Publications

2014

Silvanus, SK, Veronica N, Hudson N, Isaac J, Fredrick O.  2014.  Assessment of mineral deficiencies among grazing areas in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 3:44-48. AbstractInt. J. Nutr. Food Sci

Description
A study conducted in the major grazing areas of Uasin Gishu involved twenty-eight (28) soils, twenty-eight (28) forage and forty-two (42) serum samples collected in six divisions at different sites. The purpose of the study was to determine the macro-and trace elements in soils, forages and animal serum, and compare to the recommended standards so as to identify those that could be presenting deficiencies in the area. Soils were extracted for available macro-minerals; Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) magnesium (Mg) and trace elements; Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn; the forage samples were assayed for the same elements plus phosphorus as total concentration on dry matter (DM) basis while blood serum was analyzed for the same forage elements plus molybdenum (Mo). Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and UV/visible spectrophotometer were used to analyze the metal elements and molybdenum respectively. Soil and Forage analysis of samples from southern region including Kesses and Ainabkoi revealed lower levels in both macro and trace elements analyzed. Serum samples from grazing areas situated in southern region revealed similar deficiencies in most minerals. The factors responsible for the variations as soil pH, forage species and cattle breed were investigated using correlation analysis.
Tum, PK, Oduor FDO.  2014.  Effects of Calcination Temperature on Titanium dioxide Photocatalyst Morphology. The Journal of Kenya Chemical Society . 8(1):28. AbstractThe Journal of Kenya Chemical Society

Description
Organic compounds can be degraded photo catalytically using titanium dioxide (TiO2). In this study, the effect of calcination temperature on the morphology of TiO2 catalyst prepared from an aqueous suspension of ‘anatase paste’of concentration 10g/l. TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area determination techniques to determine its morphological properties which include crystalline size, particle size and specific surface areas vis-à-vis temperature. For TiO2 produced from ‘anatase paste’, an increase in calcination temperature from 300 C to 900 C resulted in an increase in particle size and decrease in surface area. Higher calcination temperature favoured formation of larger particles. Data obtained from XRD measurements show that particle crystal size calculated using Scherer’s formula increased with an increase in calcination temperature.

2013

Lelon, JK, Jumba IO, Keter JK, Oduor FDO.  2013.  Influence of Acacia senegal varieties on quality of gum arabic in Baringo District, Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science. 7(6):190-200. AbstractAfrican Journal of Plant Science

Description
A study was done to determine the influence of Acacia senegal variety senegal and var. kerensis on quality of gum arabic in Solit, Kapkun, Kimorok and Maoi, Marigat division, Baringo District. Soil and gum arabic samples were collected, dried and analysed to establish their chemical characteristics. Gum nitrogen from A. senegal variety senegal in Kapkun and Solit was negatively correlated to soil nitrogen (r=-0.28), while gum nitrogen from variety kerensis at Kimorok and Maoi was positively correlated to soil nitrogen (r= 0.16), respectively. High nitrogen content in soils was significantly correlated to high content of nitrogen (0.30%) in gum arabic obtained from the A. senegal varieties. Gum copper was highly correlated to soil copper (r= 0.09; P< 0.01), soil iron was highly correlated to gum iron (r= 0.09; P< 0.05) and soil manganese and gum manganese was negatively correlated (r=-0.08; P< 0.05). Gum zinc from A …
Shisia, KS, Ngure V, Nyambaka H, Oduor FDO.  2013.  Effect of pH and forage species on mineral concentrations in cattle breeds in major grazing areas of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2(12):247-254. AbstractInt J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci

Description
The nutrition of grazing animals is a complicated interaction of soils, plants, and animals (Rocky, 2013). The performance and health of grazing livestock is dependent on the adequacy and availability of essential mineral elements from pastures. Grazing livestock requires an understanding of the dynamics of a broad range of forage nutrients (Provenza, 2003). This means that adequate intake of forages by grazing animals is essential in meeting mineral requirements. The ability of forage minerals to meet grazing livestock mineral requirements depends upon quantity (the concentration of minerals in the plant) and the bioavailability of those minerals (amount livestock can absorb from the digestive tract). Although mineral concentrations in the forage might be adequate, the percent that is available to the livestock might be much lower (Khan et al., 2006).

2012

Shisia, KS, Nyambaka H, Oduor FDO, Ngure V.  2012.  Mineral deficiency diagnosis in grazing cattle of Usin Gishu District, Kenya. Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology. 4(13):229-233.

2011

Shisia, KS, Murungi J, Nyambaka H, Jumba IO, Oduor FDO, Ngure V.  2011.  Soil-Plant composition in relation to mineral requirements for grazing cattle in Uasin Gishu District. Journal of Technology & Socio-Econmic Development. 1(1)

2010

K, LJ, Jumba IO, Keter JK, Wekesa Chamuku W, Oduor FDO.  2010.  Assessment of Physical Properties of Gum Arabic from Acasia Senegal Varieties in Baringo District, Kenya.. African Journal of Plant Science. 4(4):95-98.
Wainana, G, Oduor FDO, Kisia SM, Ogana W, Kisia SS, Kock RA, Jumba IO.  2010.  Diagnosis of Trace element Nutritional Disorders in Herbivores: A Case Study in lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. diagnosis_of_trace...0001.pdfWebsite

2009

Ooko, GO, Masenge E, Gitari FK, Oduor FDO, Mavuti KM, Wandiga SO, Kariuki DK.  2009.  The Nairobi river basin programme; assessment of the Nairobi rivers. AbstractThe Nairobi river basin programme; assessment of the Nairobi rivers

Nairobi Rivers have deteriorated over time due to rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization coupled with poor urban planning. The water is currently considered unfit for human use thaugh it continues to be used for urban agriculture and drinking at Athi River where Nairobi Rivers drain thus exposing human to a risk of adverse hiealth effects. Water was collected from 14 sites 0101'19 the three rivers and enclysed for physiccl-chemicclpcrcme ter-s, pesticides, PCBs, and coliforms, Benthic mccroinver-rebrctes were also investigated. Most of the investigated parameters were above the recommended levels by NEN\A and 'NHO "for dripking water. Low diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates .. was a good indication o.f. p. oor water quality. This calls for a serious government intervention in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals MDGs

2008

Oduor, FDO.  2008.  Investigation of chromium, copper, cobalt and molybdenum in some cereals consumed in Kenya. Cell Biology and Toxicology. 24:20.

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