Assessment of Serum Calcium, Serum Iron and Nutritional Status among Under-Five Children in Six Municipalities of Abidjan District, Côte d’Ivoire

Malnutrition occurs in various forms in the world, especially in African countries. It affects two-thirds of the children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), micronutrient deficiencies also affect many children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status, serum iron and serum calcium among under-five children. This study was conducted on a cohort from 480 children in six municipalities of Abidjan: Abobo, Cocody, Koumassi, Marcory, Treichville and Yopougon. A blood sample and anthropometric measurements (weight, height) were performed to determine the hematological profile and nutritional status of children. The results showed that stunting was the most widespread form of malnutrition among children surveyed. Depending on age, children from 0 to 6 months have a low prevalence of PEM than those from 7 to 59 months: wasting (1.2% vs 3.5%), stunting (8.6% vs 25.2%) and underweight (3.4% vs 10.7%). Also, the results reveal a lowest serum iron (µmol/l) among children from low households income (9.77 ± 2.4), illiterate mothers (8.92 ± 1.3) compared to those from mothers with a high level of education (21.75 ± 4.1) and high living standard (21.28 ± 2.1). There was no notable difference (p>0.05) between serum calcium whatever socio-demographic parameters considered. The parameters under study such as nutritional status, serum calcium and serum iron have shown a variation of malnutrition in Abidjan

CARACTERISATION BIOCHIMIQUE ET FONCTIONNELLE DES GRAINES DE SEPT CULTIVARS DE VOANDZOU [VIGNA SUBTERRANEA (L.) VERDC. FABACEAE] CULTIVES EN CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Seeds of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] were collected from seven cultivars in the locality of Ouangolodougou, north Côte d'Ivoire. The seeds biochemical composition was evaluated in order to determine the nutritional value of Bambara groundnut. The results showed that the moisture content varied between 7.35 to 9.02%, ash content 2.55 to 2.98 %; crude fiber 2.57 to 4.08 % and the protein content 14.61 to 20.74%. Seeds lipid composition was varying between 7.69 to 8.55 %, while the content of carbohydrate was between 54.05 to 64.50 %. Energy value was found to range from 370.02 to 388.80 Kcal per 100 g of flour. The content of phenolic compound varied from 142.43 to 205.92 mg per 100 g EG. For the functional properties, the water absorption capacity was between 199.26 to 239.75 ml per 100 g of flour, while the oil absorption capacity was between 2 to 2.12 ml / g flour. The study showed that Bambara seeds grown in that area could be a good source of nutrients. Therefore, the judicious use of Bambara seeds could be a source of additional nutrients in the diet of vulnerable population

Assessment of Wells Water Quality and their Suitability for Drinking in M'Bahiakro City (Côte d'Ivoire)

The present study was carried out to assess the quality and the suitability of the well waters for drinking in M’bahiakro city (centre-east of Côte d’Ivoire). The work was performed on 71 wells in February 2012 (dry season) and June 2012 (rainy season). Groundwater levels and physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, redox potential (Eh), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Salinity) were measured to assess the water table fluctuation and the groundwater quality. Standardized Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) was calculated to group the well waters and to evaluate their suitability for drinking according to different classes. Water table varies between 125 and 135 m during the dry season and between 127 and 136 m during the rainy season with a West-Est flow direction. The recharge values ranged between 0.57 m and 5.57 m. Wells waters are generally acidic (pH<6.5), high mineralized with conductivities and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) respectively above 600 µS/cm and 300 mg/l. Well water salinity values ranged between 0.30 and 0.5%. The Standardized Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) allowed distinguishing three important groups of water within M’bahiakro area: the first group of wells with high mineralized water, the second group of wells with high potential redox (Eh) and the third group of wells with pH closer to neutral. The first and second groups are not very suitable for drinking because they are suspected of being contaminated by anthropogenic sources such as septic tanks and wild dump. Waters of these wells need to be treated before any domestic use

CARACTERISATION BIOCHIMIQUE ET FONCTIONNELLE DES GRAINES DE SEPT CULTIVARS DE VOANDZOU [VIGNA SUBTERRANEA (L.) VERDC. FABACEAE] CULTIVES EN CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Seeds of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] were collected from seven cultivars in the locality of Ouangolodougou, north Côte d'Ivoire. The seeds biochemical composition was evaluated in order to determine the nutritional value of Bambara groundnut. The results showed that the moisture content varied between 7.35 to 9.02%, ash content 2.55 to 2.98 %; crude fiber 2.57 to 4.08 % and the protein content 14.61 to 20.74%. Seeds lipid composition was varying between 7.69 to 8.55 %, while the content of carbohydrate was between 54.05 to 64.50 %. Energy value was found to range from 370.02 to 388.80 Kcal per 100 g of flour. The content of phenolic compound varied from 142.43 to 205.92 mg per 100 g EG. For the functional properties, the water absorption capacity was between 199.26 to 239.75 ml per 100 g of flour, while the oil absorption capacity was between 2 to 2.12 ml / g flour. The study showed that Bambara seeds grown in that area could be a good source of nutrients. Therefore, the judicious use of Bambara seeds could be a source of additional nutrients in the diet of vulnerable population

