School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Collections

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    Test title2 8th Jan 2026
    ( 2026) Mwesigwa, Test2
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    Efficacy of hibiscus sabdariffa (malakwang) leaves in increasing milk production in lactating albino rats
    (Makerere University, 2025) Ayo, Margaret
    Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malakwang) is a leafy vegetable that is rich in nutrients and has been used traditionally in the Luo communities in Northern Uganda to increase breast milk production. Despite the widespread use as a galactagogue, there is no scientific evidence confirming its lactogenic effects, hence the need for scientific investigation. This study investigated the lactogenic properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves. Focus group discussions were used to collect data on the indigenous knowledge and the utilization of Hibiscus sabdariffa as a lactogenic. The data was thematically analyzed using an inductive approach, allowing themes to arise from the participants discussion. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the hydro ethanolic–methanolic extract of dried Malakwang leaves was conducted using standard biochemical tests to identify compounds linked to lactation. A randomized controlled trial method was used to assess the effect of Malakwang leaves on milk production in lactating albino rats. Majority of the participants (99%) reported that after using Malakwang, they observed an increase in breast milk production, however its potential side effects, when consumed by people with ulcers and its scarcity during the dry seasons were of concern. Preliminary photochemical screening revealed alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and tannins in the Malakwang leaves. Flavonoids and tannins were relatively abundant in Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves. The total milk yield in groups treated with the Malakwang leaf extract was significantly high at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg compared to the group treated with metoclopramide and distilled water (p>0.005) with the 500mg/kg dose showing a greater effect. The pups of dams that received the Malakwang leaf extract exhibited significant weight gain compared to the control groups. Malakwang leaf extract did not significantly impact prolactin. Malakwang leaves revealed lactogenic activity by increasing milk yield, weight gain of pups and presence of lactogenic phytochemicals though the effect on prolactin was insignificant.
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    Optimizing the nutrient content and consumer acceptability of a white maize based composite flour formulation with vitamin a biofortified maize and iron rich beans
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nambwayo, Juliana Basirika
    Micronutrient deficiencies are still an important public health problem globally. About 40% of children aged 6–59 months are affected by anemia and 29% of children in the same age category suffer from Vitamin A deficiency globally. Biofortification is a cost-effective strategy in reducing micronutrient deficiencies and other forms of malnutrition. However, the success of any biofortification program largely depends on the consumer acceptability of biofortified crops within the target population. The main objective of this study therefore was to optimize the nutrient content and consumer acceptability of a white maize based composite flour formulation with vitamin A biofortified maize and iron rich beans. The proximate, ant nutrient composition and functional properties of the optimized flour were determined and compared with the maize based composite flour and one other commercial composite flour. Design Expert 2018 (Version 12) was used to generate 30 treatments representing different combinations of the different composite components. Response surface methodology using the D-optimal mixture design was adapted to design the experiment for optimization. The levels of inclusion for six independent variables were: 50 – 60 g biofortified maize flour, 15 – 20g high iron biofortified bean flour, 5 – 10g sesame flour, 5 – 10g soy flour and 5g each of wheat and sorghum flours. The response variables were overall acceptability, vitamin A, phytate and iron concentration. An optimal formulation of the composite flour was achieved with 57.9% biofortified maize, 17.1% iron rich bean flour, 5.0% sesame flour, 10.0% soy bean flour, 5.0% wheat flour and 5.0% sorghum flour. The optimal values for the responses were 1.58 µg/g Retinol activity equivalents of beta carotene, 6.0 mg/100 g of iron, 54.20 mg/100 g of phytate and an overall consumer acceptability score of 7.1. The protein (11.9 g/100 g), ash (2.8 g/100 g) and fat (5.6 g/100 g) contents of the optimized flour were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those for the white maize based composite flour. The anti-nutrient (tannin, phytate and oxalate) contents of the optimized composite flour blend were significantly ((p<0.05) lower than those for the white maize based composite flour. The optimized composite flour also had better functional properties compared to the white maize- based composite. Therefore, vitamin A biofortified maize can effectively replace white maize in complementary foods, enhancing micronutrient intake and addressing protein-energy malnutrition in children under 5 years.
