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Item NON-CARBONATED BEVERAGES (HEALTH DRINKS) IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA: ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL, CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS AND THE ROLE OF NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH CLAIMS(Gulu University, 2023) ATUKUNDA, CLAIRENon-carbonated beverages comprise of fruit, vegetable, and herbal-based drinks, which are largely known as ‘health drinks’ in Uganda and are widely consumed in Southwestern Uganda. Despite the increased popularity of health drinks on the Ugandan market, particularly in Southwestern Uganda, little is known about: (ⅰ) their antioxidant potential; (ⅱ) consumer perceptions of the healthiness and safety of beverages; and (ⅲ) the influence of nutritional health claims (that are widely used on health drinks) on consumption. Thus, the objective of the study was to examine the antioxidant potential and factors associated with the consumption of health drinks in Southwestern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 278 adults in Mbarara City and Sheema district using structured questionnaires. Laboratory analysis of vitamin C, total phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity of selected health drinks was conducted using 2,6-dichlorophenoindophenol (DCPIP), Folin-Ciocalteu, and 2,2- diphenyl- 1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays respectively. Results showed variations in the vitamin C content (14.19-25.12mg/100ml), total phenolic content (0.37-146.01mg/100ml), and total antioxidant activity (35.48-2491.8 µg/ml) of the different health drinks depending on the type of ingredients used. Theoretical calculations showed that consumption of 320 ml of health drinks would be sufficient to meet the vitamin C intake recommendations and about 40% polyphenol intake recommendations for a healthy life. Majority of the consumers had positive perceptions of beverage healthiness (77.4%) and safety (66.2%). Product health benefits, safety, and information influenced perceived healthiness while perceived safety was influenced by regulatory logos, organoleptic cues, age, gender, household income, and perceived healthiness (p≤0.05). Nutritional health claims influenced about half the respondents to consume health drinks (49.3%). Particularly, nutritional health claims in media advertisements had a significantly higher positive influence on intention to consume than claims on food labels (p=0.019). Besides the claims, perceived xii healthiness and safety also positively influenced consumption intentions. The results of this study demonstrated that (ⅰ) health drinks consumed in Southwestern Uganda are alternative sources of antioxidants for which consumption can lead to substantial contributions to the recommended vitamin C and polyphenol intake; (ⅱ) perceptions of beverage healthiness and safety are important factors that can be exploited to boost consumption of health drinks; and (ⅲ) nutritional health claims can enhance consumption of non-carbonated (health) drinks and are more effective when presented through media advertisements than when presented on food labels.Item Biofortification of Finger Millet Grown in Biochar Amended Soils Using Zinc AND Iron(Gulu University, 2023) Manijawire AlinafeRecurrent dearth of micronutrients from soils and crops aggravated by the impacts of climate change has augmented an increase of hidden hunger with over 2 billion people affected across the globe. This problem is more rampant in developing countries with devastating economic setbacks, which deprive them from diet diversification. This calls for more interventions in enriching the cereal crops which are naturally low in micronutrients despite being the source of staple food for millions of people in African countries. One of the key approaches towards the drive to reducing malnutrition is biofortification. A two-season pot experiment was carried out at Gulu University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment experimental site. The aim of the experiment was to explore the effects of soil and foliar application of mineral based fertilizers (iron and zinc) in biochar amended soils on yield and grain quality of finger milletgrown in allisols and ferralsols. The experiment had eight treatments with four replicates which were arranged in RCBD in both soil types. The results from the experiment revealed that biofortification in biochar amended soils improved yield and quality of finger millet in both soil types. Maximum yield of 50 – 53 g/pot were recorded in both soils with biochar treatments, sprayed with both iron and zinc compared to the yield of 23.8 g/pot -25.5 g/pot in control. Similarly, an increase in protein content from 4.67 % to 11 % was also mirrored in treatments receiving foliar application of both iron and zinc in biochar amended soils. Zinc and iron content were higher in grains (41.5 - 44.6 mg/100g and 11.3 - 13.3 mg/100g, respectively) from treatments which had biochar and were foliarly applied with iron and zinc. Soil organic carbon and moisture content significantly (P < 0.05) influenced Zn and Fe uptake from soil. Overall, both soil and foliar application methods of mineral fertilizers in biochar amended soils are ideal in enhancing nutrient availability for crop growth and yield coupled with improved grain quality.