Evaluation of Ensiled Brewer's Grain in the Diet of Piglets by One Way Multiple Analysis of Variance, MANOVA

The basic purpose of feeding trials is to find the optimum level of feed ingredients which give the highest economical returns to the farmers. This can be achieved through estimation and comparison of means of different rations. The example we have is a study of incorporation of different levels of ensiled brewers grains in the diet of 24 hybrids weaned piglets from Landrace x Duroc x Berkshire x Large White. They were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of two piglets per pen. They were fed 0, 10, 20, 30% incorporation of ensiled brewer's grains on dry matter basis during post-weaning period followed by 0, 30, 40 and 50% during growing period and 0, 50, 60 and 70% during finishing period. We have one explanatory variable: initial weight, and four post treatment outcome variables recorded per piglets: final weight, dry matter consumption, weight gain and index of consumption. Comparing of several multivariate treatment means model design analysis is adapted. We obtain the MANOVA (Multiple Analyse of Variance) table of each phase, where the treatment differences exist by using Wilk's lambda distribution, and we find the treatment effect by using a confidence interval method of MANOVA. This model has the advantage of computing the responses of all variables in the matrix of sum of squares and more precisely in separation of the different means percentage of Ensiled Brewer's grain

Pesticides use in cocoa sector in Cameroon: characterization of supply source, nature of actives ingredients, fashion and reasons for their utilization

The chemical control is the widely control method applied in Cameroon for pests and diseases by all the cocoa producers without technical suitable assistance by the State as before 1980’S. However, it is known that farmers have less knowledge on the good pesticides use for the control of a specific pest. The objective of this study was to provide insight in current pesticide use in the cocoa sector in Cameroon. A stratified sampling scheme was used. A total of 251 cocoa farmers, 20 post-harvest cocoa traders and 37 chemical retailers were randomly selected and interviewed. The study showed that 35 different chemicals were marketed in Cameroon for use in cocoa: 4 herbicides, 11 fungicides and 20 insecticides. Of 251 farmers consulted, 96.8% said that they use pesticides on their farms while 3.2% did not. Fungicides were used most often by farmers 61.8%) followed by insecticides (38.2%). Eight active ingredients although, officially banned, were still being used on cocoa farms. Over 77% of farmers do not respect the official spray recommendations for chemicals. Moreover, 64% do not respect recommended doses. Two main pesticide-supply-pathways exist in Cameroon: a legal and illegal supply chain, which provides 51% of pesticides to cocoa farmers, resulting in an estimated loss of value added tax for the Cameroonian government of about 550 000 to 2.4 million Euros per year. These results suggest that improved pests and diseases control by the State and raising farmer awareness about pesticide use in cocoa could greatly attribute to more sustainable cocoa economy in Cameroon.Keywords : Cocoa, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, Cameroon

Préférences alimentaires de Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. (Hemiptera: Miridae) vis-à-vis de quelques clones de cacaoyers (Theobroma cacao L.)

Feeding Preferences of Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. (Hemiptera: Miridae) to some Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Clones. The selection of cocoa clones, resistant to Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. was done in the laboratory according to the standardized method of indoor microtests based on the study of mirid feeding preferences. Fourteen cocoa clones were involved. The Sca6 clone was the control. An index (i) which expresses the ratio of the number of stings on the clone to that obtained on the control was calculated for each cultivar. Which has enabled to quantify the levels of attractiveness of cocoa clones to S. singularis and to classify these clones in three groups: less attractive clones (i< 1), non different (i= 1) and more attractive (i> 1). The results obtained showed that the mean numbers of feeding stings on the control (tr) ranged from 5.49 to 5.62 (5.49≤ tr≤ 5.62) and that obtained on the other clones (tc) from 5.29 to 6.18 (5.29≤ tc ≤ 6.18). The Na33 clone had the highest stings mean number (6.18) and IFC 100 the lowest one (5.29). The High Amazonian clone Na33 was the most attractive and the clones ICS100, IFC100, (exotic trinitario), Sca12 (catongo) and Na32 (High Amazonian) were less attractive. On the other hand the clones IFC1363, IFC1362, IFC1374 (catongo), UPA337, T60/887, ICS1 and IMC60 (High Amazonians) and ICS95 (exotic trinitario) were non different. The reactivity seemed not depending on the origin of the clone. Save the High Amazonian clone Na33 which was the most attractive there were among non different and less attractive clones as well exotic trinitario, catongo as High Amazonians

