayer

3

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

CHAIR: DR. JACOB K. AGBENORHEVI

I am delighted to welcome you all to the 7th GSA

Research Seminar and Poster Presentations. The

theme for this year’s conference “Scientific Research

and Innovation: The Driving Wheels of the

Sustainable Development Goals” promises to be

educative and inspirational as we strive to do

cutting-edge research and innovations for the

development of our country and beyond.

We are very privileged to have an eminent and

exemplary Scientist as Conference Chair,

enthusiastic and Special Guest of Honour, and a Key

Speaker who is also very resourceful to lead the deliberations on the Conference

theme.

We have a total of 50 Abstracts (comprising 12 for oral and 38 for poster

presentations), which have direct or indirect link to the conference theme. I hope you

would all enjoy reading the rich information in the Book of Abstracts. Special thanks

and appreciation to all contributors.

We shall also recognize/award the top 3 Departments with the highest contributions,

top 3 authors with the highest number of abstracts, 3 best student oral presenters as

well as 3 best poster presenters.

Sincere thanks to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the Support Team and

Rapporteur for the hard work towards the success of this conference.

To our sponsors and the media, we cherish you for your support in organizing this

platform for the dissemination of scientific research, which is very necessary for

socio-economic development of our country.

To all participants, especially those joining us for the first time and our student

presenters, I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate and encourage you to

make the best out of this conference and continue to become professional members

and future leaders of GSA.

I wish you all a very fruitful time here in the College of Science, KNUST.

All the best and enjoy our conference!

LOC Chair

4

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE GSA KUMASI BRANCH PRESIDENT:

DR. NATHANIEL OWUSU BOADI

Dear Scientist,

On behalf of the Executives of the Ghana Science

Association, Kumasi Branch, I welcome you to the

7th annual GSA Research Seminar and Poster

Presentations. Since 2011 when the 1st conference

was held, it has always offered scientists within

Kumasi and beyond the platform to share their

research output with the scientific community.

The conference has also served as a voice of the scientific community within the

region to speak on pertinent issues of local, national and global concern. This includes

education, health, economic, environmental, agricultural and food related issues.

The theme for the conference this year, “Research and Innovation: The Driving

Wheels of the Sustainable Development Goals” hopes to address how our research

could be enhanced to achieve the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

set up by the United Nations. It will also address the challenges in scientific research

in Africa and suggestions on how these challenges could be solved.

I believe that there is a lot to learn from this conference and a lot of experiences to

share as well.

I wish you a fruitful and enjoyable conference.

Thank you.

Nathaniel Owusu Boadi

HON. PRESIDENT

KUMASI BRANCH

5

PROFILE OF CONFERENCE CHAIR: PROF. ABOAGYE MENYEH

Prof. Aboagye Menyeh is a full Professor of

Geophysics in the Department of Physics, KNUST. He

attended Asankrangwa Secondary School, in the

Western Region, and Adisadel College, Cape Coast for

the G.C.E., “O” and “A” Levels, respectively. He

obtained his B.Sc. (Physics) degree, 2nd Class Upper

Division, in 1980. He served his National Service in the

Department of Physics from 1980 to 1981 and

thereafter, was appointed a Teaching Assistant from

1981 to 1982. He was appointed Assistant Lecturer in

1982 and was promoted to the rank of Lecturer in

October 1984. He was promoted to the rank of Senior

Lecturer and Associate Professor in October 1991 and October 1999, respectively. He

was promoted to the rank of full Professor in 2008.

He had his M.Sc. and PhD degrees in 1987 and 1995 respectively, from the School of

Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, both on Commonwealth

Scholarship, awarded by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the UK.

He served as the last Dean of the then Faculty of Science from 2000 – 2004. He was

appointed as the First Provost of the College of Science, serving two terms, from

2004-2010. He has served the University in several capacities, such as the

Professorial Member of the University Council, Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) by

virtue of his statutory position as the Professorial Member of Council, between 2003

and 2005. He also served on virtually all the statutory and non-statutory committees

of KNUST from 2000 – 2010, either as a Chairman or as a Member.

In recognition of his distinguished services to the University and to the College of

Science in particular, he was honoured by the University with a Commemorative

Plaque (Gold Division), during the Special Congregation to commemorate the 60th

Anniversary of KNUST in November, 2011.

During his tenure as Dean and Provost of Science, several Laboratories in Physics,

Chemistry, Biology and Optometry Departments were modernized to international

standards.

He also initiated and saw to its completion, the construction of the magnificent

College of Science Block.

For this singular vision and the immense contribution to the infrastructural

development at KNUST, the University honoured him by naming the Science

Building Complex after him, in June 2015.

He has been an active member of the Ghana Science Association since 1981 and has

held the following important positions:

The National Secretary of the Ghana Science Association, 1996 - 1997

The National President of the Ghana Science Association, 2001-2003,

The Chairman of the National Executive Committee, of Ghana Science

Association, 2001-2003

The founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Ghana Science Association,

1998-2013

He has several scientific peer-reviewed publications in international and local

journals.

He is currently a Church Elder (Presbyter) of Christ Congregation of the Presbyterian

Church of Ghana, KNUST, Kumasi. He is married to Mrs. Adelaide Aboagye with

whom they have four children; 2 females and 2 males.

6

PROFILE OF SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR:

PROF. (MRS.) IBOK ODURO

Professor (Mrs.) Ibok Oduro holds a PhD in Postharvest

Technology from Cranfield University, UK after

graduating from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria with a

BSc. and MSc. in Chemistry. She is presently the Provost

of the College of Science, KNUST and prior to becoming

a Lecturer in KNUST in 1996; she worked as a Research

Assistant for the International Institute of Tropical

Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria for 3 years and also a

Research Fellow with the Forestry Research Institute of

Ghana. In KNUST, she has also previously served as the Head of Department of

Biochemistry and Biotechnology/Food Science and Technology (2007-2009, 2010-

2014), Department of Food Science and Technology (2014-2016), Dean of Faculty of

Biosciences (2015-2016) as well as on several committees, positions or appointments

within and outside the University. Over the past 20 years of being in KNUST, Prof

Oduro has supervised over 120 students at the undergraduate level in B.Sc.

Biochemistry and Food Science and Technology and 65 postgraduate research

projects.

With over 110 journal publications, 100 conference papers and 15 exhibitions, she has

also served as a collaborating scientist and project coordinator for about 20 projects

including the KNUST–Local Government Services Project: “The District Assemblies

Enabled Programme for Accelerated Economic and Social Development at the

District Level”; the IFAD-McGill-IITA Project: “Improving quality, nutrition and

health: Impacts of inclusion of cassava flours in bread formulations in West Africa

(Ghana and Nigeria) - The Ghanaian focus” and the Sweet potato Harvest Plus Project

with CIP/CRI.

Prof. Oduro is a member of the African Scientific Institute and the Ghana Science

Association and a former member of the Institute of Food Technology for 5 years.

She also has additional professional qualifications in areas such as Entrepreneurial

University Transformation, Women’s Leadership and Management and Business

Skills and Leadership Training.

In the 6th GSA Conference, Prof. Oduro won the prize of author with the highest

contributions (with 15 abstracts to her credit from collaborative research works).

It is of no coincidence that Prof. (Mrs.) Oduro also happens to be the first female

Provost of the College and the University.

7

PROFILE OF KEY SPEAKER: PROF. R.C. ABAIDOO

Professor Robert Clement Abaidoo holds a Ph.D in

Agronomy and Soil Science from University of

Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, US (1994-1997), MSc.

(1981-1984) and BSc. (1976-1980) in Biological

Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

He is a professor at the Department of Theoretical

and Applied Biology, KNUST. He is currently the

Director of Office of Grants and Research (OGR),

KNUST. Before this appointment, he was the Dean of the School of Graduate

Studies, KNUST and a former Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural

Resources, KNUST.

Prof. Abaidoo has also served the university on various boards and committees locally

and internationally. He also served as the professorial member of the University

Council.

Professor Abaidoo has distinguished himself in academia and research, having over

two hundred peer reviewed articles to his credit. He has also won a number of grants

for his research and also for the capacity building of staff and students of the

university. He is currently the leader (anchor) of the Building Stronger Universities

project (KNUST) financed by the Danish International Development Agency

(DANIDA).

8

PROFILE OF POSTER SESSION CHAIR: DR. IR. PETER TWUMASI

Dr. Ir. Peter Twumasi is a Senior Lecturer and the

Head of Department of the Department of

Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the Kwame

Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He

holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah

University of Science and Technology, a Masters in

Biotechnology and PhD in Plant Sciences (Plant

Biotechnology); both from the Wageningen

University and Research Centre in the Netherlands. Dr. Twumasi has served the

University and the Nation in several leadership positions. He is currently the Non-

Professorial Member for the KNUST Academic Board, a College Board

Representative on the College Junior/Senior Staff Promotions sub-committee, an

Honourable Member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a Member of

the Internal Audit, Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council. He was the Kumasi

Branch President for the Ghana Science Association from 2011-2015 and is a CV

Raman Research Fellow. His research endeavours have resulted in over 60

publications and has won several awards including the 2014 Professor Samuel Evans

Adunyah and Madam Abena Nuamah Award for Outstanding Accomplishments,

Dedicated Service and Teaching Excellence in Biochemistry and the NFP Fellowship

to attend 2016 Plant Variety Protection Course in the Netherlands. Dr Twumasi has

been instrumental in mobilizing funds for the Department of Biochemistry and

Biotechnology. He initiated the Laboratory and Office Equipment Transfer Initiative

(LOETI) Programme which attracted equipment worth GHS 593,544.00 for the

Biochemistry and Food Science Laboratories.

He is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, Alumni Association for

Graduates and Professionals of Wageningen University and Research as well as the

International Society for Horticultural Science.

9

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

O-1 SURROGATE REFERENCE STANDARDS IN DRUG QUALITY

MONITORING: THE CASE OF ARTEMETHER/LUMEFANTRINE

COMBINATION ANTIMALARIAL DRUG.

Enoch Appiah1*. Samuel Asare-Nkansah1*, Samuel Oppong Bekoe1, Johnson

Kwaku Kwakye1.

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical

Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Email: enocappiah@yahoo.com; asn12002@yahoo.com

*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

The battle against sub-standard, counterfeit and falsified medicines in Africa

continues, with pharmacodynamic agents such as antimalarials and antibiotics at the

top of the list of falsified and poor quality drugs, as a result of high patronage due to

the high prevalence of infections and the dire need for treatment. In addition to weak

regulation, enforcement and lack of basic facilities for medicines testing across

Africa, the counterfeit and sub-standard drug trade continues to thrive due to lack of

easy access to chemical reference standards (CRS) for drug quality monitoring

exercises, as a result of high procurement costs. This study, therefore, sought to

investigate chemical compounds with similar physico-chemical properties as the

active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as surrogate reference standards, using the

essential antimalarial drug, artemether/lumefantrine combination drug as a case study.

For this purpose, a validated simple, cost-effective and isocratic RP-HPLC method

with UV detection (230 nm) was developed for the assay of artemether/lumefantrine

in drug products using diclofenac and ibuprofen as surrogate reference standards. The

separation was performed on a Kromasil C-18 (4.6 x 250 mm, 5µm) column, with a

mobile phase consisting of methanol and acetate buffer (pH 2.8) (85:15 v/v) at a flow

rate of 1 mL/min. The analytical performance parameters of the proposed method

compared favourably with those of the guidelines of the International Conference on

Harmonization (ICH). Thus, the developed method showed linearity (r >0.99),

precision (R.S.D.≤ 2.0%), accuracy (recovery of 99.70-101.36% for Artemether and

99.14 – 103.11% for Lumefantrine), specificity and robustness. Four commercial

brands of the required antimalarials sampled from the Ghanaian market were

successfully assayed using the developed method. Thus, diclofenac and ibuprofen

were successfully used as surrogate reference standards for the assay of

artemether/lumefantrine combination products.

