Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hesborn Andole Ondiba, Kenichi Matsui
Summary: Rural women in Kakamega County, Kenya, establish networking groups called “chama” to inspire their participation in environmental conservation activities. Motivated by earning income and protecting the environment, about 98% of the respondents agreed to participate in these activities.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Erick O. Osewe, Mihai Daniel Nita, Ioan Vasile Abrudan
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fragmentation and forest cover loss on the forest ecosystem in Kakamega National Forest Reserve. The findings show that forest cover loss and alteration in landscape pattern have changed the dynamics of species interaction within ecological communities.
Article
Ecology
Sofia Topcu Madsen, Carsten Smith-Hall
Summary: On average, environmental income accounts for more than a quarter of rural household income in tropical and sub-tropical countries. One way to increase incomes from wild-harvested products is cultivation. We propose an alternative model of the dynamics of environmental product cultivation pathways, emphasizing stock size, contextual, harvester, and mediating factors.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dikko Jeff Gafna, Joy A. Obando, Martin Reichelt, Sebastian Schmidtlein, Klara Dolos
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of environmental drivers on medicinal plant occurrence, the contribution of different vegetation formations to plant provision for disease treatment, and how these contributions are secured through redundancy. The analysis revealed that different vegetation formations vary in terms of the diversity and security of medicinal services provided.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emmanuel Ayodeji Ayeni, Yuzhou Gong, Hao Yuan, Yikao Hu, Xiaolin Bai, Xun Liao
Summary: This review provides an overview of major neurodegenerative diseases and the use of medicinal plants in managing these diseases in West Africa. It highlights the potential neuroprotective effects of various plant families and their chemical compounds, suggesting them as natural sources for anti-neurodegenerative drug discovery.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Haiyue Gong, Ping He, Xiaozhong Lan, Lingjiang Zeng, Zhihua Liao
Summary: In this review, we summarize the advances in the biosynthesis and engineering of MTA production, which holds great significance for the pharmaceutical industry.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ria Cahyaningsih, Jade Phillips, Joana Magos Brehm, Hannes Gaisberger, Nigel Maxted
Summary: The study suggests that in future climate change scenarios, the distribution area of medicinal plants in Indonesia may be affected, with some species potentially losing a significant portion of their distribution area. Medicinal plants in Papua, Java, and Sulawesi are predicted to have the largest reduction in distribution area.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Zubair, Akash Jamil, Syed Bilal Hussain, Ahsan Ul Haq, Ahmad Hussain, Din Muhammad Zahid, Abeer Hashem, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi, Elsayed Fathi Abd Allah
Summary: The study found rich medicinal plant resources in the moist temperate forests of Northern Pakistan, with partial tree cover in some areas having a positive impact on the growth of medicinal plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marika Kose, Indrek Melts, Katrin Heinsoo
Summary: Semi-natural grasslands in Estonia have high biodiversity and cultural values. The ratio and frequency of medicinal plant species in these grasslands are influenced by management practices. Alvars have the highest ratio of medicinal plant species, followed by floodplain and wooded meadows. Wooded meadows and alvars have approximately twice the number of medicinal plant species compared to naturally growing broadleaved forests.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hadi Madani, Ainoa Escrich, Bahman Hosseini, Raul Sanchez-Munoz, Abbas Khojasteh, Javier Palazon
Summary: Polyploidy plays a key role in plant diversification and speciation, affecting plant growth and development. It can be induced by various anti-mitotic agents and has been used to increase levels of target compounds and improve morphological characteristics in medicinal plants.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ivanka Males, Sandra Pedisic, Zoran Zoric, Ivona Elez-Garofulic, Maja Repajic, Lijun You, Sanda Vladimir-Knezevic, Drazan Butorac, Verica Dragovic-Uzelac
Summary: Functional beverages, as an important category of functional food products, offer health benefits and appealing sensory characteristics. The use of medicinal and aromatic plants in the production of these beverages has gained popularity due to their specific nutrient and bioactive molecule content. However, the extraction of these compounds and their potential biological effects present challenges in research and product development strategies.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Ebenezer Kwabena Frimpong, John Awungnjia Asong, Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Summary: The review critically appraised the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants for managing headaches in Africa, showing the vital roles these plants play in African communities.