Socio-economic Benefits of Non-timber Forest Products to the AFCOE2M Communities of Southern Cameroon

A study was carried out in the community forest of Ebo, Medjounou and Mbamesoban communities (AFCOE2M) in the South Region of Cameroon to evaluate the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to the people’s livelihood. The study identifies the various NTFPs used and further evaluates their socio-economic and cultural contributions in sustaining the livelihood of the AFCOE2M community. Essentially, the study assesses the exploitation and utilization of NTFPs. One Hundred and twenty five (125) individuals were randomly selected in the three villages that make up the AFCOE2M community forest. Fifty two (52) species of NTFPs of plant origin were identified, from which seven (7) were frequently used in all the three villages namely; Irvingia gabonensis, Trichoscypha acuminata, Alstonia boonei, Garcinia kola, Piper guineense, Picralima nitida, and Ricinodendron heudelotii. Results reveal that NTFPs plant parts used for consumption consist of 68% fruits, 20% seeds, 5% barks, 4% roots and 3% leaves. NTFPs used for medicinal purposes comprised of 70% barks, 16% seeds, 7% leaves, 5% fruits and 2% roots. There was a significant difference (P = 0.049) in the number of NTFP types consumed as food while that was not the case for medicinal NTFPs (P = 0.86). There was a significant difference in the number of NTFP species used for food originating from different land use types (P-value = 0.048) as well as between those used for medicinal purposes (P-value = 0.012)

Hepatoprotective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Opilia celtidifolia (Opiliaceae) Leaves against Ethanol-Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Objective. Opilia celtidifolia is a plant used in Cameroonian ethnomedicine to cure jaundice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of O. celtidifolia leaves aqueous extract in rats subjected to ethanol-induced liver damage. Material and Methods. 36 rats including 18 males and 18 females were divided into 6 groups of 3 males and 3 females each, namely, 3 control groups (normal, negative, positive) and 3 test groups. The normal and negative control groups were given distilled water (5 ml/kg), the positive control group received silymarin (100 mg/kg), and the test groups were given O. celtidifolia extract at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. All groups, except the normal control, received concomitantly and daily 40% ethanol (4 g/kg) for 3 weeks to induce hepatotoxicity. Biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) were evaluated. Histological sections of the liver, kidneys, and lungs were examined. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extract were carried out. Results. The groups treated with the extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) of transaminases (ALT and AST), ALP, and bilirubin compared with the negative control. These results were confirmed by observation of histological sections of the liver that confirmed protective action of extract against ethanol-induced hepatocellular injury. Conclusion. O. celtidifolia possesses hepatoprotective properties that could be related to its high content of tannins and saponins in the leaves aqueous extract

Healing and Antisecretory Effects of Aqueous Extract of Eremomastax speciosa (Acanthaceae) on Unhealed Gastric Ulcers

Objective. This work investigated the healing and antisecretory effects of the aqueous extract of Eremomastax speciosa on “unhealed gastric ulcers” associated with gastric acid hypersecretion. Materials and Methods. “Unhealed gastric ulcers” were induced using indomethacin following the establishment of acetic-acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, per os) was administered concomitantly with indomethacin (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously). The effects of the extract on both basal and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion were determined. Mucus secretion and oxidative stress parameters were measured, and histological assessment of ulcer healing was carried out. Results. The extract significantly promoted the healing process in rats subjected to “unhealed gastric ulcers” (82.4–88.5% healing rates). Treatment with the extract significantly reduced the basal (25.95–49.51% reduction rates) and histamine-stimulated (24.25–47.41%) acid secretions. The healing effect of the extract was associated with a significant (p<0.05) increase of mucus secretion and concentrations of antioxidant enzymes compared with the controls. The extract at the highest dose showed normalization of the mucosa, without glandular destruction and with the disappearance of fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusion. The abilities of the extract to increase mucus secretion, to reinforce antioxidant status, and to inhibit acid secretion would be some of the mechanisms by which this extract would accelerate the healing process in “unhealed gastric ulcers.

