Volume 19 No. 2

Determination and Comparative Evaluation of Fruit Nutritional Value of two Sudanese Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Determination and Comparative Evaluation of Fruit Nutritional Value of two Sudanese Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars Hatem Jad Elrab, Eihab; Makki Mohamed Makki, Hatem The main goal of this study was to determine and compare the nutritional value of ‘Barakawi’ – a dry date cultivar- and ‘Mishrig Wdkhateeb’, which is a semi-dry cultivar. The fruit chemical composition, minerals content and energy values of both cultivars were studied. The results obtained showed significant variations between fruits of the two cultivars. On basis of 100 g dry weight, ‘Barakawi’ fruits had higher concentrations of dry matter (94.80 %), total carbohydrates (94.37%), available carbohydrates (88.40 %), non-reducing sugars (44.51%) and energy value (380.22 k. cal.), whereas, ‘Mishrig Wdkhateeb’ had higher concentrations of protein (5.70%), fats (1.52%)), fibers (6.76%)), total sugars (86.27%) and reducing sugars (60.44%). Regarding minerals content, fruits of ‘Mishrig Wdkhateeb’ had higher concentrations of potassium (160.26 mg), sodium (17.01 mg), magnesium (06.09 mg), manganese (2.22 mg) and zinc (2.10 mg), while ‘Barakawi’ fruits had higher concentrations of calcium (129.75 mg) and iron (3.96 mg). The study confirmed the high nutritional value of both cultivars which justifies intensive processing research aiming towards manufacturing diverse food products based on date palm fruits.

Evaluation of Poultry Feed Quality in Khartoum State, Sudan

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluation of Poultry Feed Quality in Khartoum State, Sudan S.M. Zein, R.; H. Eljack, B.; A. Adam, E. This study was carried out to assess the quality of poultry feeds sold for poultry farmers compared to National Research Council (NRC, 1994) and Sudanese Standards and Metrological Organization (SSMO, 2015) standards. Chemical analysis using AOAC (1990 ) was used to assess the quality of 17 samples of poultry feeds ( 6 broiler starter , 6 broiler finisher and 5 samples layer feed ) collected randomly from six factories (A, B, C, D, E and F) during 2013. Dry matter (DM %), crude protein [CP%], ether extract (EE %), crude fiber (CF %), ash% and aflatoxin (ppb) were recorded. Metabolizable energy (ME) was calculated by the equation of Lodhi (1976).Major minerals Ca%, Zn%, K% and Na% and oligo elements Fe mg/kg, Mn mg/kg and Mn mg/kg were determined. The analytical results revealed that in most broiler starter feeds CP content fall within the acceptable level (23%) except feed E showed lower CP percent (18.3%).The CP of broiler finisher feeds were of 20% feed A to 23.16% feed B. For broiler starter feed the metabolizable energy ( ME) content ranges from 2914 Kcal/Kg feed E to 3282 Kcal/Kg feed F and the finisher feeds range from 2747 Kcal/Kg feed E to 3349 Kcal/Kg feed A. Most of feeds had a satisfactory levels of ME except feed E which contained a little bit low ME .The mean CF content of all feeds varied from 3.5% to 5.5% whereas the maximum recommended level is ≤ 5 %.DM contents were within the acceptable ranges of (NRC,1994 and SSMO,2015).In both broiler starter and finisher feeds, feed A, D, and F had slightly higher fat content ( 6.6 - 7.5 %) in contrast feed B, C and E had lower fat content compared to the required levels. Low levels of ash 2.62 – 7.05% than the required level (8 %) were recorded in all broiler starter and finisher feeds except broiler starter feed E showed higher level of ash (14.6 %) than the recommendation. Higher Aflatoxin (ppb) were recorded in broiler starter feeds A, C and D (49.15, 35.63, 35.31 ppb ) and broiler finisher feeds B and C (27.22 and 43.59 ppb) compared to the permitted level (≤20 ppb). For all layer feeds the average CP content range between 17.86% to 18.6.% except feed D contained higher CP (20.98%) while the recommendations are around (17 -18%).Meanwhile, ME ranges from 2679.2 Kcal/Kg to 3127.9Kcal/Kg the recommendations being situated around 2749 Kcal/Kg to 2900 Kcal/Kg. Fat and DM contents fall within the acceptable ranges (2-5% fat) and (90 – 95% DM) .On the other hand, all feeds are generally high in ash content (10.33 – 20.85%) compared to the recommended level (8%).All feeds had acceptable ranges of CF (3.5 - 4.5%) and aflatoxin (7.6 - 18.3 ppb ). For broiler starter feeds Fe, Mg and Na content were too low compared to the required levels(80 mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 0.2 % respectively),mean while K, Mn and Zn showed higher values except feed B and C showed lower Zn content (21.3 and 33.63%).Ca content ranges between 0.83 to 0.88% which is almost within the required levels (0.9 to 1%) except feed E contained very high level of Ca (3.4%).On the other hand, higher levels of K, Na, Mn and Zn were recorded in all broiler finisher feeds except feed B and C recorded lower values of Zn (0.22 and 0.49 %).Low levels of Fe and Mg were noticed in all feeds except feed F contained the recommended level of Fe (80.03mg/kg).Ca contents in all feeds are generally satisfactory( 0.83 to 0.91%0) except feed D and E contained very low levels of Ca (0.24 and 0.49%). Generally in all layer feeds Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Na contents were lower than the recommended levels except feed D and E showed higher levels of Fe (62.4 and 69.1mg/kg).On the contrary K (0.49 – 0.55%) and Zn (55.26 - 92.45%) contents were higher. Council (NRC) and (SSMO). On the other hand, minerals content showed significant (P˂0.05) differences among dietary treatments and most of them were not met the values reported by (NRC) and (SSMO). It could be concluded that the variations observed among different poultry feeds compared to (NRC1994) and (SSMO 2015) specifications strongly indicates that confirmatory analyses should be conducted at regular intervals to control feed quality.

