Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Study of Medicinal Plants Sold in the Markets of the City of N’Djamena

The use of medicinal plants occupies an important place in traditional Chadian medicine, this study was carried out with the aim of listing the medicinal plants sold in the markets of the city of N’Djamena, and knowledge of the medicinal flora Chad, such as the leaves of Guiera senegalensis in Arabic called Khibeche, the roots of Cassia occidentalis called Am kwala-Kinkéliba in Arabic;the bark of Khaya senegalensis (Desv) A. Juss called Muraї in Arabic and the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum called Helbé in Arabic in order to treat the most frequently cited diseases such as malaria, the common cold, mother and newborn care, and typhoid. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted from September to December 2022, in three markets in the city of N’Djamena, based on individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, with 30 herbalists and traditional practitioners. Phytochemical screening analyses of the organs of four plants were carried out in the chemistry and biology laboratory of the Faculty of Exact and Applied Sciences (FSEA) following a standard protocol established by [1] and slightly modified by [2] [3]. The results of the surveys identified 68 species divided into fifty-five (55) genera and twenty-seven (27) families, the most represented of which were Caesalpiniaceae (10 species), Mimosaceae (5 species) and Combretaceae (4 species). The leaves were the most commonly used parts (43%), with decoction (70%) the most frequently used method of preparation. The oral route was the most popular with 73% of recipes. The phytochemical study revealed a wealth of secondary metabolites such as Trapezoidal Sterols, Alkaloids, Tannins, Flavonoids, Free Quinones, Anthocyane, Anthraquinones, Saponosides and Heterosides. These results can be considered as a source of information for scientific research in the field of phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Characterization and Assessment of the Quality of the Water and Sediments of the Islands (Moudou and Birguime) of Lake Fitri in Chad and Confirmation of the Strains Isolated by the PCR Method

The problem of access to quality water is a major challenge, as it has a major impact on the socio-economic conditions of people in developing countries. The water from the islands of Lake Fitri is one of the main sources of drinking water for the population. The aim of this study is to characterise and assess the quality of the water and sediment from the islands (Moudou and Birguime) of Lake Fitri, and to confirm the strains isolated using the PCR method. A total of fifty (50) samples of water and fifty (50) sediments from the islands of Lake Fitri were analyzed. Standard methods of microbiological and biochemical analysis of water and sediments were used. Isolated Enterobacteriaceae strains were characterized by API 20 E and API Staph galleries and Salmonella was confirmed by PCR method. Antibiotic resistance was determined using a technique recommended by the antibiogram committee of the French microbiology society (CA-SFM, 2019). The microbiological results for the water showed an abundance of total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMF) (4.31 × 106 ± 8.05 × 105 and 5.29 × 106 ± 2.55 × 105) on the Birguime and Moudou islands successively. The microbiological results for the sediment from Birguime and Moudou islands showed an abundance of thermotolerant coliforms (E. coli) (2.05 × 105 ± 5.43 × 104 and 2.27 × 105 ± 3.49 × 104) alternately. The results obtained after incubation of the biochemical tests by the API 20E, API Staph gallery and their numerical profile proposed by the Api software confirmed the contamination. The antibiogram results showed the emergence of certain resistances to the antibiotics Tobramycin, Flucytosine, Amikacin and Teicoplani. The PCR results for Salmonella spp strains were confirmed. As a result, strict monitoring of the water on the various islands of Lake Fitri must be carried out throughout the annual cycle, by specialized personnel, to ensure proper bio-monitoring of these ecosystems.

Optimization of Diesel and Crude Oil Degradation in a Ghanaian Soil Using Organic Wastes as Amendment

Soil contamination by hydrocarbons poses numerous environmental, health and agricultural problems. The degradation of these pollutants can occur naturally but very slowly. It is therefore generally necessary to stimulate this degradation by different means. Thus, this study aimed to improve the bio-degradation of diesel and crude oil in a Ghanaian soil by biostimulation. For this, the sampled soil was characterized by standard methods and contaminated with diesel and crude oil at a proportion of 1% (w/w). Then, contaminated soil samples were supplemented with biochar-compost, poultry manure or cow dung at the proportion of 10% (w/w). Periodically, fractions of these samples were taken to evaluate the density of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) and the residual quantities of diesel or crude oil. The characteristics of the soil used show the need for supplementation for better degradation of hydrocarbons. The results of the study show that supplementing the soil with organic substrates increases HUB loads in soils contaminated by diesel and crude oil. They also show that the residual quantities of diesel and crude oil are generally significantly lower in supplemented soils (p = 0.048 and p < 0.0001 respectively). In addition, the study shows that degradation was generally greater in soils contaminated by diesel compared to those contaminated by crude oil, especially at the end of the study.

