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Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites secreted by many fungal species and found in many feeds and foodstuffs of especially in plants during their pre-and post-harvest, transportation, processing and storage and are detected in cereal crops. They are capable of causing disease and death in both humans and livestock and thereby induce great economic crisis. This review aims to examine the occurrence, prevention and control strategies of mycotoxins in Ethiopia; they are beneficial to the public and research institutes. Favorable environmental conditions such as temperature and prompting humidity facilitate fungal growth and mycotoxin development. Members of the fungal genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium cause frequent and problematic contamination of foods and feeds. Mycotoxin level of sample can be analyzed by sampling, preparation, extraction followed by a cleanup and detection performed by many instrumental and non-instrumental techniques; the molecular analysis is the best and promising approach. In Ethiopia, ochratoxins, fumonisins and aflatoxins frequently occur retarding crop production and livestock productivity; these in turn affect human health and income. To keep this effect dimmed, mycotoxin control and prevention mechanisms have a key role; prevention strategy weighs the overall effect. Moreover, biocontrol activities shall be strongly encouraged and focus has to be given to the aspect of mycotoxin.

Introduction Antibiotics are commonly used for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. The potency of antibiotics can be affected by factors such as temperature, light, moisture, and storage conditions. Inappropriate storage and transportation of antibiotics may lead to loss of potency earlier than the expiry date. The aim of this study was to determine the potency and associated factors of commonly retailed antibiotics. Method Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on commonly retailed antibiotics in pharmacies that are available in Adama, Ethiopia from March 2018 to June 2018. This study focused on commonly ordered antibiotics such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone. Antibiotics to be tested were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Socio-demographic and related data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method as described in the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guideline. Results Mean inhibition zones of amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone were 14.2 ± 4 mm, 30.9 ± 4.2 mm, 17.47 ± 3.83 mm, and 32.7±1.8 respectively. Out of 164 antibiotics tested, 61% passed the potency test. The potency of antibiotics varies across different countries in which 53.7% and 54.6 of antibiotics from India and Ethiopia passed the potency test. All ceftriaxone tested in this study passed the potency test. Factors such as air condition of pharmacy (X2 = 4.27; p = 0.039), source of all antibiotics (X2 = 5.41; p = 0.02), and source of amoxicillin (X2 = 4.73; p = 0.03) were significantly associated with potency of antibiotics. Conclusions About 40% of antibiotics tested in the current study did not pass the potency test; this warrants further investigation to identify the magnitude of the problem and its causes at a large scale.

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is among the top cereal grains in terms of production and consumption in Ethiopia. It can be typically infected with ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi both in the field and during storage resulting in animal and human health problems. While there is a wealth of information on the presence of OTA in wheat, the incidence of OTA in teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal grain produced and consumed traditionally in Ethiopia and Eretria, remains insufficient. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for OTA analysis in teff and wheat flours and to analyse the characteristic distribution of OTA in teff and wheat flours samples destined for local consumption in Ethiopia using a survey-approach. Wheat and teff flour samples were examined for OTA contamination. OTA was detected in 20% of the teff flour samples and in 50% of the wheat flour samples with median contamination levels of 1.04 μg/kg (limit of detection (LOD) = 0.78 μg/kg) and 7.23 μg/kg (LOD = 0.58 μg/kg) respectively. The validated method for OTA detection and quantification in teff and wheat using HPLC meets the European Union performance criteria for OTA (EC 2006/401) and the Eurachem Guideline validation requirements. An insight into the occurrence of OTA in teff is very valuable because the cereal might provide a lower OTA risk alternative for wheat in Ethiopia. In addition, for the world market, an insight into the occurrence of OTA in teff is important in the light of an increasing interest in teff as a gluten free cereal.

Background Heterocyclic analogs of curcumin have a wide range of therapeutic potential and the ability to control the activity of a variety of metabolic enzymes. Methods 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the structures of synthesized compounds. The agar disc diffusion method and α-amylase inhibition assay were used to examine the antibacterial and anti-diabetic potential of the compounds against α-amylase enzyme inhibitory activity, respectively. DPPH-free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays were used to assess the in vitro antioxidant potential. Results and Discussion In this work, nine heterocyclic analogs derived from curcumin precursors under ultrasonic irradiation were synthesized in excellent yields (81.4–93.7%) with improved reaction time. Results of antibacterial activities revealed that compounds 8, and 11 displayed mean inhibition zone of 13.00±0.57, and 19.66±00 mm, respectively, compared to amoxicillin (12.87±1.41 mm) at 500 μg/mL against E. coli , while compounds 8, 11 and 16 displayed mean inhibition zone of 17.67±0.57, 14.33±0.57 and 23.33±00 mm, respectively, compared to amoxicillin (13.75±1.83 mm) at 500 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa . Compound 11 displayed a mean inhibition zone of 11.33±0.57 mm compared to amoxicillin (10.75±1.83 mm) at 500 μg/mL against S. aureus . Compound 11 displayed higher binding affinities of −7.5 and −8.3 Kcal/mol with penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and β -lactamases producing bacterial strains, compared to amoxicillin (−7.2 and −7.9 Kcal/mol, respectively), these results are in good agreement with the in vitro antibacterial activities. In vitro antidiabetic potential on α -amylase enzyme revealed that compounds 11 (IC 50 =7.59 µg/mL) and 16 (IC 50 =4.08 µg/mL) have higher inhibitory activities than acarbose (IC 50 =8.0 µg/mL). Compound 8 showed promising antioxidant inhibition efficacy of DPPH (IC 50 = 2.44 g/mL) compared to ascorbic acid (IC 50 =1.24 g/mL), while compound 16 revealed 89.9±20.42% inhibition of peroxide generation showing its potential in reducing the development of lipid peroxides. In silico molecular docking analysis, results are in good agreement with in vitro biological activity. In silico ADMET profiles suggested the adequate oral drug-likeness potential of the compounds without adverse effects. Conclusion According to our findings, both biological activities and in silico computational studies results demonstrated that compounds 8, 11, and 16 are promising α -amylase inhibitors and antibacterial agents against E. coli , ...