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Molasses is a valuable byproduct in the sugar and citrus fruit processing industries. This versatile substance used in various sectors, including beverage production, acetic acid synthesis, baker’s yeast cultivation, formulation of animal feed components, and even as a fertilizer. Beet molasses is used for creation of diverse bakery and confectionery products. In agriculture, beet sugar molasses is employed to enhance nutrient uptake efficiency and stimulate soil biological activity. Molasses also contributes to human health. Sugarcane molasses serves as a source of iron, containing approximately 0.7% iron by weight. Studies have indicated that molasses can have positive effects on glucose regulation, reducing both the peak and total levels of glucose, enhancing the secretion of insulin, amylin, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide after oral intake. Despite its widespread usage, molasses had its own drawbacks like it causes diseases (molasses toxicity, urea toxicity, and bloat) and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Psyllium husk, derived from the seeds of Plantago ovata, is a well-recognized dietary fiber with diverse applications in the food industry, waste treatment, and health management. Its nutritional profile, rich in soluble fiber, has been extensively studied for its functional benefits, including enhancing digestive health, regulating blood sugar levels, and lowering cholesterol. Psyllium’s gelling and water-holding properties make it valuable in food formulation, contributing to texture improvement, moisture retention, and fat replacement in various products. Beyond food applications, psyllium husk has shown promise in wastewater treatment due to its natural adsorption capabilities. However, potential negative effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, allergic reactions, and interactions with certain medications warrant careful consideration. This review consolidates current knowledge on the nutritional, functional, and health benefits of psyllium husk, explores its industrial applications, particularly in the food and waste treatment sectors, and addresses the potential adverse effects associated with its consumption.

Workplace injuries constitute a serious and growing public health concern worldwide. Despite work-related injuries being highly common, especially among workers in the manufacturing industry, their growing complexities are not adequately addressed in the current literature. Therefore this study aims to investigate the association between sociodemographic, workplace, and behavioral characteristics with work-related injuries among large-scale factory workers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2020 with 457 workers selected from large-scale factories in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Survey data included sociodemographic characteristics, working and safety conditions, and behavioral factors as predictors of occupational injuries. A logistic regression model was fitted to estimate the probability of injury and identify its associated factors. The 12-month prevalence of work-related injuries was 25%. Most injuries occurred at midnight (8.8%). Factors associated with work-related injury were excessive working hours (OR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.26-8.41), cigarette smoking (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.22-6.08), and manual handling (OR = 2.30; 95%CI: 1.13-4.72). Use of personal protective equipment reduced the odds of injury (OR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.21-0.83). Although our estimated prevalence of occupational injury was lower than that found in other studies, our findings suggest that actions on modifiable conditions must be taken to reduce the burden of workplace injuries in Ethiopia. The results could inform preparedness and policy efforts aimed at improving worker safety and health.

This paper tried to investigate the social protection dimension in terms of the nature of citizenship and local government among the workers of Ayehu and Birshelko privatized farm investments in Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. Methodologically, a mixed research approach with a sequential exploratory design was used, whereby qualitative data was first collected, followed by quantitative data. Such methods of data collection as interviews, focus group discussions, observation, document review and questionnaires were employed to gather empirical data. Accordingly, the study found out that the workers in these two farms are organized under a kebele government administrative structure, just like other citizens of Ethiopia; they obtain some governmental services and social provisions. However, the workers also face serious challenges by virtue of being located on farms that are delinked from the neighboring rural communities, and they are at the periphery concerning basic government services. These predicaments basically emerge from the structural fault lines of kebele administrative logic and the lack of proper implementation of the citizenship rights as stipulated in the constitution.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant spacing and N fertilizer application on dry matter yield and chemical composition of Urochloa hybrid cv. Mulato II grass for the first 150 days after planting. A factorial experiment with 3 urea fertilizer levels (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha) and 4 spacings between plants and rows (20 × 20, 30 × 40, 40 × 60 and 50 × 80 cm) with 3 replications was used. Data collected were dry matter yield (DMY), leaf:stem ratio and chemical analyses, i.e. crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations. Results indicated that DMY, leaf:stem ratio, CP%, NDF% and ADF% were significantly (P

