Research Articles [MEWES]https://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/602024-03-28T19:47:10Z2024-03-28T19:47:10ZTanning capacity of Tessmannia burttii extracts: the potential eco-friendly tanning agents for the leather industryCecilia, ChinaNyandoro, StephenNyandoro, StephenJoan, MunissiMihayo, MagutaMeyer, MichaelSchroepfer, Michaelahttps://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/25102024-03-26T00:00:29Z2021-05-15T00:00:00ZTanning capacity of Tessmannia burttii extracts: the potential eco-friendly tanning agents for the leather industry
Cecilia, China; Nyandoro, Stephen; Nyandoro, Stephen; Joan, Munissi; Mihayo, Maguta; Meyer, Michael; Schroepfer, Michaela
In the present study, the tannins from stem and root barks of Tessmannia burttii Harms (Caesalpiniaceae), a plant
species abundantly growing in Tanzania and other parts of Africa, were investigated for their suitability in hides
tanning. Tannin powder was extracted at selected temperatures (30, 50 and 80 °C) and the influence of each
temperature on the crosslinking capacity was evaluated. The interaction mechanism between hide powder collagen
and the tannins was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), trinitrobenzensulfonic (TNBS) acid assay and
amino acid hydrolysis methods. Extraction temperatures showed low influence on crosslinking capacity of the
tannins. However, extract obtained at 50 °C exhibited best performance in terms of gap size between T onset and
T peak. The stem bark extract yield was higher than that from the root bark, but both were within the recommended
ranges. The tannin content (61%) of T. burttii stem bark extract was above recommended value (10%), whereas its
total phenolic content and total flavonoic content were found to be above that of commercial Acacia mearnsii
tannin. The study of cross-linking parameters as a function of pH showed cross-linking to occur via a covalent
mechanism at the basic amino groups. However, the bonds were not resistant to acid hydrolysis. The observed
interaction mechanism indicated that tannins from stem and root barks of T. burttii belong to the condensed
tannin, similar to A. mearnsii (black wattle), a commercial tannin source that was used in this study as a reference.
Findings from this study depict that T. burttii extracts are auspicious eco-friendly alternative source of vegetable
tannins to overcome the use of chromium salts in the leather industry.
The research article was published in the journals of Leather Science
and Engineering 2021
2021-05-15T00:00:00ZFacile biosynthesis of Ag–ZnO nanocomposites using Launaea cornuta leaf extract and their antimicrobial activityMakauki, ElizabethMtavangu, StanslausOnita, BasuRwiza, MwemeziMachunda, Revocatushttps://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/25092024-03-26T00:00:14Z2013-11-14T00:00:00ZFacile biosynthesis of Ag–ZnO nanocomposites using Launaea cornuta leaf extract and their antimicrobial activity
Makauki, Elizabeth; Mtavangu, Stanslaus; Onita, Basu; Rwiza, Mwemezi; Machunda, Revocatus
The quest to synthesize safe, non-hazardous Ag–ZnO nanoomposites (NCs) with improved physical and chemical prop-
erties has necessitated green synthesis approaches. In this research, Launaea cornuta leaf extract was proposed for the
green synthesis of Ag–ZnO NCs, wherein the leaf extract was used as a reducing and capping agent. The antibacterial
activity of the prepared nanoomposites was investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through the
disc diffusion method. The influence of the synthesis temperature, pH, and precursor concentration on the synthesis of
the Ag–ZnO NCs and antimicrobial efficacy were investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized by ATR-FTIR, XRD,
UV–Vis, FESEM, and TEM. The FTIR results indicated the presence of secondary metabolites in Launaea cornuta which
assisted the green synthesis of the nanoparticles. The XRD results confirmed the successful synthesis of crystalline Ag–
ZnO NCs with an average particle size of 21.51 nm. The SEM and TEM images indicated the synthesized nanoparticles to
be spherical in shape. The optimum synthesis conditions for Ag–ZnO NCs were at 70 °C, pH of 7, and 8% silver. Antibac-
terial activity results show Ag–ZnO NCs to have higher microbial inhibition on E. coli than on S. aureus with the zones of
inhibition of 21 ± 1.08 and 19.67 ± 0.47 mm, respectively. Therefore, the results suggest that Launaea cornuta leaf extract
can be used for the synthesis of Ag–ZnO NCs
This research article was published in the Discover Nano 2023