10

O-2 QUALITY EVALUATION OF FLUCONAZOLE AND

KETOCONAZOLE IN PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS USING THE

HPLC TECHNIQUE WITH SURROGATE REFERENCE STANDARDS

Samuel Takyi Boateng1*. Samuel Asare-Nkansah1*, Joseph Adu1, Samuel

Oppong Bekoe1, Johnson Kwaku Kwakye1.

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical

Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

Email: samueltakyiboateng@gmail.com; asn12002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A simple, efficient, economical and eco-friendly reverse-phase liquid chromatography

method was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of two antifungal

agents (fluconazole and ketoconazole) using surrogate reference standards. Salicylic

acid and aspirin were used as surrogate reference standards for fluconazole, and

diclofenac and ibuprofen as surrogate reference standards for ketoconazole. The

isocratic liquid chromatography (LC) analysis of fluconazole was done by using an

ODS Supelco C-18 (10 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column kept at a temperature of 30 oC, using

mobile phase composed of acetate buffer (pH = 5) and methanol in a ratio of 70:30

v/v at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min with UV detection (235 nm). The mean retention

time in minutes for fluconazole, salicylic acid and aspirin were 5.5±0.06, 3.2±0.07

and 3.5 ±0.02, respectively. The surrogate constants (K-value) obtained for salicylic

acid and aspirin with respect to fluconazole were 0.0866±0.00100 and

0.5237±0.00910, respectively. The isocratic liquid chromatography (LC) conditions

for the analyses of ketoconazole was an ODS Phenomenex C-18 (150 x 4.6 mm, 3.0

µm) column kept at a temperature of 40 oC, using a combination of methanol and

acetate buffer (pH = 4) in a ratio of 70:30 v/v at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/min with UV

detection (260 nm). The mean retention time in minutes for ketoconazole, diclofenac

and ibuprofen were 7.2±0.04, 3.2±0.01 and 4.2±0.02, respectively. The K-values

obtained for diclofenac and ibuprofen in relation to ketoconazole were

1.2057±0.00650 and 3.1710±0.01790, respectively. The analytical methods were

validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)

guidelines. The methods were applied to commercial preparations and there was no

significant difference between the accuracy and precision of the proposed and

pharmacopoeia methods.

11

O-3 DIETARY PATTERNS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THEIR EFFECT

ON BODY MASS INDEX OF KNUST STUDENTS

Adjirackor D., Boakye-Yiadom K., Twumasi G. A., Sahe A. C., Peprah N. B.,

Boakye A. A. and Oduro I.

Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science

and Technology, Kumasi.

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: ibok.oduro@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

University students often pick up unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles in school.

These habits have adverse effects on health in old age. A number of studies have been

carried out on the effect of dietary patterns and physical activities on students’ health

in the developed world. However, the findings cannot be generalized to all cultures

due to differences in lifestyles, diets and behaviour. Thus, this study sought to assess

the dietary patterns, physical activity and body mass indices (BMI) of KNUST

students to inform their health status. A cluster sampling method was employed; 152

respondents each for students in off- and on-campus accommodation facilities. Food

frequency and physical activity questionnaires were used for data on the dietary

patterns and physical activities of the students. A stadiometer and weighing scale

were used to measure the height and weight of respondents. BMI was calculated using

standard methods. From the study, 5.3% respondents were underweight, 68.1% had

healthy weight, 20.7% were overweight and 5.9% obese. The correlative analysis on

dietary patterns showed that nearly all the variables considered had low and

insignificant (p<0.05) correlation with BMI except for carbohydrate-dense foods. A

similar trend was observed for physical activity. However, although majority of

students had healthy weight, an alarming number (26.6%) were overweight and

obese, putting them at a high risk of chronic diseases. It is therefore recommended

that students should be regularly educated on the importance of healthy dietary

patterns and physical activity on their overall well-being.

12

O-4 EFFECT OF DIFFERENT EGG STORAGE DURATION AND

STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COBB

500 BROILER BREEDER

S. Tannor, E. Asare, G. Agyekum & J. A. Hamidu

Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology

ABSTRACT

It is well known that when hatching eggs are stored for a number of days the quality

of the eggs, fertility and hatchability are affected. A study was therefore conducted at

the Department of Animal Science, KNUST to evaluate the impact of different egg

storage duration (1day, 4days, 7days, 10days and 14days) under two temperature

conditions (coldroom;16oC, RH of 85% and ambient on egg quality as well as

blastoderm quality of cobb 500 broiler breed. One thousand (1000) total eggs were

collected from a breeder farm at Dormaa Ahenkro. Initially and subsequently for

every level of duration of storage, 100 eggs were weighed and stored at the 2 different

temperature conditions to set up different levels of pre-incubation duration treatments

prior to incubation. After the period of storage, eggs were weighed, 15 eggs from each

group were selected for egg break out to measure egg quality and blastoderm quality.

Data was analysed using the Generalized Linear Model procedure of SAS at P < 0.05.

Among the external egg quality characteristics measured, final egg weight after

storage, blastoderm diameter and shell thickness were significantly (P>0.05) affected

by storage duration and storage temperature. Also, wet shell weight and dry shell

weight were not significantly affected by temperature but were affected by storage

duration. Internal qualities including blastoderm, diameter, dry yolk weight and wet

yolk weight were all affected by storage temperature. The study concludes that storing

broiler eggs in an unfavourable temperature and also for long period will affect

blastoderm integrity which may affect chick quality and hatchability.

Keywords: Egg storage, storage temperature, storage duration, blastoderm diameter,

egg quality

13

O-5 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND DURATION OF EGG STORAGE

ON HATCHABILITY AND CHICK QUALITY OF COBB 500 BROILER

BREEDERS

G. Agyekum, S. Tannor, E. Asare & J. A. Hamidu

Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology

ABSTRACT

An experiment was carried out to determine the impact of temperature and duration of

eggs on hatchability and chick quality of Cobb 500 broiler breeder genetic strain at

the Department of Animal Science, KNUST. One thousand (1000) fertile eggs of

Cobb 500 were collected from a breeder farm at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo

region. Half (500) of these eggs were kept at ambient temperature. while the other

half (500) were kept at cold room temperature of 16ᵒC and 85% relative humidity and

stored for 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days prior to incubation. Samples of the eggs were used

to assess embryo quality by determining embryo weight (wet and dry) from 4, 7, 11,

15 and 18 days of incubation. Chick quality characteristics like weight, length of

shank, navel score, residual yolk sac and yolk free body weight were determined

when the chicks hatched out. Five chicks were selected from each treatment and were

visually and subjectively scored for condition of navel abnormalities based on a four

observable navel scoring variables. The conditions examined were clean, thread

hanging from the navel, close navel and open navel button. Data were analyzed by the

Generalized Linear Model procedure of SAS with significance set at P < 0.05. The

percentage fertility and infertility of eggs stored under both treatments were similar

from storage days of l, 4 and 7. The percentage fertility of eggs stored under cold

room from storage days of 10 and 14 were higher compared to that under ambient

temperature but the percentage infertility of eggs stored under ambient temperature

for 10 and 14 days were higher than that of the eggs stored under cold room

temperature. It was established that prolonged storage of eggs reduced embryonic

growth, hatchability and chick quality.

Keywords: Egg storage, storage temperature, storage duration, fertility, hatchability

14

O-6 INFLUENCE OF DRYING ON THE PHYTOCHEMICALS AND

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF GOLD COAST BOMBAX (Bombax

buonopozense) SEPALS (CALYX)

Reindorf Boateng1, Francis Alemawor1, John Barimah1, David Ben Kumah2

1 Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi 2 Department of Optometry, KNUST, Kumasi

E-mail: wyssybingo@gmail.com, inthylight96@yahoo.co.uk, jbarimah@yahoo.com,

ben56kay@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The dried sepals of red silk cotton plant (Bombax buonopozense) is used as an

ingredient in soup for some natives due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

This study was aimed at determining the influence of drying (sun, solar, and oven

drying) on phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of the sepals. The method

namely DPPH radical scavenging activity was used to determine the antioxidant

activity, whereas total phenolics and tannin was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu’s

method and total flavonoids content by Aluminium trichloride method. The results

revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, total flavonoids, and total phenols. There

was no significant difference (P> 0.05) of the quantity of alkaloids and tannins

between the dried sepals. The solar dried sepals showed highest level of antioxidant

activity with EC50 of 0.063 mg/mL. There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) of

antioxidant activity with EC50 between the dried sepals. The solar drying preserved

most of the antioxidant properties and tolerable levels of phytochemicals in the sepals

which makes it a potential source of natural antioxidants and can help reduce

degenerative oxidative stress in consumers.

Keywords: Red silk cotton plant, phytochemicals, drying methods, DPPH

15

O-7 IMPROVING NON-TRADITIONAL EXPORT TRADE:

DEVELOPMENT OF RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL

OF THE SEEDS OF VOACANGA AFRICANA STAPF

Kindness Lomotey Commey1*, Samuel Asare-Nkansah1*, Joseph Adu1, Samuel

Oppong Bekoe1, Johnson Kwakye1

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical

Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Email: ckindnesslomotey@yahoo.com; asn12002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The seeds of Voacanga africana Stapf (Apocynaceae), rich in indole alkaloids, is an

important non-traditional export commodity in Ghana and other West and Central

African countries because the indole alkaloids are a cheaper source of starting

material for the production of nootropic and geriatric medicines by some

pharmaceutical companies. However, this export trade is limited by the lack of

adequate quality control tools locally. This study, therefore, sought to improve the

voacanga trade in Ghana by providing a standard means of chemical quality control

for the seeds before export. To achieve this, six different alkaloids were isolated and

purified from the seeds using acid-base fractionation, isocratic column

chromatography (silica gel stationary phase and chloroform: ethyl acetate; 60: 40, v/v

mobile phase) and recrystallization. The most abundant alkaloid amongst the isolated

compounds was characterized spectroscopically (UV, FT-IR, NMR and MS) and

elucidated as coronaridine. A validated simple and economical isocratic reversed

phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography method (µ-Bondapak C18, 3.9 x

300 mm, 5 µm; water: methanol; 60: 40, v/v; 1.5 mL/min) with UV detection (206

nm) was developed using the coronaridine as a biomarker for the chemical quality

control of the seeds. The retention time of the biomarker was 2.9±0.03 min. The

calibration plot was linear over the concentration range 1.40 µg/mL - 22.40 µg/mL

with a coefficient of regression (r) of 0.9996. The Limit of Detection (LOD) and

Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) were 0.60 µg/mL and 1.81 µg/mL, respectively. An

average recovery of 84.0±5.80 % was obtained, as well as an intra-day and

intermediate precision (as measured by the Relative Standard Deviation, RSD) of 1.93

% and 1.65 %, respectively. Assay of a batch of the seeds using the developed

method yielded 0.15±0.004 %w/w of the biomarker. The proposed method was found

as accurate, precise, specific and robust according to the International Conference on

Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for

Human Use (ICH) guidelines Q2A. The method can therefore be used for the routine

quality control of the seeds prior to export and by the importing pharmaceutical

companies.

16

O-8 QUANTIFICATION OF FRACTURE OF ROCK ANALOGUE USING

FRACTAL GEOMETRY TOOLS – MORFA & BOX-COUNTING

Wilson, M. C.

Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Civil-Geo, KNUST, Kumasi,

Ghana.

Email: regimatt2003@yahoo.co.uk; mcwilson.coe@knust.edu.gh

ABSTRACT

Quantification of flow patterns and also that of rock analogue using the concepts of

fractal geometry are less researched and discussed, unlike quantification of the

original rock. I thus came with the idea to quantify complex flow patterns of fractures

from experiments of rock analogue and its significance to tectonic activities and

magmatic rocks. Rock analogue is a structure that is similar in function to a rock but

the origin or chemical composition is different. A series of experiments was organized

to portray different forms of flow patterns of a rock analogue in accordance to

different acts of viscosities. The specific rock analogue used in this experimental

process was a fine-grained starch. The experiment reveals the fractal and fracture

nature in flow patterns as different forms of weight % and different acts of viscosities

and densities exhibit different forms and sizes of fractures. Different weights of starch

were sampled with a specific and constant weight of 100g of water. The rock

analogue experiment is fully based on the principles of fractal geometry. To quantify

this flow experiment, two different methods of fractal geometry are applied, namely

the MORFA and Box-counting. An average fractal dimension of 1.62 on cracks or

fractures was estimated which corresponds to the fractal dimensions of 1.4 – 1.7,

which Barton (1995) conducted on the systematic studies on exposed joint and fault

trace patterns on Yucca Mount in Nevada and also the model of fracture pattern

proposed by Takayasu (1985).

