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Papers by Peter Vuzi

Journal of diabetes research, 2016

Background. Medicinal plants offer cheaper and safer treatment options to current diabetic drugs.... more Background. Medicinal plants offer cheaper and safer treatment options to current diabetic drugs. The present study evaluated the effect of aqueous root bark extract of Zanthoxylum chalybeum on oral glucose tolerance and pancreas histopathology in alloxanized rats. Method. Diabetes was induced in rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate. Root extract of Z. chalybeum was administered to rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW daily for 28 days. Blood glucose was measured by glucometer and pancreatic histopathology evaluated microscopically. Results. Initial increase was observed in blood glucose of the rats after oral administration of glucose from time zero. Two hours after treatment with Z. chalybeum, a significant reduction in blood glucose was observed within treatment groups (< 0.05) compared to 0.5 hr and 1 hr. There was no significant difference between treatment group receiving 400mg/Kg BW extract and the normal groups (= 0.27), implying that the former group recovered and were able to regulate their blood sugar, possibly via uptake of glucose into cells. The reversal in pancreatic histopathology further supports the protective effect of Z. chalybeum extract towards diabetic damage. Conclusion. Extract of Z. chalybeum is effective in controlling blood glucose in diabetes and protecting pancreatic tissues from diabetic damage.

Journal of Food Quality

Introduction. Globally, the consumption and production of tea are on the rise because of its bene... more Introduction. Globally, the consumption and production of tea are on the rise because of its beneficial constituents. Scarce literature exists on the effects of extraction periods on the contents of the biologically important and protective phytochemicals such as phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants in locally produced teas in Uganda. Aim. This study determined the effects of extraction periods on the aqueous total phenolic content (TPC) of local Camella sinensis, black primary grades and green tea, and their ecological differences, their total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacities (AOC). Methods. Samples of local tea were collected from Kigezi, Ankole, and Buganda regions, and those of green tea were purchased from a local supermarket in Uganda. Four- and 40-minute infusions were separately prepared for each sample. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods using garlic acid and quercetin as stand...

Journal of Food Quality

Contamination of household foodstuffs by aflatoxins has been associated with many illnesses, espe... more Contamination of household foodstuffs by aflatoxins has been associated with many illnesses, especially hepatocellular cancer and malnutrition. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, usually found in food. Literature concerning the S.W. Ugandan foods that are the main aflatoxicosis route and therefore need most aflatoxin preventive measure is scanty. The current study determined the aflatoxin-susceptible food consumption frequency, prevalence, and levels of aflatoxins in selected foodstuffs in households in S.W. Uganda to establish the main food route of aflatoxicosis. Following a food frequency questionnaire, flour samples of common foodstuffs, namely, groundnuts, maize, millet, and sorghum, were randomly picked from seven districts of Southwest Uganda and analyzed for the presence and levels of aflatoxins using competitive ELISA. On average, maize and groundnut were found to be the most frequently consumed foods (seven t...

Direct Research Journal of Public Health and Environmental Technology

Laboratory hub riders (LHRs) are motorcycle riders employed by health centres to handle, package,... more Laboratory hub riders (LHRs) are motorcycle riders employed by health centres to handle, package, and transport biological samples within and between different health centres. Their nature of work exposes them to infectious microorganisms through accidental splash exposure or sharps injuries. The study was carried out in selected health centres in Central region, Uganda. The objective was to assess the factors influencing Occupational hazards. The population of the study was 140 LHRs proportionately allocated in selected Health centres in central region of Uganda, with a sample size of 103 LHRs. It was a cross sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics to derive means, frequencies and standard deviations as well as inferential statistics to derive odds ratios and significances using logistic regression and multivariate analysis. The study revealed that majority of the LHRs was youths, aged 20-35 years, with Ordinary level certificate as their highest level of education. About 63.7% reported occupational exposure occurrences to management, and were knowledgeable about risks and hazards at work place. Majority 92.2% viewed their jobs as high risk and used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 85.4%, to reduce occupational hazards. Very few 12.3 % of the LHRs received training before commencing with their duties as new recruits. The prevalence of occupational hazards was quite low with 36.9% reported having experienced splash exposures, and 7.8% reported having experienced sharps injuries in the past 12 months. Job specific training was found to be the influential factor for occupational hazards in regard to splash exposure (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.33, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.12-0.93, p-value (p) = 0.04) and sharps injuries (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.73-0.66, p = 0.01). There is need for health centres to incorporate job specific training such as safety precautions on infection prevention and control for newly recruited LHRs before they commence with their duties.

