Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Natural SciencesWelcome to the Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences located at the University’s Main Campus. It derives its inspiration from Gary Magadzire who was the first president of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and an agriculturalist in nature. Science and Agriculture have always been integral components of the Zimbabwean culture as evidenced by the sophisticated architectural designs and economic system which sustained the communities that resided at and around the Great Zimbabwe Monuments.http://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/52024-03-28T15:25:46Z2024-03-28T15:25:46ZIsolation and characterization of biosurfactant producing microbes isolated from the gastrointestinal system of broiler birds fed a commercial dietChigede, NgavaiteChikwambi, ZediasMpofu, Irvin D. T.Madzimure, Jameshttp://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6902024-03-27T09:57:38Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZIsolation and characterization of biosurfactant producing microbes isolated from the gastrointestinal system of broiler birds fed a commercial diet
Chigede, Ngavaite; Chikwambi, Zedias; Mpofu, Irvin D. T.; Madzimure, James
Antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR) from improper use of antibiotics in various livestock products is a growing hazard for humans worldwide, with current death rate in excess of 700,000 per annum linked to the problem. Microorganisms are a rich source of structurally distinct bioactive compounds designed to protect the microbes and can offset AMR chal lenge. A study was conducted at Chinhoyi University of Technology to isolate, identify and characterize biosurfactant secreting microbes from broiler bird’s gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of variance was performed in Genstat software. 16S rRNA technique was used to identify the DNA of isolates, annotated by similarity using BLASTn analysis against the NCBI nucleotide database. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the BLASTn outcome to have an appreciation of the evolutionary genetic relationships. Small intestine-derived samples had a wider hemolytic activity of 5.6 mm, with a 39% emulsification index. At 98.29%
sequence similarity, the bacterium producing biosurfactants was identified as an Escherichia coli strain similar to the 7.1994/NIST 0056 strain. The biosurfactant substance is a derivative of decane with beta lactams, tetracyclines and sulfa drugs properties which were respon sible for the observed antibacterial activity. We recommend endogenous biosurfactant pro duction optimization experiments and in-vivo trials to evaluate the potential impacts of a biosurfactant based feed additive in broilers.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZPoultry endogenous biosurfactants based feed additive, a potential counter to Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge: a review.Chigede, NgavaiteMadzimure, JamesChikwambi, ZediusMpofu, Irvin D.T.Muvhuringi, Prosper Brighthttp://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6892024-03-27T09:45:59Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZPoultry endogenous biosurfactants based feed additive, a potential counter to Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge: a review.
Chigede, Ngavaite; Madzimure, James; Chikwambi, Zedius; Mpofu, Irvin D.T.; Muvhuringi, Prosper Bright
Biosurfactants are amphiphilic microbial secretions containing surface-active biomolecules produced on living surfaces, such as microbial cell surfaces or extracellular surfaces. They possess a variety of characteristics that enable secreting microorganisms to withstand a variety of stressful situations, allowing them to conquer a variety of habitats. Biosurfactants also allow secreting microorganisms to destabilize other bacteria in competition for clinging surfaces, habitats, and substrates, ensuring their survival. Periods of extreme stress are unavoidable in birds, resulting in dysbacteriosis and the production of biofilms by less helpful bacteria. This
