This article reports the effect of site and variety on some physicochemical characteristics of tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus) and consequently on its milk production. Two varieties (black and brown) from three different sites (Guily, Mémé and Mayo‐Oulo) in the Far North Province of Cameroon and three milk‐processing conditions (grain size, soaking temperatures and grinding time) were assessed in the study. Results show that site and variety had a significant influence on the chemical composition of the tuber and its oil. The sample with the best overall performance in terms of its contents of proteins, lipids, ash, total sugars, saponification values and iodine values was the brown variety of tubers from Méme. Water absorption is at its maximum between 80 and 100C and for a period of 5 h. For temperatures lower than this, water absorption is slower. Extraction is influenced by soaking temperature, grain size and grinding time. Except for proteins, grinding time and temperature of soaking reduce significantly the different parameters analyzed. Thus, in terms of performance, milk extracted from the largest tubers soaked at 60C and ground for 20 min is the best condition for extraction. At this temperature, the maximum quantity of proteins is extracted.

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Background: Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Cameroon. Data on the bioavailability of carotenoid in fruits currently consumed in Cameroon are scarce. Objective: To assess the systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed as juice, fresh or dried slices. Methods: Two groups of seven healthy volunteers (24 and 25 years of age; body mass index: 21 and 22 kg/m 2 respectively for subjects fed mango and papaya), were submitted to three types of meal treatments (juice, fresh and dried fruit). On the experiment day, meals served to fasting subjects during breakfast, included bread, yogurt and one of the three forms of fruit. All the treatments lasted only one day during which blood samples were collected three times; during fasting (T 0 ), 4 h (T 4 ) and 8 h (T 8 ) after the test meal. The carotenoids and retinol contents were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography method. Results: From the major carotenoids present in papaya and mangoes, lutein, a-carotene and b-carotene were found in considerable amounts. Lycopene and cryptoxanthin that were the major carotenoids in papaya samples appeared in low amounts in the chylomicrons. Significant correlations were observed between these carotenoids (at T 0 , T 4 and T 8 ). The three forms of consumption contributed to the rise of serum retinol levels. A comparison between the three forms revealed that papaya and mangoes consumed in form of juice or fresh fruit are the best forms because they had higher bioavailability values. Conclusion: Association of these different forms of consumptions could lead to a better availability of these fruits throughout the year and therefore efficiently contribute to improve vitamin A status of the population.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is still a major health problem mostly affecting people in developing countries. It contributes to increased mortality and morbidity through current infection. In Cameroon, it is a public health problem mostly in the northern part where palm oil, which is a principal source of provitamin A in the south of the country, is not consumed. Aim: We carried out this research to discover the relationship between vitamins (A and E) and blood lipids in a normal rural population living in vitamin A-deficiency area. Design: A cross-sectional study with 81 healthy volunteers (40 men and 41 women) aged 3–61 (mean 18.32 ± 1.63) years and living in two neighboring villages (Doyan and Larao) in the northern part of Cameroon, where previous studies revealed a prevalence of vitamin A deficiency of 33.3%. Methods: Serum concentrations of vitamins A and E were measured by fluorometric methods. Serum cholesterol and lipids were assayed by enzymatic methods. Results: The mean ± standard error for vitamin A and E were 15.09 ± 0.82; 526.99 ± 29.57 µg/100 ml, respectively. The concentrations of the serum parameters analyzed were similar for both sexes, whereas the atherogenic ration of cholesterol (ARC) was significantly (p < 0.036) higher in women. Serum lipids (total lipids, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and phospholipids) correlated with vitamins A and E (p < 0.05). Vitamins A and E were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Age was positively associated with vitamin A (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and vitamin E (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). Deficiency of vitamins A and E constitutes a public health problem with more than 56% of the subjects having low levels of these vitamins, while subjects tested had a low risk for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: In this population we noticed normal lipid levels and vitamin A deficiency probably resulting from diets poor in provitamin A.