2013-11-14T00:00:00ZEnhancing Innovation and Collaboration in the Leather Processing Industry: A Case Study of the KIWANGO Leather ClusterMgumia, MgumiaTrojer, LenaNungu, Amoshttps://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/24872024-03-21T00:00:27Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZEnhancing Innovation and Collaboration in the Leather Processing Industry: A Case Study of the KIWANGO Leather Cluster
Mgumia, Mgumia; Trojer, Lena; Nungu, Amos
In the era of Industry 4.0, fostering innovation through strong collaboration among universities, industry, and government is crucial. However, the Tanzanian economy has faced challenges due to weak links between these entities. To address this, Sida initiated the Innovation Systems and Cluster Development Program (ISCP-Tz) in partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam. This was followed by a program at COSTECH focused on fostering innovation for socioeconomic development. As part of these programs, 15 clusters, including KIWANGO Leather, were selected for documentation of their experiences. KIWANGO Leather exemplifies successful collaboration between cluster firms, the university, local government, and research institutions. Operationalizing guidelines for collaboration led to cooperative innovations, knowledge exchange, internships, and long-term partnerships established through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The cluster's experiences highlight a non-linear, inclusive innovation process with positive outcomes. This paper aims to showcase this innovative approach and its results, encouraging actors in emerging innovation ecosystems in the Global South to adopt and scale up similar strategies for knowledge co-creation that can contribute to sustainable development. By adopting these approaches and fostering collaborative networks, countries can leverage their resources and expertise to drive innovation, create economic growth, and address societal challenges.
This research article was published in the Research Square, 2024
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZUranium Dissemination with Phosphate Fertilizers Globally: A Systematic Review with Focus on East AfricaMwalongo, DennisHaneklaus, NilsLisuma, JacobMpumi, NelsonAmasi, AloyceMwimanzi, JeromeChuma, FurahaKivevele, ThomasMtei, Kelvinhttps://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/24822024-03-05T00:00:29Z2024-01-09T00:00:00ZUranium Dissemination with Phosphate Fertilizers Globally: A Systematic Review with Focus on East Africa
Mwalongo, Dennis; Haneklaus, Nils; Lisuma, Jacob; Mpumi, Nelson; Amasi, Aloyce; Mwimanzi, Jerome; Chuma, Furaha; Kivevele, Thomas; Mtei, Kelvin
Growing concern has been expressed about uranium (U) accumulation in agricultural soils
caused by the long-term application of mineral fertilizers. More than 80% of naturally occurring
U transfers from phosphate rock (PR), the raw material used in mineral fertilizer production, to
phosphorus (P) fertilizers. These fertilizers are then distributed on agricultural soils, where the U
could accumulate over time and become a risk to the environment. The objective of this work was to
review the reported content of U in P fertilizers, its potential dispersion in soils, and its uptake by
plants in different countries in the world as reported in the literature. The articles for this systematic
review were selected from the Scopus database published between 2003 and 2022. The preferred
reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol were used. A total of
54 articles were assessed based on the standard inclusion and exclusion criteria. U concentrations
in P fertilizers, agricultural soil dissemination, and plant uptake for available data were obtained
and assessed. In order to compare a set of related data from the collected articles, box and whisker
plots showing the distribution of U in P fertilizers are presented by region. The results from the
reviewed articles show that the U concentrations in P fertilizer were in the range of 0.1–653 mg kg−1.
Interestingly, Minjingu P fertilizers from Tanzania, which are used in six East African countries,
showed the highest U concentrations (159 to 653 mg kg−1, average 390 mg kg−1). The reported
U concentrations for these fertilizers are, in fact, comparable to those of conventional low-grade
uranium deposits mined in Namibia and elsewhere. Additionally, approximately 96% of the reviewed
articles indicate that fertilized soil has higher U concentrations than non-fertilized soils, hinting at
a measurable effect of mineral fertilizer use. The review recommends U extraction during mineral
fertilizer production so that potential environmental risks can be reduced and U resources that would
otherwise be lost can be recovered and used to substitute conventional U mining elsewhere.
This research article was published in the Journals Sustainability Volume 16, Issue 4, 2024
2024-01-09T00:00:00Z