The aim of this work was to contribute to our knowledge of the proximate composition, mineral and vitamin content of 20 edible wild plants used as spices in Cameroon. The plant species were collected from 3 different markets in the West Region of Cameroon and analysed for their content of crude proteins, and lipid, ash, moisture, available sugars, total phenols, carotenoids, minerals (Ca, Zn, K, Na, Mg, Al, Mn, Cu and Se), and vitamins (A, E and C) as well as for their pH and colour. Results revealed that all the plants were low in moisture (7.7 to 10.5 g/100g) but high in ash content (7.7 to 10.5 g/100g). Hua gabonii (bark) (1594.5 mg/100g) was relative source of calcium, Echinops giganteus (206.4 mg/100g) exhibited the highest level of iron and Scorodophleus zenkeri (310.0 µg/100g) the highest level of selenium. Generally all the plants were found to contain low levels of Zn, Cu and Mg. Wide variations were observed for the proteins and available sugars among the samples. The lipid content of some of the plants were surprisingly relatively high as was the case with Monodora myristica (53.4 g/100g), Xylopia aethiopica (33.7 g/100g), Fagara leprieuri (32.1 g/100g), and Aframomum daniellii (23.1 g/100g). All the plants were rich in phenols, carotenoids, vitamin E and C. They are dark in colour and in solution they tended to provoke a fair acidification.

The present study examined the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the aqueous extract of Alafia multiflora Stapf (AM) stem barks (150 and 300 mg/kg, 7 days administration) on rats and mice, using experimental paradigms of anxiety and depression. In the open field, the aqueous extract increased significantly the number of center square crossed and the time spent at the center of the field as well as the rearing time, while the grooming time was reduced significantly. In the elevated plus maze, the aqueous extract increased the time spent and the number of entries in the open arms. All these effects were also completely reversed by flumazenil, an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors and pindolol a β-adrenoceptors blocker/5-HT 1A/1B receptor antagonist. The time spent in the light compartment, the latency time, and the number of the light-dark transitions increased significantly in the light/dark exploration test after the treatment with AM. The extract was able to reduce significantly the immobility time and increase swimming as well as climbing duration. Taken together, the present work evidenced anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of AM that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors and an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic mechanisms will probably play a role.

Summary The standard static gravimetric method was used to determine moisture desorption isotherms (MDIs) of two onion varieties (Goudami and Galmi Violet) at 30 °C, 45 °C and 60 °C in the water activity ranging from 0.055 to 0.83. The combined effects of temperature and water activity on the antioxidant activities of the onion varieties were also studied. GAB, Oswin, Smith and BET equations were tested to fit the experimental data. The net isosteric heat of sorption was calculated. Equilibrium moisture content (EMC), total phenolic content (TPC) and antiradical activity were also measured. The isotherm and the EMC vary significantly with the onion variety and drying temperature, irrespective of water activity (aw). Desorption isotherms were best described by the GAB model. The maximum net isosteric heats for Galmi Violet (32.58 kJ mol−1) were greater than those of Goudami (23.50 kJ mol−1) at each EMC. The TPC and antiradical activity of the Galmi Violet were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the Goudami at all investigated temperatures and water activities.

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of five varieties of pap (cereal product) commonly consumed in Maroua, city of the Far-North Region of Cameroon. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, lipid, and crude fibre) was determined by standard AOAC methods. Minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and phosphorus was determined colorimetrically. Amino acid composition was determined by ion-exchange chromatography. All the pap varieties had a very high carbohydrate content (79.47-85.29 g/100 g dry matter). Appreciable levels of phosphorus and potassium were recorded in all the pap varieties (137.5-231.0 mg/100 g dry matter and 198.20-322.22 mg/100 g dry matter, respectively). Consumption of each pap (100 g) by children 1-2 year old would meet 9.86-17.46% and 0.08-19.51% of their daily recommended intake respectively for protein and minerals. Leucine and glutamic acid were the most abundant essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids respectively in the pap. Essential amino acids in most of the pap samples met the recommended children requirement of the FAO/WHO/UNU for 1-2 year old children except methionine+cysteine and lysine.Brought to you by | MIT Libraries Authenticated Download Date | 5/12/18 5:52 PM