Assessment of the Aflatoxin Content of Maize Flours Produced in the Commune of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites present in various foods, especially when production and conservation do not respect good hygiene practices (GHP). In Ouagadougou, maize flour is produced and sold in different structures by actors who do not always respect GHP. Thus, it is necessary to regularly control the quality of these flours. So, this is carried out with the aim to assess the aflatoxin content of maize flours produced in the municipality of Ouagadougou. For this, twenty-eight (28) samples were collected from households, markets and supermarkets in the city of Ouagadougou. Thus, LC/MS/MS analysis was used to assess the aflatoxin content of the samples. The results obtained reveal the presence of total aflatoxins (AFT) in 78.57% of samples analyzed with levels ranging from 0.89 to 64.25 μg/kg. The prevalence of different types of aflatoxins were 57.14% for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 46.43% for aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), 42.86% for aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and 4.6% for aflatoxin G2 (AFG2). The results also show that 80% and 60% of market samples, 70% and 30% of household samples and 37.5% and 25% of supermarket samples do not comply with European Commission standards for AFT and AFB1 respectively. For all the samples, 60.71% and 42.86% of the samples are compliant according to the limits established by the European Commission (EC) respectively for AFB1 and AFT. Regarding the results obtained, producers and processors must be supervised and trained in GHP for the production of better-quality flours.

Pharmacological potential of Populus nigra extract as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,cardiovascular and hepatoprotective agent

Objective:To evaluate antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,hepatoprotective and vasorelaxant activities of Pupulus nigra flower buds ethanolic extract.Methods:Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract were assessed using respectively the ABTS test and the animal model of carrageenan-induced paw edema.Protection from hepatic toxicity caused by aluminum was examined by histopathologic analysis of liver sections.Vasorelaxant effect was estimated in endothelium-intact and-nibbed rings of porcine coronary arteries precontracted with high concentration of U466I9.Results:The results showed a moderate antioxidant activity(40%),but potent anti-inflammatory activity(49.9%)on carrageenan-induced mice paw edema,and also as revealed by histopathologic examination,complete protection against AlCl_3-induced hepatic toxicity.Relaxant effects of the same exlracl on vascular preparation from porcine aorta precontracted with high concentration of U466I9 were considerable at 10^(-1)g/L,and comparable(P>0.05)between endothelium-intact(67.74%,IC_(50)0.04 mg/ml.)and-rubbed(72.72%,IC_(50)=0.075 mg/ml,)aortic rings.Conclusions:The extract exerted significant anti-inflammatory,hepatoprotective and vasorelaxant activities,the latter being cndothelium-independent believed to be mediated mainly by the ability of components present in the extract to exert antioxidant properties,probably related to an inhibition of Ca^(2+)influx.

Phytochemical analysis,hypotensive effect and antioxidant properties of Myrtus communis L.growing in Algeria

Objective:To analyze Myrlus communis chemically and evaluate the hypotensive effects and antioxidant properties of methanol,chloroform,ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts from the leaves of this plant.Methods:Total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant potential of methanol,chloroform,ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts have been investigated by using different in vitro methods.The hypotensive effects of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated in anaesthetized rats by using the method of invasive blood pressure recording.Moreover,ethyl acetate extract was subjected to analysis by different chromatographic methods in order to identify new compounds.Results:Chemical analysis of ethyl acetate extract revealed the presence of myrecitin-3-O-α-rhamnoside.Ethyl acetate extract was found to have the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents with the values of 435.37 ma gallic acid equivalents/g dried weight and 130.75 mg quercetin equivalent/g dried weight,respectively.Ethyl acetate extract also exhibited the highest activity in scavenging 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl.2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid),hydroxy]radical and reducing power:whereas,methanol extract exhibited higher chelating activity than ethyl acetate extract did.Chloroform was found to be strong inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in β-carotene bleaching assay(91.19%).ferric thiocyanate method(87.55%).and thiobarbituric acid method(82.59%) as compared to butylated hydroxytoluene.Intravenous administration of methanol and ethyl acetate extract(0.04 to 12 mg/kg body weight) decreased the maximum mean arterial blood pressure with values of 20.6%and 32.49%at 12 mg/kg body weight,respectively in anesthetized rats.Conclusions:This study provides a scientific basis for the use of Myruts communis in traditional medicine as hypertensive agent as well as additional resources for natural antioxidants.

