The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of 17 edible wild fruits that are widely distributed and consumed in Malawi for pharmacological value exploration. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were performed in aqueous and methanolic fruit extracts. The results showed that the extracts contained alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and quinones. Piliostigma thonningii had the highest total phenolic content (1675.33 ± 12.34 mg GAEg^-1 FW) in methanolic extracts, and Annona senegalensis gave the highest levels of total flavonoid content (649.67 ± 2.08 mg RE g^-1 FW) in aqueous extracts. The results of antioxidant activities (FRAP, TAA, and DPPH) varied widely, and the variations were significant (P < 0.05). Thespesia garckeana and Mangifera indica exhibited a high ability to chelate metal cations in methanolic extracts and in aqueous extracts, respectively. DPPH levels were higher in aqueous extracts and ranged from 11.07% to 99.61%. This study provides evidence that the studied edible fruits of Malawi have potential as value‐added products for various treatments of oxidative stress‐associated ailments as they contain more phytochemical constituents. We recommend further studies to determine if the presence of a particular class of phytochemicals would translate into the bioactivity capability of these edible fruits.

Terrestrial orchid tubers are an important source of food in some parts of Africa and are traditionally included in the diets of most rural communities in Malawi. However, there is limited information on the nutritional and phytochemical content of the Malawian orchids to substantiate their traditional use. The present study evaluates the nutritional and phytochemical variation of four orchid species: Disa zombica, Satyrium buchananii, Satyrium carsonii, and Satyrium trinerve, collected from the same ecological zone of Malawi. The proximate content, minerals, phytochemicals, and functional properties were analysed using official procedures. Protein ranged from 2.19% to 4.65%, whereas carbohydrate ranged from 65.24% to 80.22%, with S. carsonii and S. trinerve registering the highest protein and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Iron and potassium were highest in D. zombica, while sodium and calcium were highest in S. buchananii. The total phenolics ranged from 228.56 to 500.00 mg GAE/100 g, with D. zombica registering the highest. The water absorption capacity ranged from 4.10 to 10.88 g/g. Despite variable levels, the study provides evidence that orchid species contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals important for human nutrition and health. Furthermore, the functional properties can be utilised in the development of food products, such as baked products.

Background: COVID-19 has been the greatest challenge the world has faced since the second world war. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of COVID-19 in both space and time in Malawi.Methods: The study used publicly available data of COVID-19 cases for the period from 24^th June to 20^th August, 2020. Semiparametric spatial temporal models were fitted to the number of weekly confirmed cases as an outcome data, with time and location as independent variables.Results: The study found significant main effect of location and time with the two interacting. The spatial distribution of COVID-19 showed major cities being at greater risk than rural areas. Over time the COVID-19 risk was increasing then decreasing in most districts with the rural districts being consistently at lower risk.Conclusion: Future or present strategies to avert the spread of COVID-19 should target major cities by limiting international exposure. In addition, the focus should be on time points that had shown high risk.

Terrestrial orchid tubers are an important source of food in some parts of Africa and are traditionally included in the diets of most rural communities in Malawi. However, there is limited information on the nutritional and phytochemical content of the Malawian orchids to substantiate their traditional use. The present study evaluates the nutritional and phytochemical variation of four orchid species: Disa zombica, Satyrium buchananii, Satyrium carsonii, and Satyrium trinerve, collected from the same ecological zone of Malawi. The proximate content, minerals, phytochemicals, and functional properties were analysed using official procedures. Protein ranged from 2.19% to 4.65%, whereas carbohydrate ranged from 65.24% to 80.22%, with S. carsonii and S. trinerve registering the highest protein and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Iron and potassium were highest in D. zombica, while sodium and calcium were highest in S. buchananii. The total phenolics ranged from 228.56 to 500.00 mg GAE/100 g, with D. zombica registering the highest. The water absorption capacity ranged from 4.10 to 10.88 g/g. Albeit variable levels, the study provides evidence that orchid species contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals important for human nutrition and health. Furthermore, the functional properties can be utilised in the development of food products, such as baked products.

This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of two medicinal plants from Malawi: Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Euphorbia ingens. Plant extracts were obtained sequentially macerating the root powder with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminum chloride methods, respectively, while antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated using the disc diffusion method. Flavonoids ranged from 13.40 to 30.27 mg/g for Z. chalybeum extracts and 21.76 to 66.27 mg/g for E. ingens, with the highest amounts in ethyl acetate extracts of both plants. Both plants had the highest amounts of total phenolics in methanol extracts, with Z. chalybeum and E. ingens exhibiting 284.85 and 351.59 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity test showed that E. ingens, with IC50 values of 11.28 and 12.85 ?g/mL for the aqueous and methanol extracts, respectively, is a stronger antioxidant than Z. chalybeum. The FRAP activity was highest in methanol extracts for E. ingens (2831.77±179.02 mg/g) and Z. chalybeum (799.15±32.43 mg/g). Both plants exhibited more potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus compared to P. aeruginosa. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of Z. chalybeum showed significant activity against S. aureus with MIC values of 1.56 mg/mL, demonstrating their strong inhibitory potential. The study has revealed that both E. ingens and Z. chalybeum roots would be excellent natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents.