Issue 2

The study was conducted to find out the prevalence of Salmonella in dressed and cooked broiler meat in different shops and restaurants in Gazipur and Dhaka city including the sanitary quality. A total of 80 samples of dressed boiler, 88 cooked samples from road side fast food shops and small hotels, and 104 cooked samples from recognized fast food shops and restaurants were subjected to bacteriological isolation and identification. Highest number of Salmonella spp. were 42.5% in road side shops and 16.25% found in super market for dressed meat. Thigh muscle was more prevalent to breast muscle in both market types for dressed muscle. A total of 31 thigh muscles were positive for road side shop and 23 for super market where 26 and 19 breast muscle were positive for road side shop and super market respectively. Among the cooked meat or fried chicken incidence of Salmonella spp. were 23.86% in road side shops and 11.54% found in recognized shops. In case of both market source thigh muscle was highly prevalent in comparison to breast muscle. For cooked meat, a total of 19 thigh muscles were positive for road side fast food shops and small hotels, and 12 for recognized fast food shops and restaurants where 15 and 8 breast muscle were positive for road side fast food shops and recognized fast food shops respectively. Our results highlighted the need of implementing strict hygiene and sanitation standards to reduce the incidence of Salmonella. The prevalence of Salmonella in poultry products can be reduced effectively by identifying and eliminating the sources and contamination sites during slaughter and processing of poultry.

The overuse of antibiotics, chemicals and as well as lack of farm biosecurity and good hygiene practices in poultry production are considered to be contributors for occurring foodborne illness and many significant public health threats reported in both developed and developing countries nowadays. Considering the above, a piloted food safety activity was implemented jointly by the Department of Livestock Services and FAO-Food Safety program, Bangladesh in twenty-five selected poultry (broiler) dense subdistricts of the country. Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) related five (microbial) plus five (chemical) Code of Practices (CoP) were adopted at the farm level (N=500) through farmers’ motivation and intensive participatory training program. It was found that average production cost reduces, the feed conversion ratio decreases and mortality rate decreases that convince increase farm profitability in the bestpracticed farms (n=81). In conclusion, Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) through certifying key control measures can increase profitability in broiler farming and CoP adapted farms found to be less public health hazardous than non-CoP farms in light of food safety and public health grounds.

A survey study was conducted to estimate the cost, returns, relative profitability and practices of Pineapple mono-crop and Pineapple inter-crops production in Madhupur area of Tangail District. Data was collected personally through prepared interview schedule from 60 randomly selected Pineapple growers from Ausnara, Oronkhola, Sonia and Motel bazar union under Madhupur Upazila of Tangail District during July to October 2013. A simple random sampling was followed to select the farmers in the study area. Both tabular and statistical analyses were applied in this study. Cost and return analysis showed that total cost incurred for producing Pineapple mono crop, Pineapple+Papaya and Pineapple+Banana+Aroid were Tk.312849.72, Tk.395894.01 and Tk.377013.25 per hectare respectively. Per hectare net return for Pineapple + Papaya and Pineapple + Banana + Aroid production were Tk.492111.00 and Tk.195704.75 which were higher than that of Pineapple mono crop (Tk.157675.28). On the other hand BCR for Pineapple + Papaya and Pineapple + Banana + Aroid production were 2.24 and 1.52 which were higher than that of Pineapple mono crop (1.50). It represents that both pineapple mono-crop and pineapple inter-crops production are profitable among them Pineapple-inter crops cropping pattern is more profitable then Pineapple-mono crop. About 80% of pineapple growers grow papaya, banana, zinger, turmeric and aroids as intercrops with pineapple. The study identified some crucial problems and probable solutions suggested by the farmer. Finally, some policy recommendations were suggested and avenues for further research were shown.

Street food vending has become an important public health issue and a great concern to everybody. This is due to widespread food borne diseases, due to the mushrooming of wayside food vendors who lack an adequate understanding of the basic food safety issues. Major sources contributing to microbial contamination are the place of preparation, utensils for cooking and serving, raw materials, time and temperature abuse of cooked foods and the personal hygiene of vendors. The objective of the study was to explore the microbiological quality of different street food; Chotpoti, Chanachur, Amra (Spondias mombin) and Jolpai (Elaeocarpus serratus (Veralu / Ceylon Olive) sold by various street vendor at Khulna city, Bangladesh. A total of 20 samples were collected randomly from street vendors and tested for the presence of bacteria following standard microbiological method used for isolation, enumaration and identification of bacreria. All the examined samples were contaminated by various types of bacteria. The total viable count (TVC) in different street food samples was ranged from 9.6 x 10 CFU/g to 5.9x10 CFU/g. Among samples Escherichia coli 8(40%), Staphylococcus spp. 5(25%), Klebsiella spp. 4(20%), Salmonella spp. 1(5%) and Shigella spp. 2 (10%) were isolated. Escherichia coli were found highest 3(50%) Jolpai samples, then another organisms Staphylococcus spp. was found highest 2(50%) in Chotpoti and then Klebsiella spp. was found one in each sample. Therefore, application of sound risk analysis policies is being advocated to provide a scientific base to the host of risk management option which Bangladesh may need to explore to ensure public health and safety.