Keywords: Flow patterns, rock analogue, viscosities, fractal geometry, fractal

dimension

17

O-9 THE EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND STORAGE

DURATION ON COBB 500 BROILER GROWTH RATE

E. Asare, G. Agyekum, S. Tannor & J. A. Hamidu

Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology

ABSTRACT

Prolong pre incubation storage of eggs affect the growth and chick performance. A

study was therefore conducted at the Department of Animal science KNUST to

evaluate the impact of different egg storage duration (1day, 3days, 7days, 10days and

14days) under two temperature conditions (coldroom16o C and ambient) on the

growth of Cobb 500 broiler breed. One thousand (1000) egg were obtained from a

breeder farm in Dormaa Ahenkro. The eggs from each treatment were incubated at

37.5oC and 56% for 21 days. All chicks hatched were grown in the farm for 7 weeks

at ambient temperature and were randomly divided in groups in CRD experiment.

Standard feeding for rearing broiler was ensured and water was provided ad libitum.

Performance of broilers over 7 weeks (growth rate, FCR, initial weight gain and final

body weight) were recorded. Data were analysed using the General Linear Model

procedure of SAS at P < 0.05. Analysis were conducted on temperature and duration

against weekly feed intake, weekly weight gain and feed efficiency. From the analysis

it was observed that the intake of feed was higher through the week for birds hatched

from ambient temperature stored eggs compared to chicks from cold stored eggs. As

the storage duration increased the feed intake reduced and so did the growth rate. The

feed conversion efficiency was also better in cold storage temperature as well as eggs

store for 1 and 2 days only. Generally, the broiler performance has higher in eggs

stored in cold room temperature and in eggs stored fewer days until 7 days compared

to 10 and 14 days of storage. The study concludes that unfavourable storage of

hatching eggs affected the performance of broiler negatively.

Keywords: Egg storage, storage temperature, storage duration, feed intake, weight

gain

18

O-10 DEVELOPMENT OF DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS FROM

NATURAL DYES

M.D. Alio Sanda, J.A.M. Awudza, M. Badu, N.O. Boadi

Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

ABSTRACT

The energy crisis is being faced by most countries today. Many efforts have been

devoted to overcoming the problem. One of several offered solutions is to develop

solar cells since solar radiation is arguably the most abundant source of energy on the

earth, especially in tropical countries such as Ghana and Niger. Photovoltaic offer

many advantages such as simplicity, profitability and environmental compatibility

over other methods of converting solar energy into electrical energy. Moreover,

photo-electrochemical dye-sensitized solar cells, also known as dye-sensitized solar

cells (DSSCs) have been proposed as an inexpensive, simple and an alternative to

conventional solar cell technology. More recently, DSSCs based on natural products

are of interest because in spite of the advantages of the DSSCs, this specific type is on

renewable basis using natural pigments such as anthocyanin, betalain, chlorophyll,

tannins, flavonoids and carotenoids present in agricultural crops, fruits, flowers and

leaves as molecular sensitizers in DSSCs. The natural dye-sensitized solar cell

(NDSSC) is based on a dye absorbed onto a nano mesoporous wide band gap

semiconducting oxide electrode, an electrolyte and a counter electrode. The sunlight

conversion into electrical energy, in a NDSSC, takes place based on the sensitization

of the semiconductor utilized. In this study, Sorghum bicolor (Millet stalk), Hibiscus

sabdariffa (Bissap), Parkia biglobosa (Dawadawa), Allium cepa (Red onion), Bixa

orelana (Achiote) yellow and pink Plumeria rubra (Frangipani), Delonix regia

(Flamboyant), Nerium oleander (Oleander), Thevetia perurina (Thevetia) and

Tabebuia rosea (White trumpet) extracts were investigated as photo-sensitizers for

TiO2-based NDSSCs. These plants can be grown in many parts of Africa. UV–Visible

absorption spectroscopic studies of the plant materials showed spectra with a broad

absorption within the visible light region (400-700 nm). Fourier transform infrared

study indicated the presence of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in all the dye extracts

and those classes of compounds were further investigated through a phytochemical

screening test. The photo electrochemical parameters showed a cell efficiency of as

high as 0.907% obtained from Bissap dye using soot carbon deposit cathode and tetra

butyl ammonium iodide based electrolyte. Better efficiencies could be achieved by

using better dyes, electrolytes and other constructional parameters.

Keywords: Natural dyes, titanium dioxide, photovoltaic, soot carbon-based cathode.

19

O-11 PROXIMATE AND SOME FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF

PINEAPPLE CORE FLOUR AS AN ANTICAKING AGENT

Yaw Gyamfi, Faustina D. Wireko-Manu

1Department. of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

Email: fdbaah@yahoo.com / zigicounselor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Pineapple core which forms about 7-9% of the pineapple fruit is not put to any

beneficial use and is discarded as waste in pineapple processing companies. The

objective of this study was to add value to pineapple core as an anti-caking agent for

dried fruits and determine the proximate as well as some functional properties it. The

core of the pineapple (MD2) was milled, pressed, oven-dried (65oC for 10 hours),

milled and sieved into fractions of 250µm, 200µm and 100µm. The pineapple core

flour was generally low in crude protein (1.46±0.10), crude fat (1.25±0.01) and ash

(1.36±0.09) but relatively high in crude fibre (24.95±0.30), carbohydrates

(65.89±0.18) and metabolic energy (280.69±0.23 kCal/100g). Ascorbic acid content

of the flour was 6.35±0.31mg/100g. There was a statistically significant difference

(p˂0.05) for water absorption capacity between the different particle sizes of the

pineapple core flour. Reduction in the particle size from resulted in the decrease in the

water absorption capacity (250 µm (852.16±12.77), 200 µm (808.30±12.17), 100 µm

(779.76±6.04). The pineapple core flour had significantly higher (p˂0.05) anti-caking

functional properties as compared to potato starch and rice flour (known good anti-

caking agents). As a result of its high fibre content, pineapple core flour could be used

not only as an anti-caking agent for dried fruits, but also as a functional ingredient in

many food products.

Key words: Anti-caking agent, pineapple core, functional properties

20

O-12 QUALITY OF WATER USED ON SELECTED POULTRY FARMS IN

THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

Frank Boateng Osei*1, Vivian Etsiapa Boamah1, Christian Agyare1 and Robert

Abaidoo2

1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 2Theoretical and Applied Biology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

*Email: frankoseiboateng@gmail.com; Tel: 0241056766

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Water plays an important role in both domestic and commercial settings.

Physico-chemical and biological contaminants however render water unsafe for use in

some cases. There are several reports on the quality of water used for drinking

purposes in humans but few studies have reported on the quality of water used in

animal farming for drinking purposes. In this study, the physical, chemical and

microbial quality of water used on poultry farms in the Ashanti region of Ghana were

determined.

Methodology: pH, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total

hardness of poultry-drinking-water from 100 farms were determined following WHO

(2015) guidelines. Total and faecal coliforms were determined using the membrane

filtration method. Presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus

aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci were determined using selective

culture media (pour plate method) and confirmation through biochemical reactions.

Major findings: The pH of the samples ranged from 3.76 to 8.90, turbidity from 0.20

NTU to 617 NTU, conductivity from 23.6 to 1114.0 µS/cm, TDS from 11.3 to 557

mg/l and total hardness from 17.1 to 192.0. Total coliforms were present in 56% and

faecal coliforms in 97% of the samples. Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi,

Staphyloccous aureus and Non-coagulase staphylococci were recovered in 31, 36, 64

and 19 samples, respectively.

Conclusion: Water used on poultry farms have varied physicochemical properties and

could also be potential sources of pathogenic organisms.

Recommendations: There should be regulations on the quality of water used in

animal husbandry.

21

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

P-1 HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION AND HEALTH RISK

EVALUATION OF SELECTED TRACE METALS IN COMMUNITES IN

THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY

Mintah, C. W. and Asare-Donkor, N. K.

Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,

Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Trace metals concentrations in groundwater sources in some communities in the

Obuasi municipality have been determined and their health risk have been evaluated.

The physico-chemical parameters of the groundwater were also determined. The

health risk evaluation of the selected metals were based on the average daily dose,

hazard quotient and cancer risk via ingestion and dermal contacts. The concentrations

of the trace metals from the groundwater sources were found to be in the range of

0.14 to 0.57 mg/l for Fe, 0.01 to 0.02 mg/l for As, and 0.00 to 0.01 mg/l for Cd. All

the physico-parameters were found to be within the set by the WHO except the pH

which was below the lower limit of 6.5.The health-risk assessment revealed the

hazard quotient and hazard index values of below the acceptable limit of unity

indicating non-carcinogenic risk to the communities through oral intake of water from

these groundwater sources. The carcinogenic risk assessment through the ingestion

route gave a value lower than the acceptable limit of 10-6.

Keywords : Trace metals, Health risk, hazard quotient, hazard index, cancer risk.

22

P-2 DEVELOPMENT OF SWEETPOTATO PICKLE BY MEANS OF

WILD FERMENTATION

Benjamin Nyarko, Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu

Department of Food Science and Technology

ABSTRACT

The potential of sweet potato in pickles has been established through lacto

fermentation of the crop by inoculation with Lactobacillus plantarum. The present

study examined the production of sweet potato pickles by means of spontaneous

fermentation. Sweet potato roots were pickled using spontaneous fermentation. The

SP roots were cut, brined, blanched (100°C for 5mins) and fermented with various

fermentable vegetables (pepper, cucumber, cabbage) in 10% common salt. The

samples were then incubated at room temperature for 21 days. All samples exhibited

acceptable physical changes over the 21-day period. The final products had a pH

range of 3.0 – 3.1, titratable acidity of 10.25-15.85g/100ml, lactic acid of 0.4 -0.6

g/100ml with no significant differences (p<0.05) in these parameters for all the three

vegetables used. The total soluble solids content of the pickling liquors of all samples

ranged from 9.1- 10.0˚brix. The final total aerobic plate count for all samples was in a

range of 103 – 104cfu/ml. Spontaneous fermentation of sweet potato with the aid of

vegetables in this study produced sweet potato pickle whose biochemical and physical

quality characteristics are comparable to that obtained in “sweet potato lacto pickle”.

Hence in the absence of inoculum, wild fermentation is suitable and can serve as an

alternative way of producing quality sweet potato pickle.

23

P-3 THE POTENTIAL OF SPENT YEAST IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF

THE PROTEIN CONTENT OF CASSAVA-WHEAT COMPOSITE BREAD

Atikese Thelma Afriyie, Faustina D. Wireko-Manu

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

ABSTRACT

The disposal of brewers spent yeast in the brewery industries stands as a major

challenge in Ghana. It has however been known to have a high protein content which

makes it a potential protein improver in protein deficient products like cassava-wheat

composite bread. Five cassava-wheat composite bread samples with cassava

substitution level of 10% were produced by wholly replacing baker’s yeast with

varying amounts of brewers spent yeast with the aim of improving the protein content

of the bread samples. The control sample (F) was baked with baker’s yeast. The

amounts of spent yeast used (8%, 8.5%, 9%, 9.5% and 10%) were calculated as a

percentage of the mass of flour used (I.e. 800g). Samples were coded A, B, C, D, E

respectively. All the bread samples were subjected to sensory, physical and proximate

analyses and results were analysed at 5% confidence interval. No significant

differences (p<0.05) were observed between the control and test samples for all

sensory attributes assessed (taste, crumb colour, texture, flavour, aftertaste and overall

acceptability). Specific volume and density of samples ranged from 2.04±0.12cm3/g

to 2.89±0.14cm3/g and 0.35±0.02g/cm3 to 0.49±0.03g/cm3 respectively. With the

exception of sample D which had significantly higher specific volume and lower

specific density than the control (i.e. 2.98 cm3/g against 2.37±0.13 cm3/g and 0.35

g/cm3 against 0.42±0.03g/cm3), no significant differences were observed between the

other samples and the control. The crude protein content of the samples ranged from

8.64±0.18% -9.82±0.03%. Samples C (9.57 ±0.20%) and D (9.82±0.03%) had protein

content, significantly higher than the control. This work showed that brewers spent

yeast has the potential to increase the protein content of cassava-wheat composite

bread without significantly affecting its physical and sensory properties.

