School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengeneering (SFTNB) Collection
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ItemEnhancing the operation of the smart irri-kit system with capacitive probe sensor and nRF24 radio technology for efficient irrigation scheduling(Makerere University, 2025)The Smart Irri-Kit system, a solar-powered automated irrigation solution, has shown promise in enhancing water use efficiency and crop yields. However, its effectiveness is restricted by limitations such as corrosion-prone resistive moisture sensors and wired connections, leading to signal losses and potential data corruption. This study generated a scalable solution to improve the Smart Irri-Kit's precision and flexibility by implementing capacitive probe sensors and nRF24L01 wireless transceivers. The redesigned system functions as a low-power wide area network (LPWAN), enabling long-range communication between field sensors and the solenoid valve actuator with minimal power consumption. The nRF24L01 transceivers were selected for their high data rates (up to 2 Mbps), low power usage, and built-in error detection and correction capabilities. The system consists of two main nodes: a sensor node and a valve node. The sensor node, equipped with an Arduino UNO microcontroller, displays sensor data on an LCD after converting it to volumetric water content using a calibration equation derived from the gravimetric method. The valve node, also using an Arduino UNO, controls water flow from an overhead tank to the drip irrigation system via a relay-connected solenoid valve. Both nodes are housed in waterproof acrylic cases with external ports for easy installation and reprogramming. Calibration and validation of the sensor node using the gravimetric method yielded an R² value of 0.8853, with an 87.6% correlation confirmed by a two-tailed t-test. The wireless communication achieved a range of 180 meters in clear line of sight and 150 meters with obstructions, without data loss. This study successfully enhances the Smart Irri-Kit's soil moisture sensing precision and flexibility, simplifying agricultural automation by overcoming the limitations of wired connections and traditional sensors.
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ItemAssessing the consumption of fruits and vegetables among lecturers of Makerere University(Makerere University, 2025)Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is widely recognized as a key component of a healthy diet, contributing to the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Despite this, many populations, including academic institution often fall short of the recommended intake levels. The main aim of the study was to establish consumption levels of fruit and vegetables among the lecturers of Makerere University. A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected using a structured questionnaire, while frequency of consumption was determined using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The factors influencing fruits and vegetable (FV) consumption were mainly availability and high prices which affected access and to a certain extent gender and age. The sample size was one hundred (100) respondents who were analyzed using SPSS to obtain frequencies, means and correlations. The results of the 100 participants show that 61% consumed their meals with ¼ of fruits and vegetables. Marital status was found to be significantly different, with the married lecturers tending to consume more servings of fruits and vegetables (68%) on average compared to the single lecturers (32%). The mean number of servings consumed. Only 12% met the WHO recommendation of 5 servings a day with the average number of servings consumed in a day being 2.7 servings. In conclusion, there is a low consumption of fruits and vegetables by lecturers of Makerere University. Vegetables are more frequently consumed than fruits and the females consume more fruits and vegetables than males. Nutrition advocacy and education are key in improving the dietary patterns of the study population.
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ItemEvaluation of yield and quality of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus leaves(Makerere University, 2025)Essential oils are a diverse set of natural products that are important sources of flavoring chemicals and aromatics in pharmaceutical products, food and the perfume industry. The oil is produced in different parts of the plants and contains various chemical compounds that give plants a characteristic odor and flavor and offer protection from pests, predators, attraction of pollinators and seed dispersal. These compounds, yield and the efficacy of essential oils vary between different plant species and also within plants of the same species. However, limited studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of some factors like age of the tree and sample collection time on the yield and quality of E. globulus leaves. This study evaluated the yield and chemical composition of essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus globulus leaves, focusing on the influence of tree age and sample collection time on the yield and chemical composition. Leaf samples were harvested from trees of 2 and 4-5 years at two different times: before 7:00 AM and at 1:00 PM. Essential oils were extracted using hydro-distillation using the Clevenger apparatus and analyzed for their chemical composition using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil was collected in glass amber bottles and weighed to determine the weight. Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA revealed that both age and sample collection time had a significant effect in oil yield where P < 0.001 and F values were 293.15 and 163.17 respectively. The 2 years 7AM samples gave the highest oil yield (1.07%) and the lowest yield was obtained in the afternoon sample collected at 2PM (0.58%). The morning samples showed a slightly higher proportion of 1,8-cineole (25.33%) compared to afternoon samples (23.53%). These results highlight the importance of tree age and sample collection time for improving yield and quality of the essential oil. Further studies can be carried out on routine chemical screening to monitor oil quality and adjust harvesting practices and developing a sustainable harvesting cycle that balances biomass recovery and oil output.
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ItemDietary intake and nutrition status among university staff: a study conducted at Makerere University.(Makerere University, 2028-07-05)The nutritional status of working-age adults is critical for maintaining health, productivity, and overall well-being, particularly in demanding environments such as academic institutions. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of teaching and administrative staff at Makerere University, a leading institution in Uganda, where limited research has been conducted on staff nutrition. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study will evaluate dietary habits, nutrient intake, and health outcomes among staff members. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements. The study will also explore factors influencing staff nutrition, such as work-related stress, time constraints, and access to healthy food options. By identifying common dietary habits, nutritional deficiencies, and the prevalence of overnutrition, the research aims to establish the relationship between nutrition and health outcomes like chronic diseases. The findings will contribute to the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving the nutritional status and productivity of Makerere University staff, addressing a critical public health challenge in the context of Uganda's dual burden of malnutrition. This research will also fill significant gaps in the literature and offer practical solutions for enhancing the health and well-being of university staff, potentially serving as a model for other institutions. Keywords: Nutritional status, dietary habits, Makerere University staff, malnutrition, workplace nutrition.
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ItemBio-extraction of polyphenols from Lemon peels using ultrasound assisted pretreatment(Makerere University, 2025)The increasing interest in natural products for their health benefits has resulted into to the exploration of natural rich sources like fruits, vegetables among others. Polyphenols are well known for their health benefits and these are obtained from various natural sources with lemon peels as one of them. This project aimed at assessing the effect of ultrasound pretreatment on bio extraction of polyphenols from lemon peels. The effect of different extraction conditions on polyphenol yield were assessed. Quantification of the total polyphenol content (TPC) was done using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR. The optimum conditions for the highest total polyphenol content (6.05±0.82 mg GAE/ mg dry mass) were obtained by 1.5 hours of extraction time with ultrasound assisted pretreatment in 70% ethanol concentration at 20 kHz and 5g of lemon peels. This yield was higher than the total polyphenol content from conventional extraction (4.34±0.60 mg GAE/ mg dry mass). Ultrasound pretreatment interaction with ethanol concentration showed the most significant difference in the total polyphenol content (p<0.0001) while preserving the structure of hesperidin and eriocitrin as observed from the FTIR. Results of this study implied that ultrasound assisted pretreatment was better method for polyphenol extraction from lemon peels as compared to conventional extraction.