Veterinary drugs have proven to be one of the most valuable tools in preserving animal health. With an increase in the use and availability of veterinary drugs, residues of veterinary drugs in animal origin food has become a public health concern and has received much attention from government agencies, consumer level, media and other concerned public interest groups. The objectives of the study were to identify the perspectives associated with the poor management for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in Bangladesh so that the development of relevant strategies for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs could be achieved in context of environmental realities in Bangladesh. The survey was interpretive in nature using quantitative methods. A non-experimental and descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. The survey study was carried out at seven divisions (i.e. Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka, Sylhet, Barishal and Chattogram) in Bangladesh during July 2012 to June 2018 by using close ended questionnaires among randomly selected respondents. Survey instruments were also designed to capture the perspectives of two different groups of government veterinarians: Group 1– Veterinary Surgeons of DLS, Bangladesh and Group 2 –Upazila Livestock Officers of DLS, Bangladesh. The findings indicated the knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of respondents. The research findings divulge that different perspectives/dimensions associated with economic loss, compensation support, awareness, ethical motivation, monitoring system, proper legislation and guideline, cooperative and group livestock production as well as marketing system had „moderate to substantial role‟ with the management for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in Bangladesh. Besides these, findings also indicated that other perspectives/dimensions associated with allocation of subsidies and Bank loan with low interest, opportunity of livestock/ poultry insurance services, capacity enhancement for monitoring system, availability of technology to producers level, extension work with motivation, magistracy empowerment for veterinarians, legal influence, capacity enhancement of DLS staff, building of public awareness on drug residue problem and availability of effective equipment as well as modern analytical techniques for diagnostic analysis of chemical/drug residues also had „moderate to substantial role‟ with the development of relevant strategies for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs. Findings indicated that the two groups of veterinarians possessed near to similar/same perceptions across different dimensions/perspectives associated with the development of relevant strategies for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in Bangladesh and that no significant differences in perspectives existed (p> .05). Findings of this study could be implemented for formulation of effective policy as well as guideline with the development of relevant strategies for maintenance of withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in context of environmental realities in Bangladesh.

The study was conducted in the selected sampling spots of sanctuary and non-sanctuary areas viz, Chor bhoirobi, Kaligonj, Ramgoti, Sureswar, Gajaria and upper area of Tarabunia  to assess the impact of sanctuary on the abundance and biodiversity of fishes in the river Meghna from September 2015 to December 2015. Seven physicochemical parameters viz water temperature, air temperature, dissolve oxygen (DO), free carbon dioxide (Free CO₂), pH, total alkalinity and  total hardness, plankton community both phytoplankton and Zooplankton and CPUE with species composition of the river Meghna were studied. In the sanctuary area, Air temperature was found lowest 22.0°C ±1.1 in Ramgoti and highest 33.5°C±0.5 in Chor bhoirobi area of the river Meghna. Water temperature was found ranged from 20.8°C ±0.5 to 32.5°C ±0.2 in Kaligonj. Concentration of dissolve oxygen was found lowest 4.9± 0.1 mg/l in Ramgoti and highest in Chor bhoirobi 6.0±0.2 mg/l. Free carbon di oxide was found highest in Ramgoti 19±0.8 mg/l and lowest in Chor bhoirobi  13.4±0.4 mg/l. P^H was found ranged from 7.2±0.6 in Kaligonj to 7.9±0.2 in Chor bhoirobi. Total alkalinity was found highest in Ramgoti 85±11.2 mg/l and lowest in Chor bhoirobi 72.7±4.7 mg/l. Total hardness was found highest in Ramgoti 150.0±45.1 mg/l and lowest in Kaligonj 52.0±12.7 mg/l. In the non sanctuary area, Air temperature was found ranged from 21.10°C ±1.0 to 33.2°C±0.8 in Gajaria and area of the river Meghna. Water temperature was found lowest 17.8°C ±1.3 in Gajaria and highest 31.2°C ±0.6 in Upper Tarabunia. Concentration of dissolve oxygen was found lowest 5.0± 0.3 mg/l in Gajaria and highest in Upper Tarabunia 5.9±0.1 mg/l. Free carbon di oxide was found highest in Gajaria 19.7±1.5 mg/l and lowest in Sureswar 16.2±0.7 mg/l. P^H was found ranged from 7.3±0.6 in Sureswar to 7.9±0.2 in Gajaria. Total alkalinity was found ranged from 89.3±25 mg/l to 72.5±11.5 mg/l in Sureswar. Total hardness was found highest in Gajaria 89.2±14.9 mg/l and lowest in Sureswar 62.0±26.3 mg/l. Total 40 genera of phytoplankton belongs to Bacillariophyceae Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Myxophyceae and Xanthophyceae were recorded. Total 9 genera of zooplanktons were found with four families namely Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda. Total 56 boats were estimated to be fishing for hilsa between sanctuary and non sanctuary areas of Bangladesh during September to December. Total length of the boats varied between 6.7 and 16.5 m with an average of 13 m.

