Influence of Production Factors on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Fermented Cassava Dough and Sensory Evaluation of Attieke

Attieke is an Ivorian semolina which obtained by fermenting, pressing and steaming cassava dough. Attieke production remains a traditional activity carried out by less literate women. However, perceived differences in measurable factors and attieke qualities require an investigation of their influence on the characteristics of the pressed dough and attieke. The aim of this study is to improve the quality of the dough in relation to that of the attieke produced. The experiment was carried out on 4 production factors, namely the type of boiled or braised ferment, the incorporation rate of the ferment between 8 and 10%, the addition of oil from 0.1 to 1% and the fermentation time from 12 to 15 hours applied to the Improved African Cassava (IAC) variety. A complete experiment design of 16 samples of fermented dough and attieke was employed. These samples underwent physic-chemical analyses for the fermented dough and sensory evaluation for the attieke. It was found that, except for titratable acidity, reducing sugar content and ash content, the physico-chemical characteristics of the dough of IAC variety were significantly influenced by all production factors and their interaction. Fermentation time significantly influences 60% of the physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented dough. The type of ferment, the oil addition and the ferment rate have a significant influence at 40% of these characteristics. At the sensory level, color, acidity and grain binding with an explained variance of 34.60% were essential for the appreciation of the attieke samples. Thus, these production factors could be considered for the improvement of the fermented dough and attieke production process.

Genetic Characterization of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Strains from Senegal for Sustainable Local Aquaculture Production

The optimization of aquaculture production requires the selection of efficient strains. Thus, genetic improvement has become one of the important levers to boost the development of aquaculture. The objective of this study was to carry out genetic characterization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, one of the most cultivated fish species in Senegal, in order to select an efficient strain to optimize local fish production. Thus, fish from five different populations (Richard-Toll, ANA, ITACA, Mbodiene and Sauvage) were analyzed, with 15 individuals per population. Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed using molecular genetic analyses by sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) and microsatellite (SSR) markers. The analyses of the SCARII marker were conducted on four populations (ANA, ITACA, Sauvage and Mbodiene) while microsatellite analyses were conducted on all five populations. The results show high levels of polymorphism of SSR markers, and a high level of observed heterozygosity (Ho), indicating a high within-population genetic variability. These results are in agreement with the AMOVA results, which indicated a high within-population genetic variability (94%). The genetic structure analysis by DAPC indicates that the five populations analyzed are structured into four groups, which are highly heterogeneous because they share common allele individuals. The analysis of the genetic structure by AMOVA showed a low degree of differentiation between the populations (6%), in agreement with the genetic differentiation index (Fst = 0.059). The heterogeneity of studied populations implies a genetic flow over time, which may have existed between the original populations. The overall negative Tajima D values and low genetic differentiation indicate an excess of rare mutations in the populations studied, resulting from a recent population expansion from a limited number of initial breeders isolated in locale hatcheries. Thus, further studies with a much larger panel of markers are required to better differentiate the strains and identify the most efficient ones for sustainable local aquaculture production.

Comparison of Molecular Properties (Stabilities, Reactivity and Interaction) of Manzamenones and Two Antimalarial Drugs (Quinine and Artemisinin) Using Mixed Method Calculations (ONIOM) and DFT (B3LYP)

Malaria is a real public health problem. It’s one of the pathologies that mobilize the scientific community. Resistance to existing treatments is the basis for the search for new treatments. Some molecules such as Manzamenones have shown important antimalarial properties. These molecules belong to the family of atypical fatty acid derivatives. This work presents the relative stabilities, some reactivity properties and the privileged sites of interaction by hydrogen bond of fourteen Manzamenones and two antimalarial drugs: quinine and Artemisinin. These analyses were performed using quantum chemical calculations. We employed the two-layer ONIOM calculation method;namely ONIOM (B3LYP/6-311++G (d, p): AM1) for the fourteen Manzamenones. The geometries of the two antimalarials are calculated at B3LYP/6-311++G (d, p). The electrostatic potential (ESP) calculation of all molecules is done at the B3LYP/6-31++G (d, p) level. The formation processes of the molecules are discussed from the thermodynamic quantities we have calculated. The relative stabilities, the energies of the frontier orbitals, the energy gaps, the dipole moment, etc., are evaluated and discussed. The electrostatic potential at the molecular surface has been used to identify the sites favorable to the formation of hydrogen bonds.

