Acmella uliginosa, Ceratotheca sesamoides, Justicia tenella and Sesamum radiatum are four traditional leafy vegetables which are widely consumed in Benin. In order to document their origin, folk nomenclature, geographical distribution and ecology and to select adequate zones for in situ conservation of their genetic resources, 118 villages were randomly selected and surveyed throughout the country using a participatory research approach. All the species apart from Ceratotheca sesamoides were reported by farmers as introduced in Benin at different periods. The folk nomenclature comprising 93 different names is based on nine key criteria of variable frequencies according to the species. The geographical distribution maps revealed that the species under study are unequally distributed. Indeed, A. uliginosa is found exclusively in the northwest, J. tenella in the northeast and partially in the centre while S. radiatum and Ceratotheca sesamoides were found almost everywhere in Benin. Results from multivariate analysis combined with geographical distribution maps of the species and the soil and climate maps of Benin, leaded to the selection of the Northwest and of the Northeast regions as the appropriate conservation zones for the four species. Molecular analysis was recommended as it can help in describing genetic diversity and consequently in identifying additional sites for the widely spread species Sesamum radiatum and Ceratotheca sesamoides.

The MooSciTIC project is a capacity-building initiative targeting West African research scientists and higher education teachers. The project aimed to improve the self-reliance of researchers and upgrade research practices by providing on-site summer schools on trans-disciplinary topics such as scientific writing, communication, and integrity. Here, we explain how this program was designed and implemented and share the positive responses from our trainees, hoping to inspire similar initiatives.

The meat processing conditions expose it to several contaminations including the microbial. The present study was designed to assess the antibiotic resistance and toxin production by Escherichia coli strains isolated bovine carcasses collected in the slaughterhouse of Cotonou / Porto-Novo in Benin. Thus, a total of 240 samples was collected from 60 beef carcasses by the destructive method. The E. coli strains were identified by conventional microbiological and biochemical methods. The susceptibility of strains to 15 antibiotics was assessed by disc diffusion method on agar medium. The phenotypic identification of strains producing penicillinase and BSLE was performed respectively by the tubes acidimetric test and the double halo method. PCR was used to detect genes encoding the toxins and β-lactamases. The results showed that 57.92% of the samples were contaminated with E. coli, with highest rate recorded in the samples collected from arm. The susceptibility to 15 antibiotics tested has shown that all the isolated strains were multi-resistant with a high proportion to ceftriaxone (88.49%). the lowest resistance rate (~1%) was recorded with gentamicin. The E. coli strains producing β-lactamase carried multidrug resistance genes blaSHV (26.92%) and blaTEM (40.29%). To end, our data revealed the presence of EHEC pathovar (12.82%), responsible for the "traveler" disease. Thus, meat coming from slaughterhouses are therefore a potential source of food poisoning. Keywords: Bovine carcasses, E. coli, antibiotics, β lactamase, Bénin RésuméLes conditions de traitement de la viande l'exposent à des contaminations de tout genre dont celle microbienne. La présente étude a eu pour but d'évaluer la résistance aux antibiotiques et la production de toxines par les souches d'Escherichia coli isolées des carcasses bovines de l'abattoir Cotonou/Porto-Novo au Bénin. Pour ce faire, un total de 240 échantillons a été collecté sur 60 carcasses bovines par la méthode destructive. Les souches d'E. coli ont été identifiées par les méthodes microbiologiques et biochimiques conventionnelles. La susceptibilité des souches aux antibiotiques a été évaluée par la méthode de diffusion des disques sur milieu gélosé. L'identification phénotypique des souches productrices de la pénicillinase et de BSLE a été faite respectivement par le test d'acidimétrique en tubes et la méthode du doublehalo. La PCR a permis de rechercher les gènes codant pour les toxines et les β-lactamases. Les résultats ont révélé que 57,92% des échantillons analysés étaient contaminés par E. coli, avec un taux beaucoup plus élevé (70%) au niveau du bras. La European Scientific Journal November 2016 edition vol.12, No.33 ISSN: 1857 -7881 (Print) e -ISSN 1857 495 susceptibilité des souches aux 15 antibiotiques testés montre que toutes les souches étaient multi-résistantes avec une forte proportion à la ceftriaxone (88,49%). Par contre, une faible résistantes à la gentamicine (1,44%) était observée. Les souches E. coli productrices de β lactamase étaient porteuses des gèn...

In Benin, the boiled hypocotyl (Borassus aethiopum Mart) is one of the most common street foods consumed for its therapeutic properties. However, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of boiled hypocotyl food sellers are poorly known despite the high contamination potential of these street foods. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of boiled hypocotyls food vendors in the streets of Cotonou and its outskirts. The approach used concerned the process of good hygiene and production. Face-to-face interviews of 300 hypocotyls vendors and producers from Cotonou, Sèmè, Ouidah, and Abomey-Calavi were conducted. Concurrently, 200 samples of boiled hypocotyl were collected among study vendors. Results showed that all of the interviewed population (100%) of this activity are women. They are generally illiterate and 75% of them have never been to school. Additionally, 76.7% of street boiled hypocotyls sellers interviewed were mobile. The microbial profile of the boiled hypocotyls showed the lack of control and poor understanding of hygiene rules. The processes management also revealed two diagrams processes. The conditions in which hypocotyls vendors operate are largely unacceptable from a food safety point of view and an effort should be made to provide them with adequate infrastructure including potable water. In view of the socioeconomic impact of hypocotyl activities in Benin and their role in the unexpected arrival of food-borne diseases, vendors should be regularly trained in order to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses.