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    Green synthesis of zero-valent iron nanoparticles from cape gooseberry (physalis peruviana) biomass for oil spill remediation in the Albertine Graben, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nalweyiso, Amina
    Uganda is preparing to start production of its oil and gas resource in the Albertine Graben. Oil and gas production areas are vulnerable to oil spills from tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, storage sites, and waste management facilities. Therefore, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly remediation strategies are required. The objective of this study was to establish baseline concentrations of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in the Tilenga Oil fields and to assess the potential for oil spill remediation using zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) synthesized from Cape gooseberry biomass. Water and soil samples collected from eight boreholes, three Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP), three taps, and six STP effluent discharge points were extracted using cyclohexane (water) and dichloromethane (DCM) (soil), and then analysed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC FID). Cape gooseberry fruit, leaf, or husk extracts, and iron (III) chloride (0.5 M, 0.1 M, or 0.01 M) precursor were used in a 2:1 ratio for green synthesis under sonication. The nZVI were characterized using Ultraviolet- Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zetasizer, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Batch remediation experiments for 0.01 mL, 0.05 mL, and 0.1 mL of diesel oil in 100 mL of distilled water were performed using 0.33 g of nZVI. SimpleBox4nano was then used to simulate the fate and transport of the nZVI. The TPH detected were diesel organics (C12 to C30), ranging between 0 ppm to 1.5 X 106 ppm, and hexadecane (C16) was the most abundant. TPH in soils were below the 870-10,000 mg kg-1 US EPA limit, while those in water were above the 3.2- 20 mg kg-1 US EPA limit. The nZVI ranged between 70 nm to 100 nm, were all highly stable, had a crystalline alpha-iron core and iron oxide shell, and achieved remediation efficiencies over 94.3 %. Fruit extract and 0.5 M FeCl3 generated the highest quantity of nZVI, though agglomerated. The husk extract nZVI had the highest surface area, uniform size, and highest porosity. The simulated environmental concentrations indicated slow mobility of nZVI, and their bioaccumulation was highest in the soils as compared to water, air, and sediment compartments. The study demonstrated that Cape gooseberry biomass extracts can be used in green synthesis of nZVI that are efficient in diesel contamination cleanup. In addition to being a waste material, husks were advantageous over the fruits and leaves due to their superior uniformity and surface area. Keywords: Cape gooseberry; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Remediation; SimpleBox4nano, Simulation; Zero-valent iron nanoparticles.
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    Effect of maternal postpartum diet on growth outcomes in dolutegravir-exposed, HIV-uninfected infants in Uganda.
    (Makerere University, 2025) Tayebwa, Justus
    Background Early postnatal growth and body composition are critical indicators of infant health and predictors of long-term developmental and metabolic outcomes. In Uganda, the population of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants continues to increase due to the successful scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs and widespread adoption of dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although HEU infants remain HIV-negative, evidence suggests potential vulnerabilities in growth and body composition. Maternal postpartum diet may further influence these outcomes through its effect on breast milk composition, yet data from DTG- exposed populations in resource-limited settings remain limited. This study evaluated the effect of maternal postpartum dietary intake on early growth and body composition among exclusively breastfed DTG-exposed HEU infants in Uganda. Methodology A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted at the Makerere University–Johns Hopkins University Clinical Research Site in Kampala. Ninety-five mother–infant dyads (48 HEU and 47 HIV-unexposed uninfected [HUU]) were followed from birth to 10 weeks postpartum. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using interviewer-administered multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recalls. Infant growth was evaluated using standardized anthropometric measurements, while body composition outcomes, including fat mass and fat-free mass, were assessed using dual-energy X- ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at weeks 8 and 10. Early postnatal growth velocity from birth to 8 weeks was computed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariable regression models were used to examine associations between maternal dietary intake, infant growth indicators, growth velocity, and body composition outcomes. Results Maternal energy and macronutrient intakes did not differ significantly between HIV-positive mothers on DTG-based ART and HIV-negative mothers. Infant anthropometric and DEXA- derived body composition outcomes were also comparable between HEU and HUU infants during the first 10 weeks of life. Among HEU infants, anthropometric indicators, particularly infant weight, were significant predictors of lean mass and fat mass at week 8. Early postnatal growth xiii velocity was strongly associated with infant body composition outcomes. Maternal dietary intake showed generally weak or non-significant associations with infant growth and body composition; however, among HUU infants, higher maternal saturated fat intake was positively associated with infant weight-for-age and BMI-for-age z-scores. Conclusion In conclusion, within the context of exclusive breastfeeding and high adherence to DTG-based ART, maternal HIV status and DTG exposure were not associated with adverse early growth or body composition outcomes. Infant anthropometry and early postnatal growth velocity emerged as the primary determinants of early body composition. The study recommends strengthening maternal nutrition counseling and routine growth monitoring within PMTCT programs, ensuring sustained adherence to DTG-based ART, and integrating early-life body composition surveillance where feasible. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to assess longer-term growth and metabolic outcomes among HEU children.