Browsing by Author "Nakalembe, Immaculate"

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    Characterization of the goat feeding system among rural small holder farmers in the semi-arid regions of Uganda
    (Springerplus, 2015) Kalule Nampanzira, Dorothy; Kabasa, John David; Nalule, Sara Agnes; Nakalembe, Immaculate; Tabuti, John Robert Stephen
    Goats (Capra hircus) are widely distributed in Africa and Asia, and are important to the subsistence and economic livelihoods of many people in these areas. The goat feeding system among rural small holder farmers in Buyende district (Uganda) was characterised by determining the goat rearing practices, feed resources fed on by goats and availability of browse species mentioned by small holder farmers. Data was gathered using ethnobotanical and ecological approaches. Results from the ethnobotanical survey revealed that farmers were rearing indigenous goat breeds that are managed by tethering in natural pastures during the rainy season but free ranging during the dry season (i.e. when no crops are susceptible of damage). Major challenges facing goat production in the study area were diseases, shortage of land and inadequate pastures. The reduction of grazing land due to crop farming, has led to tethering of animals which in turn leads to restricted feeding. Goats were known to feed on 48 plant species distributed in 18 families and 39 genera dominated by trees and shrubs. Browse species were known to stay longer in the dry season when the grass and herbaceous species were no longer available. The most frequently mentioned browse species were Ficus natalensis, Harrisonia abyssinica, Acalypha psilostachya, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Lantana camara while Panicum maximum and Impeata cylindrica were the most mentioned herbaceous species. 31 browse species were encountered in the ecological survey. These were dominated by Combretum molle, L. camara, A. zygia, M. indica, and Albizia coriaria. In conclusion, the rearing practices of goats in Buyende district are comprised of indigenous goats tethered in natural pastures especially browses which stay longer through the dry season. However, most of the preferred browses are rare according to the computed IVI (i.e. less than 30%).
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    Phytoconstituent Analyses of Selected Wild Edible Plants Constituting Diets of Pregnant Women in Buikwe District, Uganda
    (Int. J. Biochem. Res. Rev, 2016) Nabatanzi, Alice; Kabasa, John D.; Nakalembe, Immaculate; Owiny, David; Mugisha, Charles; Nyanzi, Steven
    Pregnancy is a very critical phase in a woman's life where she has to ensure that she eats the right food, in the right portions and with the necessary nutrient requirements for proper foetal development. Aims: To determine the proximate, mineral and vitamin composition of five wild edible plants (WEPs) consumed by pregnant women in Buikwe district. Study Design: Experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Natural Chemotherapeutic Research Institute (Ministry of Health, Uganda) and Department of Chemistry, Uganda Industrial Research Institute (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Uganda), between March 2016 and August 2016. Methodology: Solanum nigrum L. (leaves), Solanum anguivi Lam. (fruits), Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K. schum. (fruits), Physalis angulata L. (fruits) and Cleome gynandra L. (leaves) were analysed. Proximate and vitamin analyses were carried out following standard procedures. Minerals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Total carbohydrate and energy were calculated as crude by difference and using Atwater factorsrespectively. Species were scored and each species’ contribution towards the pregnancy Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) calculated. Results: S. nigrum had the highest potassium (3042.8±107.39), sodium (44.12±0.86), magnesium (176.71±15.57) and iron (61.37±2.20). P. angulata had the highest moisture (1.76±0.00), copper (3.12±0.77), vitamin A (1.86±0.18) and vitamin C (26.27±2.53). C. gynandra had the highest crude ash (17.16 ±0.13), protein (35.13±0.04), phosphorous (3349.4±429.4) and calcium (1113.7±79.36). S. anguivi had the highest crude fibre (40.19±0.09). A. angustifolium had the highest crude fat (3.02±0.01), total carbohydrate (85.91±0.34), energy (410.10±411.59), zinc (55.76±3.87) and manganese (30.19±0.14). There was a significant difference (P>.05) in the protein, fibre, potassium, sodium and vitamin A content of all the species. S. nigrum and P. angulata had the highest mineral (81.67%) and vitamin (105.38%) scores respectively. All values are mg per 100 g of dry sample. Conclusion: Results justify the nutritional significance of the analysed species thus their ability to meet pregnancy nutrient requirements.