This paper examines the risk of Vitamin A deficiency among selected pregnant women in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon. A total of one hundred (100) pregnant women attending ante natal visits at the Regional Hospital in Ngaoundere were involved in a survey conducted in 2012 which used a 24-hour dietary recall to assess their dietary intake. Food models were used to assist memory and portion sizes of food taken. Carotenoids were quantified in the meals commonly consumed, as well as proteins, sugar, fibers and oil, nutrients intervening in carotenoids absorption and Vitamin A metabolism. The results indicated that the dietary intake of Vitamin A was inadequate with 37.5% of the selected pregnant women exposed to acute Vitamin A deficiency, while 20% of them were exposed to the severe form. The daily consumption of Vitamin A was about 539.09 ± 43.09 µg, corresponding to a contribution of 67.39% to the Vitamin A requirement of the pregnant women. The dietary intake of macronutrients was also inadequate with a daily consumption of 57.28 ± 12 g for oils, 177.88 ± 29 g for sugars, 47.34 ± 11 g for proteins and 11.28 ± 3 g for fibers corresponding respectively to a contribution of 63.6%, 70.8%, 78.90% and 45.1% of these nutrients requirement in these women. Given that over 50% of the women surveyed were exposed to Vitamin A deficiency, there is a need for urgent intervention programs in the area to alleviate this situation.

Tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus) are used for the production of vegetable milk, commonly known as “Horchata de chufa” in Spain. The presence of starch in the tuber limits the yield of the milk, since this carbohydrate gelatinizes during the pasteurization of the milk and leads to the considerable solidification of this drink. The present work aims to improve the yields and extraction practice of the milk by an in situ hydrolysis of starch, using exogenous amylases of industrial or vegetable origin. The obtained results show that sprouting improves the extraction yields of tigernut milk, which goes from 50% to about 70%. This improvement in milk yield corresponds to a hydrolysis of about 35% of the starch in the tuber. The use of exogenous amylases leads to starch hydrolysis rates of 45% and 70%, respectively, for amylolytic extracts from sprouted tigernut tubers and amylase, with the corollary of a natural increase in the sweetness of milk. This technical approach makes it possible to produce a naturally sweetened tigernut milk which easily lends itself to pasteurization without a significant increase in viscosity.

Leafy vegetables form part of the diet of most people of tropical Africa. The contribution of these leafy vegetables to their mineral needs has not been well elaborated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different processing methods on the mineral composition and anti-nutritional components of some tropical leafy vegetables. Twenty-one species of different vegetables locally grown and consumed in the northern region of Cameroon were collected and analyzed for their iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium content. The levels of anti-nutrients like phytates, oxalates, tannins and saponins that are likely to affect the bioavailability of these minerals were also determined. The effects of processing methods on the mineral composition and anti-nutritional components of these leafy vegetables were also determined. Amongst these species, Moringa oleifera, Hibiscus canabinum, Solanum nigrum, Cucurbita maxima and Vernonia calvoana that are used for soup, and found in relative abundance in the region were subjected to two cooking methods (boiling plus squeeze-washing and a combination of boiling in alkaline salt (kanwa) plus squeeze-washing). The levels of iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium varied in the different vegetables. In all vegetables studied, magnesium was the most abundant mineral. The iron levels ranged from 14.99±2.00mg/100g dry weight (DW) in M. oleifera to 167.42 ± 18.63mg/100g DW in H. sabdariffa. Boiling and squeezewashing led to significant losses of minerals with sodium being the most affected. On the contrary, higher values of iron, calcium and sodium were found in samples that were boiled in alkaline salt and squeeze-washed. The levels of antinutrients were also reduced as a consequence of processing. Percentage losses during boiling with or without alkaline salt were between 25.4 and 55.5% for phytates, 11.1 and 80% for oxalates, 16.4 and 68.5% for saponins and 25 and 26.44% for tannins. Boiling, therefore, with or without alkaline salt is an effective means of reducing the levels of these antinutrients in vegetables to tolerable levels.