Economic Analysis of Sorghum Production under Conservation Agriculture and Conventional Farming Systems in small-scale Farms in Rainfed Areas Southern Gedarif State, Sudan

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Economic Analysis of Sorghum Production under Conservation Agriculture and Conventional Farming Systems in small-scale Farms in Rainfed Areas Southern Gedarif State, Sudan H. Babiker, Ebtehag; A. Yousif, Lotfie; A. Ali, Khalafalla A project was conducted in rainfed areas southern Gedarif State, to improve sorghum productivity of small-scale farmers. The project implemented conservation agriculture (CA) in 2.1 hectares for each participated small-scale farmer during the period from 2014 to 2017. The objective of this study was to conduct economic analysis for sorghum production under conventional farming (CF) and conservation agriculture (CA). Data on production costs, yield and income of sorghum by using CA and CF systems were collected through questionnaire from small-scale farmers participated in the project for three consecutive seasons (2014 to 2016). Sixty farmers out of 150 farmers (40%) participated in the project for the three seasons were randomly interviewed, and economic indicators were used. The results showed that CA gave higher sorghum grain yield (1797 kg/ha) compared to CF (881kg/ha). Also, the total production cost was higher for CA (3963 SDG/ha) compared to the total production cost of CF (2020 SDG/ha). The costs of inputs and operations constituted the highest share of CA total cost. In addition, CA gave higher gross return (4035 SDG/ha) compared to the CF (2192.3 SDG/ha). The profit in the first two seasons was comparable for both cropping systems. The average breakeven point (BEP) was 1920 kg/ha and 971 kg/ha for CA and CF, respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed that increasing sorghum yield by 20% the BEP decreased by 1%, whereas increasing sorghum price by 20% the BEP decreased by 16%. The sensitivity analysis revealed that net return and BEP were affected by changes in production cost and sorghum price. Moreover, CA had many positive residual effects on the performance of the crops grown in the subsequent seasons. In conclusion, CA has instantaneous and future positive impacts on small-scale farmers’ livelihood and production sustainability; but it is necessary to reduce its cost.

Survival of Bifidobacterium Longum BB536 in Fermented Peanut Milk Supplemented with Gum Arabic during the Storage

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Survival of Bifidobacterium Longum BB536 in Fermented Peanut Milk Supplemented with Gum Arabic during the Storage Mahmoud Mohamed Elgazouly, Hala; Mohamed Ahmed Idris, Yousif; Mohamed Kabeir Baraka, Baraka The study aim to evaluate the survival of the approved probiotic strain with health benefits Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and related physicochemical changes during refrigeration storage of roasted fermented peanut based milk supplements with different types of Gum Arabic. Peanut was roasted (130°C for 20 min), soaked in water (12 h), blended (5 min) and filtered using a double layered cheese cloth to obtain the roasted peanut milk. The obtained milk was supplemented with 10% (V/V) Gums Arabic solution. After sterilization of milks it was inoculated with 3% (V/V) active probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and incubated under controlled conditions at 37ºC for 24h. The fermented milks were held at refrigerator temperature for two weeks. Different analyses were conducted, including: strain BB 536 survival, pH, TSS, total sugars, acidity, and moisture. The results showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in the total count of strain BB 536, pH, TSS, total sugars and moisture. However, significant (p<0.05) increases in titrable acidity and moisture were recorded during the storage. The rates of strain BB 536 reductions in first week refrigeration storage were 2.04, 2.75, 2.25 , and 2.06 log CFU /ml in fermented peanut milk, fermented peanut milk supplemented with Acacia senegal, fermented peanut milk supplemented with Acacia seyal, fermented peanut milk supplemented with gums mix (Acacia senegal + Acacia seyal), respectively. While on the second week the reductions were 1.19, 1.0, 0.95 and 1.08 log CFU/ml in fermented peanut milk, fermented peanut milk supplemented with Acacia Senegal, fermented peanut milk supplemented with Acacia seyal, fermented peanut milk supplemented with gum mix, respectively. The final viable count of strain BB536 in fermented peanut milk supplemented with gums mix after two weeks refrigeration storage exceded the minimum number required for the probiotic to exert health benefits upon consumption which was 6 log CFU /ml. Therefore, fermented peanut milk supplemented with gums mix (Acacia senegal + Acacia seyal) is a good carrier for Bifidobacterium longum strain.