24

P-4 LEVELS OF SOME TRACE METALS IN BROILER CHICKEN IN

THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

A. A. Amissah and N.K Asare-Donkor

Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,

Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Heavy metals in broiler chicken from markets in the Ashanti Region of Ghana has

been determined using Atomic Spectrometry using the wet digestion method. The

results were 0.017±4.69x10-3 mg/kg for As, 0.181±0.0696 mg/kg for Cd and 3.76x10-

3± 2.670x10-3 mg/kg for Pb in the Breast, 0.0224±1.855x10-3 mg/kg for As,

0.2486±0.0689 mg/kg for Cd and 8.82x10-3± 3.077x10-3 mg/kg for Pb in the Gizzard

and 0.0172±3.187x10-3 mg/kg for As, 0.162±0.0776 mg/kg for Cd and 2.44x10-

3±7.889x10-4 mg/kg for Pb in the Thigh. The Mean Daily Intake (MDI) and the risk

they pose on human health was determined by their comparison to the Provisional

Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI) by JECFA and WHO. The MDI for the various metals

per person were 0.0296±3.94x10-3 mg/Kg for As, 0.3099±0.058 mg/Kg for Cd and

7.881x10-3±4.34x10-3 mg/Kg for Pb which were above JECFA values of 0.012 mg/Kg

for As, 0.001 mg/Kg for Cd and 0.004 mg/Kg for Pb while As and Pb were below

WHO limits, Cd was found to be above the WHO limits of 0.10 mg/Kg for As, 0.05

mg/Kg for Cd and 0.20 mg/Kg for Pb. From these result, it is concluded that broiler

chickens raised in this region may pose some threats on human health so far as these

metals are concerned.

25

P-5 MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS IN PHYTOPHTHORA COLOCASIAE

ISOLATES CAUSING TARO LEAF BLIGHT IN THE SEMI-DECIDUOUS

AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF GHANA

Adomako Joseph1, Kwoseh, Charles2 and Moses Emmanuel1

1 CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Plant Health Division, Kumasi 2KNUST, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae is the most devastating disease of

taro. Morphological and cultural characteristics were used to differentiate 50 isolates

of P. colocasiae obtained from different taro farms in the Semi-deciduous Agro

Ecological Zone of Ghana. Considerable differences in morphological parameters

were observed in the colony growth habit, sporangia shapes and colony growth

diameter. This study confirms that a considerable degree of diversity exists among

isolates of P. colocasiae causing leaf blight of taro. Knowledge of the variations in P.

colocasiae as observed in the study have significant implications on the development

of sustainable disease management strategies such as breeding for resistant genotypes

and the deployment of taro genotypes across the country.

Key words: Colocasia esculenta, genetic diversity, oomycete

26

P-6 MINERAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES,

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI-NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN

PALMYRA PALM FRUIT FLOUR

Vincent Abe-Inge1, Christine Arthur1, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1, Fidelis M.

Kpodo2

1Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 2Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho,

Ghana.

Correspondence: jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com/vincentabeinge31@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

African palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum) grows widely across Africa. Previous

studies indicated its fruit flour has a great potential in food applications. However,

there is limited information on the mineral composition, antioxidant properties, anti-

nutrient composition and phytochemical composition of the flour. The main objective

of this work was to investigate the effect of different drying methods on these

properties of the African palmyra palm flour. The fresh fruit pulp was obtained, freeze

dried, oven dried, solar dried and milled into flour. Phytochemical screening, mineral

analysis, anti-nutrient analysis and antioxidant analysis were conducted on the flour

obtained. The flour had high total phenols (1518.00 - 3896.71 mg GAE/100g),

potassium (237.00 - 276.73 mg/100g), magnesium (211.61 - 293.62 mg/100g) and

saponin (36.10 – 55.62 g/100g). The phytochemical screening indicated the presence

of several phytochemicals including glycosides. Drying had a significant effect on the

analysed composition of APP flour.

Keywords: Borassus aethiopum, anti-nutrients, phytochemical, antioxidants

27

P-7 EFFECT OF DRYING ON THE NUTRIENT AND ANTI- NUTRIENT

COMPOSITION OF BOMBAX BUONOPOZENSE SEPALS

Danso. J, Barimah, J and Kumah, D.B

Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science

and Technology

ABSTRACT

Bombax buonopozense (Red silk cotton) which is mostly found in the rain forest zone

of West African countries is one of the underutilized plants consumed and utilized for

both medicinal and nutritional purposes. Sepals of the plant are known to contain

antimicrobial agents which extend the shelf life of food. However, there is little

information on its nutrient and anti- nutrient composition as well as the effect of

drying on these parameters. The objective of this study was to explore the influence of

drying on some nutritional and anti- nutrient composition of the sepals. The sepals

were subjected to oven drying (40oC for 72hrs), sun drying (25- 37oC for 37hrs) and

solar drying (45 – 55 oC for 72hrs), fresh untreated samples was used as control.

These dried sepals were then pulverized into powdered form for further analysis. The

results obtained indicated that drying methods had no significant effect (p>0.05) on

the proximate composition of the sepals. However, the fresh samples were

significantly different from all the dried samples (p<0.05). Ash content was relatively

high with a range of 7.38%- 7.86%, protein (9.99%-10.76%), crude fiber (14.63%-

15.39), carbohydrate (56.62%-63.52%), magnesium (166.24-167.09mg/100g),

calcium (864.041-1015.04 mg/100g) and potassium (98.29-101.64mg/100g) for the

dried sepals. The dried sepals had appreciable amount of nutrients therefore can be

substituted in sauces and soups to improve the nutritional composition vital for

growth.

Keywords: Bombax buonopozense sepals, drying and nutrient content

28

P-8 ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER QUALITY IN SELECTED

STUDENTS HOSTELS AROUND THE KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI, AND THEIR HEALTH

EFFECTS

S. O. Yeboah and N.K. Asare-Donkor

Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,

Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Groundwater from ten selected students hostels at KNUST were analyzed for trace

metals, physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. All the physico-chemical

parameters determined fell within the permissible values of WHO standards for safe

use of water. The concentrations of the trace metals studied fell within the of the

WHO standard for portable water with the exception of zinc. The health risk

assessment through ingestion and dermal contact gave values below indicating no

potential non-carcinogenic risks through those routes of contact. The carcinogenic

health risk evaluations of the metals under study through the ingestion route gave

values lower than the acceptable limit of 10-6 indicative of zero risk. Bacteriological

analysis indicated the absence faecal coliforms however the total coliforms

(Enterrobacter species) ranged from 54-393 CFU 100 ml-1which is in excess of the

WHO guideline limit of zero colony-forming unit (CFU)/100 ml for drinking water.

Keywords: Trace metals, Physico-chemical parameters, Bacteriological, Health risk,

Carcinogenic risk.

29

P-9 BROMELAIN ACTIVITY OF WASTE PARTS OF TWO PINEAPPLE

VARIETIES

Edmund Ofosu Benefo and Isaac Williams Ofosu

Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science

and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Bromelain, a protease found in pineapples, is of high demand in the pharmaceutical,

cosmetic and food industry. Along the pineapple processing chain, waste products

such as peels, crowns, stems and core result. These parts are usually discarded, though

they contain significant amounts of the enzyme bromelain. This study sought to

determine the bromelain activity of the crowns and peels of two pineapple varieties

grown in Ghana; the MD2 and Sugarloaf. The crude extract was obtained by

homogenising the peels and crowns in a cold phosphate buffer and centrifuging at

3000 rpm for 15 min. Ethanol and ammonium sulphate precipitation were carried out

on the extract at 30% - 80% precipitation levels. The enzyme activity was determined

using the casein digestion method. Results showed that bromelain was precipitated

mainly in the 30% - 60% precipitation range. Sugarloaf crowns yielded the highest

enzyme activity of 20.82 U/ml and a specific activity of 194.58 U/mg at the 40%

ammonium sulphate precipitation level. This was followed by the Sugarloaf peels

with an enzyme activity of 19.98 U/ml at 50% ethanol precipitation level. Ethanol

precipitation resulted in fractions with lower bromelain activity. Enzyme activity was

higher in the Sugarloaf variety and also in the crowns of both varieties. The two

pineapple varieties have significant levels of bromelain activity and could be

exploited for commercialisation.

Keywords: pineapple waste, bromelain, enzyme activity

30

P-10 N UPTAKE BY COCOA (THEOBROMA COCOA L) ORGANS

DERIVING FROM DECOMPOSING GLIRICIDIA (GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM

JACQ.) SHOOTS

James Seutra Kaba1*, Stefan Zerbe2 , Akwasi A. Abunyewa2, Massimo

Tagliavini2

1Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science

and Technology, Ghana 2Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

ABSTRACT

Decomposition of prune gliricidia shoots can help to sustain the soil N cycle in cocoa

intercropping system. This study was conducted at the experimental farm of the

Faculty of Renewable Natural Resource, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology (KNUST), Ghana, where cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and Gliricidia

sepium (Jacq. Kunth ex Walp.) trees (a N2-fixing species) were intercropped. The

objective was first to determine the rate of decomposition and N release from

gliricidia pruning material and second, to investigate if cocoa benefits from

decomposing gliricidia residues in intercropping systems. A 1mm mesh nylon net was

used to sew litterbags and the equivalent of 150g (D.W) of gliricidia shoots was

placed into each litterbag and laid (at 0-15cm) under 3 selected cocoa trees. The

litterbags were sampled at 42 days after laying (DAL), 83, 126 and 216 DAL. In

addition, 15N enriched gliricidia biomass was applied to six selected cocoa trees as

green manure. The cocoa shoots were sampled at 2 and 6 months, and at 9 months the

cocoa trees were cut and the following organs per tree sampled: shoots, coarse roots

(2-5 mm diameter), fine roots (< 2 mm diameter), pod, trunk and branches. We

analyzed for the %N and carbon concentrations (%) for the first experiment, and the

%N and 15N abundance (at. % 15N) for the second experiment. In addition, the

amount of N in cocoa organs deriving from the decomposing gliricidia biomass was

calculated. The result showed that gliricidia shoots contain high amount of N (3.7-

4.1%) and about 95% of the N present in gliricidia shoots could be released within

126 days of decomposition. The results of the enrichment experiment showed that a

relatively low fraction (4%) of litter N (27 g) has been taken up. In conclusion, we

proved that gliricidia biomass shows rapid decomposition and N release and the 15N

from the gliricidia biomass were found in organs of the cocoa trees. In addition, with

a better spread of gliricidia green manure and synchronizing decomposition with

cocoa N uptake, the later can significantly benefit from the N released during

decomposition.

31

P-11 PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GREWIA GUM EXTRACTED

USING DIFFERENT SOLVENT TECHNIQUES

Prince S. Djan1, Fidelis M. Kpodo2, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1,

1Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi 2Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, UHAS,, Ho, Ghana.

Email: jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com / fideliskpodo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Grewia polysaccharides were isolated using sodium metabisulphite and phosphate

buffer solutions and the influence of the different solvent extraction techniques on

chemical compositional and structure characteristics of the extracts determined.

Structure and chemical composition of the resulting polysaccharide extracts were

determined using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass

spectrometry (GC-MS), size exclusion chromatography coupled to multi-angle light

scattering (SEC-MALLS), dilute solution viscometry and steady shear rheology.

