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Improving carbohydrate quality of polished maize flour using heat-moisture treatment
(Gulu University, 2026-08) Kevin, Fassinou Finagnon Toyi
Polished maize flour, consumed by more than 90% of Ugandan households, has fast starch digestibility and low resistant starch (low carbohydrate quality), which may make its high consumption a risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Among many methods used to modify starch and reduce its digestibility, heat moisture treatment (HMT) is a preferable and extremely attractive method due to its effectiveness for promoting high resistant starch development, flexibility in relation to heat sources, low cost and the non-generation of chemical residues. However, limited studies exist on application conditions of HMT to decrease starch digestibility of polished maize typically consumed in Uganda and other African countries. The overall objective of this study, therefore, was to improve the carbohydrate quality of polished maize flour using HMT. Out of 86 maize varieties promoted in Uganda, thirteen widely cultivated and consumed were selected for evaluation of their carbohydrate quality in terms of the carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio and glycemic index, and internal factors affecting their starch digestibility. Four varieties among the thirteen varieties, UH5354, DK777, Longe 10H, and DT Max, were further assessed for optimal HMT conditions using Box–Behnken design. The effect of optimal HMT conditions on the physicochemical and techno-functional properties of maize was assessed. Finally, the effect of polishing grade on the physicochemical, techno-functional properties, starch digestibility, and sensorial properties of HMT-treated maize grains was determined. The results revealed that the CHO-to-fiber ratios of the thirteen maize varieties ranged between 5.28 and 10.15, whereas their glycemic indices ranged from 79.38 to 87.43, indicating low carbohydrate quality. The internal parameters affecting starch digestibility varied significantly across the maize varieties (p < 0.05), and these subjected the varieties to be grouped into four distinct clusters (p < 0.05) based on hierarchical cluster analysis. The optimal HMT conditions to minimize starch digestibility for the four varieties selected from the identified clusters were as follows: UH5354 (23.17%, 80°C, 4.12 h), DK777 (20.83%, 95.43°C, 5.42 h), Longe 10H (34.51%, 90.46°C, 3.01 h), and DT Max (19.24%, 97.02°C, 5.88 h). These optimal conditions had no significant effect on the physicochemical composition of the maize varieties. However, HMT affected some techno-functional properties. Particularly, the swelling volume of DT Max (7.13 ml/g) and Longe 10H (8.23 ml/g) reduced by 0.45 and 0.60ml/g, respectively while water absorption xv capacity of Longe 10H (1.20 ml/g) and UH5354 (1.27 ml/g) increased by 0.08 and 0.10 ml/g, respectively. The pasting temperature increased from 82.4°C to 90.8°C for DK777, 86.0°C to 87.3°C for UH5354, 79.9°C to 82.3°C for Longe 10H and 89.2°C to 94.4°C for DT Max. These changes potentially may affect the maize dough and posho quality and thus may decrease flour acceptability. In contrast, polishing significantly improved the amylose content and color (p < 0.05) and the swelling volume of UH5354 and Longe 10H (p < 0.05). The solubility, water absorption capacity, and pasting temperature consistently decreased
after polishing (p < 0.05), whereas the peak and holding viscosities increased (p < 0.05). Sensory quality improved substantially from unpolished to semi-polished forms, particularly for DK777, UH5354, and Longe 10H. Although HMT effectively reduces starch digestibility, it also negatively impacts the techno-functional properties of flour, which may affect flour acceptability. Conversely, polishing tends to improve these technofunctional properties of HMT-treated flour and thus enhances the sensory attributes of posho. It is therefore recommended that maize milling industries and processors in Uganda and other East African countries adopt the optimized heat-moisture treatment conditions
together with an appropriate polishing grade to produce polished maize flour of improved carbohydrate quality and acceptable sensory quality. Policymakers should also integrate this technology into national food and nutrition strategies to help mitigate diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Finally, further research should investigate the optimal conditions for both HMT and polishing to achieve lower starch digestibility as well as improved
sensory qualities while minimizing nutrient losses.
The Changing Pattern of Acoli Traditional Marriege in Lamwo District: A Historical Perspective from 1910-2020
(Gulu University, 2024) Orac Jimmy
This study aimed to investigate the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo district. The research was guided by the following objectives: to find out nature of Acoli traditional marriage, to explore the new forms and nature of marriage in Acoli society, and to find out the reasons for the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage.
A case study approach was employed. A sample of 75 respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques from a total population of 85 individuals. Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed in line with the research objectives and subsequently converted into text format.
The findings revealed that the nature of Acoli traditional marriage have remained with minor changes. The study also found that there are new forms of marriage within the Acoli societies in Lamwo. The research also indicated factors such as employment, financial status, and educational level causing changes to tradition marriage.
The study concludes that Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo have undergone limited alterations. it further concludes that there are new forms of marriages practiced by the Acoli people. Furthermore. the research concludes that employment. financial stability, and educational background are key factors contributing to these changes in marriage.
