The gross nutritional profile of 34 seaweed species from three sites (Mkomani, Kibuyuni and Mtwapa) in coastal Kenya were studied. The crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre and crude ash were determined by the standard AOAC methods while the nitrogen-free extract (NFE) was calculated by weight difference of the chemical components. The chemical constituents of the seaweeds varied significantly among the algal divisions, species, months and sites (p<0.05). The major chemical components was the NFE with a mean value of 42.09 ± 0.83% dry weight (DW) followed by crude ash (31.94 ± 0.78% DW), crude fibre (14.08 ± 0.26% DW), crude protein (10.09 ± 0.26% DW), whereas the least component was crude fat with a mean value of 1.81 ± 0.04% DW (p<0.05). The crude protein levels were positively correlated with nitrogen content and in crude fibre and negatively with NFE, crude fat and crude ash (p<0.05). The findings on the gross nutritional profile of the seaweeds in this study could be used as a basis for more advanced research on nutritional information guideline and as potential resources for seaweed-based products for improved human and animal nutrition.

Maize production is increasingly challenged by climate change, which affects plant physiology, fungal colonization, and mycotoxin contamination. Aspergillus flavus, a saprophytic fungus, thrives in warm, dry conditions, leading to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation, and posing significant food safety risks. Macro- and micro-climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation, influence kernel development, leaf wetness duration, and mycotoxin biosynthesis. Nitrogen availability and irrigation play crucial roles in modulating plant responses to these stressors, affecting chlorophyll content, yield parameters, and fungal interactions. To investigate these interactions, a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed from 2020 to 2022 to assess physiological changes in SY Orpheus maize hybrid under varying climatic conditions. Rising temperatures and declining relative humidity (RH) significantly reduced kernel number per ear length from 25.60 ± 0.34 in 2020 to 17.89 ± 0.39 in 2022 (p < 0.05), impacting yield. The AFB1 levels peaked in 2021 (156.88 ± 59.02 µg/kg), coinciding with lower humidity and increased fungal stress. Water availability improved kernel numbers and reduced AFB1 accumulation (p < 0.05) but did not significantly affect the total fungal load (p > 0.05). Nitrogen supplementation enhanced plant vigor, suppressed AFB1 biosynthesis, and influenced spectral indices. Potential confounding factors such as soil variability and microbial interactions may require further investigations.