Chemical composition of the polysaccharides varied depending on extraction solvent

used and ranged from 11.1–16.5 % for protein, total carbohydrate (53.4–66.9 %), D-

GalA (18.5–35.1 %) and Rha (23.5–28.6 %). Predominate sugars in the extracts were

rhamnose and galacturonic acid. Intrinsic viscosity varied between 6.5–9.1 dL g-1 and

related with molecular weight (754–2778 x103 g mol-1) and extraction solvent used.

The grewia polymers exhibited a pseudoplastic flow behaviour with crude and sodium

metabisulphite extracts having higher viscosities.

Keywords: Grewia gum, sodium metabisuphite, phosphate buffer, physicochemical

properties, structural characteristics,

32

P-12 PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF FRESH OKRA

SEED FLOUR

Rejoice A. Attipoe, Jemima Ofori, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The physicochemical properties of fresh okra seed flour of two genotypes (Agbagoma

and Balabi) were evaluated. The proximate composition, functional and pasting

properties of okra seed flour were determined to ascertain the quality attribute of the

okra seed flour samples using standard procedures. On the dry weight basis, the

samples (Agbagoma and Balabi) had 8.90- 9.00% moisture, 16.80-17.40% protein,

47.80-48.00% fat, 7.70-7.80% ash and 18.20-18.40% carbohydrate. The mean values

of functional properties revealed significant difference (p < 0.05) between okra seed

flour samples. There were found as bulk density of 0.80-0.83) g/ml, WAC and OAC

of 511.65-504.32% and 88.38-160.67%, respectively. The solubility was 14.10% for

Agbagoma and 10.97% for Balabi, whereas swelling power was 16.37% and 14.68%

for Agbagoma and Balabi, respectively. All pasting properties except peak time and

pasting temperature of Agbagoma seed flour were higher than those of Balabi seed

flour. The study revealed that okra seed flour is rich in nutrients which could be used

for baking and fortification as well.

33

P-13 EFFECT OF OKRA PECTIN ON THE SENSORY,

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL QUALITY OF YOGHURT

Manuela Tobil, Courage Y. Deh, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The pectin content of okra (Abelmoschus spp.) is responsible for the slimy texture of

okra extracts that can used as functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical

applications. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of okra pectin

from two genotypes on the physicochemical, sensory and microbial quality of

yoghurt. Okra pectin concentration (w/w pectin to milk powder ratios) of 0, 0.2%,

0.4% and 0.6% were used in the yoghurt preparation and its water holding capacity,

titratable acidity and pH were analyzed weekly for a month. Consumer acceptability

test for the yoghurt samples were carried out using 50 untrained panelists. Total

aerobic microorganisms present in the most preferred samples were enumerated over

a four weeks’ period. Results indicated that samples containing 0.2% asha pectin was

most preferred by panelists. Samples containing 0.4% pectin showed the highest

water holding capacity. Sample containing 0.4% asha pectin had a water holding

capacity ranging from 90.27-89.07% whereas sample containing 0.4% Agbagoma

pectin had water holding capacity ranging from 54.86-40.43% as against the control

which had water holding capacity ranging from 50.10-40.43%. There was a decline in

pH with increasing pectin concentration and over the storage period. Samples

containing agbagoma pectin had lower pH (3.60-4.32) compared to samples

containing Asha pectin (4.22-4.45). Titratable acidity increased during the storage

period and with increasing pectin concentration. Sample containing 0.6% Asha pectin

on the 28th day of storage exhibited the highest titratable acidity (44.00±0.57%). After

four weeks of storage at 4 °C sample containing 0.2% Agbagoma pectin had the least

microbial count (7.6×105±4.51 cfu/g), followed by the sample containing 0.2% Asha

pectin (2.4×107±11.14 cfu/g) and the control (8.6×107±5.57cfu/g). The present study

showed that pectin from different okra genotypes have significant effects on the

sensory, microbial and physicochemical properties of yoghurt. The findings indicate

that to achieve the desired functionality and consumer preference the first step should

be the selection of the pectin and the concentration to use.

34

P-14 EVALUATION OF SOME NEW TOMATO VARIETIES PROPOSED

FOR RELEASE

Cynthia E.A. Kpodo1, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1*, Kwasi O. Bonsu2, Manuela

Tobil1

1Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST- Kumasi 2Horticulture Improvement Division, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kwadaso-

Kumasi

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Research work carried out on tomato breeding at the Horticulture Divison of the

CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kwadaso came out with some new selected tomato

varieties intended to be released into the market. The objective of this work was to

evaluate the physicochemical quality of the new three tomato varieties proposed for

release for food processing. Fruit selection was based on the fruit characteristics-

shape, surface, size and colour. The fruits were harvested separately and seeds

extracted accordingly. Then physicochemical properties (Brix, titratable acidity,

ascorbic acid, protein, carbohydrates and beta-carotene) were determined using

standard procedures. The samples had high levels of ascorbic acid (26.02-30.09

mg/100g) with the highest recorded in P002. The varieties however has similar

firmness (4.6-4.9), Brix (6.3-6.8%), beta-carotene (1.44-2.23 mg/100g), protein (0.35-

0.75%), carbohydrates (3.32-3.75%) and energy contents (15.45-17.04 kCal/100g).

The shelf-life ranged from 18 days for POO2 to 26 days for P005 and P068. The

findings suggest that the tomato varieties proposed for release had considerable

physicochemical characteristics that would be suitable for processing into tomato

sauce, paste, puree and ketchup.

35

P-15 QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF SOME ORGANIC VERSUS

CONVENTIONAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN GHANA

Shallom Osei-Mireku, Lawrencia A. Ntim and Jacob K. Agbenorhevi*

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The consumer perception as well nutritional and physicochemical properties of some

selected organic and conventional fruits and vegetables were assessed. The samples

were analysed using standard procedures whereas 200 questionnaires were

administered randomly to the general population to ascertain consumer perception on

organic and conventional fruits and vegetables. On the perception index, majority of

the respondents 89.50% had knowledge about organic foods whereas some section

representing 10.5% did not know of it at all. Also, for conventional foods, 63.64%

had knowledge of it whereas 36.36% did not know of it at all. With the exception of

organic and conventional pawpaw samples, there was a significant difference between

organic and conventional pepper and okro samples at p ≤ 0.05 in terms of the fiber-

carbohydrate content. The titrable acidity of the conventional sample was higher than

the organic counterparts. This survey indicated that most people perceived that

products from organic sources are not only safer but also much more enriched with

nutrients for good health while on the contrary perceived conventional foods to have

high risk of health related issues. Nutritionally, the proximate and physicochemical

studies proved that the organic samples in most instances had higher contents of

nutritional constituents specifically protein, fiber and carbohydrates and high phenolic

and brix contents and the antioxidant potency of organic foods to be quite higher

when compared to the conventional ones. The conventional samples however had

higher constituents of the specific minerals.

36

P-16 INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON CHARACTERISTICS OF STARCH

FROM NEW CASSAVA ACCESSIONS

G. Williams1, K.O. Ansah1, J.K. Agbenorhevi1*, I.N. Oduro1, E. Bobobee2

1Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi 2Department of Agricultural Engineering, KNUST-Kumasi

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Cassava (Manihot esculanta) is a root crop which has been used widely in the

production of many products and important source of starch on a global scale. The

aim of this work was to investigate the characteristics of starch from new cassava

accessions at different maturity. Six new cassava accessions (Abrabopa, Agra,

Amansen, Ampong, Bankyehemma and Duadekpakpa) were harvested at four

different months (from April – July 2017; 7-10th month) after planting. Starch was

extracted from these cassava varieties. The starch was extracted using the

conventional method of starch extraction and their yield calculated. The amylose was

determined by means of spectrophotometry whereas pasting properties of the starches

were analyzed using Rapid Visco Analyzer. Average starch yield ranged 18-29% and

was was highest yield in the 10th month for the various varieties studied. There were

no significant differences (p <0.05) in the peak viscosity, final viscosity, peak time

and pasting temperature but significant difference were recorded for setback, trough

and breakdown of the starch samples. The amylose (14-25%) and amylopectin (76-

85%) content of the varieties differed significantly (p< 0.05). The present work shows

that maturity affects the starch yield, composition and pasting properties of the new

cassava accessions and this should be considered in deciding the the time to harvest

each accession for specific food and non-food industrial applications.

37

P-17 YIELD AND INTRINSIC VISCOSITY OF PECTIN FROM OKRA AT

DIFFERENT MATURITY

Edmund L. Afari1, Beatrice Obeng1, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1*, Fidelis M.

Kpodo1,2, Ibok N. Oduro1, Ben K.B. Banful2

1Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-KumasiGhana

2Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, UHAS, Ho, Ghana

3Department of Horticulture, KNUST-Kumasi

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a staple vegetable in Ghana and several African

countries but underutilized. The mucilage or pectin content is currently of interest for

various food and non-food applications. The objective of this work was investigate

the yield and intrinsic viscosity of okra pectin extract as influenced by fertilizer

application and maturity of the fruit pods. Isolation of okra pectin was done by an

aqueous extraction at pH 6.0 from the pods of 2 different okra genotypes at three

harvest maturity and two different weight of NPK applications (6g and 9g). The

intrinsic viscosity [η] of the okra pectin solutions was determined at 20oC with a

Ubbelohde capillary viscometer and calculations made according to the Huggins

equation. Pectin yield ranged between 8-24% depending on genotype, fertilizer

treatment and maturity of the fruits. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in

the pectin yield between the okra genotypes as well as among the stages of maturity

of the okra fruits. Interaction between okra varieties and the stages of maturity of

fruits was also significant for pectin yield. The pectin yield of AGRA genotype was

higher than that of AGBAGOMA. However, the intrinsic viscosity of pectin of

AGBAGOMA was higher than that of AGRA. Highest pectin yield was observed for

intermediate matured fruits, followed by that of immature fruits and lowest was

observed for overgrown fruits. The intrinsic viscosity values however was highest for

immature fruits as compared to the intermediate and overgrown okra fruits. Pectin

yield and intrinsic viscosity increased significantly with fertilizer application (p <

0.05). The present findings show that harvesting at intermediate maturity would be

most appropriate if high pectin yield is desired. A 9g NPK treatment suggest the

opportunity to increase yield and intrinsic viscosity of okra pectin. The study showed

that it is important to identify the most appropriate stage of development to harvest

the okra fruit for maximize pectin yield.

38

P-18 EMULSIFYING CHARACTERISTICS OF PECTIN FROM SIX

DIFFERENT OKRA GENOTYPES

Harriet Kumi-Djan1, Fidelis M. Kpodo1,2, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1*, Ibok N.

Oduro1, Katerina Alba3, Gordon A. Morris3 and Vassilis Kontogiorgos3

1Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 2Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho,

Ghana 3Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The emulsifying characteristics of pectins isolated from six different okra genotypes

were investigated and structure-function relationships have been evaluated. Emulsion

formation and stabilization of acidic oil-in-water emulsions (pH 2.0, φ = 0.1) were

studied by means of droplet size distribution, ζ-potential measurements, viscometry,

interfacial composition analysis and fluorescence microscopy. Fresh and aged

emulsions differed in terms of droplet size distribution, interfacial protein and pectin

concentrations (Γ) depending on the molecular properties of pectin that was used.

Samples can be grouped into pectins with short (R < 2, Asha, Penkruma),

intermediate (2 < R < 3, Sengavi, Balabi), or long branches (R > 3, Asontem,

Agbagoma). Specifically, pectins with intermediate length of RG-I branching with

molar ratio of (Ara+Gal)/Rha between 2 and 3 exhibit the optimum emulsification

capacity whereas samples with the molar ratio outside this range do not favour

emulsification. Additionally, low amounts of RG-I segments (HG/RG-I > 2;

Penkruma, Agbagoma, Sengavi, Asontem) improve long term stability of emulsions

as opposed to the samples that contain high amounts of RG-I (HG/RG-I < 2; Balabi,

Asha) which lead to long term instability. Protein was not found to be the controlling

factor for the stability of the dispersions. The present results show that rational design

of pectin should be sought before application as functional ingredient in food and/or

pharmaceutical systems.

