School of Biosciences Collection
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ItemPerformance of rosemary extract and lemon juice compared to synthetic calcium propionate as bread preservatives(Makerere University, 2025)Performance of rosemary extract and lemon juice compared to synthetic calcium propionate as bread preservatives
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ItemAn assessment of Makerere University students’ participation in sports(Makerere University, 2023)The purpose of this study was to assess students’ participation in sports in Makerere University. The objectives of the study were: to assess the level of Makerere University students’ participation in sports, to assess why the changes in the level of Makerere University students’ participation in sports and to assess measures that can be taken to increase the level of Makerere University student’s participation in sports. The study was conducted in Makerere University, a public university in Uganda. Descriptive research design was applied using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, purposive sampling was used to locate the target population and stratified simple random sampling was used to reach the sample population. Data collection was done by administering online questionnaires to specific WhatsApp groups and individuals. This study targeted Makerere University students and 380 questionnaires were distributed to them basing on the Krejcie and Morgan table targeting. Data was presented using tables and charts. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were used for data analysis. The results showed low levels of Makerere University students participation in sports. Results revealed that majority of the respondents (70.6%) were observed to participate in sports before joining Makerere University and they participated most in football (38%), running (16%) and volleyball (11.4%). The study revealed that majority of the respondents (56.6%) were not participating in sports, (19.1%) of the respondents participating in Makerere University sports participated once a month and the minority (3.1%) participated in sports daily. The study indicated that majority of the students (91.4%) did not participate in inter-halls competitions, most students participated in College galas (51/7%) and also (92.9%) of the respondents participated in Makerere University sports (31.4%) because of passion and (27.7%) participated because they had colleagues to participate with. Most of the respondents (37.4%) did not participate in university sports due to lack of time and followed by engagement with work (26.0%). 56% Makerere University students suggested that sports should both be incorporated in the annual university program and sensitize students then (52.9%) suggested that scholarships should be given to outstanding participants. Investing more in intramural recreation university sports should be considered. Further studies should be done on assessment of university students’ participation in public and private universities. These include opportunities available and environment.
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ItemPrevalence of overweight and obesity among rural and urban primary school going children of Uganda (Kisoro and Kampala respectively)(Makerere University, 2023)Overweight and obesity are increasing across the world. Previously it was more in developed countries but is now also prevalent in developing countries. We undertook this study to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity in public day primary school going children of Kampala and Kisoro districts in Uganda. This research used a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Participants were public day primary school going children (n=810) between 6 and 12 years. Waist circumference, height and weight of each child were measured to describe the weight status of the children. Out of the 810 students used in the study, 56(6.91%) were underweight, 698(86.17%) were normal weight, 45(5.56%) were overweight and 11(1.36%) were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in rural areas was 1.95% and 0% respectively while for urban (Kampala) was 9.25% and 2.75% respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in rural (Kisoro) and urban (Kampala) was 2% and 12% respectively. The waist circumference of rural school going children was generally higher than that of urban school going children. There is prevalence of overweight and obesity in Uganda and this is more in urban school going children than the rural school going children. Therefore, interventions to reduce on overweight and obesity need to be developed.
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ItemEffect of cage fish culture on the diversity and abundance of zooplankton in Tende bay Lake Victoria(Makerere University, 2024)Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing sectors in Uganda, producing up to 15000 tonnes of fish from small-scale farmers, emerging commercial fish farmers and stocked community water reservoirs and minor lakes. In order to cater for the increase in demand for animal protein, manifold fish rearing methods have been created and employed, one of which is cage fish farming. A fish cage is a meshed enclosure which is placed into a body of water to confine the fish in captivity until they grow to the required size. Fish cages can be put in freshwaters for fresh fish, or in marine waters for saltwater fish. Majority of Lake Victoria’s Bays are subjected to aquaculture production, one of which is Tende Bay. Two fish farms are situated in Tende bay, that is Pearl aquatics fish farm and Victoria treasures. However much the production of fish has solved the problem of low fish catch from the wild, the fish in cages impacts the water of Lake Victoria negatively. There is deposition of materials from fish cages directly into the water, which distorts the physical parameters and chemical parameters of the water. It also brings about change in the aquatic biota thereby altering the ecology of the lake and subsequent loss of biodiversity. The research is based on studying the community of zooplankton and the physico-chemical parameters of water, in order to find out the extent of cage culture practices on the water environment of Tende bay. Water samples for zooplankton were collected from selected three sites on Lake Victoria, that is site A, site B & site C. The water parameters were measured in-situ and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Mann- Whitney U test to test the differences. Zooplankton species abundance and diversity were done using Kruskall-Wallis test and Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index respectively. The results of the three study sites compared, indicated minimal variation in the physico- chemical parameters (p<0.05), while oxygen indicated no significant difference (p=0.1598). The results for zooplankton species abundance indicated no significant differences between the study sites. The fish cages thus had observed low impact on the lake water of Tende bay.
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ItemPrevalence of parasites on nile tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) fry during sex reversal stage at Mig Fish Farm, Mayuge District- Eastern Uganda( 2024)This study investigated the occurrence, infestation levels and diversity of ecto-parasites during sex reversal in Nile tilapia fry. Two subpopulations were used to study the prevalence of parasites in fry that is one fed on sex reversal hormone and another that was not treated with the hormone. Fish fry were collected from the brood stock ponds using a seine net (Weinstein and Davis, 1980) counted and their weight measured using a digital weighing scale. A total of 150 fish fry were examined for ectoparasites using standard parasitological procedures. Five species of parasites were identified, consisting of 3 protozoans (Trichodina heterodentata, Trichodina magna, and Trichodina constrostrigata) and 2 monogeneans (Gyrodactylus salaris, and Dactylogyrus vastator). The study findings showed that Trichodina heterodentata was the most abundant followed by Gyrodactylus salaris, Trichodina magna, Dactylogyrus vastator and Trichodina constrostrigata being the least abundant. Furthermore, the prevalence of the parasites in examined fish fry was significantly higher in the sample treated with sex reversal hormone (91.33%) than in the fish fry sample not treated with the hormone (62.67%). Nevertheless, the diversity of parasites was low illustrated by the low value of Shannon Weiner diversity indices recorded in sex reversed sample (H=1.07) and control group (H=0.74). In the view of the study findings and the pathological effects of the different parasites identified on the examined fry samples, MIG fish farm is liable to facing high mortalities, increased cost of production, reduced profit margin, losses and at the extreme failure of the business enterprise. Therefore, appropriate and strategic management measures should be designed and followed for proper management and business flow.