An experiment was conducted to characterize the growth and yield performance of narrow-leafed sweet blue lupin varieties (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in northwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and included 7 varieties (Bora, Probor, Sanabor, Vitabor, Haags blaue, Borlu and Boregine). Data on days to flowering and to maturity, flower color, plant height, numbers of leaflets, branches and pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, forage dry matter (DM) yield, grain yield and 1,000-seed weight were recorded. The results showed that plant height, number of branches per plant, forage DM yield, number of seeds per pod, grain yield and 1,000-seed weight varied significantly (P

Context: Parasites are the leading killers in subtropical areas of which malaria took the lion share from protozoan diseases. Measuring the impact of antimalarial drug resistance is difficult, and the impact may not be recognized until it is severe, especially in high transmission areas. Aims: To evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots of Piper capense and Adhatoda schimperiana, against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Methods: Four-day suppressive and curative test animal models were used to explore the antimalarial activities of the plants. 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of each plant extract was administered to check the activities versus vehicle administered mice. Mean survival time and level of parasitemia were the major variables employed to compare the efficacy vs. negative control. Results: In both models the 400 and 600 mg/kg doses of Adhatoda schimperiana and the 600 mg/kg dose Piper capense. showed significant parasitemia suppression and increased in mean survival time at p≤0.05. The middle dose of Piper capense had a border line inhibition where the extracts were considered active when parasitemia was reduced by ≥ 30%. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots of Adhatoda schimperiana and Piper capense possess moderate antimalarial activities, which prove its traditional claims. Thus, further studies should be done to isolate the active constituents for future use in the modern drug discovery.

Context: Crotalaria incana L. (Fabaceae) is used for various traditional medicinal treatments such as astringent, jaundice and palpitation, inflammation, skin disease and purgative. Aims: To investigate the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antibacterial activity of seed and pod extracts of C. incana. Methods: Phytochemical screening tests were conducted to identify the class of compounds present in the dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extracts of seed and pod. Silica gel column chromatographic technique was applied to separate the constituents of the extracts. Various spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR (1H, 13C and DEPT-135) were applied to determine the structures of isolated compounds. Antibacterial activities were evaluated via disc diffusion method. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of seed and pod extracts of C. incana L. revealed the presence alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins and steroids and absence of anthraquinones. Silica gel column chromatography separation of the extract yielded a known steroid β-sitosterol (1) and 1-nonadecanol (2). Evaluation of antibacterial activity of crude extract via disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhi showed moderate susceptibility of this selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains, comparable to the activity of the antibiotic (gentamicin). Conclusions: The compound (2) (1-nonadecanol) was isolated for the first time from the C. incana. These results proved that polar extracts of the seeds and pods of C. incana possess antibacterial activity.

Reef fish assemblages in the Caribbean are under increasing pressure from human activities. Inadequate enforcement of legislation coupled with unreliable and data-poor landings in Tobago have led to the unregulated exploitation of reef fish for decades. This study addresses the lack of data on major reefs. Visual observations of fish fauna were conducted from November 2011-May 2013 at open access reef sites (Speyside, Charlotteville, Culloden, Arnos Vale, Mt. Irvine, La Guira, Kilgwyn, Plymouth and Black Rock) and one protected area (Buccoo Reef Marine Park). Belt transects surveys were used to determine fish density, species diversity and abundance at the 10-15m depth contour. Fish sizes were converted to biomass using the length-weight relationship of fish W=aLb. Most fish assemblages were dominated by small herbivores (40cm) e.g. Serranidae, were noted, which is indicative of fishing pressure. MDS ordination identified three fish assemblages: i) northeastern, ii) southwestern and iii) intermediate. The northwestern cluster (Speyside and Charlotteville) were most representative of reef fish assemblages across the entire island, and exhibited the highest species richness, diversity and biomass. However, the southwestern cluster the highest numerical abundance. The marine protected area contained higher fish biomass, abundance, diversity and richness, but it was only representative of reef fish assemblages on the southwest of the island and not the entire Tobago. Research on the reef fishery, particularly spear fishing, is recommended to determine impact.