stressful environment causes a broiler's feed utilization efficiency and immunity to be weakened, increasing the risk of coccidiosis. Farmers utilize a number of antimicrobial treatments to combat decreased immunity and performance, which could lead to drug residue in meat and other poultry products. Residual drugs will exacerbate antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR), which is believed to be around 60% in Zimbabwean cities. The researchers were inspired to look into endogenous biosurfactants after learning about the interesting properties of bacterial metabolites. A desk top study was carried out primarily employing sources to uncover the potential of biosurfactants in the twenty-first century. Many researchers were found to be employing exogenous microorganisms, and the majority of their studies were aimed at cleaning up polluted places. Biosurfactants have a number of features that are relevant to agriculture. Less study has been done on the advantages of endogenous biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are secreted by a variety of microorganisms, primarily bacteria. It is necessary to identify biosurfactant-secreting microbial species and describe their microbial secretions. For the poultry sector, a biosurfactant-based feed supplement can be developed to help combat antimicrobial resistance.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZFeed Management for Smallholder Pig Farming Systems in ZimbabweGombwe, ChipoChigede, NgavaiteHungwe, TinozivaNhara, Rumbidzai BlessingDahwa, EversonMuvhuringi, Prosper BrightMaburutse, Brighton Emmanuelhttp://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6882024-03-27T08:54:34Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZFeed Management for Smallholder Pig Farming Systems in Zimbabwe
Gombwe, Chipo; Chigede, Ngavaite; Hungwe, Tinoziva; Nhara, Rumbidzai Blessing; Dahwa, Everson; Muvhuringi, Prosper Bright; Maburutse, Brighton Emmanuel
Higher costs of commercial feed coupled with a hyper-inflationary envi ronment in Zimbabwe is impeding developments in the pig industry. The perfor mance and economic effect of substituting commercial feed with iso-nitrogenousand iso-energetic on-farm diets in smallholder pig production systems was investi gated. Two diets (sorghum-soyabean and sorghum-sunflower) were compared with commercial pig grower feed to weaner pigs with feed change overs made fortnightly. Diets were restricted at 1.2 kg per pig per day during the first 14 days and adjusted to1.5 kg per pig per day for the next 28 days. Average daily weight gains were signif icantly (p < 0.05) different between treatment diets: 300.0 g; 571.4 g; 757.1 g for sorghum-sunflower diet; sorghum-soyabean diet and commercial pig grower meal diet, respectively. Feed cost analysis indicated that, sorghum-sunflower diet cost US$3.38 to gain a kilogram of live weight, while that of sorghum-soyabean diet was
US $1.79 per each kilogram live weight gain against a US $3.01 per kilogram with commercial feed. On-farm feeds can be used in pig production achieving the same performance goals under smallholder pig farming systems. Substitution of commer cial pig feeds with on-farm protein and energy alternatives improves gross margins.On-farm feed management is instrumental to the smallholder sector as it cushion them from climate change induced feed challenges and inflationary price increases.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZFactors worsening tick borne diseases occurrence in rural communities. A case of Bindura district, ZimbabweMuvhuringi, BrightMurisa, RutendoSylvester, DeliweChigede, NgavaiteMafunga, Kudakwashehttp://ir.gzu.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6872024-03-26T14:12:08Z2022-05-01T00:00:00ZFactors worsening tick borne diseases occurrence in rural communities. A case of Bindura district, Zimbabwe
Muvhuringi, Bright; Murisa, Rutendo; Sylvester, Deliwe; Chigede, Ngavaite; Mafunga, Kudakwashe
Since 2018, Zimbabwe has lost more than 9% of its national beef herd due to tick-borne diseases. Theileriosis is the major suspect among the tick-borne diseases. A survey was conducted to find out factors which are worsening the occurrence of tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe, using Bindura district as a case study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic and general tick-related challenges confronting cattle farmers in the district. Cattle were dying in Bindura district, and tick-borne diseases were suspected to be causing the losses. A smaller proportion (13%) of cattle were not being
dipped regularly, posing risk of providing hosts on which ticks complete their life cycle. More than 50% of the farmers had received some training on animal health issues. It was concluded that cattle were dying of tick-borne disease-related ailments. It was fervently agreed that higher acaricide costs were deterring farmers from sticking to the recommended dipping frequencies. Efficacy of acaricides was compromised since not all ticks were falling-off their host following dipping. The government and private sector were identified as key stakeholders to subsidize acaricides so as to make them affordable to the small-scale communal farmers.
Researchers urged farmers to form smaller groups to boost their purchasing power as they will order the acaricides in bulk. Veterinary services department should improve their surveillance and offer postmortem services on dying beasts.
2022-05-01T00:00:00Z