Diet in Peru's Pre-Hispanic Central Coast.

The Tablada de Lurín cemetery (200 BC – AD 200; Lima, Peru) is characterised by two mortuary phases. Based on associated grave finds and the lack of habitation sites near the cemetery, it has been hypothesised that both burial populations came from a certain distance of the site (ca. 20 km) and that they relied on land rather than marine resources. We tested these hypotheses, based on material culture, through stable isotope analysis. The aim was to understand the populations’ diet and geographic origins. We sampled 47 human individuals and eleven sets of faunal remains from both phases for stable isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen) of bone and dental collagen, and apatite. Modern samples of autochthonous food were also tested as a baseline for comparison. The results showed preservation differences between the remains from both phases. Individuals from Phase 1 provided the best isotopic dataset and showed consumption of protein from marine resources and C4 plants. On the other hand, bioapatite carbon and oxygen stable isotope results from both phases highlighted differences in C4 plant consumption and individuals of possible non-local origin. The results underline the need to study further the effect of brewed or cooked beverages on bioapatite oxygen levels. Finally, results from Phase 1 fit with the broader dietary pattern evident in other Andean sites, where coastal populations consumed marine protein and C4 plants, as opposed to highland populations who relied on terrestrial protein sources and C3 plants

Un voyage au Burundi natal

Barampama Angelo. Un voyage au Burundi natal. In: Le Globe. Revue genevoise de géographie, tome 142, 2002. « Heureux qui comme Ulysse, ... » Voyage, tourisme, géographie. pp. 155-169

L'Afrique vue à travers les publications du Globe entre les années 1860 et 1910

Barampama Angelo. L'Afrique vue à travers les publications du Globe entre les années 1860 et 1910. In: Le Globe. Revue genevoise de géographie, tome 140, 2000. Cent ans d'exploration à Genève : l'Afrique au tournant des siècles. pp. 9-33

Effect of ensiling treatment on secondary compounds and amino acid profile of tropical forage legumes, and implications for their pig feeding potential

BACKGROUND Smallholders in the tropics depend on local protein supplements to balance pig diets. Thus, various tropical forage legumes are a potential feeding option. Ensiling allows converting forages into a ready-to-feed-out choice, but the lactic acid fermentation may influence various (anti)nutritional components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sucrose (SU) and a tropical Lactobacillus plantarum strain (LAB) as ensiling treatments (control, SU, LAB, LAB + SU) on the potential nutrient availability of 10 forage legume species. RESULTS Ensiling commonly reduced antinutritional compounds such as tannins (by 49–84%) and trypsin inhibitory activity (by 74–78%), as well as oxalic acid (by 51–100%). An improved potential absorbability of protein and minerals for pigs is thus inferred. There was no major loss in total amino acids. In general, the species effect was stronger than the treatment effect. A clear effect of the treatments SU, LAB and LAB + SU over all 10 forage species was only observed for oxalic acid, single amino acids and trypsin inhibitory activity. CONCLUSION Ensiling is a viable option to enhance nutrient utilization of tropical forages for pigs. Species-specific treatment of forage legumes is recommended. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industr