Effects of thermal acclimation and ecological background on the physiological responses of juvenile Oreochromis esculentus (Graham, 1928). Implications for the species adaptive capacity to global warming
(Aquaculture Research, 2021-10-12) Nagayi, Jane Kalule Yawe; KisakyeJohn , Joseph; Tenywa Mwanja, Matthew; Nattabi; Opio Alfonse
Climate change is a recognized global concern in the 21st century. Water temperature elevation is likely to affect fish physiological and ethological function, causing great economic losses for fisheries resources and aquaculture production. Fish are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they are unable to control their body temperatures with changes in environmental temperature. This study assessed the effects of thermal acclimation in three juvenile populations of Oreochromis esculentus on the critical thermal maximum CTmax, cortisol, biochemical and haematological responses to acute temperature increase (0.3°Cmin−1). Fish from Senya farm, Lake Kacheera and Lake Nabisojjo were acclimated at 25°C, 28°C, 31°C and 34°C for 21 days at Kajjansi aquaculture research and development centre KARDC. The CTmax and blood cell counts increased, while plasma cortisol, glucose and proteins decreased at higher acclimation temperatures. Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences among treatments in CTmax, cortisol, proteins and erythrocytes indices, but not in glucose and leucocytes. However, significant variations among populations were only showed in CTmax. Overall, these results suggest that O. esculentus can respond to higher climate change induced temperatures, when allowed time for acclimation. Since temperature adaptation not only depends on the parameters assessed in this study, we recommend further investigations into metabolic rate and digestive enzymatic activity.
Population characteristics of Oreochromis esculentus in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins. Implications for conservation and improvement of the stocks
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Afr. J. Ecol., 2006) Nagayi-Yawe, K. J.,; Ogutu-Ohwayo, R; Kizito, Y. S; Balirwa, J. S.
The tilapiine fish Oreochromis esculentus, is endemic to only lakes Victoria and Kyoga and a few satellite lakes in the two lake basins. It was the most important commercial fish species during the first half of the 20th century in the two lake basins but because of over-exploitation and competition with introduced tilapiines, its stocks declined and, by 1980s, O. esculentus was virtually absent from the two main lakes. Lakes Mburo, Kachera, Kayanja and Kayugi in the Lake
Victoria basin, and Nabisojjo, Kawi and Lemwa, in the Lake Kyoga basin, where remnants of the species survived were investigated using experimental fleets of gillnets from 1997 to end of 2002 with the objective of determining the species length frequency distribution, condition factor, feeding and breeding to guide its management, conservation and enhancement.
Fish caught in Lake Kayugi, where diatoms dominated in the stomach contents attained the largest size, were most fecund and had a high value of condition factor K.These findings suggest that diatoms were vital in the survival of O. esculentus. However, with the recent shift of algal communities from diatoms to blue-green algae in most aquatic systems, assimilation of blue-green algae by O. esculentus should be investigated.
Prevalence of Commonly Consumed Drugs in Mbarara City, Uganda
(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2026-02-23) Habimaana, Samuel,; Kemigisha ,Chalrotte; Nnamuyomba, Proscovia; Ntambi Emmanuel; Adaku ,Christopher
Pharmaceutical consumption is rising globally, with significant implications for environmental pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In sub-Saharan Africa, weak prescription control, widespread self-medication, and insufficient wastewater treatment amplify risks of pharmaceutical residues entering aquatic systems. Studies in Uganda have detected active pharmaceutical ingredients in urban waters, including River Rwizi, a critical domestic and agricultural water source for Mbarara City. However, systematic data linking patterns of drug consumption to environmental risks in Mbarara City remain scarce. Through a descriptive cross-sectional survey, drug use prevalence across public and private healthcare outlets in Mbarara City was assessed, focusing on 30 essential medicines listed in the Uganda Clinical Guidelines (2023). Data was collected from 81 drug outlets in strategically selected clusters adjacent to the River Rwizi and analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results show extremely high prevalence of paracetamol (97.5%), amoxicillin (96.3%), ibuprofen (93.8%), azithromycin (86.4%), ciprofloxacin (82.7%), metronidazole (84.0%), coartem (80.2%), eftriaxone (77.8%), and doxycycline (76.5%), indicating a narrow subset of medicines that dominate urban consumption. These drugs address the city’s burden of febrile illnesses, malaria, and bacterial infections, but their widespread and unregulated use heightens risks of AMR development and pharmaceutical pollution.
The findings indicate an urgent need for integrated pharmaceutical stewardship, improved wastewater treatment, and environmental monitoring of the River Rwizi. By establishing a baseline of commonly consumed drugs in Mbarara City, this study provides essential evidence for guiding rational drug use policies, waste management strategies, and interventions to safeguard both public health and aquatic ecosystems.