Effects of Extracts from Albizia （Fabaceae） Endemic Species of Madagascar on Vegetable Seedling Development

The effects of extracts from five Albizia （Fabaceae） endemic species from Madagascar （A. arenicola, A. boivini, A. bernieri, A. polyphylla and A. tulearensis） were tested on vegetable seedling development. Crude extracts were obtained through cold or hot extraction methods on dried powdered seeds, seed teguments, leaves or empty pods. They were thereafter purified using techniques based on physicochemical properties of active substances. Assays were carried out on seedling growth of Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons representatives. Results showed that all extracts exerted significant dose dependent inhibition on epicotyl and hypocotyl growth. However, some extracts exhibited a slight stimulation effect at low doses. Moreover, A. arenicola crude extract （E23） slightly inhibited axillary bud growth, while A. tulearensis crude extract （ET1） showed a stimulation effect. According to preliminary phytochemical screening results, these effects might be due to saponins or alkaloids.

Relaxant Effects of Quercetin and Rutin on Human Isolated Bronchus

Increasing epidemiological evidence supports the view, that quercetin has protective roles in a multitude of disease states in human who have a high intake of polyphenols. To investigate the ability of quercetin and its rutinoside, rutin, to modulate the relaxation of human airways smooth muscle and to determine the mechanism (s) of such relaxation, isolated human bronchus rings were suspended in individual organ baths, precontracted with acetylcholine or with histamine and the relaxing effects of quercetin and rutin were determined by measurement of isometric tension. Quercetin induced concentration-dependent relaxant responses on acetylcholine or histamine precontracted human bronchial rings and with almost equal effectiveness. In terms of potency (pD2) and efficacy (Emax), quercetin is more potent than rutin on relaxant responses of human bronchus. K+ and Ca2+ concentration-dependent contraction curves were inhibited after incubation with increasing concentrations of quercetin. Quercetin potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner the relaxant effects of isoprenaline or sodium nitroprusside. Rutin had no effect on K+-induced contraction and on relaxant activity of isoprenaline or sodium nitroprusside. Our results suggest that the bronchodilator effects of quercetin are modulated by an increase in cyclic nucleotide levels as well as an alteration in availability of Ca2+ to the contractile machinery.

Antioxidative, anti-inflammatory potentials and phytochemical profile of Commiphora africana(A. Rich.) Engl.(Burseraceae) and Loeseneriella africana(Willd.)(Celastraceae) stem leaves extracts

Objective: To assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as well as to determine the flavonoids and phenolic acids content of active fractions.Methods: Two medicinal plant samples were extracted successively in Soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, methanol and n-butanol. Five methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was done through the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes(COX-1 and COX-2).Polyphenolic compounds were analyzed by using a spectrophotometrical and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS) methods.Results: The data showed that the stem leaves extracts of Commiphora africana and Loeseneriella africana possessed significant in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Polar extracts had radical scavenging effects and they reduced iron(III). The prostaglandin production was significantly stopped by acetonitrile and methanol extracts.These biological activities were supported by some bioactive compounds quantified by using the HPLC-MS. p-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin,rutin, kaempferol and apigenin were the most metabolites quantified.Conclusions: The present study may explain the effectiveness of plants in traditional medicine of Burkina Faso, singularly Commiphora africana and Loeseneriella africana.The next investigation was to sub-fractionate the methanol fraction in order to isolate new antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory compounds.

Assessment of flavonoid-rich extracts from dark peels of Ficus carica L.fruits for cosmeceutical and antimicrobial applications

