Abstract: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors affecting antimicrobial effectiveness of essential oils against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. The minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) of the essential oils, were determined by turbidimetric technique using Biocreen C, analyzer. The effects of pH ranging from 7.3 to 5.5 in absence and presence of essential oils and/or NaCl on the lag time and mean generation time of the bacteria at 370C, were carried out and results were determined showed that, combination of low pH and essential oil at 370C had additive effects against the test micro-organisms. The combination of 1.2 % (w/v) of NaCl and clove essential oil at 0.0325% (v/v) was effective against E. coli. The use of concentrations less than MIC in combination with low pH and or NaCl has the potential of being used as an alternative to “traditional food preservatives".
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the
epidemiology of waterborne diarrhoeal among children aged 6-36
months old in Busia town, western Kenya. The study was carried out
between Feb. 2008 and Feb. 2010. Cases of diarrhoea reported in 385
households were linked to household water handling practices. A
mother with a child of 6-36 months old was also included in the
study. Diarrhoea prevalence among children 6-36 months was 16.7%
in Busia town, Bwamani (19.6%) and Mayenje (10.6%) clustered in
Mayenje sub-location reported the highest and the lowest prevalence
of diarrhoea. There was a positive correlation between the prevalence
of diarrhoea in children and the level of the mother-s education,
29.9% (n= 100). Diarrhoea cases decreased in range from 35.5% (n
=102) to 4.8% (n= 16), corresponding to increase in age from 6-35
months on average. In conclusion, prevalence of diarrhoea in
children of 6-36 months old was 16.7% in Busia town. This was
higher in children whose mother-s age was below 18 years and with
low level of education, the rate decreased with increase in age of
children. Prevalence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-36months in
households was higher in children aged 6-17 and 36 months and
whose mothers were less educated and fell between the ages of 18-24
years. The Influence of human activities at the main source of
drinking water on the prevalence of diarrhoea in these children was
insignificant.