Mushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various lignocellulosic wastes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran for oyster mushroom cultivation. Pure culture of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kummer) was purchased from YB Plant Micropropagation Plc; Mekelle, Ethiopia. Then, the pure culture was used as inoculum for spawn preparation using sorghum prepared in Microbiology laboratory, Department of Biology, Aksum University. Waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran with 0%, 25% and 50% were prepared. The substrates were mixed with the spawn that has been inoculated with pure culture of oyster mushroom aseptically for their productivity and biological efficiency (BE) for cultivation of P. ostreatus mushroom. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Higher (26.20 ± 19.36) mean weight, pileus diameter (7.90 ± 2.66 cm), total yield (646.4 ± 273.1 g) and BE (64.64 ± 273%) were obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with cornstalk (25%) and wheat bran (25%). And lower (17.92 ± 81.95%) BE were obtained from waste paper (100%). Moreover, the highest (3.88 ± 0.32 cm) mean stalk length was obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with corn stalk (50%). This study revealed that waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran resulted in high BE and total yield. Thus, utilization of waste paper appears to be a promising alternative for the cultivation of oyster mushroom when supplemented with other substrates.

Traditional fermented beverages are drinks produced locally on the basis of ethnic knowledge and consumed nearby the locality of production. Ethiopia is a country where a wide variety of traditional fermented beverages are prepared and consumed. Tella, borde, shamita, korefe, cheka, tej, booka, grawa, areki, and keribo are among the traditional fermented beverages in Ethiopia. This review paper highlights the fermentation process and nutritional value of traditional fermented beverages, microorganisms involved in the traditionally ferreted beverages, the nutritional value and shelf-life of fermented beverages, as well as the bioavailability and safety by collecting recent research articles. These traditional fermented beverages significantly enhance health due to the presence of bioactive compounds and their nutritional value relatively greater than those of nonfermented beverages. The fermentation byproducts of yeast and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) increase the acidity of beverages and are crucial for maintaining the quality and characteristics of fermented beverages. It also helps to reduce the amount of toxins and pathogens in food. Similarly, fermented foods contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help the body to digest food and absorb nutrients. The fermented foods and beverages are important in preventing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal tissues, immune disorders, and cancer. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and tradition on Ethiopian fermented beverages.

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in grade school children in Maksegnit, Northwest Ethiopia. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 155 (40.4%). Among these, Ascaris lumbricoides 122 (31.8%) and Entamoeba histolytica 18 (4.7%) were predominant. Of the total 155 (40.4%) positive individuals, 149 (39%) had a single infection and the rest 6 (1.6%) had double parasitic infections. Of the different variables assessed, age, gender, shoe wearing, and eating raw or undercooked vegetables were not significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites ( ). However, a statistically significant association ( ) was observed between infected children and variables including defecation habit (AOR = 0.216), cleanliness of fingernails (AOR = 0.146), drinking river water (AOR = 0.124), and hand washing habit after defecation (AOR = 0.236) ( ). Regular deworming, education on personal hygiene, and environmental sanitation to both students and their parents shall be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area.

Mushroom is a fungus growing on decomposing substrates. It is the substrate type that affects the yield and quality of oyster mushroom. It can be cultivated by landless people to alleviate poverty. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield performance of oyster mushroom in waste leaves and sawdust. Spawn were purchased from YB Plant Micropropagation Plc; Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. Euclea racemosa waste leaves, Cordia africana waste leaves, and sawdust were prepared and inoculated with the spawn. Cotton husks were used as a control. 60grams of spawn was used for 1000g of each substrate and supplemented with 3 wheat bran and 1 gypsum. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. A one-way ANOVA model was used to indicate significant mean differences at 95 confidence interval between flushes. Treatment means were compared using Turkeys t test. In the first flush, primordial initiation was fastest and took 6.33days in Cordia africana waste leaves and provide higher (166±48.49, 131.6±32.71, 49.66±15.53gram) mean yield and BE (16.6±4.84, 13.16±3.27, 4.96±5.5) in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd flushes, respectively. However, in the 2^nd and 3^rd flushes, a lower (24.66±4.61, 14.66±0.57gram) mean yield was recorded in Euclea racemosa waste leaves. Higher (10.63±1.00, 7.83±3.92, 6.56±2.26cm) mean pileus diameter and pileus thickness (8.3±1.47, 7.76±1.32, 4.10±0.85mm) were noted in sawdust in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd flushes, respectively. This study confirmed that the waste leaves of Cordia africana and Euclea racemosa could be used as an alternative substrate for the cultivation of oyster mushroom.

Probiotics are widely recognized for their potential to promote human health through diverse mechanisms that influence host physiology and microbial ecology. This review synthesizes current evidence on the biological functions, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications of probiotics. A comprehensive narrative literature review was conducted, with 143 records identified, screened, and assessed for eligibility before inclusion in the final analysis. The available evidence indicates that probiotics exert their beneficial effects through modulation of gut microbiota composition, enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity, competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of antimicrobial metabolites, and regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Clinical and experimental studies further suggest potential benefits in the prevention or management of antibiotic‐associated diarrhea, lactose intolerance, allergic diseases, hypercholesterolemia, colorectal cancer, neurological disorders, and heavy metal toxicity. Despite promising findings, probiotic efficacy remains strain‐specific and influenced by host characteristics, dosage, and treatment duration. Challenges related to strain selection, safety assessment, and standardization continue to limit broader clinical application. Overall, this narrative review provides an integrated overview of current knowledge on probiotic functionality, highlights emerging therapeutic opportunities, and identifies key research gaps that should be addressed to support evidence‐based probiotic use.

Mushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various lignocellulosic wastes. This study was conducted at Aksum University with the aim of evaluating the suitability of waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran for Oyster mushroom cultivation. Spawn were prepared in Microbiology laboratory and inoculated into the prepared substrates. Waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran with 0%, 25% and 50% were tested for their productivity and biological efficiency (BE) for cultivation of P.ostreatus mushroom. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Higher (26.20± 19.36) mean weight, pileus diameter (7.90 ±2.66cm), total yield (646.4 ±273.1gm) and BE (64.64± 273 % were obtained from waste paper (50%) +cornstalk (25%) +wheat bran (25%). However, Lower (17.92±81.95%) BE were obtained from waste paper (100%). Moreover, the highest (3.88 ±0.32 cm) mean stalk length were obtained from waste paper (50%) + cornstalk (50). This study revealed that waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran results in high BE and total yield. Thus, appears to be a promising alternative for the cultivation of oyster mushroom. Yet, waste paper without supplement poorly supports the growth of P.ostreatus mushroom.