East African journal of education studies, Mar 29, 2022

Makerere University institutionalised internship in 2011 with the goal of producing practically-o... more Makerere University institutionalised internship in 2011 with the goal of producing practically-oriented graduates meeting the job-related competences of their future employers. Using students' internship reports from 2011 to 2018, this paper examines whether undergraduate Biochemistry (Major) internship contributes to workplace readiness. Four categories of internship host organisations were identified: Industry, Clinical, Analytical and Research. Students were exposed to laboratory techniques in 6 major specialties: Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Diagnostics, Chemistry and Physicalanalytics. 48% of students reported additional experiences, the most common being data analysis, presentations and report writing. The benefits of internship reported include gaining new skills and/or knowledge, networking, and experience of a professional environment. Challenges included inadequate laboratory space, supplies, and limited safety gear. Notwithstanding the challenges of implementing an undergraduate biosciences internship program in a less-industrialised country context, students have relevant hands-on laboratory exposure and the opportunity to gain "employability skills" that enhance their workplace readiness.

Journal of Environmental Science and Public Health, 2020

The adherence to proper health care waste management practices among health workers in developing... more The adherence to proper health care waste management practices among health workers in developing country public health facilities is still a major challenge. This study was therefore conducted to identify the factors influencing the adherence within Wakiso District in Central Uganda. The specific objectives were to establish the level of adherence to proper health care waste management practices among health workers through identification of both the individual and the health facility related factors that influence this adherence. This was conducted in selected public health facilities. Quantitative data was collected using the researcher administered questionnaire while qualitative data was collected using the key informant interview guide. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences while qualitative data was used to supplement the findings. The results show that only 10.5% of the health workers adhered to proper health care waste management practices and the most influential health facility factors included the level of Health facility, provision of personal protective equipment and availability of staff and waste handlers to handle.

African Crop Science Journal, 2019

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots in the fresh form, are susceptible to postharvest physio... more Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots in the fresh form, are susceptible to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), thus reducing their economic value and farmer benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pruning and waxing on fresh root storability among cassava varieties in Uganda. Sixteen cassava plants per variety (TME 14, NASE 14, Nyaraboke, Kirimumpale, and Bukalasa) were pruned seven days before harvest, leaving the rest as unpruned controls. After harvest, roots were divided into two portions and one portion was waxed using food grade wax. Pruning alone reduced PPD of stored roots by 23% at day 14 of storage; and by 19% at day 28 compared with the control. Pruning as a treatment resulted into increased sugar content, ranging 9-30%), and significant (P<0.05) losses in starch yield. Pruning combined with waxing, resulted in a reduction of up to 43% in PPD by day 14, and up to 67 at day 28. Reduction in carbohydrate (starch) was not significant (P>0.05) under the pruning and waxing treatment, which had minor effects on stored root composition. The results indicate that pruning is appropriate for the short-term storage of fresh cassava roots for up to 14 days. Waxing, combined with pruning, is suitable for longer term storage up to 28 days under Uganda conditions.

Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2014

Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced predominantly by two fungal spec... more Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced predominantly by two fungal species: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These fungal species are contaminants of foodstuff as well as feeds and are responsible for aflatoxin contamination of these agro products. The toxicity and potency of aflatoxins make them the primary health hazard as well as responsible for losses associated with contaminations of processed foods and feeds. Determination of aflatoxins concentration in food stuff and feeds is thus very important. However, due to their low concentration in foods and feedstuff, analytical methods for detection and quantification of aflatoxins have to be specific, sensitive, and simple to carry out. Several methods including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectroscopy, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), and electrochemical immunosensor, among others, have been described for detecting and quant...