39

P-19 NITRITE ASSESSMENT OF PROCESSED MEAT

PRODUCTS COMMONLY CONSUMED IN GHANA

Mmanuella Ankomah, Joyce A. Kontoh and Jacob K. Agbenorhevi

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Sodium and potassium salts of nitrite are used in meat products as preservative,

antioxidant and colour fixative. However, high levels of these chemicals pose risks

such as toxicity and carcinogenic effects due to the formation of nitroso compounds

originated from nitrite sources. The present study was conducted to assess the nitrite

residual levels and to evaluate the health risk of consumers from exposure of nitrite in

commonly consumed processed meat products (sausage, corned beef and bacon) sold

on the Ghanaian market. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered to all

categories of ages in the study population in the Ayawaso West Sub Metro, Accra.

Participants were made to fill out the 24 h food frequency questionnaire. A total of

Fifty (50) samples of different types and brands of processed meat products were

randomly selected and analyzed for nitrite residues by spectrophotometric method.

The mean nitrite content in the samples was 139.85 mg/kg and the mean daily intake

estimated at 114.89 mg/kg/day. Significant to the findings of this research is that the

nitrite levels exceed the WHO/EU recommended levels of 125mg/kg in processed

meat. First order Monte Carlo simulation at 10,000 iterations estimated chronic daily

intake of nitrite as 5.05 mg/kg/day. Subsequently, the average risk of consumption of

processed meat within the limits of reference dose of nitrite (0.33 mg/Bw/day) for the

studied population was estimated at 15.65. This means that, the risk quotient or

hazard quotient was far greater than 1, which was indicative of adverse health effect

to the consumers.

40

P-20 GLYCEMIC INDEX OF YAM AS INFLUENCED BY

BOILING, FRYING AND ROASTING

Samuel E. Srabie1, Deborah Ampofo2, Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1, Evelyn Adu-

Kwarteng3

1Department. of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi 2Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST-Kumasi 3Crops Research Institute, CSIR, Fumesua-Kumasi

Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Yam is one of the commonly consumed carbohydrate staples. The objective of this

work was to investigate the effect of boiling, roasting and frying on the glycemic

indices of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata), yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenesis) and

water yam (Dioscorea alata). Yam tubers were obtained (peeled, sliced, washed)

deep fried in vegetable oil for 35-40 mins, boiled in water for about 35-45 mins.

Sliced unpeeled tubers were also roasted at about 120°C for 40-45 mins. The cooked

yam samples were fed to 10 healthy subjects aged between 20–50 years. A

glucometer was used to measure the blood glucose concentrations of the test

individuals before consuming the yam diets and after the 30th, 45th, 60th, 90th and 120th

mins of consumption. The average incremental area under the curves (IAUC)

obtained from the recorded blood glucose concentrations were used to calculate the

glycemic indices (GI) of various yam diets. The glycemic indices ranged from 50.62

± 19.81 % in the white yam to 70.62 ± 20.80 % in the yellow yam for roasted

samples, 59.13 ± 10.32 % in white yam to 69.16 ± 24.33 % in water yam for fried

samples and 44.26 ± 12.67 % in white yam to 75.18 ± 22.19 % in yellow yam for

boiled samples. White yam diets relatively had lower GI compared to yellow yam and

water yam. Fried yellow yam diets recorded relatively higher GI. Boiling was found

to give generally lower GI in the white and water yams, and could therefore be

applied in the preparation of diets with lower GI diets for diabetics.

41

P-21 GLYCEMIC INDEX OF FIVE MAIZE AND CASSAVA

STAPLES IN GHANA

Kelvin F. Ofori1, Eunice S. Yeboah2 and Jacob K. Agbenorhevi1 1Department. of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi 2Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST-Kumasi

*Email: jkagbenorhevi.cos@knust.edu.gh / jkagbenorhevi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The glycemic index (GI) of some Ghanaian maize and cassava staples (Abolo, Akple,

Kafa, Locally made kokonte and Processed kokonte) were determined by means of

cross over trial and to investigate the effect of processing of processing on them. Ten

healthy subjects consisting of five males and five females were included in the study.

The GI was assessed by quantifying the blood glucose level of study subjects at the

fasting state and after consumption of reference food (glucose) and test foods within a

period of two hours. Measuring the blood glucose levels after the two hour period

commenced after 15mins of consumption and the 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120th min. The

glycemic index value for the test food was calculated for each subject by dividing

their blood glucose incremental area under the glucose response curve for the test

food by the blood glucose incremental area under curve for the reference food and

multiplying by 100. Results showed that locally made kokonte had the least GI of 7

followed by processed kokonte with GI of 18 while Kafa had low GI value of 29.

Abolo had a medium glycemic index value of 58 and Akple also had a medium

glycemic index value of 69. The GI value of a food is ranked on a scale of 0-100

where 0-55 is low, 56-69 medium and 70-100 high. There was no significant

difference between the GI of locally made kokonte and processed kokonte (p > 0.05).

The findings would be useful to assist health care professionals, diabetics and

Ghanaians in their selection of local staples and meal planning.

42

P-22 PROXIMATE, MINERAL CONTENT AND MICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF

MILLET FRUIT BARS

O. A. Ogunlade, H. Lutterodt

1Department. of Food Science and Technology, KNUST-Kumasi

Correspondence: seunogunlade@gmail.com, paalutu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work is to carry out the recommendations outlined from a project

originally titled “Development of affordable fruit bars”, which is the utilization of

millet as substitute for dried fruits in fruit bars to reduce cost. The food product is a

blend of dried fruits (pineapple, mango, banana and coconut) with millet flour to

produce a smooth and nutritious bar known as fruit or energy bar or nature’s candy.

This present project focuses on: the analysis of nutrients composition (proximate and

certain minerals analysis) and microbial load of the food product. Fruit bar made from

mango pineapple and millet was recorded to have the highest average %protein

content of 2.02 ± 0.10 and the lowest %crude fat content of 0.62 ± 0.05. Due to the

high fat content of coconut, the fruit bar made from mango, coconut and millet was

recorded to have the highest %crude fat content of 2.67 ± 0.04. Fruit bar made from

pineapple, banana, mango and millet was also found to contain the highest amount of

the minerals; K (12.72 ± 0.11), Ca (8.915 ± 0.08) and Zn (0.0699 ± 0.00). The

microbial load of the fruit bars was within acceptable limits and this showed that the

food product is safe for human consumption.

Keywords: fruit bar, millet, nutrients, microbial load.

43

P-23 ACRYLAMIDE EXPOSURE AND RISKS IN MOST FREQUENTLY

CONSUMED FOODS IN A TOTAL DIET STUDY

Michelle Oppong Siaw, Isaac W. Ofosu, Herman E. Lutterodt, Gloria M. Ankar-Brewoo

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

ABSTRACT

The neurotoxic and carcinogenic nature of acrylamide, coupled with the recent

emphasis of the “probable carcinogenic” status of acrylamide is a cause for concern

requiring further studies. The objective of this study was to determine the

carcinogenic and neurotoxic risks associated with the consumption of frequently

consumed foods in a Total Diet Study (TDS). From a selection of 80 frequently

consumed foods, the acrylamide concentrations in the foods were purified by the

QuEChERS method of extraction and purification, and the concentrations of

acrylamide were determined using the HPLC. Acrylamide was detected in 82% of

all the foods analyzed, and the levels ranged from 1.33×10-3 ± 1.89 to 14.39×10-3 ±

6.33 mg/g. The probabilistic approach was used to model the chronic exposures

using the Monte Carlo simulation of the Palisade @Risk software. The mean, 50th

and 95th percentile values for acrylamide exposures were in the range of 1.56×10-3 to

1.88×10-2, 3.21×10-4 to 5.85×10-3 and 6.16×10-3 to 8.32×10-2 mg/kg bw/day

respectively. The mean and 95th percentile values for the margins of exposure

(MOE) for the risk of tumorigenesis and neurotoxicity were below the thresholds,

hence posing significant public health concern. Generally, the lifetime cancer risks

of male consumers were higher compared to that of the female consumers. The

median and 95th percentile consumers presented unacceptable risk, since their

lifetime cancer risks were greater than the de minimus (10-6). The elements that

imparted the most on the overall lifetime cancer risk of the consumers were the

exposure duration and the concentration of acrylamide in the foods. To lower these

lifetime cancer risks, mitigation studies can thus, be mounted in order to help lower

the concentrations of acrylamide in the foods.

44

P-24 QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED

GLIBENCLAMIDE TABLETS ON THE GHANAIAN MARKET

Benedicta Donkor and Akwasi Acheampong

Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi.

ABSTRACT

Glibenclamide is an anti-diabetic drug used for the treatment of diabetes, type II. Many

studies have shown the rise of substandard drugs on the markets of several countries,

especially in developing countries. In this study, the quality of three brands of locally

manufactured Glibenclamide were assessed. The tablets were assessed for

physicochemical properties including identification, uniformity of weight, friability,

and dissolution using standard methods. The amount of active ingredients was

assessed using Reversed Phase HPLC with mobile phase of acetonitrile : KH2PO4

(47:53) with pH 3 and a C-18 column of dimensions (10cm x 4.6 mm, 5μ). Flow rate

was 1.5 ml/min, detection was at 300nm, temperature was ambient and isocratic mode

was employed. The identification test indicated that all three brands contained the

active ingredient as they produced IR spectra similar to that of the reference standard.

All three brands passed the uniformity of weight tests as none of twenty tablets from

each brand deviated by ±7.5%. Two brands A and B passed the friability tests with

values 0.03% and 0.04% respectively. Brand C, however failed the friability test with a

value of 2.53%. Brands A, B and C recorded percent dissolved values of 26.45, 107.91

and 75.20 respectively for 45 min, indicating that brands B and C passed the

dissolution test with brand A failing. All three brands of tablets contain the required

amounts of active ingredient as they recorded percent content values of 95.55, 105.37

and 98.70 respectively for A, B and C. The three brands of locally manufactured

glibenclamide are generally fit for use and are efficacious for the treatment of diabetes.

It is recommended, however, that companies whose drugs failed the friability and

dissolution work at improving the physicochemical properties of their tablets.

Keywords: Glibenclamide, sulphonyl urea, RP-HPLC, Dissolution, physicochemical

45

P-25 QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF AMLODIPINE TABLETS PRODUCED

BY LOCAL AND FOREIGN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ON THE

GHANAIAN MARKET

Joseph Wakpal and Akwasi Acheampong

Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi.

ABSTRACT

Amlodipine besylate is a dihydropyrid derivative with calcium antagonistic activity

used for the treatment of hypertension and angina. Research has shown that

approximately 30% of drugs produced and sold in developing countries especially

parts of Africa and Asia are fake or substandard. In this study, the quality of four

brands of Amlodipine besylate were assessed. The tablets were assessed for

physicochemical properties including identification, uniformity of weight, friability,

disintegration, and dissolution using standard methods. The amount of active

ingredients was assessed using Reversed Phase HPLC with mobile phase of

triethylamine buffer (pH 3) /ethanol / acetonitrile (35/15/50) and a C-18 column of

dimensions (15cm x 3.9 mm, 5μ). Detection was at 237nm and flow rate was 1.0

ml/min. The identification test indicated the presence of the active ingredient in all

brands as they produced IR spectra similar to that of the reference standard. All four

brands passed the uniformity of weight tests as none of twenty tablets from each brand

deviated by ±10%. All four brands passed the friability tests with values 0.12%,

0.23%, 1.08% and 0.60% respectively for brands A, B, C, and D. All brands A, B, C,

and D passed the disintegration test with 26%, 8%, 27% and 10%. All four brands

passed the uniformity of weight test. Hardness test was passed by all four samples with

values 2.50, 2.00, 2.60, and 2.10 respectively for brands A, B, C, and D. All four

brands of tablets contained the required amounts of active ingredient as they recorded

percent content values of 97.95, 96.27, 93.64, and 91.68 respectively for A, B, C and

D. All four brands, three locally manufactured and one imported, are generally fit for

use as they contained the required amount of active ingredient and also meet the

requirements of the British Pharmacopoiea.

