Manufacturing Technique and Nutritive Value of Soumbara (Parkia biglobosa Seeds) and Dark Seed of Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Soumbara is produced in an artisanal way. This product has a relatively strong odor that is not appreciated by some consumers in Côte d'Ivoire. From surveys of women and consumers, the manufacturing technique and the motivations for consumption of soumbara were revealed. For the chemical composition, the average water content is 13.33 ± 1.52 g/100 g MF, the average value of the ash content is 4 ± 0 g/100 g MS. The total protein and lipid levels are 16.37 ± 0.71 g/100 g DM and 21.55 ± 0.46 g/100 g DM respectively. Total carbohydrates, starch and total sugars are respectively 44.33 ± 1.46 g/100 g DM, 39.82 ± 32 g/100 g DM and 0.08 ± 0.01 mg glucose /mL. Concerning the phytochemical composition, the total polyphenols and total flavonoids have respectively contents of 2.74 ± 0.01 mg Eq AG mL of extract, and 0.82 ± 0.01 mg Eq Quer/mL of extract. The study notes that the iron and potassium contents are the most important with respectively 344.43 ± 1.20 μg/g and 174.5 ± 2.71 mg/g. The consumption survey revealed that soumbara produced in Côte d’Ivoire is relatively more consumed (55.77%) than that produced in other countries (44.23%). This artisanal product is appreciated for its taste (50.97%) and its therapeutic character (37.5%) in the form of grain (68.27%), powder (23.08%) or paste (8.65%). These data show that soumbara is very rich in nutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids. These results justify the numerous uses of this ingredient, both in food and in traditional medicine.

Insect Pests Control of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) by Using Plant Aqueous Extracts in Korhogo Area (Northern Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa)

In this study,we monitored for the impact of three aqueous extracts of plants(Azadirachta indica,Hyptis suaveolens and Solanum lycopersicum)on insect pests abundance in okra(Abelmoschus esculentus L.)crop,compared to a synthetic chemical«SAUVEUR 62 EC»,having as active ingredients,acetamiprid 32g/l and Lambda-cyhalothrin 30g/l.Foliar applications by these extracts were done using manual sprayers.After treatment,the insects were caught using two methods(pitfall traps and colored bowls traps).A total of 6505 insects belonging to nine orders were recorded in four plots.The plot 1(9 orders)was the most diverse,followed by the plot 3(8 orders),the plot 2 and 4(7 orders respectively).Coleoptera,Lepidoptera,Diptera,Orthoptera and Hemiptera were the most frequents.The chemical treatment has impacted significantly the number of orders(p<0.05)but,the insect abundance was impacted significantly by the different biological treatments(p<0.05).This study showed that the aqueous extract of Solanum lycopercicum was more effective on the abundance of pests belonging to Hemiptera,while the aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Hyptis suaveolens were effectives on the abundance of pests belonging to Coleoptera.The chemical treatment was effective on the pests belonging to both orders.

Impact of Beekeeping on the Wild Bee Diversity in Northern Ivory Coast(West Africa)

In Ivory Coast,beekeeping takes an important place among the major economic activities.It contributes to improv-ing the population’s livelihoods thanks to its derived products which are honey,propolis,wax and royal jelly.How-ever,the installation of honey bee hives could put pressure on wild bee species,which often live solitary.However,these wild bees are excellent pollinators of cultivated and wild plants.The study aimed to assess the effect of honey bee hives on the diversity of wild bees.The methodology approach consisted of capturing bees in three different plots inside the forest fragment of the botanical garden located at the University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly.The first plot was chosen approximately from 10 m to an apiary containing ten hives.The two other plots were chosen to be 200 m and 400 m from the apiary,respectively.Bees were captured once a month for three months using pan traps(UV—blue,yellow and white).A total of 17 bee species belonging to three families(Apidae,Megachilidae and Halictidae)were identified.The furthest plot from the apiary was the most diverse(H’=2.49)and that near the apiary was the least diverse(H’=0.11).Only,two wild bee species,Hypotrigona sp.and Thrinchostoma petersi,persisted inside the plot nearby the apiary where honey bees were most abundant.The furthest plots from the apiary seem to have the highest diversity of wild bees.These findings are very relevant because they can be used for the policies of conservation of wild bees and the management of beekeeping activities.

Effect of Organic Amendment on the Growth of Artemisia annua in the North of Côte d’Ivoire

Malaria causes many deaths around the world, particularly in Africa, which ultimately affects the socio-economic development of African countries. The resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to quinine-based drugs led to new studies showing the efficiency of new artemisin-based drugs. The molecule artemisin is extracted from Artemisia annua a plant from China that has been used for decades in traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study is to improve the production of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) using organic fertilizers in the north of Cote d’Ivoire. To do so, a morpho-pedological characterization of the study site was firstly performed to determine the soil type and their fertility level. Then, a randomized complete block system including two factors (the quantity of compost and the plant density) was implemented to test the effect of organic amendment and plant arrangement on the growth of Artemisia annua. Six treatments were set up: a control plot (no compost) where the plants are arranged in square (T0D1) and the plants are arranged in staggered (T0D2). Then, a treatment with compost addition of 25 t/ha where the plants are arranged in square (T1D1) and in staggered (T1D2). A treatment with compost addition of 50 t/ha where plants are arranged in square (T2D1) and in staggered (T2D2). Our results showed that the soils hosting our experimentation are Arenithic Plinthic Ferrasols with a very low level of fertility, prone to leaching and erosion. T1D2 and T2D2 treatments obtained the highest yields of 2.82 t/ha and 3.91 t/ha, respectively. Our findings indicate that a high dose of organic amendment combined with a staggered plant arrangement strongly improves the biomass production of sweet wormwood. This is in agreement with previous studies showing that the addition of organic matter can restore the level of soil fertility by increasing soil porosity and the activity of micro and macroorganisms.

