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Antimicrobial screening and characterisation of phytochemical compounds from the stem bark of Butyrospermum paradoxum
(Kyambogo Unioversity (Unpublished work), 2024-10) Eruut, David
There is a growing risk in bacterial and fungal infections as a result of increased resistance of the disease causing bacteria and fungi to the existing medicines. A lot of scientific research has therefore been directed to finding reliable alternatives to the synthetic antimicrobial agents and this has led to studies on natural products.
In this study, the antimicrobial activity of the stem bark crude extracts and the pure compounds of Butyrospermum paradoxum was investigated. Extraction from the air dried powdered plant material was done sequentially using n-hexane, DCM, ethyl acetate and methanol respectively to obtain four crude extracts.
The crude extracts obtained were subjected to silica gel column chromatography and further purification of different fractions was done using sephadex LH-20 to obtain pure compounds. Using various NMR techniques like 1HNMR, 13CNMR, COSY, HSQC and HMBC, the isolated bioactive compounds were characterized i.e. α-amyrin cinnamate (48), butyrospermol cinnamate (49), lupeol acetate (50) and lupeol cinnamate (51).
The antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was determined using the agar well diffusion assay procedure while the MIC and MBC was determined by using the broth dilution method.
All the four crude extracts were found to be active against most of the selected microbial organisms. The hexane extract was most active against C. albicans with average diameter of zone of inhibition of 14.3 mm and least active against P. aeruginosa giving a diameter of zone of inhibition of 11 mm. The DCM extract was most active against S. aureus with average diameter of zone of inhibition of 16.3 mm and was also least active against P. aeruginosa giving a diameter of zone of inhibition of 13.7 mm. . Meanwhile the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were most active against S. typhi with average diameter of zone of inhibition of 18.0 mm and 22.0 mm respectively. The MIC and MBC values of all the crude extracts ranged between 12.5 and 50 mg/mL. The methanol extract gave the least antibacterial activity with an average diameter of zone of inhibition of 9.7 mm against K. pneumoniae.
The antimicrobial activity of isolated compounds 48 and 51 against S. typhi, E. coli, C. albicans, and S. aureus was also investigated. Compound 51 gave the highest activity against C. albicans with average diameter of zone of inhibition of 22 mm and with MIC and MBC values of 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ mL respectively. Meanwhile the least activity was noted on compound 48 against S. aureus with an average diameter of zone of inhibition of 17.0 mm and with similar MIC and MBC values of 0.25 and 0.50 mg/ mL respectively.
The study showed that both crude extracts and isolated pure compounds from the stem bark of B. paradoxum have significant antimicrobial activity and therefore may be used as alternative antimicrobial agents in place of the synthetic agents.
Dynamic capabilities, financial literacy and financial resilience among small and medium enterprises in Kampala Capital City
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-10) Mugoya, Micheal
The study focused on Dynamic Capabilities, Financial Literacy and Financial Resilience in SMEs in Kampala Capital City. The study was guided by four objectives, which are to; assess the relationship between dynamic capabilities and financial resilience of SMEs, establish the relationship between dynamic capabilities and financial literacy of SMEs, examine the relationship between financial literacy and financial resilience of SMEs and assess the mediating role of financial literacy on the relationship between dynamic capabilities and financial resilience of SMEs. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design with a quantitative research approach. Out 76639 SMEs, the study targeted sample size 382 participants who were determined following (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970) statistical table but 274 participants managed to respond back showing a response rate of 71.7 percent. The respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire and analysis was done using Social Package for Social Scientists to generate means, standard deviation, correlation, and regression. The study findings revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between dynamic capabilities and financial resilience at (r =.355**, p<.05), a significant and positive relationship between the financial literacy and financial resilience of SMEs at (r = .577**, p<.05) and lastly, there was a positive and significant relationship between dynamic capabilities and financial literacy at (r =.448**, p<.05). The linear regression analysis revealed that dynamic capability influenced financial resilience by (B = .338, p=.000 <0.05) while financial literacy influenced financial resilience by (B =.513, p=.000 <0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that demographic characteristics predicted financial resilience by only 0.05 percent while a combination of demographic characteristics, dynamic capabilities and financial literacy positively predicated financial resilience of SMEs with 33.7 percent. The study concluded that financial literacy was the major predictor of financial resilience of SMEs. It was recommended that future researchers should incorporate a mixed-methods approach and employ proxy measures to complement self-reporting data and reduce the impact of response bias. Ministry of Education and Sports should establish and collaborate with all education institutions to integrate financial education into the school curriculum. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should design and implement training programmes aimed at enhancing the financial literacy of entrepreneurs. SME owners and managers should to prioritize and invest in the development of dynamic capabilities by fostering a proactive approach, embracing change, encouraging innovation, and strategically allocating resources. SME owners and managers ought to invest in improving their financial literacy together with their employees through further studies. Finally, there is a need to integrate financial literacy training programmes into business dynamic capability frameworks.
Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment on the physico-chemical attributes and postharvest green life of Ugandan indigenous and hybrid cooking bananas
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-02) Kisakye, Sarah
In this study, the efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene inhibitor was evaluated in extending the green life of harvested mature green East African Highland (EAH) bananas including hybrid cooking bananas (Matooke). The main objective was to lengthen the green life of the EAH cooking bananas while maintaining physico-chemical and sensory properties. Five cooking banana varieties, two indigenous (Mpologoma and Nfuuka), and three hybrids (NARITA 2, NARITA 4 and NARITA 16) were evaluated in this study. The choice of varieties was dependent on final consumer acceptability, availability of mature bunches, and ability to change color from green to yellow during ripening. Mpologoma is a popular local cooking variety grown by Ugandan farmers and produced for home consumption. Harvested bunches were declustered, fingers plucked and labelled. Thereafter, 100 fingers from each variety were treated with 1-MCP in sealed boxes for 24 hours, while 100 fingers were kept as a control. The bananas were observed for changes in the physico-chemical and sensory attributes, as well as green life during storage. Data was analyzed using XLSTAT (Student 2020.5.1.1063). The rate of respiration and ethylene production were significantly lower (P<0.05) in 1- MCP treated bananas than in the controls over the green life period. The rate of increase of total soluble sugars (TSS) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control than in treated bananas. 1-MCP treatment did not have a significant effect (P<0.05) on the dry matter content, titratable acidity and sensory attributes of the cooking bananas under study. For texture, no statistical differences (P<0.05) were obtained in the different treatments because according to the settings, no numerical values were obtained from the texture analyser on soft bananas yet 1-MCP treatment delayed softening of the banana peel and pulp especially the hybrids during storage by three to four day. Cooking bananas treated with 1-MCP displayed delayed ripening. Indigenous bananas treated with 1-MCP stayed green for 16 to 18 days while their controls stayed green for about 13 days. On the other hand, 1-MCP treated hybrid banana varieties stayed green for 12 to 13 days while their controls stayed green for about six days. However, no significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the sensory attributes of the steamed bananas (both treated and un-treated green banana samples) during the storage period. Despite that, the sensory characteristics of the indigenous and hybrid cultivars remained significantly different (P<0.05). From the results of the study, it was observed that 1-MCP (at 5 ppm used in this study) can be used to extend postharvest green life of Ugandan indigenous and hybrid cooking bananas by about 5 days while maintaining their physico-chemical and sensory attributes.
KEY WORDS: 1-methylcyclopropene, Ethylene, Indigenous and hybrid cooking bananas, Physico-chemical attributes, Postharvest green life
The microbiology of Uganda’s large freshwater lakes experiencing anthropogenic and climatic perturbations : why it matters—a review
(The Royal Society Publishing, 2025-05-12) Abiriga, Daniel; Odong, Robinson; Bakyayita, Grace Kizito; Semyalo, Ronald; Okello, William; Grossart, Hans-Peter
Intensification of pollution of African water resources due to human activities together with climate change has serious implications for Africa’s blue economy, biodiversity and human health. Despite these overwhelming threats, there is limited research as evidenced by the underrepresentation of Africa-based data in global ecological and biochemical models. This review, therefore, aims to highlight key challenges and existing research gaps, particularly in Ugandan freshwater ecosystems. We focus on lake
microbiology as this scientific field has been greatly underrepresented.
Aquatic microorganisms are situated at the base of lake food webs and thus play crucial roles in the evolution and maintenance of water quality, attenuation of pollutants, and control of biogeochemical cycling through the microbial loop. Until now, the microbiology of Ugandan lakes has not been systematically studied. Thus, many open fundamental microbial ecology questions need to be urgently addressed to generate valuable information to advance future research, education, management and policy in Uganda and beyond. These include, but are not limited to: identification of microbial taxa and functional genes in relation to anthropogenic and climatic influence; seasonal and spatial variation in species diversity and functions; diversity and functions of planktonic, sediment, biofilm and mat communities; antimicrobial resistance burden; plastisphere communities; and geomicrobiology.
Financial services and financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Uganda : a case of Kampala Capital City
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-10) Mugabe, Julius
The general objective of the study was to examine the relationship between financial services and financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City. The specific objectives of the study were; (i) to examine the relationship between credit services and financial performance, (ii) to establish the relationship between investment services and financial performance, and (iii) to investigate the relationship between saving services and financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City. The study considered a correlation research design considering a quantitative research approach. The study targeted 381owners of SMEs but 278 managed to respond back hence showing 73.0% response rate. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The study revealed that there is a moderately positive and significant relationship between credit services and financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City (r = 0.423, N=278, P-value=0.000) at a 0.01 level of significance. Furthermore, credit services were positive significant predictors of financial performance by 21.6% (Adjusted R Square = .216, p<0.05) with β value (.451**). The study also revealed that there is a moderately positive and significant relationship between investment services and financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City (r = 0.449, N=278, P-value=0.000) at a 0.01 level of significance. Furthermore, investment services positively and significantly predicted the financial performance of SMEs by 17.4% (Adjusted R Square = .174, p<0.05) with β value (.276**). The study further revealed that there is a moderately positive and significant relationship between saving services and financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City (r = 0.477, N=278, P-value=0.000) at a 0.01 level of significance. Furthermore, savings services were the highest significant predictor of financial performance of SMEs by 25.2% (Adjusted R Square = .252, p<0.05) with β value (.409**). Additionally, over financial services with the constructs of (credit services, investment services and saving services) combined influenced the financial performance SMEs in Kampala Capital City by 31.4% (Adjusted R Square = .314, p<0.05) with β value (.206*). The study concluded that effectiveness and efficiency in the financial services (credit services, investment services, and saving services) significantly influences the financial performance of SMEs in Kampala Capital City. The study recommended that SMEs owners and financial institutions need to sit down and make a comprehensive assessment of the existing credit services. There is need to iron out challenges and barriers faced by businesses in accessing credit channels, such as complexities in loan application processes, affordability of interest rates, and removing the physical collateral requirements. It was also recommended that financial institutions need enhance their communication and educational outreach efforts to businesses regarding the diverse investment options available and lastly, it was recommended that banks focus on improving transparency and create more awareness about their savings products, ensuring competitive interest rates, and facilitating more open communication with businesses regarding negotiated terms.