This study is a contribution to the optimization of organic fraction of municipal waste bioconversion into biomethane, by activated sludge production as inoculum for digesters. The wastewater (WW) and cow dung (CD) samples were taken from the slaughterhouse of Ouagadougou town, Burkina Faso. Different mixtures were made, enriched with mineral solution and cellulose at 5% (w/v) as: 10% CD + 90% WW (C7), 30% CD + 70% WW (C6), 50% CD + 50% WW (C5), 70% CD + 30% WW (C4), 90% CD + 10% WW (C3), 100% CD (C2) and 100% WW (C1). The pH evolution and biogas (CH 4 and CO 2) production were followed for 25 days. Cultures tend to acidify with increase in cow dung proportion. Biogas production was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C5 (880.0 mL), C6 (862.0 10 mL) and C7 (772.0 mL). Mixture C5 had a highest level of CO 2 production (40%). Also C7 and C6 retained in the experiment contained respectively organic matter, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and total alkalinity (TAC) as 41.06%, 47.02%, 1320 mg acetic acid/L, 3036 mg Acetic acid/L and 520 mg CaCO 3 /L, 1310 mg CaCO 3 /L. Mixture C6 was the best medium for microorganism proliferation stability with 3.5 × 10 5 UFC/ml of methanogens bacteria. It also possessed buffering capacity, which prevents acidification of medium during VFAs production.

The high prices of animal foods and limited income earned in developing countries have resulted in their dependency on cereal-based preparations as staple food. Cereals such as maize, sorghum or pearl millet are often used in the production of various traditional foods and beverages in many African countries including Benin. In the republic of Benin, the nutritive value of cereals such as maize and sorghum is well documented. However, the nutritional value of pearl millet varieties produced in Benin remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional value of 22 varieties of pearl millet produced in Benin. After samples collection, the pearl millet grains were milled into fine powder and their compositions in six minerals (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Zn2+) and proximate (ash, dry matter, starch, protein, total and reducing sugars) were determined using standard analytical AOAC methods. Next, we assessed the relationship between these variables using the Pearson Correlation Analysis (PCA). We found that protein, total and reducing sugars levels varied widely (ranged from 1.86 to 93.4 mg/g, 178.64 to 652.54 mg/g and 16.62 to 174.22 mg/g, respectively). Additionally, we found a highly significant correlation (P

Banana and plantain are popular fruits considered as major staple foods, and provide significant income to farming communities. A handicap to their development and production remains access to quality suckers. However, their diversity is still unknown in Benin. To assess the knowledge on the diversity of local varieties of both dessert banana and plantain at the community level, ethnobotanical surveys were undertaken using participatory research appraisal tools such as direct observations, group discussions and field visits from 119 interviewees living in 63 villages from 24 communes districts in Central and South of Benin. A total of 121 farmer-named banana and plantain varieties (83 vernacular names for banana and 39 others for plantains) were recorded and gathered into 58 differentiated varieties on the basis of the significance of the vernacular name relying on morphological traits and medicinal uses. Southern ethnic groups hold higher local varieties (H = 3.15 bits for the ethnic group Fon and H = 2.09 bits for Wemegbé) due to the high rainfall conditions favorable for the development of banana species than those from Central-Benin (H = 0.64 bits for the sociocultural group Mahi). The main constraints to these crop productions were drought (23.8% of responses), stealing of the whole bunch (19.0%), pests and diseases (14.3%), susceptibility to flood (9.5%) and pseudostem break by wind (7.8%). In situ and ex situ conservation should be undertaken to preserve the varieties cultivated by a few households on small areas defining their vulnerability status as well as those most commonly produced in large amounts.

Probiotics and related preparations, including synbiotics and postbiotics, are living and non-living microbial-based multi-components, which are now among the most popular bioactive agents. Such interests mainly arise from the wide range and numerous beneficial effects of their use for various hosts. The current minireview article attempts to provide an overview and discuss in a holistic way the concepts, methodologies, action mechanisms, and applications of probiotic-based multi-components in human, animal, plant, soil, and environment health. Probiotic-based multi-component preparations refer to a mixture of bioactive agents, containing probiotics or postbiotics as main functional ingredients, and prebiotics, protectants, stabilizers, encapsulating agents, and other compounds as additional constituents. Analyzing, characterizing, and monitoring over time the traceability, performance, and stability of such multi-component ingredients require relevant and sensitive analytical tools and methodologies. Two innovative profiling and monitoring methods, the thermophysical fingerprinting thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry technique (TGA-DSC) of the whole multi-component powder preparations, and the Advanced Testing for Genetic Composition (ATGC) strain analysis up to the subspecies level, are presented, illustrated, and discussed in this review to respond to those requirements. Finally, the paper deals with some selected applications of probiotic-based multi-components to human, animal, plant, soil and environment health, while mentioning their possible action mechanisms.