Article
Horticulture
Ifeoma Nwafor, Christopher Nwafor, Idah Manduna
Summary: The paper explores the challenges faced by subsistent farmers in cultivating medicinal plants and recommends providing more research support and targeted incentives to promote their involvement. This can help improve smallholder livelihoods and protect indigenous biodiversity for future generations.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beatrice Irungu, Erick Okari, Mary Nyangi, Sospeter Njeru, Lilian Koech
Summary: This study compiled scientific research evidence on antimalarial medicinal plants screened in Kenya and found the need for further research and clinical trials to develop new antimalarial drugs.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingyang Sun, Shiqiang Xu, Yu Mei, Jingyu Li, Yan Gu, Wenting Zhang, Jihua Wang
Summary: This review discusses the biosynthesis and function of medicinal plant miRNAs, including their regulation of animal gene expression and participation in plant metabolism, development, and stress adaptation. The research on medicinal plant miRNAs has its challenges, but it holds significant potential for drug development and agricultural production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Paul Nyangau, Beatrice Muriithi, Gracious Diiro, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Sevgan Subramanian
Summary: We assessed the knowledge and practices of farmers in Kenya and Uganda regarding common pests and their willingness to pay for biopesticides. The majority of farmers used chemical pesticides to control pests and were aware of their negative effects. Vegetable farmers showed a higher willingness to pay a premium price for biopesticides. Factors such as being male, more educated, higher income, awareness of the negative effects of chemical pesticides, and risk-taking increased the willingness to pay for biopesticides.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
D. Beesigamukama, B. Mochoge, N. Korir, K. Menale, B. Muriithi, M. Kidoido, H. Kirscht, G. Diiro, C. J. Ghemoh, S. Sevgan, D. Nakimbugwe, M. W. Musyoka, S. Ekesi, C. M. Tanga
Summary: The sustainable utilization of black soldier fly for recycling organic waste into high-quality protein feed and organic fertilizer is gaining momentum worldwide. This study analyzed the economic benefits of farming black soldier fly for animal feeds and production of frass fertilizer using experimental data. The results showed that sourcing and preparing the waste substrate accounted for a large portion of the production cost, and the utilization of frass as an additional product increased farmers' net income significantly. The use of biochar in the feedstock also improved the economic performance of black soldier fly farming. The study highlights the potential of insect farming in circular economy and offers opportunities for enhanced sustainability in agriculture and food systems.
JOURNAL OF INSECTS AS FOOD AND FEED
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Francis Ogutu, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Patience M. Mshenga, Fathiya M. Khamis, Samira A. Mohamed, Shepard Ndlela
Summary: Tomato production in Kenya, like in other sub-Saharan African countries, is affected by pests and diseases, with the tomato leaf miner being a major threat. To tackle this issue, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and partners have introduced a fungal-based biopesticide as a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. A market survey conducted among agro-dealers in Kenya's Kirinyaga County showed that a higher proportion of them were willing to stock the biopesticide and pay a higher price for it compared to other insecticides commonly used for managing the tomato leaf miner. The study also revealed that individual characteristics such as age, education, access to social networks and credit facilities, and information were correlated to the agro-dealers' knowledge, perception, and willingness to stock the biopesticide.
Correction
Development Studies
Beatrice Muriithi, Jane Kabubo-Mariara
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Beatrice W. Muriithi, Kassie Menale, Gracious M. Diiro, Michael N. Okal, Daniel K. Masiga
Summary: Tsetse-transmitted Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) is a significant disease affecting livestock development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The use of trypanocides to manage the disease is expensive and poses health risks. The novel Tsetse repellent collar technology (TRCT) developed by icipe provides an effective alternative control measure for AAT. The study found that TRCT increased the market value of cattle by 36%, decreased poverty levels by 8.5% points, and reduced household food insecurity by 36% and hunger scale by 24%.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Samuel Jeff Otieno, Cecilia Nyawira Ritho, Jonathan Makau Nzuma, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi
Summary: This study evaluates the drivers of the adoption and dis-adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in the suppression of mango fruit-fly infestation in Embu County, Kenya. It employs a Correlated Random Effects Probit Model and a Discrete-time Proportional Hazard Model on two-wave panel data of 149 mango farmers selected using a cluster sampling technique. The descriptive results show that 59% and 17% of the respondents were adopters and dis-adopters of mango fruit fly IPM practices, respectively. Empirical findings reveal that the cost of IPM and training on IPM positively and significantly influenced adoption, while the unavailability of the technology had a negative and significant effect on adoption. For dis-adoption, the results indicate that farm size and the quality of IPM positively influenced the hazard of exit from IPM use, and hence, enhanced the sustained adoption of IPM. The study recommends capacity building for mango farmers through training and increased access to extension services to enhance the adoption of this technology and prevent dis-adoption.