Background:Exploring natural sources to identify new active ingredients for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications is of interest to many researchers.Methods:Flavonoid-rich extracts from dark Ficus carica peels were investigated in the present study.Extracts were prepared from the peels of four dark cultivars(Bakor Noir,Bouankik,Azenjer and Tazegaght)using acidified methanol.The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated by the agar well diffusion assay followed by the minimal inhibitory concentration determination using the microdilution method against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and two fungi.Cosmeceutical properties were evaluated by measuring antioxidant activity,ultraviolet absorption characteristics and sun protection factor values.The antioxidant activity of the extracts was measured using aβ-carotene-linoleic acid system.The toxicity of the extracts was assessed using a brine shrimp lethality assay.Results:The extracts contained high amounts of phenolic compounds(3.85–8.63 g/100 g),mainly flavonoids(up to 5 g/100 g).Multiple antibacterial activities were recorded against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,with the best actions against Bacillus subtilis(minimal inhibitory concentration=156.25µg/mL),Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(minimal inhibitory concentration=312.5µg/mL),but no antifungal activity was recorded.Azenjer extract showed high inhibition of lipid oxidation evaluated by theβ-carotene bleaching assay with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 88.84µg/mL.All extracts showed absorption peaks in the ultraviolet range and Azenjer and Tazegaght extracts at 25 mg/mL presented sun protection factor values>15.The brine shrimp toxicity assay results revealed lethal concentration of 50%values greater than 2,000µg/mL,indicating the safety of the extracts.Conclusion:Therefore,Ficus carica peel extracts could be considered original ingredients with potential applications in the formulation of antibacterial drugs and skincare products.

Toxicological characterization and central nervous system effects of Calotropis procera Ait. aqueous extracts in mice

Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis(C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and rootbark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract(400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera(leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts.

<i>In Vivo</i>Hepato-Protective Properties of the Essential Oils of <i>Boswellia papyrifera</i>(Del.) Hochst (Burseraceae) and <i>Ruta chalepensis</i>L. (Rutaceae)

Objective: Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst and Ruta chalepensis L. are aromatic plants used in the Republic of Djibouti, both as food and medicine. The importance of essential oils of these two species in the treatment of certain pathologies such as inflammations and infections has led to an assessment of their composition in volatile organic compounds and their hepato-protective properties on rats poisoned by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Methods: The chemical composition of essential oils studied was determined by GC-MS. The hepato-protective properties of the essential oils of Boswellia papyrifera and Ruta chalepensis were assessed through inhibition of hepato toxicity in rats by CCl4 poisoning. The hepato-protection of essential oils was estimated by measuring biochemical and hematological parameters. Results: Essential oils of Boswellia papyrifera and Ruta chalepensis reduced the blood level of transaminases and triglycerides at the dependent dosage, and restored liver proteins (0.27 g/l) to levels similar to those rats not poisoned by CCl4. Blood levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine and HDL have also been restored to values similar to those of non-poisoned rats. The chemical composition of the essential oils studied shows that Boswellia papyrifera contains incensole acetate (43.76%) and isoincensole (18.42%), and that Ruta chalepensis contains menthyl acetate (29.8%) and piperitone (22.22%). Conclusion: The studies carried out have shown that the essential oils of Boswellia papyrifera and Ruta chalepensis have a hepato-protective potential similar to that of sylimarin (reference hepato-protective substances). The results show that the essential oils of Boswellia papyrifera and Ruta chalepensis could present good prospects in the formulation of phytomedicines for the management of liver diseases.

Hygienic Quality and Nutritional Value of Attiékéfrom Local and Imported Cassava Dough Produced with Different Traditional Starters in Burkina Faso

Attiéké is an essentially flavour starchy food produced from fermented cassava root. The product is widely consumed in Burkina Faso. The objective of the present study was to investigate the biochemical and the microbiological characteristics of attiéké from Burkina Faso. The samples (36) were collected from six (6) producers. Cassava dough which is used for attiéké production contains from 70.67% ± 0.25% to 86.02% ± 0.2% as starch. The undesirable organic elements rate is about 1.28% ± 0.14% to 26.46% ± 0.53%. The inorganic impurities rate is about 0 to 7 ± 0.1 mg/100g. Cassava dough acidity varies from 1.8 ± 0.2 to 12.4 ± 0.1;and its pH from 3.48 ± 0.01 to 4.20 ± 0.01. Lactic bacteria are the main microorganisms involved in cassava dough fermentation (5.17 to 9.30 log cfu/g). Yeasts and molds number is low (<6.53 log cfu/g). Attiéké moister is about 50.6% ± 0.00% to 55.12% ± 0.7% and its protein contents from 0.77 to 1.74 ± 0.13 g/100g. The content in lipid of attiéké shows an important variation and is about 0.15 to 3.28 ± 0.32 g/100g. Carbohydrates content varies from 36.6 ± 0.04 to 47.01 ± 0.1 g/100g and its ashes content is from 140 to 780 ± 20 mg/100g. Attiéké acidity and pH are less weak than cassava dough. They vary respectively from 0.92% ± 0.05% to 4.08% ± 0.57% and from 3.7 to 4.4 ± 0.01. As a main energizer food, attiéké energizing value is from 161.95 to 215.26 Kcal/100g. All the attiéké analyzed was exempt of aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) and ochratoxin A. The local attiéké has higher acidity, fermented bacteria load, protein and minerals salt than the imported one. The process mastery is the mainly factor that determines nutritional and sanitary quality of attiéké.

