Keywords: Branched chain amino acid; protein; leucine; isoleucine; valine * BCAA -branched chain amino acids; CPcrude protein; Leu -leucine; Ileisoleucine; Valvaline 1 Brestenský et al., (2013), 2 NRC (2012), 3 Gottlob et al., (2012)Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) -leucine, isoleucine and valine are essential amino acids which are metabolized directly in muscles and offer energy fuel to performance of the work. There is lot of evidences supporting the positive effect of BCAA supplementation on muscle growth. The main importance is attached particularly to leucine. There was observed that leucine supplementation increased protein synthesis in skeletal muscles after resistance exercise in young people and in elderly people suffered by sarcopenia as well. There is not exactly clear, what is the reason for the positive effect of BCAA to increase protein synthesis in muscles. Besides the positive effect of BCAA on muscle growth, there was observed their positive effect against fatigue and on a production of endogenous glucose, which is necessary to maintain the glucose balance in body during adaptation to stress. The minimum and maximum dose of BCAA is not established, but the daily recommended amount of leucine : isoleucine : valine is in a ratio 40:20:20 mg.kg body weight -1 . It is recommended to use the mixture of BCAA rather than leucine individual, because of depletion other BCAA in body. There was observed no toxicity of BCAA even at high doses. The present review describes the metabolism of action and effect of BCAA on protein synthesis and physiological functions in human. ARTICLE INFO

Aims: Neglected or underutilized plant species, such as sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), which play a substantial role in the livelihoods of populations but whose potential remains still under-exploited, deserve particular attention from researchers to a better knowledge of its food applications. This study aims to develop a novel drink based on sapodilla fruit and other known ingredients with acceptable sensory, microbiological and physicochemical characteristics. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Conservation et de Transformation des Produits Agricoles of the Université Nationale d'Agriculture (UNA) in Benin between June and September 2021. Methodology: Flavored beverages with the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus were formulated from sapodilla puree and pineapple juice following a mixing plan. The microbiological, organoleptic and physicochemical analyzes of formulated cocktail were then carried out by standard methods. Results: All the formulated drinks presented a satisfactory microbiological quality. The E5 formula containing 10% of the sapodilla puree and 90% of the juice of pineapple and the essential oil of C. citratus was the most accepted by tasters. This beverage had a pH of 5.46±0.06, a total soluble solid of 17.25±0.35 ºBrix and a specific gravity of 1.08±0.01. The titratable acidity, total ash and dry matter content were 0.80±0.01 g/100g, 0.19±00% and 15.28±1.07 respectively. Conclusion: The fruit of sapodilla can be valued through good quality drinks which can be popularized after a nutritional characterization.

In December 2019, a local pneumonia outbreak of initially unknown cause was detected in Wuhan (Hubei, China) and was quickly determined to be caused by a novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic spread very quickly around the world and has begun its proliferation in Africa. Respect of hygienic rules is one of the best preventive methods. This study explored street ready to eat foods as potential vehicle of human contamination with SARSCoV-2. For this, a bibliographic search was carried out from March 15 to December 7, 2020. From the results, it is well known that the transmission of the coronavirus by direct digestive route is ruled out for now. However, some studies are trying to demonstrate gastrointestinal manifestations and potential fecal-oral transmission of the virus. So ready to eat foods such as fruits and vegetables, bread, chips, donut, gari, snacks, homemade yogurt, cake, fried yam, roasted products, kilichi, ... etc. should get particular attention due to potential risk of contamination by manipulators during conditioning and packaging, to prevent the proliferation of the virus. It then becomes urgent to engage the population’s attention concerning what and where they eat.

Research on biologically active chemicals extracted from medicinal plants and essential oils from aromatic plants in the West African subregion is booming. Recognition of the clinical, pharmaceutical and economic value of herbal medicines continues to grow despite the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and the continued development of new, more effective synthetic and biological medical products. On the other hand, despite the improvement in food preservation technics, food preservatives nature remains one of the most important issues for public health. Indeed, several synthetic preservatives have been banned in some countries because of their long-term adverse toxicological effects. The current trend of consumers to seek for a more natural diet has prompted the research, development and application of new natural products with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in order to use them as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. This review aims to do an inventory of the results of research in chemistry of biologically active substances in Benin.