Correction
Food Science & Technology
Beatrice W. W. Muriithi, Kassie Menale, Gracious M. M. Diiro, Michael N. N. Okal, Daniel K. K. Masiga
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Henri E. Z. Tonnang, Bonoukpoe Mawuko Sokame, Mark Wamalwa, Saliou Niassy, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi
Summary: The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on food and nutritional security worldwide. This study proposes a framework to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on food supply chains in Eastern Africa, with Kenya and Rwanda as case studies. The results show that COVID-19 has adversely affected food and nutritional security in these countries.
Review
Entomology
Komi Mensah Agboka, Henri E. Z. Tonnang, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Saliou Niassy, Shepard Ndlela, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi
Summary: This study models the spatio-temporal dispersal of a parasitoid in Kenya and estimates the economic benefits of investing in classical biological control. The findings show that investing in CBC can lead to significant economic gains without environmental contamination or adverse effects.
Article
Entomology
Fridah Chepchirchir, Beatrice Wambui Muriithi, Jackson Langat, Shepard Ndlela, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Fathiya Khamis
Summary: The negative effects of pest infestation on agricultural production are significant and efforts to control pests through synthetic pesticides have drawbacks. This study examines the economic, health, and environmental impacts of a specific pest, Tuta absoluta, on tomato production in Kenya and Uganda. The use of synthetic chemicals for pest management contributes to a significant portion of the cost of production.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelvin Mulungu, Hailemariam Tekelewold, Zewdu Abro, Subramanian Sevgan, Beatrice Muriithi, Julius Ecuru, Dennis Beesigamukama, Menale Kassie
Summary: Recent literature has shown that animal pollinator-dependent (PD) crops have the potential to enhance food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan African countries. These crops have higher micronutrient content but lower macronutrient content compared to pollinator-independent (PI) crops. PI crops, on the other hand, have higher calorie yield per hectare. PD crops significantly contribute to vitamin A production.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Arnold L. Musungu, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Changeh J. Ghemoh, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Chrysantus M. Tanga
Summary: Globally, crickets are recognized as a valuable alternative protein source due to their lower resource requirement and ecological footprint compared to traditional livestock. This study found that providing cricket production starter kits, access to credit facilities, encouraging farmer group participation, and fostering partnerships can enhance the adoption of cricket farming. Additionally, institutional training significantly increases cricket yields, while embracing cricket consumption increases market supply. These findings emphasize the importance of technical training, provision of production starter kits, and raising awareness about entomophagy for sustainable mass production and adoption of cricket farming.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paul Nyamweya Nyangau, Jonathan Makau Nzuma, Patrick Irungu, Sandra Junglen, Menale Kassie
Summary: Communities' knowledge and management strategies are crucial for mitigating and controlling the threat of existing and emerging diseases. A study conducted in Kenya found that health education significantly improved households' understanding of Arboviral Diseases transmission modes, causes, and prevention strategies. However, the study also found that this intervention did not sufficiently influence households' disease management behavior. Therefore, the implementation of community engagement and outreach initiatives is recommended to enhance the management and control of Arboviral Diseases in Kenya.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Mwangi K. Waithaka, Isaac M. Osuga, Lucy W. Kabuage, Sevgan Subramanian, Beatrice Muriithi, Ann M. Wachira, Chrysantus M. Tanga
Summary: The high cost of feed has been a major obstacle to the growth and sustainability of poultry production. This study found that black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal can effectively replace expensive fish meal up to 20% in poultry diets without compromising growth performance. Therefore, incorporating BSFL meal into poultry feed production has the potential to reduce overall feed costs while maintaining optimal production of high-quality meat and egg products.
FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Saliou Niassy, Beatrice Murithii, Evanson R. Omuse, Emily Kimathi, Henri Tonnang, Shepard Ndlela, Samira Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi
Summary: Tephritid fruit flies are notorious pests of horticultural crops, but a comprehensive pest management package has been developed and promoted in Africa over the past two decades. The use of IPM technologies varies across regions, with Eastern and Western Africa leading in technology penetration. However, there is still a demand-supply gap and challenges such as a lack of awareness, access, training, private sector involvement, and policies.
