Browsing by Author "Mwangi, J. M."

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    Antidiabetic Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Acacia nilotica in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice
    (Elsevier Masson, 2015) Mwangi, J. M.; Ngugi, M. P.; Njagi, E.N.M.; Njagi, J. M.; Agyirifo, S. D.; Gathumbi, K. P.; Muchungi, N. A.
    Diabetes is increasingly affecting a growing number of patients and seriously reducing their quality of life. Use of conventional drugs in diabetes management is expensive, thus, unaffordable to most patients. Furthermore most of these conventional drugs are associated with undesirable side effects. Incorporation of herbal medicine into conventional healthcare system may significantly improve the overall healthcare system. Evaluation of efficacy and safety by scientific method is necessary to validate herbal medicine utilization, in most cases even where efficacy of the plants has been established the standard dosage required to bring about healing is not clear. This study was designed to designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of aqueous leaf extracts of Acacia nilotica in alloxan induced diabetic mice. As the results show, the aqueous leaf extracts of A. nilotica showed antidiabetic activity. The intraperitoneal route of herbal extract administration was found to be more effective than the oral route. Further, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extracts of A. nilotica indicated the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. However, cardiac glycosides and phylobatanins were not detected.
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    The effects of training on the performance of small and medium enterprises SMEs in Mt.Kenya region : a case of SMEs funded by K.I.E within Embu and Nyeri Districts
    (2012-01-04) Mwangi, J. M.; Bett, S. K.
    This research project was concerned with the effect of training on small and medium enterprises. Without training, small and medium business enterprises performance will be greatly affected thus making it hard for them to achieve their goals and objectives. Lack of training affects the performance of the small and medium size business enterprises. Training is essential for the smooth operations and running of these enterprises. Without training no enterprise will prosper. The aim of the research was to establish whether there is a relationship between training and performance for small and medium business enterprises. Performance was operationalised to mean profitability, market growth, market share, competitive edge, acquisition of skills and technology. The researcher was of the view that lack of training has a negative impact on performance of these enterprises. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of training on SMEs. The researcher used various methods to collect primary and secondary data. He made use of structured and unstructured questionnaires to collect primary data. He also made use of literature review to collect Secondary data. The data was then analyzed using statistical tools such as pie charts, table graphs and bar graphs. Analysis of the data was done by excel spread sheet. The researcher used area cluster sampling method. The target population was 500 enterprises operating in Nyeri and Embu Districts. The research was focused on 100 employees (owners or managers) who formed the sample size.
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    First Report of Globodera Rostochiensis Infesting Potatoes in Kenya
    (British Society for Plant Pathology, 2015) Waceke, J. W.; Mwangi, J. M.; Kariuki, G. M.; Grundler, F. M.
    Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the second most important food crop in Kenya after maize (MOA, 2007). However, increased production in Kenya has been constrained by various factors including pests and diseases. Potato cyst nematode (PCN) is a major threat to potato production in various parts of the world leading to losses of up to 80%, and sometimes total crop failure. However, it has been reported in only a few countries in Africa (Knoetze et al., 2006). Early detection and identification of PCN is essential in designing proper regulatory measures to thwart further spread as well as designing a proper management strategy (Hlaoua et al., 2008). The aim of this study was to investigate whether PCN is present in potato producing areas of Nyandarua County, Kenya.
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    Occurrence and abundance of plant parasitic nematodes in cabbage-based cropping systems in Kenya
    (Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN), 2014) Waceke, J.W.; Mwangi, J. M.; Kariuki, G. M.
    A survey was conducted to determine the incidences of plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) and factors enhancing population build-up in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var capitata)-based cropping system in selected agro-ecological zones of Kenya. Samples were collected from sixty cabbage growing farms in Nyandarua and Embu Counties. Nematodes assay was conducted for both root and soil samples. Extraction of PPN from soil and root sample was done using modified extraction tray method and modified maceration extraction technique respectively. Extracted nematodes were enumerated, identified to genus level and their frequencies of occurrence and abundance determined. Nematodes belonging to various genera were found associated with cabbage in six agro-ecological zones. The study revealed that cabbage is a preferable host to lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus) with 87% and 58% frequency of occurrence in soil and roots, respectively. The mean population of this nematode in soil and root samples was significantly different from other nematode general. Meloidogyne spp. were present at low frequency of 42% and 23% in soil and roots and density 6.36/100 cm3 of soil and 1.1/10 g roots. Helicotylenchus spp. were recovered in significant numbers with 82% frequency of occurrence in rhizosphere and 27% in roots and a density of 26.28/100 cm3 in soils and less than 1 nematode per 10 g of roots. Tylenchorhynchus spp. occurred in 67% of the soil samples while Paratrichodorus, Trichodorus and Paratylenchus spp. were present in 78%, 57% and 58% frequency of occurrence in the cabbage rhizosphere but at a low population density. Other PPN detected in low frequencies of occurrence and density include; Tylenchus, Scutellonema, Xiphinema spp. among others. The study encourages more research work to establish the economic importance and the management of the reported nematode pests.