Quantitative determination of chemical and biochemical parameters during « soumbala » manufacturing process in two communities of Burkina Faso

« Soumbala » is traditionally used in Burkina Faso as a food condiment in different communities. This study was conducted to evaluate « soumbala » manufacturing process on its nutritional value in two communities. During this descriptive and analytical study, samples were taken in the « Gouin » and « Moose » communities. The results show that, the humidity rate was higher in « soumbala » and waste in the « Gouin » processus, whereas in the « Moose » one, the highest humidity rate was observed after the cooking step and in peeled boiled seeds. The ash level was higher in raw seeds and after cooking step in the « Gouin » community whereas in the « Moose » community, it was higher in raw seeds and waste. The pH determination showed a progressive increase in pH values during the « soumbala » manufacturing process in the two communities. Mineral elements assays showed a slight variation in grades along the « soumbala » manufacturing process. For biochemical analysis, lipids content increased during the « soumbala » production; protein levels increased a little at the early stages of « soumbala » manufacturing process in both communities and carbohydrates contents were higher in waste in the « Moose » community, whereas in the « Gouin » community, the highest contents were found in the raw seeds. The aflatoxins determination in « soumbala » showed levels below the detection limit of the used method. These results showed that it was imperative that approved standard protocols be adopted to maintain the nutritional quality of « soumbala » wherever it is produced

Health and Environmental Risk Assessment at Gold Panning Sites in the Northern Region (Burkina Faso)

Gold panning has an important contribution in the economic development of Burkina Faso. However, the mining activities expose people and the environment to severe risks. The present study was initiated to estimate the impact of gold panning on health and environmental resources. Samples of sweet pepper, water and soils were taken for mercury and cyanide content analysis. Mercury was extracted from the matrices by aqua regia and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cyanides were extracted from the matrices by centrifugation and analysed by colorimetry. Analyses showed the presence of mercury in soil samples but with contents lower than the standard of culture setting soils (5 mg/kg) except one, which displayed a mercury content of 13.45 mg/kg. In the same way, sweet pepper sample contained 3.17 mg/kg of mercury. Soils samples taken in the agricultural field were strongly contaminated by mercury and presented a very high potential ecological risk. In surface water and groundwater, the results of mercury analysis were all lower than the detection limit of the method used (0.02 µg/L). With regard to cyanides, all the analysed fresh mud samples had contents higher than the standard of culture setting in force in Burkina Faso (0.5 mg/kg). Water taken from Sissamba school « A » water pump, contained 0.12 mg/L of cyanide. This study highlighted many health and environmental problems on the gold panning sites in Burkina Faso. Keywords : gold panning, risk, health, environmen