Enterobacteriaceae represent one of the main families of Gram-negative bacilli responsible for serious urinary tract infections (UTIs). The present study aimed to define the resistance profile and the virulence of Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated in urinary tract infections in Benin. A total of 390 urine samples were collected from patients with UTIs, and Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated according to standard microbiology methods. The API 20E gallery was used for biochemical identification. All the isolated strains were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was investigated using a double-disc synergy test (DDST), and biofilm production was quantified using the microplate method. Multiplex PCR was used to detect uro-virulence genes, namely: PapG, IronB, Sfa, iucD, Hly, FocG, Sat, FyuA and Cnf, using commercially designed primers. More than 26% (103/390) of our samples were contaminated by Enterobacteriaceae strains at different levels. Thus, E. coli (31.07%, 32/103), Serratia marcescens (11.65%, 12/103), Klebsiella ornithinolytica (8.74%, 9/103), Serratia fonticola (7.77%, 8/103) and Enterobacter cloacae (6.80%, 7/103) were identified. Among the isolated strains, 39.81% (41/103) were biofilm-forming, while 5.83% (6/103) were ESBL-producing. Isolates were most resistant to erythromycin, cefixime, ceftriaxone and ampicillin (≥90%) followed by ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, doxycycline and levofloxacin (≥50%), and least resistant to imipenem (27.18%). In regard to virulence genes, Sfa was the most detected (28.15%), followed by IronB (22.23%), iucD (21.36%), Cnf (15.53%), PapG (9.71%), FocG (8.74%), Sat (6.79%), FyuA (5.82%) and Hyl (2.91%). These data may help improve the diagnosis of uropathogenic strains of Enterobacteriaceae, but also in designing effective strategies and measures for the prevention and management of severe, recurrent, or complicated urinary tract infections in Benin.
The lack of regulations relating to street food remains a real problem in most developing countries. To remedy this, it is essential to have reliable data on the actors and the conditions of streed food activity. The present study is aimed at (i) establishing the sociodemographic profile of producers and vendors of Gbeli in the municipality of Abomey-Calavi, (ii) developing the technical production diagram and assessing the adoption level of good hygienic practices during the production and sale of Gbeli, and finally, (iv) evaluating the microbiological contamination risks associated with Gbeli consumption. Direct observations followed by a semistructured survey on 92 Gbeli vendors were carried out in Abomey-Calavi municipality. A Gbeli sample was collected from each vendor for microbiological analyses according to standard microbiology analytical techniques. Forty vendors were assisted during Gbeli production. The results showed that the production and sale of Gbeli are activities carried out solely by women (100%), mostly adults (97.82%) and unschooled (58.69%). This trade generates income allowing the vendors to contribute to their household expenses and to save. No major difference was noted in the production process of Gbeli contrary to the sale modes (stationary, itinerant, and mixed). Production process, packaging form, and sale condition of Gbeli present enormous hygienic practice deficiencies. Some corrective measures were thus suggested. About 56% of Gbeli samples analyzed were microbiologically not up to standard. The prevalence and abundance of mycotoxinogenic molds, thermotolerant coliforms, and coagulase-positive Staphylococci in these chips are very worrying. The consumption of Gbeli therefore exposes its consumers to a permanent risk of food poisoning. Training of Gbeli vendors on good hygiene and production practices is indispensable.
Momordica charantia Linn. (Cucurbitaceae), the wild variety of bitter melon, and Morinda lucida Benth (Rubiaceae) were commonly used as a popular folk medicine in Benin. This study aimed to appreciate the ethnopharmacological knowledge and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of M. charantia and M. lucida leaves extracts. Semi-structured surveys supported by individual interviews were conducted with herbalists and traditional healers in southern Benin. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by a micro-dilution technique using ABTS and FRAP methods. These activities were supported by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the albumin denaturation method. The volatile compounds were analysed by GC-MS analysis. All the respondents involved in this study have good knowledge of the two plants. We identify 21 diseases grouped into five categories of condition. The two plants’ extracts possess variable antioxidant capacity. Indeed, all the active extracts of M. charantia presented an IC50 < 0.078 mg/mL, while the extracts of M. lucida had an IC50 up to 0.21 ± 0.02 mg/mL. For anti-inflammatory activity, a dose-response activity (p < 0.001) was observed in the protein denaturation inhibition rate of the extracts. It should be noted that the highest inhibition rate (98.34 ± 0.12) of the albumin denaturation was observed with M. lucida dichloromethane extract. A total of 59 volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis in the extracts of the two plants. The M. charantia ethyl acetate extract shows the presence of 30 different compounds with a relative abundance of 98.83%, while that of M. lucida shows 24 compounds with a relative abundance of 98.30%. These plants are potential candidates to discover new compounds with therapeutic properties that could be used to solve public health problems.
Biotechnology proposes various ecological approaches to control climatic constraints, soil fertility and plant nutrition using biological products, such as biostimulants to achieve a healthy and environment-friendly agriculture. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of biostimulant-coated maize seed and biostimulant application on the growth, yield and nutritional status of maize in Benin. The trials were set up with 100 producers spread over the whole of Benin. The experimental design was a block of three treatments with 11 replicates per Research-Development (R-D) sites. The maize varieties 2000 SYNEE-W BENIN and TZL COMP 4-W BENIN were used. The best growth (height, stem diameter and leaf area) and yield performances (thousand grains weight and grains yield) were obtained by treatments T2 (Application of biostimulant + ½ NPK-Urea) and T3 (Seed coating with biostimulant + ½ NPK-Urea) compared to the farmers’ practice (T1). A significant difference was observed between the different treatments for height, leaf area, 1000 grains weight and maize-grain yield. From one Research-Development site to another, a significant difference was also observed for all parameters. The treatment- Research-Development site interaction was also significant in most areas. The applied or coated biostimulant improved the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and especially potassium with higher significant difference compared to the recommended dose of mineral fertilizer. The two techniques of using the biostimulant combined with the half-dose of mineral fertilizer gave the better growth, yield and nutritional status compared to the farmers’ practice in all areas study. This biostimulant can be used to ensure food security and sustainable agriculture in Benin.
One of plant-based products for dental care is plant-based proteolytic enzymes which are principally proteases. In order not to damage the protein and bioactive content, an efficient method should be employed for their purifications. As such, three-phase partitioning (TPP) was used to purify protease from mo-
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