EVALUATION NATURELLE DE L\u2019IMPACT DE BEAUVERIA BASSIANA : CHAMPIGNON ENTHOMOPATHOG\uc9NE DANS LA DYNAMIQUE DE POPULATION DE HYPOTHENEMUS HAMPEI , SCOLYTE DE BAIES DES CERISES DE COFFEA CANEFORA COFFEA CANEFORA

A study of finding out natural enemies of the coffee cherry borer beetle Coffea canephora , Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) was carried out at two ecologically different sites of Cameroon: Nkoemvone in the South region of the country and Nkolbisson around Yaound\ue9 in the central region. For six months, 500 berries were randomly collected monthly at each site. The presence of entomopathogenic fungus was observed on berries infested by the borer beetle. Rates of borer insect mortality due to Bauveria bassiana at Nkoemvone are: 70.6% in August, 64.6% in September, 32% in October, 43.2% in November, 39.2% in December and very low in January (8.6%). On the other hand, these rates at Nkolbisson are: 42.6% in October, 10% in November, 3.4% in December, 2.6% in January, 1.4% in February and 0% in March. From these observations, it was possible to carry out a research on the pathogenicity tests through its natural presence and on artificial-infection trials of the borer beetle with this fungus in order to protect better the coffee grains with a biological product.Une \ue9tude de recherche des ennemis naturels contre le scolyte des cerises de caf\ue9ier Coffea canephora , Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae), a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e dans deux sites au Cameroun : Nkoemvone une r\ue9gion du Sud du pays et Nkolbisson pr\ue8s de Yaound\ue9, une r\ue9gion du centre. Pendant six mois, 500 baies \ue9taient mensuellement pr\ue9lev\ue9es de mani\ue8re al\ue9atoire dans chaque site. La pr\ue9sence du champignon entomopathog\ue8nes a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9e sur les baies attaqu\ue9es par les scolytes. Les taux de mortalit\ue9 du scolyte due \ue0 Bauveria bassiana \ue0 Nkoemvone sont de 70,6 en ao\ufbt, 64,6% en septembre, 32% en octobre, 43,2% en Novembre, 39,2% en d\ue9cembre et tr\ue8s faible en janvier (8,6%). Par contre ce taux \ue0 Nkolbisson est de 42,6% en octobre, 10% en Novembre, 3,4% en d\ue9cembre, 2,6%en janvier, 1,4% en f\ue9vrier et 0% en Mars. A partir de ces observations, il a \ue9t\ue9 possible de proposer par sa pr\ue9sence naturel une cherche sur le test de pathogenicit\ue9 et des essais d\u2019infection artificielle du scolyte avec ce champignon \ue0 fin mieux prot\ue9ger les grains de caf\ue9ier avec un produit biologique

Probing the Mechanism of 1,4-Conjugate Elimination Reactions Catalyzed by Terpene Synthases

The reaction mechanisms of (E)-β-farnesene synthase (EBFS) and isoprene synthase (ISPS), enzymes that catalyze a formal regiospecific 1,4-conjugate elimination of hydrogen diphosphate from (E,E)-farnesyl and dimethylallyl diphosphate (FDP and DMADP) to generate the semiochemicals (E)-β-farnesene and isoprene, respectively, were probed with substrate analogs and kinetic measurements. The results support stepwise reaction mechanisms through analogous enzyme-bound allylic cationic intermediates. For EBFS, we demonstrate that the elimination reaction can proceed via the enzyme-bound intermediate trans-nerolidyl diphosphate, while for ISPS the intermediacy of 2-methylbut-3-enyl 2-diphosphate can be inferred from the product outcome when deuterated DMADPs are used as substrates. Possible implications derived from the mechanistic details of the EBFS-catalyzed reaction for the evolution of sesquiterpene synthases are discussed