Biochemical characterization of juices from three wild fruit species consumed in Côte d’Ivoire "Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa and Tamarindus indica"

In the context of the valorization and the development of local products in Côte d’Ivoire, this study is based on juices samples prepared from the pulp of wild fruits of Baobab (Adansonia digitata), Tomi (Tamarindus indica) and Néré (Parkia biglobosa). The physiochemical characteristics such as dry matter (desiccation, 105°C), mineral (spectrophotometer), ash, fat, fiber and protein (AOAC), Energy (coefficients), vitamins A & C (HPLC), organic acids & total polyphenols (HPLC), carbohydrate (by difference), pH and titratable acidity (titrimetry, NaOH) of pasteurized juices (75°C, 5 min) were investigated. Data showed that the juices have been characterized by low protein (0.21-0.28 %), fat (0.26-0.65 %) and ash (0.20-0.47 %) content and high level of total carbohydrates (21-30 %) and energy (85.83-124.43 Kcal/100mL). Baobab and Tomi juices were distinguished by their high acidity (103-159 meq.g / Kg) while Baobab and Néré juices were characterized by their average fiber content (4-5.30 %). The juices of Baobab, Tomi and Néré are very rich in some minerals (K and Mg) but calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) are not bioavailable (Oxales/Ca and Oxalates/Fe > 2). The juice of baobab is rich in vit A (80 mg/100mL) and vit C (189 mg/100mL) than the others juices. Catechin was the most phenolic content (52.29-110.32 mg/100mL) where tartric acid was the most organic acid (4.02-6.82 mg/100mL) in the juices. The knowledge of the nutritional value of these juices could contribute to a better understanding of the essential role of these three wild fruits in terms of food and trade

Hydrologie et hydrochimie des eaux dans la zone de construction du chenal du port de pêche de Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire

Une caractérisation des eaux de l’estuaire de Grand-Lahou a été entreprise pour accompagner le projet de construction du chenal du port de pêche de Grand-Lahou qui vise à assurer la navigabilité de l’estuaire afin de redonner une vitalité à l’économie de la région. Ainsi, les variations spatio-temporelles de quelques paramètres physico-chimiques et des indicateurs de pollution chimique ont été étudiées en relation avec les variations saisonnières des paramètres hydrologiques et l’instabilité de la passe de Grand-Lahou. La variation des paramètres physico-chimiques de la lagune de Grand-Lahou est fortement influencée par la dynamique du fleuve Bandama, des petites rivières côtières et du degré d’ouverture ou de fermeture de la passe. Ainsi, la turbidité reste très élevée aux environs de la passe pendant la crue du fleuve Bandama (70 NTU &lt; turbidité &lt; 120 NTU). Par ailleurs, la salinité reste élevée (18‰ en moyenne) en périodes d’étiages où les eaux marines repoussent les eaux continentales. En revanche, en périodes de hautes eaux du fleuve Bandama et des rivières côtières, la salinité diminue pour atteindre des valeurs allant de 0,05‰ à 10‰. Les teneurs en sels nutritifs (CV &gt; 15%) sont relativement élevées avec des baissent significatives en périodes d’étiage du fait de la prolifération des algues, de la photosynthèse, des activités bactériennes et de la sédimentation importante.Mots clés: Hydrologie, hydrochimie, estuaire, passe, lagune de Grand-Lahou

Nutritional Quality of Food Supplements for Children from 6 to 59 Months Proposed to the Dietary Service of Regional Hospital of Daloa (Ivory Coast)

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of the infant flours offered to mothers received in the dietary service of the CHR of Daloa. Introduction: Ivory Coast’s membership in Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) is a momentum in a collective effort to improve the nutrition and nutritional status of the population.&nbsp; Method&nbsp;: For this purpose, analyses of biochemical compositions, in particular the levels of protein, fat and minerals in the proposed infant flours, were carried out.&nbsp; Results: The formulations of the flours proposed have high nutritional values. The protein content of compound flours increases proportionally with the amount of soy incorporated. Indeed, for FC2 and FC3 formulations, these contents are 17.12 ± 0.19 g / 100 g (FC3) and 17.50 ± 0.56 g / 100 g (FC2) with a rate of incorporation of 25% soy. In addition, the FC1 flour formulation enriched with peanuts is low in protein with a value of 8.69 ± 0.11 g / 100 g. These flours also had mineral contents in accordance with WHO standards of calcium (&gt; 125 mg / kg), iron (&gt; 4 mg / kg) and zinc (&gt; 0.8 mg / kg). In addition these formulations are highly digestible. Conclusion: However, to use the proposed meal formulations as food for malnutrition, it would necessarily be necessary to supplement them with available local fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins and minerals