Abstract:The chemical composition of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum and Ocimum gratissimum from Benin as affected by harvesting time, were analyzed by GC-FID (Gas chromatography-Flame ionization detector) and GC-MS (Gas chromatographyMass spectrometry). Based on the composition analysis, major components were as follows: estragol (43.0 -44.7 %) and linalool (24.6 -29.8 %) in O. basilicum oils; carvacrol (12.0 -30.8 %) and p-cymene (19.5 -26.2 %) in O. canum oils; thymol (28.3-37.7 %) and γ-terpinene (12.5-19.3 %) in O. gratissimum oils. Disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oils and their main components against two foodborne bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. The tested oils and their components exhibited notable antimicrobial activities against L. monocytogenes and S. Typhimurium. The O. canum and O. gratissimum oils collected at 7h and 19h showed significant higher activities against L. monocytogenes and S. Typhimurium (MICs and MBCs 0.34 -2.5 μL/ mL) (p < 0.05), whereas O. basilicum showed lower activity (MICs and MBCs 2.0 -8.0 μL/mL) at any daytime of harvest, the weakest being at 19h (MIC and MBC 12.0 -32.0 μL/mL). The daytime of harvest can influence the composition of oils and their activities on bacteria.

No abstract

RESUME L'huile essentielle de Ocimum canum Sims (Lamiaceae) obtenue par hydrodiffusion à différents moments de la journée a été analysée par GC/FID et GC/SM puis testée sur différentes bactéries par la microtechnique de dilution. Le rendement et la composition chimique de l'huile varient selon le temps et l'ensoleillement. Abondant le matin à 7 heures (1,71±0,01%), le rendement décroît progressivement avec l'augmentation des rayons solaires, jusqu'à son minimum à 13 heures (1,35±0,01%) quand le soleil est au zénith, avant de croître à nouveau à sa valeur la plus élevée (1,78±0,02% à 19 h) au couché du soleil. Plus de 54 composés représentant près de 98% des hydrodiffusats, ont été identifiés dans les différents échantillons. Les principaux sont : α-thujène (5,56 à 7,85%), β-myrcene (2 à 6,94%), δ-3-carène (3,07 à 4,84%), p-cymène (14,61 à 22,8%), γ-terpinène (6,05 à 10,7%), carvacrol (7,94 à 30,8%), β-caryophyllène (0,15 à 18,86%) et βsélinène (2,74 à 14,41%). Les taux de certains constituants comme β-caryophyllène et β-sélinène croissent avec l'ensoleillement contrairement à ceux du carvacrol, p-cymène. Cette variation diurne perturbe la synergie d'action des constituants de l'huile qui présentent une forte activité inhibitrice (0,38 à 7,19 mg/ml) sur Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25923, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19609 et Staphylococcus aureus résistante 1199B NorA. Les huiles obtenues à 7 heures et 19 heures sont les plus efficaces à faible concentration (0,38 à 2,88 mg/ml). Pour la première fois, l'interaction est démontrée entre variation diurne de la composition chimique et propriétés antimicrobiennes de l'huile essentielle de Ocimum canum Sims du Bénin.

Croton lobatus L. is medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, but little known in literature for its biological properties. Aims were to study its phytochemical composition and some biological properties and influence of acid hydrolysis on biological activities and chemical composition of Croton lobatus L. extracts. Successive extractions with solvents of increasing polarity (cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) were carried out on powder of Croton lobatus L. leaves. Evaluation of xanthine oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, 5-lipoxygenase and α-amylase inhibitions, antioxidant activity was performed. Acid hydrolysis effect was evaluated by comparison of chemical composition and xanthine oxidase, α-amylase inhibition activities of hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed extracts. Results showed that at 50 mg/L Croton lobatus L. has very small antioxidant activity (3.4 -4.9%), small inhibitory activity of 5-lipoxygenase (6.3-6.9%), inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase between (2.7 -31.3%), moderate inhibitory activity of α-amylase (52.8 -64.3%), moderate inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase (22.2 -62.6%). Croton lobatus L. could be used in diabetes and gout treatments, given results of α-amylase inhibition and xanthine oxidase. Acid hydrolysis has negative effect on process of xanthine oxidase inhibition and on chemical composition.

No abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is already affecting all food systems in sub-Saharan Africa including Benin. Aim: The study aimed to determine the dietary behaviors, food accessibility, and handling practices during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Benin and the relationship between these components. Methods: A survey was carried out with 600 respondents in Benin. Data collected were analyzed using SAS and R statistical software. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the characteristics of the households and their food access, utilization, and handling practices on the most significant components of AFC was then performed. Results: It comes out from the study that hunger and food security levels from 2000 to 2019 in Benin remain unsatisfying and inadequate. This situation had been exacerbated by the new coronavirus pandemic. About food access during COVID-19, 80% of respondents found that their dietary needs had been challenged by the COVID-19 restriction measures. This challenge affects infants as well as children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, elderly people, and people with a chronic disease. Overall, the price of the food products had increased on the local market, and this change in the price limit the ability of 80% of households to acquire sufficient and safe food. The factorial correspondence analysis of the dietary behaviors and food handling practices during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Benin discriminated three groups of households corresponding to 3 types of dietary behaviors and food handling practices. Conclusion: Preservation of food values chain, improvement of food environment in Benin, and nutritional support of low-resilient populations should be the main way to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 on food security, nutrition, and food safety. Keywords: Benin, dietary behaviors, food access, hygiene, SARS-CoV-2.

RESUME L'impact de l'utilisation des ressources alimentaires animales non conventionnelles d'origine végétale sur la qualité de la viande reste peu documenté. L'objectif de l'étude est de déterminer les relations entre la productivité et la qualité de la viande de lapins nourris avec des rations contenant ou non (lot1) des feuilles de Cissus populnea (lot 2) ou de Synedrella nodiflora (lot 3). Il en ressort que l'analyse en composantes principales discrimine les trois groupes de lapins selon leur productivité et les propriétés de la qualité de leur viande. Le premier axe explique 62,55% des variations et oppose les lapins du lot témoins à ceux des lots expérimentaux. Le deuxième axe explique 37,45% des variations et oppose les lapins du lot 3 à ceux des lots 1 et 2. Dans l'ensemble, les lapins des lots expérimentaux 2 et 3 sont caractérisés par les meilleurs taux de fertilité, taille de la portée au sevrage, poids vif à l'abattage, hématocrite, teneurs en protéine, en matière sèche, en matière organique et en minéraux. Par contre, les lapins du lot témoin sont caractérisés par les meilleures valeurs de pH, de teneur en matière grasse, capacité de rétention d'eau et de rendement de la carcasse. Les rations alimentaires contenant des feuilles granulées de C. populnea ou de S. nodiflora améliorent la qualité nutritionnelle de la viande des lapins.

No abstract