Medicinal plants play significant role in human health. Besides this all of the Unani, Herbal, Kobiraji, and Homeopath medicine are produced from medicinal plant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical constituents as total phenolics content, free radical scavenging capacity, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoids. Leaves of seven important non-solanaceous medicinal plants namely Boerhavia diffusa (punarnava), Adhatoda vasica (basok), Paederia foetida (gandhabhaduli), Rauwolfia serpentina (sarpogandha), Catharanthus roseus (pink nayantara), Catharanthus alba (white nayantara) and Andrographis paniculata (kalomegh) were extracted for phenolics, chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoids in this  experiment. Total phenolics content in seven medicinal plants in this experiment ranged from 142.44 (C. roseus) to 416.25 (A. vasica) mg GAE/100 g leaf fresh weight. The IC₅₀ value for scavenging 2, 2- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals ranged from 32.12 (C. roseus) to 38.40 (Boerhavia diffusa) mg mL^-1 leaf extract in seven different medicinal plants. Pigments content such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoids were found highest in Adhatoda vasica leaf as 2.347, 0.900, 3.283, and 0.521 mg g^-1 fresh weight, respectively, among all the seven species. We may get highly valuable medicine from Adhatoda vasica (basok) leaf for its superior biochemical constituents, which will help our next generation to treat chronic diseases.

 Diarrhea causes major childhood morbidity and mortality globally. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of childhood diarrhea among under-five children in Southern coastal area of Bangladesh. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted from April to June 2018 among 202 randomly selected children. A structured questionnaire used to collect information on a three month diseases occurrence and other covariates. The association of diarrhea with socio economy, personal and food hygiene practices observed using multivariate logistic regression after adjusting for potential confounders. Prevalence of childhood diarrhea was 10.9%. In bivariate analysis, mother’s education, family income, father’s occupation, hand washing of child before feeding and refrigerator associated with outcomes. In multivariate analysis, father’s occupation, hand washing of child by soap before feeding and having refrigerator in households was associated with childhood diarrhea after controlling the socio-demographic factors (age and gender). Child of unemployed fathers were more likely to have diarrhea than employed father (AOR=0.206; 95% CI: 0.0700.610).Child do not wash hand before feeding (AOR=0.393; 95% CI =0.102-0.511) and households not having refrigerator (AOR= 0.072; 95% CI: 0.007-0.745) had higher odds of diarrhea. The load of diarrhea in this setting was almost double to the national rate. Poor hand washing of child and refrigerator are major risk factor high burden of the disease. Health promotion strategies on proper food storage and child feeding practices are recommended for the prevention of childhood diarrhea.

The study was conducted to determine the fish retailer’s livelihood and socio-economic status in three markets of Jashore for a period of six months from February to August, 2016. The average net profit of fish retailers was found higher in Boro bazaar (Tk.350) followed by Palbari bazaar (Tk.325), Chuadanga Bus Stand bazaar (TK.275). The average age groups of 20-65 years were found among the markets. The study shows that 53% fish retailers had nuclear family and 47% had joint family. Most of the housing conditions were kacha (69%) and Muslim fish retailers were predominant in all markets. Among the total 45 traders interviewed, 42% were illiterate, 31% have primary level education, 24% have secondary level education and none of them had bachelor level of education. It was found that fish retailers of Boro bazaar and Palbari bazaar sold an average of 35 kg fish daily, compared with Chuadanga Bus Stand bazaar 15 kg per day. The daily supply of fish in Boro bazaar can be estimated at 1.6 MT (25 retailers’ × 65 kg) while 0.3 MT (15 retailers × 20 kg) and 0.45 MT (15 retailers × 30 kg) in C.B Bazar and Palbari bazaar respectively. Improvement in basic infrastructure such as, clean water supply, sanitation facilities, adequate drainage and ice facilities are recommended by the present study.

The present study was made to detect the amount of residue degradation rate of insecticides in cauliflower under supervised field trial. Six field trials were carried out sprayed with recommended dose of acephate (2 g/L of water), cypermethrin (1 ml/L of water) and diazinon, malathion, quinalphos and fenitrothion (2 ml/L of water of each), respectively. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days after spray (DAS). The degradation rate of cypermethrin, diazinon, quinalphos and fenitrothion were detected up to 10 days after spray (DAS) in cauliflower, while malathion and acephate could be detected at 5 and 15 DAS respectively. The detected quantities were above Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) up to 7 DAS for quinalphos, Fenitrothion and acephate, 5 DAS for diazinon and cypermethrin and 3 DAS for malathion. Malathion degraded quickly and acephate degraded slowly as compared to other tested insecticides. Therefore, malathion might be use for cauliflower cultivation having waiting period of 5 DAS and incase of diazinon and cypermethrin it was 7 DAS. Quinalphos, fenitrothion and acehate had higher waiting period of 10 DAS which might be due to slower rate of degradation.