Community knowledge,attitudes and practices related to schistosomiasis and associated healthcare-seeking behaviours in northern Côte d’Ivoire and southern Mauritania

Background:Among parasitic infections,schistosomiasis ranks second after malaria in terms of worldwide morbidity.Despite efforts to contain transmission,more than 230 million people are infected,of which 85%live in Sub-Saharan Africa.While the epidemiologic characteristics of schistosomiasis have been extensively studied across endemic settings,social factors have been paid less attention.The current study assesses community knowledge of schistosomiasis causes,transmission,signs,symptoms and prevention,as well as healthcare-seeking behaviours in two West African settings,with the aim of strengthening schistosomiasis control interventions.Methods:From August 2014 to June 2015,we conducted two cross-sectional surveys in Korhogo,Cote d’Ivoire and Kaedi,Mauritania.We applied a questionnaire to collect quantitative data at the household level in Korhogo(n=1456)and Kaedi(n=1453).Focus group discussions(Korhogo:n=32,Kaedi:n=32)and participatory photography(photovoice)(Korhogo:n=16,Kaedi:n=16)were conducted within the communities to gather qualitative data.In addition,semi-structured interviews were used to discuss with key informants from control programmes,nongovernmental organizations and health districts(Korhogo:n=8,Kaedi:n=7).Results:The study demonstrated that schistosomiasis is not well known by the communities;64.1%claimed to know the causes of the disease,but the reality is different.This knowledge is more from cultural than biomedical source.It was observed that social construction of the disease is different from the biomedical definition.In Korhogo,schistosomiasis was often associated with several other diseases,notably stomach ulcer and gonorrhoea.The populations believe that schistosomiasis is caused by exposure to goat or dog urine in the environment.In Kaedi,schistosomiasis is considered as a disease transmitted by environmenal elements such as sunshine and dirty water.In both settings,the care-seeking pathways were found to be strongly influenced by local customs and self-medication acquired from the informal sector.Conclusions:This study revealed that knowledge about the aetiology,transmission,symptoms,prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis among the populations in Korhogo and Kaedi is based on their local culture.Deep-rooted habits could therefore pose a significant obstacle to the elimination of schistosomiasis.

Distribution of Plasmodium spp.infection in asymptomatic carriers in perennial and low seasonal malaria transmission settings in West Africa

countries in West Africa remain a hotspot for malaria with all age groups at risk.Asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium spp.are important sources of infections for malaria vectors and thus contribute to the anchoring of the disease in favourable eco-epidemiological settings.The objective of this study was to assess the asymptomatic malaria case rates in Korhogo and Kaedi,two urban areas in northern Côte d’Ivoire and southern Mauritania,respectively.Methods:Cross-sectional surveys were carried out during the rainy season in 2014 and the dry season in 2015 in both settings.During each season,728 households were randomly selected and a household-based questionnaire was implemented to collect demographic and epidemiological data,including of malaria preventive methods used in communities.Finger-prick blood samples were obtained for biological examination using microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests(RDTs).Results:Overall,2672 households and 15858 consenting participants were surveyed.Plasmodium spp.infection was confirmed in 12.4%(n=832)and 0.3%(n=22)of the assessed individuals in Korhogo and Kaedi,respectively.In Korhogo,the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 10.5%(95%CI:9.7-11.2)as determined by microscopy and 9.3%(95%CI:8.6-10.0%)when assessed by RDT.In Kaedi,asymptomatic malaria prevalence was 0.2%(95%CI:0.1-0.4%)according to microscopy,while all RDTs performed were negative(n=8372).In Korhogo,asymptomatic malaria infection was significantly associated with age and season,with higher risk within the 5-14 years-old,and during the rainy season.In Kaedi,the risk of asymptomatic malaria infection was associated with season only(higher during the dry season;crude OR(cOR):6.37,95%CI:1.87-21.63).P.falciparum was the predominant species identified in both study sites representing 99.2%(n=825)in Korhogo and 59.1%(n=13)in Kaedi.Gametocytes were observed only in Korhogo and only during the rainy season at 1.3%(95%CI:0.7-2.4%).Conclusions:Our findings show a low prevalence of clinical malaria episodes with a significant proportion of asymptomatic carriers in both urban areas.National policies for malaria infections are focused on treatment of symptomatic cases.Malaria control strategies should be designed for monitoring and managing malaria infections in asymptomatic carriers.Additional measures,including indoor residual spraying,effective use of long-lasting insecticidal nets is strongly needed to reduce the number of Plasmodium spp.infections in Korhogo and Kaedi.