American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014

Generation of genetic diversity is necessary in improving on the potential of cassava when faced ... more Generation of genetic diversity is necessary in improving on the potential of cassava when faced with various biotic and abiotic challenges. Presently, cassava breeders are breeding for a number of traits, such as drought tolerance, early root bulking, yield, starch, beta-carotene, protein, dry matter, pest and disease resistance, by relying on genetic diversity that exists in manihot esculenta germplasm. Controlled pollination is one of the main methods used to generate genetic diversity in cassava. However, the process of controlled pollination especially in an open field is prone to contamination by illegitimate pollen right from the time of pollination, seed collection, nursery bed establishment to planting of the trials. Therefore, authentication of the progeny obtained from cassava crosses is very important for genetic studies. Twelve informative microsatellite markers were used to verify the authenticity of 364 F 1 progeny thought to come from four controlled parental crosses. The transmission of each allele at nine microsatellite loci was tracked from parents to progeny in each of the four Namikonga-derived F 1 cassava families. Out of the 364 F 1 progeny, 317 (87.1%) were true-to-type, 44 (12.1%) were a product of self-pollination and 3 (0.8%) were a product of open pollination. The consistency of the results obtained using microsatellite markers makes this technique a reliable tool for assessing the purity of progeny generated from cassava crosses.

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2011

The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa,C.F.Gaertn) is an indigenous fruit tree distributed in the she... more The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa,C.F.Gaertn) is an indigenous fruit tree distributed in the shea parklands of Africa. The shea fruit is an important source of food for rural communities especially at time of food shortages, hunger and other disasters in addition to providing enormous health benefit and income. Because of its role in combating food insecurity and sustaining rural livelihoods, an assessment of the nutritional composition of shea fruit pulp was carried out in Uganda.

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2010

Shea oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Ga... more Shea oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.). It constitutes an important source of fat in food and cosmetics. Although shea oil can be marketed both locally and internationally, increasing demand worldwide for exportable products calls for their certification. Characterization of shea oil is one step towards developing its certification system. In this study, the physico-chemical characteristics of shea oil in different shea zones of Uganda were assessed. Samples of shea fruits were collected between the months of June-August 2007 in the districts of Pader, Lira, Katakwi and Arua representing Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile shea zones, respectively. Seed oil was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane solvent and analysed for colour, refractive index, viscosity, oil content, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value, α-tocopherols and fatty acid profile. Shea oil content, colour, refractive index and viscosity ranged from 41-54%, orange to orange-yellow, 1.670-1.690 and 2.4-2.8 cP, respectively. Acid and peroxide values ranged between 2.3-12.59 mgKOH/kg and 2.10 to 2.50 meq/kg, respectively. Saponification, iodine and αtocopherols values were between 160 mgKOH/g and 192mgKOH/g, 39.21 I 2 g/100 and 41.37 I 2 g/100g and 26.3-44.4 mg/100g, respectively. Fatty acid profile for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidic fatty acids ranged between 6.52-8.12%, 28.65-30.94%, 55.54-57.63%, 6.18-7.79% and 0.65-0.90%, respectively. Although there was significant variation in the oil yield (P≤0.05), the physico-chemical characteristic and fatty acid profile showed no significant variation in the shea zones of Uganda (P≤0.05). The fact that physico-chemical characteristics of shea oil from the different shea zones of Uganda are comparable to other high value edible vegetable oils indicates its suitability as raw material for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This characterization is a bench mark for monitoring the quality of shea oil from Uganda and can be used to enhance its local and international trade.

European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Introduction: Spice consumption is one of the globally recognized healthy nutritional practices. ... more Introduction: Spice consumption is one of the globally recognized healthy nutritional practices. Most spices contain phenolic compounds that may prevent or prolong the onset of non-communicable diseases. The harvesting, processing and preparation procedures of such spices may influence the phenolic amount extracted and eventual biological availability. Literature about how extraction period and spice form affects total phenolic content yield in water infusions is scanty. Aim: This study determined the effect of spice form and length of extraction time on the total phenolic content (TPC) yield of the selected Ugandan spices infused in water. Methods: Samples of Ocimum gratissimum, Allium sativum, Cymbopogon citratus and Zingiber officinale, were collected in triplicates from Kanungu, Bushenyi and Lugazi Districts, in Uganda. Fresh and dry samples of these spices were infused in hot water for four minutes and 40 minutes and sieved with Whatman paper, No. 1. Phenolic content was measur...

An electroless plated silver/cysteine sensor platform [Glass|silver|cysteine|aflatoxin B 1 |horse... more An electroless plated silver/cysteine sensor platform [Glass|silver|cysteine|aflatoxin B 1 |horseradish peroxidase] for the Electrochemical detection of aflatoxin B 1 was developed and characterized. This involved four major steps: (1) an electroless deposition of silver (plating) onto a glass slide, (2) immobilization of cysteine; (3) conjugation of aflatoxin B 1 to cysteine groups; and (4) blocking of free cysteine groups with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The binding of cysteine to the silver was demonstrated by the disappearance of thiol (S-H) groups at 2500 cm −1 using Fourier transmittance infrared spectra (FT-IR), while the subsequent steps in the assembly of sensor platform were monitored using both FT-IR and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The sensor platform exhibited a broadened nonsymmetrical redox couple as indicated by cyclic voltammetry. The platform was further characterized for sensitivity and limit of detection. The indirect competitive immunoassay format, whereb...