Toxic Effects of Seed Methanolic Extracts of Endemic Albizia Species （Fabaceae） from Madagascar on Animals

In order to find natural compounds of interest such as pesticides and therapeutic molecules, toxicological properties of seed methanolic extracts （SME） of nine Malagasy Albizia species were investigated. Toxicity was assessed on living animals by intraperitoneal and oral route, and pharmacological effects on isolated organs. All SME induced various disorders in mice but the signs of the nervous system disturbs were the earliest and the most often observed. The main organ lesions, examined on histological sections, induced vasodilatation, inflammatory infiltrate of neutrophil polymorphonuclears and hemorrhagic areas. At low concentrations （until 20 p.g/mL）, A. masikororum and A. viridis provoked on isolated auricular a positive inotrope effect followed by a progressive inhibition of the contraction and a complete atrial arrhythmia. Besides, A. viridis and A. bernieri induced some hepatic functional impairment after a chronic treatment during one month. Albizia greveana with a LD50 of 1.13-2 mg/kg was the most toxic and Albizia bernieri the least one with a LD50 of 52 mg/kg. Alkaloids and/or saponins, the major chemical groups found by phytochemical screening on these extracts, could be responsible of their toxicity.

Antihymolytic and Antioxidant Effects of Medicinal Plant Capparis spinosa L.

Capparis spinosa L. is a traditionally used plant in Algerian folk medicine to treat asthma, rheumatism and other free radicals related disorders such inflammatory. The present study was designated to study the antioxidant activity of aerial and root parts of Capparis spinosa L.. Total polyphenol content was determined, after extraction with solvents in five subfractions; methanol （CE）, Hexan （HE） chloroform （CHE）, ethyl acetate （EAE） and aqueous extracts （AE）, employing the ＂Prussian blue assay＂. The results showed that EAE containing the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and Flavonoids followed by those of CHE of aerial and root parts, repectively. The antioxidant protective effects of extracts were determined by measuring the erythrocyte membrane resistance to free radical-induced. The results demonstrated that all the extracts exhibited a protective effect against t-BHP induced oxidative damages in human erythrocytes, the most potents wer CEs and CHEs with 86.55%, 85.81%, 74.59%, and 68.70%, for aerial and root parts, respectively, which were more effective than used standards： Quercetin （65.46%） and rutin （59.62%）. In order to more clarify the previous antioxidants activity of the extracts through other mechanisms, the iron chelating ability assays were realized. The results showed that the iron chelating ability of Aerial and root extracts were very considerable; the CE showed an excellent chelating with ICs0 of 0.197 ± 0.031 μM/quercetin equivalent, higher than that used standard EDTA, with approximately 0.34 folds. These results show that Capparis spinosa L. extracts have strong anti-oxidant effects and may have some clinical benefits.

Inhibitory Activity on Xanthine Oxidase and Antioxidant Properties of <i>Teucrium polium</i>

The antioxidative activities of subfractions;methanol (CE), chloroform (CHE) and ethyl acetate (EAE) of Teucrium polium extracts (TPE) were investigated. HPLC analysis of the plant revealed the existence of procyanidins B1 and B2, gallic acid, catechin and epicatechin. All the extracts showed inhibitory properties on xanthine oxidase, with IC50 ranging from 0.80 ± 0.07 to 11.76 ± 0.50 μM/quercetin equivalent. In the cellular system, all the extracts showed a protec-tive effect greater than those of quercetin, rutin and gallic acid against t-BHP induced oxidative damages in human erythrocytes. These results were clearly confirmed by a modified thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS), and β-carotene/linoleic acid assay which demonstrated that CHE possess an inhibition ratio of the linoleic acid oxidation (83.11%) close to that of BHT (96.77%). In addition, the results showed that the extracts possess a potent DPPH radical scavenging activity and gave a reduction power greater than rutin, quercetin, gallic acid and ascorbic acid in FRAP assay. These results show that Teucrium polium extracts have strong antioxidant effects and may have some clinical benefits.