Keywords; Amlodipine besylate, sulphonyl urea, RP-HPLC, Dissolution,

physicochemical

46

P-26 PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF ORANGE-FLESHED

SWEETPOTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS) LEAVES AT EARLY

DEVELOPMENT PHASE

M. Arthur1, J. Saaka2, L.D.K. De-Souza1

1Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana 2Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kumasi, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is a nutritious food crop and a rich source of

beta-carotene and nutrients. Sweetpotato leaves are consumed as green leafy

vegetables (GLVs) in certain parts of the world. However, a greater percentage of the

leaves are discarded as waste due to the toughness of matured leaves except for

occasional use for feeding livestock. The objective of this study was to investigate

whether the leaves at an early development phase contains considerable amount of

nutrient. Proximate composition of five varieties of Orange-fleshed sweetpotato

leaves were determined at an early development phase (6 weeks after planting) using

AOAC 1990. Result shown in percentage revealed that, Moisture content ranged from

72.03±0.44 – 74.03±0.16; Crude ash ranged from 5.13±0.02 – 6.06±0.17; Crude fat

ranged from 1.02±0.0.01 – 1.29±0.04; Crude protein ranged from 13.28±0.13 –

14.25±0.33; Crude fibre ranged from 5.01±0.02 – 5.26±0.05; Carbohydrate values

from 1.34±0.20 – 1.79±0.02. There was a statistically significant difference (p˂0.05)

for moisture content, crude fat, crude ash, crude protein and crude fibre between some

varieties of the leaves. However, there was no statistically significant difference

(p˂0.05) for carbohydrate between the varieties of the leaves. The results revealed

that Orange-fleshed sweetpotato leaves at an early development phase contains

considerable amount of nutrient and can be included in human diet to supplement its

dietary needs.

Key words: Orange-fleshed Sweetpotato leaves, proximate, leafy vegetables.

47

P-27 INVESTIGATING HETEROGENEITY IN MORTALITY OF MALE

PENSIONERS

F. K. Bukari and N. K. Frempong

Department of Mathematics, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

In this study, the objective was to study differential factors that explains the mortality

rates of male pensioners, comparing the survival patterns of early retirees and normal

retirees (60 years and above) through a non-parametric method and fitting a Cox-

Proportional Hazard model to the pensioner data. The data used was obtained from

the Social Security andNational Insurance Trust (SSNIT) which spans from 1st

January, 1990 to 14th June, 2014. The time to death after retirement was the main

outcome which was considered as a counting process. At the end of the study, overall

survival experience through a non-parametric methods, such as Kaplan-Meier

(product-limit) and Nelson-Aalen estimators were considered. The overall median

survival time is about 21 years 6 months after retirement. The log-rank test shows

significant differences in the Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. Early retirees with

lower employment duration have relatively high hazards of death after retirement.

Standard Cox proportional hazard models were fitted, out of which four models M1,

M2, M3 and M4 were considered. The AIC value of model M3 is 255400.17

estimated with 6 parameters was chosen as the suitable Cox proportional hazard

model based on the principle of parsimony. Analyzing the maximum likelihood

estimate of model M3, for every year increase in entry age, the hazard increases about

1%. When all other factors are considered constant, retirement status have no effect

on mortality. For a unit increase in total income, the hazard decreases by 1% and for

an increase in the employment duration, the hazard increases about 9%.

Keywords: Pension, heterogeneity, differential, proportional, hazard, survival,

mortality.

48

P-28 XYLOPIC ACID DERIVATIVES: SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL

CHARACTERIZATION

Emmanuel N. Ahenkorah1, Solomon Nii – Offei Wellington1 and Lawrence S.

Borquaye1, 2

1KNUST Central Laboratory and 2Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Derivatives of many natural products are known to possess improved bioactivities

relative to the isolated compounds. Xylopic acid, a kaurane diterpene isolated from

Xylopia aethiopica is known to possess anti-microbial, anti-protozoal, analgesic

effects and other biological activities. In this work, xylopic acid was isolated from

Xylopia aethiopica and characterized using Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Nuclear

Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and melting point determination. Various

ester derivatives of xylopic acid were synthesized from xylopic acid with different

alkyl halides in very good yields (74 – 90%). Initial attempt to synthesize the ester

derivatives via Fischer esterification failed, hence yielding the deacetylated xylopic

acid. An alternate approach which utilized a base mediated deprotonation of xylopic

acid followed by SN2-like reaction with an alkyl halide yielded the methyl, ethyl,

isopropyl and butyl derivatives of xylopic acid. All the ester derivatives were pure as

confirmed by melting point, IR and NMR spectroscopy. This work has shown the

utility of the base mediated SN2 route as a facile mean for synthesizing esters of

xylopic acid. Assessment of the biological activities of these xylopic acid derivatives

is under way.

49

P-29 MECHANISTIC STUDY OF THE REACTION OF AZOMETHINE

YLIDES WITH CARBONYLS: THE ROLE OF SUBSTITUENTS ON REGIO-

AND STEREOSELECTIVITY

Shiraz Nantogma, Richard Tia, and Evans Adei.

Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

1, 3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides with olefins has been an

important method for the synthesis of highly substituted and asymmetric 5-membered

heterocycles such as pyrrolines, pyrrolidines and oxazolidines. These products

obtained have high utility in the pharmaceutical industry. The reaction is regiospecific

and several studies have been devoted towards it. However, no work has established

the origin of the regio- and stereoselectivities in this reaction. This study therefore

sought to address such mechanistic concerns. The results we got from the reaction of

some selected azomethine ylides with substituted aldehydes suggests that electron

deficient carbonyls generally lowers the activation barriers for the formation of

oxazolidines whiles electron rich aldehydes has the converse effect. This is in

complete agreement with the experimental data by Rizz et al in 1988 who reported

very high yields of oxazolidines when azomethine ylides were reacted with electron

deficient aldehydes as compared to that of electron rich ones. We also provided a

theoretical explanation as to the source of the regioselectivity in the reaction.

Transition structures for the formation of 4- and 3- oxazolidines showed a preference

for the 4-oxazolidine isomer. These results imply that the enantioselective synthesis

of highly substituted oxazolidines can be achieved at lower temperatures by

employing electron deficient carbonyls with stabilized azomethine ylides.

50

P-30 EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIMICROBIAL

AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THE METHANOL AND

CHLOROFORM EXTRACT OF THE SEEDS OF UROPHYLLUM AFZELII

(RUBIACEAE)

Daniel Dotse Dorgbedevor1; John Kenneth Mensah1

1Department of Chemistry and Computational studies, Faculty of physical and

computational Sciences, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi.

Email: dorgbedevor.daniel@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The seeds of Urophyllum afzelii (Rubiaceae) is commonly used in many parts of Africa

which the Ghanaian traditional herbal market would not be excluded when it comes to the

treatment of rheumatic conditions, fever, infections, headache, wounds, itchy rashes and

various other inflammatory based diseases. Very few reports have been documented on the

medicinal values of other species especially Cinchona (quinine), Coffea (coffee), Morinda

citrifolia of the Rubiaceae family. The current research is aimed at investigating the effect of

the Methanol and Chloroform extracts of the seeds of U. afzelii on laboratory animals and

varied in vitro tests to assess the importance to which the traditional herbal medicine attach to

its miraculous healing effect; thus exploring its medicinal value. Concentrations of 300, 100

and 30 mg/kg of the seed extracts of U. afzelii against a steroidal and a nonsteroidal

inflammatory drugs. Diclofenac concentrations of 100, 30 and 10 mg/kg and dexamethasone

concentrations of 10, 3 and 1 mg/kg were prepared as positive controls. The study of the

extract of the seed of U. afzelii and the Dexa/Diclo on the inflammation induced on the right

hind limb of chicks by carrageenan showed anti-inflammatory activities of the seed extracts

the plant. The metabolites analyses also detected the presence of Alkaloids which might have

caused the anti-inflammatory activities of the extract. These outcomes confirm the ethno

medical importance attached to the use of the seeds of Urophyllum afzelii as anti-

inflammatory. The observations proved the validity of the ethnic use of the seed against

minor cuts and burns. The diameter of inhibition zone on performed on six bacteria gave a

corresponding antimicrobial activity as compared to the Ciprofloxacin and Fluconazole used

as control. The presence of both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in the test

substance is indicative of it use in wounds, boils where bacterial invasion may be etiological

factor in causing inflammation. Proximate analysis showed 7% moisture, 43% protein, 8%

ash, 12% fiber, 27% fat and 3% nitrogen free of 5g representative powdered seed sample.

Total phenolic contents using the Follin- Ciocalteu reagent of methanol extract at 500ug/ml

and 250ug/ml was 21600mgGAE/100g and 1640mgGAE/100g respectively. However, total

phenolic contents of the chloroform extract at 500ug/ml and 250ug/ml gave

24280mgGAE/100g and 2680mgGAE/100g. TAC of the methanol extract was reported to be

4329mgAAE/100g and 1132mgAAE/100g of the chloroform extract. Determinations done in

duplicates. The EC50 recorded for the ascorbic acid was 53.231, 110.430 for the methanol

extract and 16910.87 for the chloroform extract using the DPPH scavenging assay. Thin layer

chromatographic profile resolved four spots with the chloroform extract whereas two spots

were resolved from the methanol extract all with ethyl acetate: pet ether: ethanol in varied

ratios.

Key words Urophyllum afzelii, Dexamethasone, Diclofenac, anti-inflammatory, Alkaloids,

Carrageenan.

51

P-31 PATTERN FORMATION IN MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR

CHOLERA TRANSMISSION

George Parker-Lamptey, Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi, Isaac Kwame Dontwi

Department of Mathematics, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

The nature of spreading and transmission of Cholera is vital in order to investigate the

appropriate measures and parameters for controlling it. Generally, mathematical

models for transmission of infectious diseases are formulated as reaction-diffusion

equations. This work centers on the formation of patterns for a deterministic cholera

transmission model using standard finite difference algorithms for studying the

spatially generated patterns. The complex dynamics of the S-I-R reaction diffusion

are analyzed with zero flux boundary conditions by establishing Turing’s Instability.

The results indicate that a disease spread is analytcally due to the influence of

diffusion.

52

P-32 EVALUATION OF SELECTED COSMETICS, HAIR PRODUCTS AND

TOOTHPASTES PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRESENCE OF

FORMALDEHYDE.

Godfred Arthur- Boison , Anthony Adimado.

Department of Chemistry, College of Science, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Increasing demand of cosmetics, hair products and toothpastes all over the world from

teen to adults has increase awareness related to the safety issues. In the formulation of

these products, Preservatives are added in order to prevent or inhibit the growth of

micro organism and increase the shelf life of the product. Formaldehyde and

formaldehyde-releasing agents are the most widely used for this purpose and it is

essential to evaluate their concentration in cosmetics since they are reported to be

toxic while exceeding their limits leading to cancer, cell mutations, skin dermatitis

and some allergic reactions.In this report, formaldehyde was determined from 20

cosmetics samples, consisting of 3 body creams, 3 hair conditioners, 3 hair relaxers, 3

hand sanitizers, 3 toothpastes, 3 shower gel, 2 shampoos using spectrophotometric

method. The selection of these cosmetics samples were based on the higher demand

of products by consumers or the general public as told by vendors. The method

developed for formaldehyde determination is based on aldehyde (formaldehyde)

reacting with MBTH to form an azine which later reacts with an oxidized MBTH to

form a blue intense colour formazan and measured at a wavelength of 628nm using

UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Formaldehyde were extracted from the sample by

respective procedures and evaluated by this analytical method. The amount of

formaldehyde estimated from

a. Hand sanitizers: Care one, Pharmaderm and Cussons carex were 0.00093%,

0.0014%, and 0.0020% respectively.

b. Toothpaste: Colgate, Pepsodent and Close-up were 0.00034%, 0.00038%, and

0.0012% respectively.

c. Shower Gel: Caro white, Aquav lavender and Nivea were 0.00030%,

0.0025%, and 0.0012% respectively.

d. Hair conditioners: Chapter 2000, Classic hair food and Precious hair food

were 0.00010%, 0.00076%, and 0.00044% respectively.

e. Hair relaxers: A.B.C., UB and BO-16 were 0.0012%, 0.00064%, and

0.00051% respectively.

f. Shampoos: Elden and Honey maxim were 0.00043%, 0.00044% respectively.

g. Body creams: Habiba, Queen Elizabeth Cocoa Butter and Carotone were

0.00014%, 0.00010%, and 0.00074% respectively.

