Department of Biology

URI for this collectionhttps://rps.wku.edu.et/handle/123456789/45779

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    MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY ANALYSIS AND MARKETING OF RAW COW MILK IN SELECTED AREA OF GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGION
    (WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2025-08) AYELE TADELE ATIRF
    Raw cow milk is crucial for nutrition and income in Ethiopia’s, particularly in Gurage Zone. In this zone, smallholder dairy farming plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, and consuming unpasteurized raw cow milk alongside “kocho”a stable food derived from “Enset” is a common practice. However, traditional milk handling methods, coupled with inadequate hygiene awareness and insufficient sanitation measures during milking, storage and transportation, contribute to a decline in milk quality and pose health risks. Conversely, there is no comprehensive study exists in Wolkite, Gummer and Ennor, leaving a critical knowledge gap. This study was aimed to assess milk handling practices, physicochemical properties, microbial quality analysis, identification and prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and marketing of row cow milk in selected areas of Gurage zone. For survey part, data were collected using semistructured questionnaire from a total of 338 respondents (producer and vendor) that were selected from three study sites. In addition, a total of 60 milk samples were collected for physicochemical and microbial quality analysis. Findings revealed that small-scale milking was predominantly managed by women (95.86%), with most households owning 1–3 cows. Commonly cows fed natural grass, crop residues and Enset, with milking performed twice daily (73.37%) but wolkite 100% achieving in barns (94.08%). Hygiene gaps were identified, including minimal detergent use and reliance on plastic and clay containers for milk storage. Traditional cleaning and smoking of milking utensils commonly used local plants like Weyira (Olea africana), Tid (Juniperus procera) in Gummer district highland area used Kosso (Hagenia abyssinica) significantly reduce spoilage and extend milk shelf life. Most milk is sold informally; Gummer and Ennor process it into other products, while Wolkite mainly sells raw cow milk.Physicochemical analysis indicated deviations from Ethiopian and EU standards, Vendor milk exhibited lower pH (5.40–6.50), higher acidity (0.18–0.27%) and inconsistent specific gravity (1.0123–1.031), suggesting spoilage and possible adulteration. Chemical composition analysis indicated higher total solids, protein and ash content in producers’ milk compared to vendor milk, reflecting significant quality loss. Microbial analysis revealed alarming contamination, with TPC (6.23–6.66 log cfu/ml), YMC(3.15–4.12 log cfu/ml), CC (4.95–5.77 log cfu/ml exceeding the acceptable safety limits, highlighting significant hygiene concerns. Pathogenic bacteria like E. coli, S. aureus and salmonella were detected at worrying rates, indicating poor hygiene and fecal exposure. Gummer had the best microbial quality, while Ennor and Wolkite showed the highest contamination risk, This study underscores the urgent need to enhance milk hygiene, handling practices and infrastructure to ensure safety, higher-quality milk production in the Gurage Zone.
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    Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of human and livestock diseases in Kokir Gedebano Gutazer Welene Woreda, Gurage Zone, and Central Ethiopia
    (Wolkite University, 2025-01-30) Tariku Melis Dode
    In an ethnobotanical survey conducted designated rural and urban areas, randomly chosen sites” “were to find the most skilled practitioners who are familiar with treating human illnesses with” “traditional medicinal plants. This ethnobotanical study focuses on medicinal plants used for” “treating diseases in both humans and livestock in Kokir Gedebano Gutazer Welene Woreda,” “located in the Gurage Zone of Central Ethiopia. The study aimed to identify the diversity of” “medicinal plants and their applications in healthcare. Utilizing adescriptive research design,” “qualitative and quantitative methods were employed the study employed a combination of simple” “random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Data collection methods included field” “visits, interviews, and participant observation. From the 34 kebeles in Kokir Gedebano Woreda,” “three kebeles were selected based on their agro-climatic zones: Ambelta Kebele lowland Tilamo” “Kebele midland, and Kentwat in highland. Research design descriptive research method was” “used because descriptive method used to describe research was qualitative and quantitative” “approaches The majority of medicinal plants were found in cultivated areas, with fewer collected” “from natural environ in average the three kebele medicinal plants of cultivated land (77.43%)” “forest (22.53%). Regard to plant families, the highest species richness consisting of 6 (8.69%)” “family solanaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae decrease respectively and Lamiaceae 5 (5.79%) each” “families and next families Cucurbitaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae 4 (4.34%) each” “families.ments. Additionally market surveys, focus group discussions, and ethnobotanical data” “analysis. Preference ranking and informant consensus factors were assessed using the” “Informant to evaluate the effectiveness of the medicinal plants across various disease” “categories. The research area's medicinal plant variety was determined by collecting and” “identifying 71 species of medicinal plants from 64 genera and 40 families. The cultivated land” “was where the majority of the medicinal plants were gathered, 54 medicinal plant species” “gathered in the study area were used to cure human ailments, while 15 were used to treat cattle” “ailments, and 13 were used to treat both. Both official and informal education systems should” “incorporate tested and validated indigenous knowledge indigenous about the traditional uses of” “plants in general and therapeutic applications.” “
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    AN INVESTIGATION OF WOODY SPECIES CONTRIBUTION FOR AGROFORESTERY AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IN MISRAK MESKAN DISTRICT OF MISRAK GURAGE ZONE CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.
    (Wolkite University, 2025-01-30) MOHAMMED KEDIR; Dagne Abebe (Asst. Prof)
    Woody species conservation is an issue of scientific, economic and ecological concern at global level.Woody species play many functions and make a real contribution to farmland” “protection, making them essential parts of an agroforestry system.Farmland plays significant” “role in the woody species conservation. The study was conducted to An Investigation of” “Woody Species Contribution For Agroforestery And Community Management Practice In” “Misrak Meskan District Of Misrak Gurage Zone Central Ethiopia Regional State,” “Ethiopia.Using systematic sampling techniques were representative kebele were selected” “from district . Four kebele and a total of 400 households were included in the study. Data on” “woody species were collected using a line transect across 60 plots, each measuring 40m ×” “40 m, spaced at 100 m intervals on farmland. For all woody species ≥5 cm, the diameter at” “breast height (DBH) was measured. Key materics such as important value index, density,” “dominance, and frequency were computed and analyzed. A total of 20 families and 33 woody” “species were identified and documented.The average basal area of woody species on” “farmland in study area was 0.55 m2. Farmers preferred woody species that provided for fuel” “wood, timber, shade and construction materias, with Fiaderbia albida the most favored,” “followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia abyssinica. The common management” “practices include coppicing and Lopping. Socioeconomic aspects like the size of the farm,” “educational background, and wealth status influenced the management of woody species on” “farmland.With 6 species, the Fabaceae family was the most represented. Fiaderbia albida., Eucalyptus camadulensis., Acacia abyssinica., Balanites aegyptiaca., and Cordia Africana.” “were the most common species, occurring in 85%, 80%, 76%, 68.33%, and 65% of the farms” “that were sampled.Overall, the study demonstrated that an agroforestry system is essential to” “the preservation of woody species.While farmers employ traditional management practice for” “wood species on their farmland,these practices required better support and extention service” “to address existing challenges.” “