American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2018

Paraflagellar rod (PFR), a conserved structure expressed in all lifecycle stages of the order kin... more Paraflagellar rod (PFR), a conserved structure expressed in all lifecycle stages of the order kinetoplasida except in the amastigotes is vital for the parasites survival. In T.b.brucei , the PFR protein has two major components, PFRc and PFRa with molecular mass 73kDa and 68kDa respectively. Experimental evidences implicate the PFR protein as a highly immunogenic and protective antigen. However, its immunogenic properties underlying its suitability as vaccine candidate has not been adequately investigated in-vitro . This study aimed to demonstrate the growth inhibitory potential of PFR protein against T.b.brucei parasites in–vitro. Antibodies against a recombinant form of the PFRc protein were produced and used to generate immune response. A deoxyribonucleotide (DNA) segment of approximate 672bp encoding the PFRc protein component was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned and expressed in E.coli ( BL21 ) cells. A 200 µg portion of the purified PFRc protein mixed wi...

Background In Uganda, childhood anemia remains a health challenge and is associated with malaria ... more Background In Uganda, childhood anemia remains a health challenge and is associated with malaria infection as well as iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is intertwined with nutritional status, age and other comorbidities including helminths and Lead toxicity. Environmental Lead levels accounts for one’s blood Lead (BL) levels. Blood Lead competitively blocks iron absorption, inhibits hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis and elevates free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) levels. Lead toxicity’s contribution towards anemia pathogenesis, especially during malaria infection has not been studied. Concomitant exposure to both malaria infection and Lead pollution, exacerbates the anemia status. This study therefore aimed at expounding the anemia status of these Ugandan children aged under 5years who are exposed to both malaria infection and environmental Lead pollution. Methods Briefly, venous blood samples from 198 children were microscopically assayed for malaria parasite density (PD), and hemoglo...

Background: Uganda, like other malaria endemic countries, childhood anemia due to malaria infecti... more Background: Uganda, like other malaria endemic countries, childhood anemia due to malaria infection, malnutrition and social disadvantages remains a health challenge. Other contributing factors towards the pathogenesis of this disease like blood lead have not been fully explored. Persistent lead exposure accounts for one’s blood lead levels and other many health outcomes. Recent studies report elevated environmental lead levels in urban Uganda with anthropogenic activities including leaded paints, leaded fuels spillages, lead-contaminated air, water and soils listed as major sources. Blood lead (BL) alters iron bioavailability by competitively blocking iron absorption hence anemia. BL inhibits key enzymes ferrochelatase and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) involved in hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis resulting into elevated free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Children in this area are generally anemic due chronic exposure to malaria parasites that thrive on their red blood cell...

Lead pollutants mainly from urban agricultural practices, Leaded paints, Leaded fuels spillages, ... more Lead pollutants mainly from urban agricultural practices, Leaded paints, Leaded fuels spillages, Lead-contaminated air, soils, and water sources pause a health threat to urban children in Uganda. Prolonged Lead exposure affects iron metabolism, by competitively blocking iron absorption leading to anemia. Blood Lead (BL) inhibits key enzymes ferrochelatase and aminolevulinic acid dehydrogenase (ALAD) involved in hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis even at very low levels. Lead poisoning and malaria infection geographically overlap, and both produce similar hematological outcome especially in children. Malaria parasites cause anemia by destroying parasitized red blood cells, therefore, co-existence of BL and malaria parasites infection worsens the anemia status of the host. This study aimed at expounding the extent of heme synthesis inhibition by BL levels among a study group of malaria positive children by measuring levels of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) in blood samples. Briefly v...

Journal of diabetes research, 2016

Journal of Food Quality

Direct Research Journal of Public Health and Environmental Technology

East African journal of education studies, Mar 29, 2022

Journal of Environmental Science and Public Health, 2020

African Crop Science Journal, 2019

Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2014

American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2011

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2010

European Journal of Medicinal Plants

American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2018