Browsing by Author "Oduro, E."

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Adaptability and yield performance of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) cultivars in three agro-ecological zones in Ghana
(Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 2023) Oduro, E.; Donkor, E.F.; Ackah, E.; Santo, K.G.
Low yields of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) reported in Ghana are due to inadequate agricultural tech niques and research. To explain the reported yields under these conditions, it is necessary to understand how various soils and climatic factors affect the growth and development of these new varieties when selecting appropriate genotypes for diverse agro-ecological environments. Four cultivars of taro namely; Huogbelor, Asempa, Agyenkwa and Y’anyawoa were, evaluated for their adaptability and yield performance in the rain forest, semi-deciduous forest and forest-savannah transition zones in Ghana in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.05) differences among the agro-ecological zones in terms of the vegetative growth, number of suckers/stand and inflorescence numbers of taro but not for corm yield. Taro cultivars also differed significantly (P < 0.05) in terms of the number of leaves/ stand but were statistically similar (P > 0.05) for number of suckers. Number of inflorescences differed signif icantly (P < 0.05) among the agro-ecological zones, cultivars as well as their interactions. The results also revealed significant (P < 0.05) agro-ecological zone and cultivar interactions for taro growth and yield. The Coastal-savannah translated the high vegetative growth of Hougbelor into corm yield of 25.67 tons/ha while the Agyenkwa cultivar produced higher numbers of suckers (25.0) and inflorescences (2.43) in the same agro ecological zone.
Adrenoceptor Beta 3 (Adrb3) Gene Variants and Childhood Obesity
(2015-07) Oduro, E.; Brown, C.; Asante, C.; University of Ghana, college of health sciences, School of , department of Nutrition and dietetics
Background: Childhood obesity is becoming very common worldwide and similar trends are being seen in Ghana. Various researches have shown that several genes are linked to obesity. Several genes including adrenoceptor beta 3 (ADRB3) gene have been implicated. ADRB3, is mainly expressed in adipose tissue, and contributes to variations in energy expenditure and body fat distribution. Polymorphisms of the ADRB3 have been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of obesity. There is no information on the association between ADRB3 genotype polymorphisms and obesity in children in Ghana. Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the role of ADRB3 gene variants in obesity in children in Ghana. Methods: Sixty eight boys and girls selected from two primary schools, St Mark Basic School (Atomic) and GAEC Basic School (Atomic), were used in the study. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary patterns. Buccal rinse samples were collected from the children after assessment of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), weight, height and body mass index (BMI) calculated. DNA was extracted from the buccal rinse samples and ADRB3 gene variants analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Correlations between ADRB3 gene variants and obesity in the children were determined. Results: A total of 68 subjects, 39 cases (obese) and 29 controls (non-obese), were recruited for the study. There were more females (55.9%) compared to males (44.1%). The average age for the cases was 11.92 ±1.69 years and that of the controls was 13.17 ± 1.77 years. BMI values of the children were statistically significant different (all ps˂ 0.0001) between cases and the controls for both males and females. WHR measurements between cases and controls for female children were also statistically significant (p = 0.0039). Amplification was successful in 58 children (35 cases and 23 controls). A significant difference emerged for the ADRB3 gene Try64Arg genotype polymorphism frequencies between the cases and the controls (p = 0.0377, OR = 0.1471, 95% CI = 0.02666 to 0.8113). No significant differences (all ps > 0.05) emerged between the ADRB3 gene Try64Arg genotype polymorphism frequencies and BMI and WHR. More males consume fruits and vegetables daily compared to females. Females compared to their male counterparts frequently consume sweet drinks, fatty meat and fast foods. Conclusions: No relationships were observed between ADRB3 genotype polymorphisms and obesity among the school children.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Conventional and Integrated Crop Management for Vegetable Production
(International Journal of Vegetable Science, 2018-04) Kuwornu, J.K.M.; Oduro, E.; Amegashie, D.P.K.; Fening, K.O.; Yangyouru, M.; MacCarthy, D.S.; Amoatey, C.; Datta, A.
Smallholder vegetable farmers involved in agricultural production are confronted with numerous challenges which can adversely affect performance. Farmers would prefer to adopt the most profitable vegetable production systems. A cost-benefit analysis of integrated crop management (ICM) and conventional method (CM) systems for vegetable production was conducted. Primary data were solicited from 120 vegetable farmers using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe levels of awareness and extent to which farmers understood use of the ICM system. A cash flow projection was done on a 0.4 ha size of land for 5 years. Net present value (NPV) and cost-benefit ratio (CBR) analyses were performed for farmers operating under the ICM and CM production systems. The NPV analysis indicated production of vegetables under both systems was viable. The incremental NPV for cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) production, and the whole farm enterprise were all positive, indicating the ICM system was more financially viable than the CM system. The NPV increase was GHS 2563.58 (GHS is Ghanaian currency, 1$US = 3.5 GHS in January 2015 when data were collected) for cabbage and GHS 3949.43 for onion, and of the whole farm enterprise, i.e., combined cabbage and onion production, was GHS 6162.75. The CBR analysis indicated that vegetable production under the two systems was viable, confirming results of the NPV analyses. The CBR for cabbage production was 1.58 for the CM and 2.08 for the ICM systems; the CBR for onion production was 2.69 for the CM and 4.36 for the ICM systems. The CBR for whole farm enterprise was 2.42 for the CM and 3.93 for the ICM systems. Sensitivity analyses, under the assumption of a 5% reduction in yield and a 10% cost over-run, indicated positive NPVs for both production systems for cabbage and onion production, and the whole farm enterprise. The NPVs from use of the ICM system were higher than under the CM system. Overall, vegetable production is profitable under both the ICM and CM systems, and awareness is a factor influencing practice of the ICM system.
Preparation and characterization of hydrophilic and water-swellable elastomeric nanocomposites
(Polymer Engineering and Science, 2022) Mensah, B.; Oduro, E.
Highly polar and hydrophilic polymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), epichlorohydrin rubber (GECO), and polyethylene oxide (PEO) reinforced with fillers (carbon black (CB) and/or Silica) were used to prepare water swellable rubber nanocomposites. The study showed that although the high content of the GECO delayed vulcanization of the corresponding compounds, the sample filled with desired ratio of GECO/PEO/EVA or GPE, cross-linked with peroxide exhibited the highest swelling performance of ⁓150%. The sam ples exhibited good re-usability performance in the re-swollen test, after drying. At prolonged water swelling, the tensile strength dropped drastically for compounds with high content of the GPE, due to weak filler-matrix interactions. On the other hand, the incorporated GPE also increased the rebound resilience (%) property which is a key requirement in green tire fabrication. For example; peroxide cured sample coded SR3 (GPE-15 phr CB) obtained ⁓30% resilience in non-swollen state and ⁓53.5% after 1440 min of water-swell ing, which represents a dramatic development of over ⁓78% in rebound resilience. Thus, a proper balance between the GPE content, curing agent and the reinforcements may guarantee high water-swelling performance and mechanical properties integrity for multifunctional applications such as wound healing, structural works, water collection from oil spillages, and for the development of water-based sensors.