Influence of Nitrogen-Potassium Fertilizers on the Growth and the Productivity Parameters of Plantain Banana PITA 3, FHIA 21 and CORNE 1

This study was undertaken to measure the impact of fertilizers (nitrogen-potassium) on the growth and the development of plantain banana. Different doses of fertilizers (T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6) were applied to two hybrid varieties (PITA 3 and FHIA 21) and a traditional variety (CORNE 1) on an experimental split plot plan with a planting density of 2500 plants per hectare. Results showed that fertilizers improve parameters of plantain than control (T1). T6 with high potassium content (240 kg·ha−1 N and 987 kg·ha−1 K) improved the growth (35.72 ± 0.95 cm·month−1) and the widening (9.56 ± 0.17 cm·month−1) of PITA 3, and performed FHIA 21 agronomic parameters by reducing the length of the production cycle and increased the length of fruits. T2 treatment improved FHIA 21 agronomic and yield parameters. Also, the weight of CORNE 1 regimens (9.00 ± 0.67 kg) and fruits (296.59 ± 4.50 g), the length (33.37 ± 0.31 cm) and the circumference (14.73 ± 0.31 cm) increased with T2. T4 induced shorter production cycle of PITA 3 (390.40 ± 0.67 cm·month−1), improved PITA3 regimens weight (10.33 ± 0.44 kg) and the number of hands by regimen (6.00 ± 0.00) of FHIA 21. T3 with weak nitrogen content (120 kg·ha−1 N and 658 kg·ha−1 K) improved the characteristics of PITA 3 fruits notably, the weight (176.09 ± 2.96 g) and the circumference (13.87 ± 0.89 cm). T5 (240 kg·ha−1 N and 329 kg·ha−1 K) performed CORNE 1 trees number of sheets (3.85 ± 0.16). CORNE 1 cycle production with T6 treatment was 137.80 days longer than those of T2 treatment (483 ± 3.50 days). In conclusion, with T2 and T6, growth parameters were globally improved in FHIA 21 by the regimen largest and the higher number of fingers, and productivity parameters were improved in CORNE 1 by the heaviest, the longest and the thickest of the fruits.

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of Selected Staples Based on Rice,Yam and Cassava Commonly Consumed in Cote d’Ivoire

Integrating information on the glycemic index (GI) and the glycemic load (GL) of diet is limited in C?te d’Ivoire because of the lack of data. Thus, this study was undertaking for the local management and prevention of diabetes mellitus and its complications based on nutritional data (GI and GL values). The study included ten healthy subjects with 7 males, 3 females (28 ± 2 years on average age and 20.5 ± 1.7 on average BMI). Participants tested three different meals with equal carbohydrate load (50 g). Blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min before and after consumption for glucose levels determination. GIs were determined using a standard method with glucose as reference food and data were used for GLs calculating. Data showed that GIs value of pounded yam with eggplant sauce and cassava paste with granulates palm nut sauce were high ranging to 94 to 86 respectively while rice with groundnut sauce, have a low GI (GI = 45). Nevertheless, the GLs of the all the test foods are high with the values of 47, 43 and 23 (g) for pounded yam with eggplant sauce, cassava paste with granulates palm nut sauce and rice with groundnut sauce respectively. According to GIs and GLs data, the three test foods must be consumed moderately in a diet. So, it is important to associate GL data to GI data of Ivorian traditional foods for the management and the prevention of diabetes mellitus in C?te d’Ivoire and in others countries sharing the same food tradition.

Formulation of Infant Flours Based on Fonio Enriched with Bambara Groundnut Anacardium (Cashew) and African Locust Bean Fruit Pulp

Infant malnutrition is a significant issue in Côte d’Ivoire, and this study aims to address it by formulating infant flours using local ingredients. Fermentation, germination, and malting methods were used to enhance the quality of six formulated flours, all based on Fonio and supplemented with Bambara groundnut, African locust bean fruit pulp, and cashew kernels. Results showed that Fonio had the highest carbohydrate content, while Bambara groundnut and Cashew kernels were rich in protein and lipid content. African locust bean fruit pulp was rich in fiber and Vitamin C, with a high β-carotene value. The cashew kernel had the highest energy value. Regarding mineral composition, African locust bean fruit pulp had the highest potassium content, while Bambara groundnut and African locust bean fruit pulp were rich in sodium. Cashew kernel and Fonio had higher iron and calcium content. Bambara groundnut had a higher zinc content, while cashew kernel had a higher magnesium content. The formulated flours made from fermented Fonio grains and enriched with Bambara groundnut, African locust bean fruit pulp, and cashew kernel had varying protein, fiber, carbohydrate, ash, and fat contents. The flour formulated with sprouted Fonio and enriched with the same ingredients had higher protein content and energy value than the other fermented seed-based flours. The mixed flours produced with fermented seeds and the flour produced from sprouted seeds met international standards. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the nutritional composition of the formulated flours and their potential to combat infant malnutrition in Côte d’Ivoire.