Microbial contamination associated with the processing of tchachanga, a roasted meat product

This study aimed to assess the microbiological contamination and quality of tchachanga, a roasted meat braised product processed at traditional scale in Benin, West Africa. A survey was performed to collect samples of tchachanga and data related to hygienic conditions of the roasted meat processing environment. A total of 60 samples of tchachanga including skewers, roasted meat and seasoned wrapped meat were collected from different processing sites in Cotonou, Benin. The main food borne microorganisms involved were investigated using standard methods. Moreover, a follow-up of tchachanga processing was performed to identify contamination factors of the product. In this respect, samples were collected at certain steps during the processing, and various microorganisms such as coliforms, pathogenic Staphylococcus and Salmonella were traced. The number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria in different products ranged between 6.47±0.61 and 6.93±0.43 Log (cfu/g). Total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Staphylococci ranged from 1.59 to 4.79, 1.00 to 3.2 and 3.49 to 5.2 Log (cfu/g), respectively. No significant differences were observed in the microbial count of different types of tchachanga investigated, but different processing methods had significant changes in the microbial content of the samples as a result of the processing environments and the ingredients used. The presence of Salmonella sp. was observed in all products.Keywords: Street food, Tchachanga, meat, microbiology, qualityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(18), pp. 2449-245

Influence du mode de cuisson sur la valeur nutritionnelle de Solanum macrocarpum, Amaranthus hybridus et Ocimum gratissimum, trois légumesfeuilles traditionnels acclimatés au Bénin

L’influence du mode de cuisson sur la valeur nutritionnelle de Solanum macrocarpum, Amaranthus hybridus et Ocimum gratissimum a été investiguée. Les teneurs en matière sèche, cendres, protéines, lipides,fibres et minéraux des légumes-feuilles traités ont été analysées conformément aux méthodes standards. Les résultats montraient que la cuisson à l’eau bouillante augmentait les teneurs en protéines (35,71%) et en lipides (97,26%) de Amaranthus hybridus, celles en lipides (288,05%) de Solanum macrocarpum et celles en protéines (0,54%) de Ocimum gratissimum. La cuisson à la vapeur augmentait la teneur en protéines (2,02%) de Solanum macrocarpum et une diminution de celles en protéines (-38,04%) et en lipides (-6,05%) de Ocimum gratissimum. La cuisson à l’eau bouillante entraînait des pertes plus élevées en Calcium de -23,72%, - 34,89% et -20,65% et en potassium de -61,77%, -55,04% et -44,34% respectivement pour Solanum macrocarpum, Amaranthus hybridus et Ocimum gratissimum que celle à la vapeur en Calcium de -1,13%, - 25,09% et -10,53% et en potassium de -31,33%, -9,76% et -1,15% respectivement pour Solanum macrocarpum, Amaranthus hybridus et Ocimum gratissimum. La cuisson à la vapeur augmentait des teneurs en magnésium (37,25%) et en fer (6,74%) de Solanum macrocarpum comparativement aux 35,41% et 1,40% obtenus avec la cuisson à l’eau bouillante.Mots clés: Cuissons à la vapeur, cuisson à l’eau bouillante, nutriments, conservation, Bénin

Effect of Fertilization and Harvesting Time on Antioxidant Activity of Three Leafy Vegetables Commonly Used in Benin

Leafy vegetables are an excellent source of bioactive factors, traditionally used as important medical ingredients. Recently, some leafy vegetables are domesticated without the use of fertilizer, as well as the assessment of the effect of fertilizer on their nutritional value. This study aims at testing the effect of three mineral and organic fertilizers (Cowpat, NPK and NPK + cowpat) on three traditional leafy vegetables: Ceratotheca sesamoïdes, Sesamum radiatum and Justicia tenella. Their antioxidant activities were assessed at different harvesting times varying from six (6) to fourteen (14) Weeks After Transplantation (WAT) using three in vitro methods: Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2’-Azinobis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazil (DPPH). The FRAP, DPPH, ABTS assays were consistent and positively correlated (p < 0.001). Total antioxidant activities of leafy vegetables depended on species, harvesting time and methods. They ranged from 32.0 to 45.7 μmol Fe/g DW (for FRAP), with non fertilized J. tenella cut at 12 WAT giving the highest antioxidant activity. Percentage of inhibition using DPPH assay ranged from 11.4 to 87.2 % and showed that J. tenella fertilized with NPK and cowpat, and harvested at 9 WAT had the highest antioxidant activity. Regarding ABTS, the range of 17.6 to 28.9 μmol TE/g DW was recorded, and the leaves of C. sesamoïdes harvested at 10 WAT and fertilized with cowpat showed the highest level. Compared to other species, those studied here may best contribute to improve human health related to degenerative diseases. Moreover, significant and positive correlations were observed between the total phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activities of leaves regardless the methods used. The positive and significant correlations between the three assays (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS) allow to suggest the use of only anyone of them to check factors in the study. This paper highlights the potential of antioxidant capability of the leafy vegetables even fertilized.Key words: Fertilizer, antioxidant, Sesamum, Ceratotheca, Justici

Performances of the barrel kiln used in cottage industry for fish processing and effects on physicochemical characteristics and safety of smoked fish products

peer reviewedPRD QualiSani (ARES-CCD