NBO Analysis by ONIOM and DFT (B3LYP) Calculations of Intramolecular and Intermolecular Interactions of Artemisinin, Quinine and Thirteen Manzamenones with H2O or Alanine

This work was undertaken to analyze intramolecular and intermolecular interactions of Manzamenones from natural bond orbitals (NBO method). For their use in the treatment of malaria, the results of these molecules are compared to those of Artemisinin and Quinine. Manzamenones are a class of atypical fatty acids. They are isolated from a marine sponge of the genus Plakortis kenyensis. The analysis of intramolecular interactions compares the results of each molecule (Manzamenones, Artemisinin and Quinine) in the non-complexed state with those of its complex with a water molecule. Thus, for the same electron donors (i) and associated acceptors (j), the electron density (ED), stabilization energy E2 related to the delocalization of i to j, the energies of the NBO orbitals εi and εj of the donor and acceptor, respectively, and element of the Fock matrix Fi,j are determined and compared. The change in E2 is used to deduce whether or not the molecule is stabilized after complex formation. These analyses allowed to match each Manzamenone to one of the two antimalarials. The intermolecular interactions were analyzed, for each molecule (Manzamenones, Artemisinin and Quinine), in two complexes. These complexes are obtained with a water molecule on the one hand and with an alanine molecule on the other hand. For these interactions, the electron donor and its electron density, the electron acceptor and its electron density as well as the donor—acceptor stabilization energy have been calculated. The ONIOM 2 method is used to study Manzamenones. Theoretical calculations were done using density functional theory (B3LYP) by combining one of the two function bases 6-31++G(d,p) and 6-31+G(d,p).

Suitable Temperature, Stocking Density and Feeding Rate for Optimal Growth of Sex Reversed Fry of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Senegal River Strain)

Determining the suitable fish farming conditions for optimal growth is necessary for aquaculture production, but it is not very obvious because it requires a good understanding of species biology. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of different temperature regimes, stocking densities, and feeding rates on the growth of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings that have been sex-reversed with 17α methyl testosterone. Three independent experiments were performed (with replicates) at the IRD Bel-Air fish farm (Dakar, Senegal) on 27-day-old fry maintained in six 25 L tanks with a batch of 100 individuals each. These fry were subjected to three different temperatures (26˚C, 28˚C, 30˚C;kept constant with thermostats), stocking densities (5, 10 and 15 ind/l) and feeding rates (5%, 10% and 15% of biomass;distributed three times a day). For the temperature and density treatments, fry was fed a pelleted feed containing 38% protein, distributed by hand at 10% of their total biomass, readjusted after each measurement. Growth performance (total weight, weight gain and daily weight gain), physicochemical parameters (temperature, oxygen, nitrite and phosphorus), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate (SR) were regularly monitored (weekly) during the experimental period. For the heat treatment, the results did not show an apparent relationship between growth performance and nitrite, phosphorus or dissolved oxygen (DO) contents. In contrast, there was a significant correlation between temperature and growth rates, with the best growth being obtained at 30˚C compared to 28˚C and 26˚C. Similarly, growth rates were correlated with stocking density and feeding rate but not with oxygen, temperature, nitrite or phosphorus levels. The best growth rates were observed at the lowest density (5 ind/l) and for the highest feeding rate (15% of biomass), which coincides with the best FCR and survival rates. Thus, 30˚C, 5 ind/l and 15% of biomass appeared to be the most favorable temperature, stocking density and feeding rate for optimal growth of Nile tilapia fry after inversion. The application of these results in the culture systems will allow to reach a good production of O. niloticus and thus to contribute to sustainable development of fish culture in Senegal.

Integration of Fish and Poultry Farming into Cropping Systems to Improve Production Yields

This study aims to evaluate and compare the fertilizing effects of fish-breeding water and river water combined or not with composted poultry manure on the growth and production of okra and lettuce crops. Thus, a sample of 2000 Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry and a sample of 100 Cobb 500 strain chicks were reared and monitored for six months and fifteen days. Poultry manure and fish-breeding water were then collected and used to fertilize and water okra and lettuce crops. Two systems were used for the crops (okra and lettuce) tested in an elementary plot design with replicates for each treatment (T1: fish-breeding water alone;T2: river water alone;T3: fish-breeding water combined with manure;T4: river water combined with manure). Morphometric parameters and phenological traits of okra and lettuce crops as well as the total harvest weight and production yield were evaluated and compared between treatments. The results reveal better growth and higher yields (0.67 kg/m2 vs. 0.45 kg/m2) of okra crops that received treatment T1 compared to T2. The best growth and yields of lettuce were obtained with treatments T3 (3.34 kg/m2) and T1 (1.89 kg/m2) compared to T4 (1.23 kg/m2) and T2 (1.20 kg/m2). These results show that fish-breeding water combined with poultry manure can boost okra and lettuce production and would be a real asset to stimulate local agricultural development. Thus, the adoption of such an agro-ecological approach integrating fish farming and animal husbandry could increase local production and provide food of good nutritional quality.