The estimated amounts of formaldehyde in the selected cosmetics samples were found

to be within the ASEAN and EC Regulations which states 0.1% free formaldehyde to

be used in oral cosmetics products, 0.2% free formaldehyde in other cosmetics and

5% free formaldehyde in nail hardeners. This paper also highlighted some of the

health risk possesses by such ingredients in these products.

53

P-33 DEPOSITION OF SILVER SULPHIDE THIN FILMS FROM SILVER

DITHIOCARBAMATE COMPLEXES USING THE SPIN COATING

METHOD

Robert Wogbe-Dogoe, Nathaniel Owusu Boadi.

Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Silver sulphide (Ag2S) has been a subject of investigation over the years for possible

applications in various opto-electronics, electronics and industrial applications.

Materials cost, abundance of constituent elements and its efficiency in use are

fundamental properties in selecting materials for use as an absorber or window layer

in solar cell devices, or other optoelectronic devices. And in keeping up with recent

concerns of environmental degradation, Silver is noted as a nontoxic metal. The

thermoelectric and optoelectrical properties of spin coated silver sulphide thin films

synthesized from organometallic complex of metal chalcogens is studied in this work.

Silver piperidine dithiocarbamate served as the single source precursor and was

characterized by UV/VIS, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Silver sulphide thin films was

obtained by spin coating method and annealing at 150 °C, 200 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C

for 30 minutes. Absorbance measurements are used to calculate the direct/indirect

band gaps and particle size by the TAUC and BRUS methods. The thin films absorb

light with wavelength averaging 360 nm with absorbance increasing towards the UV

region. The average band gaps is 3.4 eV with Ag2S at 200 °C showing the lowest

band gap of 2.5 eV, confirming reports of crystalline structure related changes at that

temperature.

54

P-34 QUALITY OF IMPORTED APPLES ALONG THE POSTHARVEST

IMPORT CHAIN

Maame Akua Nyamekye, Alexandra O. Kwakye and Faustina D. Wireko-Manu*

Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

Email: manyamekye@outlook.com, qobenewaa@gmail.com,fdbaah@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Changes in quality parameters were studied on two commercially imported apple

cultivars: ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Pink Lady’ in Ghana; with the aim of investigating

the changes in the apples along the postharvest import chain. Freshly imported apples

were sampled and analyzed for the following: percentage moisture, weight (and

subsequently weight loss), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, using standard

methods; and antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay. The rest of the samples were

stored for a 90-day period under different conditions: Cold Room Storage (0-4 oC),

Cold Shelf Storage (10 – 18 oC) and in Ambient Storage (25 – 28 oC), each

representing a major stage in the postharvest import chain in Ghana. Sampling and

analysis were done every 15th day for 90 days. Physical defects were also observed on

sampling days. At the end of the 90th day storage period, apples stored under cold

room conditions retained better quality characteristics than all other storage

conditions. Golden Delicious samples retained higher moisture content than the Pink

Lady samples as storage progressed; even though a significant loss in weight was

recorded on day 15 in both cultivars and in all storage conditions. Fresh samples of

Pink Lady apples had 79% Antioxidant activity (AA) which reduced to 43%, as

compared with 74% to 38% in Golden Delicious even in Cold Room Storage. All

samples under ambient storage had significant loss of AA by day 15 in storage. Soft

rot, Bitter pit and discoloration were also severe in the ambient storage samples even

though changes in pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were still within

acceptable ranges for stored apples. All samples were rotten by day 30 under ambient

storage. From this studies, cold room storage method preserved the nutritional and

physical quality of apples better than cold shelf and ambient storage. Apples stored at

ambient condition should be consumed within the first 15 days after import due to the

undesirable quality changes observed after 15 days.

55

P-35 BIOACTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTENTIALS OF CRUDE

EXTRACTS OF A MARINE GASTROPOD: GALEODEA ECHINOPHORA

Kwabena Baffour Duah and Kugbe Dzidzorli

Department of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

The tissue crude extracts; 70% methanol, ethyl acetate and peptide of a marine

mollusk, Galeodea echinophora were evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant

potentials. The extracts were assayed against ten (10) pathogens. Six (6) Gram

negative bacteria; (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebseilla pneumoniae,

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, Vibro cholerae), three (3) Gram

positive bacteria; (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Streptococcus

pneumoniae) and one (1) fungus (Candida albicans), using broth dilution assay.

Bacteria strains were more susceptible to the extracts than the fungus strain. Crude

peptides recorded minimum inhibition concentration of 12.5 mg/ml for all

microorganisms tested. However, an MIC of 25 mg/ml was recorded for S. aureus, P.

aeruginosa and C. albicans. The MIC recorded for 70% methanol extract was 25

mg/ml for all pathogens, except MIC’s for E. faecalis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae (12.5

mg/ml), and for P. aeruginosa (50 mg/ml). For ethyl acetate extract, an MIC of 25

mg/ml for all pathogens was recorded, except MIC’s for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, V.

cholerae, E. faecalis, P. vulgaris (50 mg/ml) and for S. typhi (12.5 mg/ml).

Antioxidant activities of the extracts were assayed using both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-

picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. At 1.0 mg/ml the

percentage scavenging of DPPH radicals were 67%, 17% 14% for 70% methanol,

ethyl acetate, and peptide extracts respectively. In addition, scavenging ability on the

hydrogen peroxide for 70% methanol and ethyl acetate extracts at 1.0 mg/ml were

67% and 42%, but the peptide extract at 0.25 mg/ml was 18%. This study shows that

crude peptide extracts from G. echinophora possess antimicrobial potential but poor

antioxidant properties. 70% methanol extract, was however, a potent antioxidant

potentials which can be further harnessed.

Keywords: Pathogens, MIC, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Marine Mollusk, Crude

extract, Crude peptides

56

P-36 PEPTIDES FROM OLIVANCILLARIA HIATULA SHOW BROAD-

SPECTRUM ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND ANTI-BIOFILM

CAPABILITIES

Edward Ntim Gasu1,2, Hubert Senanu Ahor1,3 and Lawrence Sheringham

Borquaye1,2

1,2 Central Laboratory, 2Department of Chemistry; KNUST, Kumasi-Ghana. 3Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), K.N.U.S.T – Kumasi, Ghana.

E-mail: engasu24@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Lately, pathogenic microbes have developed resistance to most last resort antibiotics.

The rate of discovery and development of new therapeutics is declining and has

resulted in a drain of the global pharmaceutical pipeline. Antimicrobial peptides have

the ability to disrupt cytoplasmic membrane integrity, causing cellular content release

leading to cell death, and are rarely resisted. The aquatic (marine) ecosystem, with its

vast biological diversity serves as a reservoir of promising leads and drug candidates.

We report herein the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm capabilities of crude peptides

from Olivancillaria hiatula (a marine mollusk). Samples were obtained from Eikwe

beach and crude peptides were extracted by selective precipitation. The peptides were

tested against nine bacteria and one fungus using the agar diffusion and broth

microdilution methods. A microplate method was used to examine time-dependent

growth inhibition, and the resistance modulation ability of peptides at sub-MIC

concentrations, of some selected antibiotics was examined. The capability of the

extract to inhibit P. aeruginosa and C. albicans biofilms, were also investigated. A

broad-spectrum activity was observed in general, with Minimum Inhibitory

Concentration (MIC) of the crude peptides ranging from 0.04mg/mL to 2.5mg/mL

and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC)/Minimum Fungicidal Concentration

(MFC) was 2.5mg/mL. Synergistic activity of 0.025mg/mL of peptides led to 50-99%

reduction in Ciprofloxacin MICs, but an antagonistic effect was observed for

Erythromycin. An extensive prolonging of bacteria lag phase (between 0-24h),

indicative of microbicidal/micro biostatic action. Biofilm Inhibitory Concentrations

(BIC50) were 0.0653 and 0.04257mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and C. albicans

respectively. This shows that crude peptides from Olivancillaria hiatula possess

remarkable antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential which can be further explored.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, Oliva sp., broad-spectrum, anti-biofilm

57

P-37 NITRIC OXIDE SCAVENGING AND FERRIC REDUCING

ANTIOXIDANT POWER OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOME

SELECTED GHANAIAN PLANTS.

Gloria Doh1 and Lawrence S. Borquaye1,2

2Central Laboratory; 2Department Of Chemistry, KNUST, Kumasi

ABSTRACT

Biomolecules such as proteins are continually exposed to highly reactive oxidants

(free radicals) which are generated from cellular metabolism, inflammation,

environmental toxins and radiation among others. Though the body generates its own

antioxidant species, when the amount of the reactive oxidant species overwhelm the

body’s ability to generate antioxidants, a condition known as oxidative stress occurs.

Oxidative stress is known to be responsible for many degenerative diseases including

cancer. The ethanolic extract of some Ghanaian plants; Salacia debilis (SD),

Reissantia indica (RI), Psydrax paviflora (PP), Cissus cornifolia (CC) and Grosseria

vignei (GV) were examined for their relative ability to regulate the amount of free

radical in vitro. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and nitric oxide (NO)

scavenging assays were used to assess the relative antioxidant potential of the plant

extracts. Ascorbic acid (AA) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) were used as

reference standards. The IC50 for FRAP were 0.123mg/ml, 0.369mg/ml, 1.012mg/ml,

1.637mg/ml, 5.494mg/ml, 0.049mg/ml, 0.113mg/ml for PP, RI, SD, GV, CC, AA and

BHT respectively. The IC50 for NO were 0.052mg/ml, 0.320mg/ml, 0.352mg/ml,

1.152mg/ml, 1.381mg/ml, and 0.023mg/ml for PP, RI, SD, GV, CC and AA

respectively. All the extracts proved to be better scanvengers of NO and hence offer a

potential source of antioxidants for various applications.

58

P-38 PALATABILITY IMPROVEMENT AND TANIN REDUCTION OF

POULTRY FEED FROM PLANTAIN PEEL MEAL: A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

Boakye-Yiadom K. A. 1, Sonon B. W. 1, Boakye A. A. 1, Hamidu J. A. ,2, Oduro I.*

1 and Ellis W. O1

1Department of Food Science and Technology of Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 2Department of Animal Science of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and

Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

*Corresponding author’s email: ibok.oduro@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Research endeavours to mitigate the challenge of high cost of poultry feed have

proposed the use of non-conventional base ingredients. Recent studies have explored

the use of plantain peels as a replacement for maize with significant reductions in feed

costs. However, substitutions greater than 50% have resulted in reduced palatability

(inferred from the consumption levels and grittiness) and increased tannin content of

feed necessitating the need for further studies to improve (and promote) the plantain

peel as an alternate base ingredient for poultry feed in tropical regions. This study

sought to improve palatability and reduce the tannin content of broiler finisher feed

from plantain peel meal. Standard pretreatment methods would be used on the

plantain peels prior to drying. Two drying methods, solar and oven drying, would be

employed. The dried peels would be milled to pass through a 650 microns sieve and

standard tests conducted to determine the tannin content and particle-size distribution.

Feed formulation (with plantain peels replacing maize at 0, 50, 75 and 100 %) will be

carried out by standard methods using locally acceptable ingredients and the nutrient

composition of the final feed determined by standard methods. The palatability tests

would be carried out with a total of 140 finisher broilers. A completely randomized

design would be employed with 30 birds per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The

rate of consumption and actual quantities of consumed feed will be measured. Weight

of birds, mortality records and other observations will be kept throughout the study

period. Feed and water will be provided as libitum. It is envisaged that a nutritious

and palatable finisher broiler feed with plantain peel meal as base ingredient would be

developed to provide alternative cost-effective feed for the poultry industry.

Keywords: Non-conventional, Poultry Feed, Plantain Peel Meal, Palatability,

Tannins.

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