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Functional properties of Bambara bean protein concentrates (BPCs), as a function of extraction pH and NaCl concentration, were investigated. The results showed that protein content of the concentrates ranged between 69.27% and 74.40%. The addition of NaCl during protein extraction favourably affected water solubility index particularly at pH 10–11. Moreover, the maximum water absorption capacity (4.28 g/g) and oil-holding capacity (OHC) (2.50 g/g) were recorded at extraction pH 11 and in the absence of NaCl. It was also noticed that protein extraction at pH 8–10 was not recommended for applications where high OHC is required. BPCs presenting high emulsifying activity were prepared at NaCl concentration of 0.5 M and pH 7, and at pH 11 without NaCl. Finally, foaming ability (FA) increased with NaCl concentration, and the maximum FA was recorded at pH 7 (114%).

La valorisation de certaines espèces sous-utilisées constitue des moyens palliatifs de la diversification des cultures dans certaines localités de l’Extrême-Nord. Plus spécifiquement, l’absence des connaissances sur les méthodes culturales de la culture de souchet (Cypérus esculentus L.) constitue un frein de sa production. Face à cette situation, une étude été menée dans la plaine du Mayo-Danay (Danay-vokgora) afin de transférer le paquet technologique (itinéraire technique) de production de cette culture aux producteurs en vue de substituer les cultures sensibles à la variabilité et au changement climatique. Une parcelle de démonstration (Champ Ecole Paysan (CEP)) de quatre accessions de souchet (Cyperus esculentus L.) a été mise en place. Les opérations culturales ont été mise en oeuvre dans le dispositif en split plot comprenant les blocs de placettes complètement randomisées. La densité de semis et les accessions comportant quatre modalités chacun et répétées quatre fois ont été appliquées et contrôlées. L’issu des résultats révèlent qu’il n’existe pas des effets des densités de semis sur les rendements moyens en t/ha de souchet au seuil de 5% de signification. Par contre, les accessions « c= glazay » et « d= wéchéché » se sont différenciées avec les meilleurs rendements moyens en t/ha. Bien que l’accession « c= glazay » fasse l’objet du choix de préférence des bénéficiaires de ladite localité, la comparaison des quantités nécessaires et des productivités marginales des inputs de production de souchet (Cyperus esculentus L.) ont montré qu’il serait avantageux de produire avec l’accession « d= wéchéché », car avec la meilleure combinaison des inputs de production, sa productivité marginale (73,09 FCFA) serait plus profitable pour l’unité additionnelle relative au coût de location de la parcelle. De ce fait, il est important d’évaluer cette pratique culturale pour mieux apprécier le degré d’adoption de l’innovation relative à l’itinéraire technique de la culture de souchet dans la localité de Danay-vokgora.Mots clés: Valorisation, Souchet, Rendement, Danay-vokgoro, Soudano-sahélienne.   English Title: Valorization of four accessions of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.): a good option of cultural diversification for the producers of the locality of danay-vokgora (Mayo-danay) in sudano-sahelien zone CameroonThe development of some underutilized species is a palliative means of crop diversification in some communities in the Far North. More specifically, the lack of knowledge about the cultivation methods of Tigernut culture (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a hindrance to its production. Faced with this situation, a study was conducted in the Mayo-Danay plain (Danay-vokgora) in order to transfer the technological package (technical practice) of production of this crop to producers in order to replace crops sensitive to variability and climate change. A demonstration plot (Field School Peasant (CEP)) of four accessions of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) has been set up. To do this, the implementation of the operations was conducted in the experimental split plot including randomized completely block design. Seedling density and accessions with four modalities each and repeated four times were applied and controlled. At the end of study, the results show that at 5% level of the significance, the effects of planting densities do not influence on average yields in t/ha of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.). On the other hand, "c = glazay" and "d=wéchéché" accessions of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) differed by presenting best average yields in t/ha. While "c = glazay"accession is subject to the choice of preference beneficiaries to Danay-vokgora locality (Mayo-Danay), but the comparison of quantities needed and the marginal productivity of the production of the accessions of the Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) has shown that it would advantageous to produce with the "d=wéchéché" accession, because with the best combination of inputs, her marginal productivity would be more profitable for an additional unit of 73.09 FCFA for the renting cost of the parcel. Therefore, it is important to evaluate this farming practice to better appreciate the degree of adoption of innovation related to the technical practice of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) culture in the locality of Danay-vokgora.Keywords: Valorization, Nutgrass, Yield, Danay-vokgoro, Sudano-sahelien.

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