Partial purification,immobilization and preliminary biochemical characterization of lipases from Rhizomucor pusillus

Lipases have important applications in biotechnological processes, motivating us to produce, purify, immobilize and perform a biochemical characterization of the lipase from Rhizomucor pusillus. The fungus was cultivated by solid state fermentation producing lipolytic activity of about 0.5 U/mL(4U/g). A partial purification by gel filtration chromatography in Se-phacryl S-100 allowed obtaining a yield of about 85% and a purification factor of 5.7. Our results revealed that the purified enzyme is very stable with some significant differences in its properties when compared to crude extract. The crude enzyme extract has an optimum pH and temperature of 7.5 ° C and 40 ° C, respectively. After purification, a shift of the optimum pH from 7 to 8 was observed, as well as a rise in optimumtemperature to 60 ° C and an increase in stability. The enzyme was immobilized on CNBr-Agarose and Octyl-Agarose supports, having the highest immobilization yield of 94% in the second resin. The major advantage of immobilization in hydrophobic media such as Octyl is in its hyper activation, which in this case was over 200%, a very interesting finding. Another advantage of this type of immobilization is the possibility of using the derivatives in biotechnological applications, such as in oil enriched with omega-3 as the results obtained in this study display the hydrolysis of 40% EPA and 7% DHA from sardine oil, promising results compared to the literature.

Phytosanitary Practices and Pesticide Levels in Fresh and Dried Mangoes Produced in Burkina Faso

Pesticides are used to control fruit flies and other potential crop pests, particularly mango in Burkina Faso. Pesticides are a potential health hazard for users and consumers and are a major constraint to the export and commercialization of mangoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate phytosanitary practices in orchards and pesticide residue levels in four varieties of fresh and dried mangoes (Amelie, Brooks, Kents and Lippens) produced in four localities in Burkina Faso in order to determine their health impact on consumers. Surveys on pesticide use and monitoring of phytosanitary practices were carried out among 16 orchard owners in the localities of Bobo-Dioulasso, Orodara, Toussiana and Banfora, a high mango production area. Also, a total of 120 samples, including 60 samples of fresh mangoes and dried 60 samples of dried mango were collected. A multi-residue method was developed to detect pesticide levels in the collected samples by gas chromatography with a micro-electron capture detector. The study revealed the use of unauthorized pesticides, often specifically for other crops, and a monitoring trapping network in the orchards against insects. 34 chemical pesticides were detected in 120 samples of all mango varieties collected. Pesticide residues were detected in 72% of the samples, and of the positive samples, 48.52% contained concentrations above the maximum residue limit permissibility. Organochlorine pesticide residues were present in fresh mangoes (60.5%) and a total of fifteen active compounds were detected in dried mangoes. The very poor management and use of pesticides found in these orchards could pose a threat to the productivity of natural ecosystems and the health of producers, processors and consumers. Awareness raising and training of producers on the knowledge of the risks linked to the use of pesticides and good practices are necessary to preserve the health of all.

Biscuits: a systematic review and meta-analysis of improving the nutritional quality and health benefits

Biscuits are ready-to-eat foods that are traditionally prepared mainly with wheat flour,fat,and sugar.Recently,biscuits’technologies have been rapidly developed to improve their nutritional properties.This study aimed to determine the strategies of improving the nutritional quality of biscuits and the potential health benefits associated with them.A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted,including articles on biscuits improved by technological processes and raw materials variation.Studies were searched from Google Scholar,PubMed,Scopus,and Web of Science published between 1997 and 2020,in English and French.The meta-analysis was performed using RStudio software,version 4.0.4 to classify the biscuits.One hundred and seven eligible articles were identified.Rice,pea,potato,sorghum,buckwheat,and flaxseed flours were respectively the most found substitutes to wheat flour.But the meta-analysis shown that the copra and foxtail millet biscuit fortified with amaranth,the wheat biscuits fortified with okra,and rice biscuits fortified with soybeans had a high protein content.These biscuits therefore have a potential to be used as complementary foods.The substitution of sugar and fat by several substitutes lead to a decrease in carbohydrates,fat,and energy value.It has also brought about an increase in other nutrients such as dietary fiber,proteins/amino acids,fatty acids,and phenolic compounds.Among the sugar and fat substitutes,stevia and inulin were respectively the most used.Regarding the use of biscuits in clinical trials,they were mainly used for addressing micronutrient deficiency and for weight loss.