Farmers’ perceptions of bovine brucellosis in Benin

Background and Aim: Cattle are the main source of meat in Benin. To improve the attitudes and practices of cattle breeders in relation to bovine brucellosis, a study has been carried out in Benin according to different agroecological zones. This study aimed to assess farmers’ knowledge and practices concerning bovine brucellosis to generate essential information for control programs and public health interventions. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from February to May 2022, during which 608 farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that provided information on socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge, and practices related to bovine brucellosis. Analysis of variance , Poisson regression, and the proportion comparison test were used to compare these characteristics in the different agroecological zones. At the end of the surveys, three distinct and homogeneous groups of perceptions (hierarchical classification of Multiple Correspondence Analysis components of R software) of bovine brucellosis were identified (these groups only consider farmers who declared knowledge of the disease). Groups were formed by applying the multiple correspondence analysis function of the FactoMineR library in R software, followed by a hierarchical ascending classification using the hierarchical clustering on principal component function of the same software (Agrocampus Rennes, France). Results: Only 38% of respondents were aware of brucellosis. Knowledge of brucellosis was not related to sex or education level but was higher among farmers in agroecological Zones 1 and 4. Ethnic Dendi herders (62.16%) had better knowledge of the disease than those from other sociolinguistic groups (Somba: 50%, Fulani: 40.91%, Baribas: 26.97%, and others: 8.82%). Reduced milk production (98.29%), presence of hygroma (87.18%), and abortion (56.84%) are the main signs reported by herders familiar with the disease. All three groups had good knowledge of the disease and its zoonotic nature. Groups 1 (96% of breeders) and 2 (2.14%) were aware of the risk factors (contact with affected animals, the consumption of raw milk, the handling of runts, and reproductive rejection). In the case of Brucella, they prefer to treat animals rather than sell them and use both traditional and modern medicines. Group 3 (1.71%) did not know the risk factors and preferred to sell animals in the event of illness. Conclusion: Pastoralists need to be made aware of the mode of transmission of bovine brucellosis, its clinical manifestations, its impact on animal health, and the zoonotic nature of the disease (impact on public health) so that bovine brucellosis can be rapidly detected in herds

Journal of Petroleum Technology and Alternative Fuels Fatty acid profile and quality parameters of Ceiba pentandra (L.) seed oil: A potential source of biodiesel

International audienceThe probable depletion of fossil energy resources has led the international scientific community to direct research towards biofuels, including vegetable oils. Benin has a rich biodiversity with multiple oilseed species, potential sources of biofuels. Among these, Ceiba pentandra was identified and selected for a detailed study of its unconventional vegetable oil. In this order of idea, the harvested seeds were dried in the sun and crushed. It was preserved at 25°C according to the NF T 60-201, 1993 standard. The physicochemical parameters and fatty acids content of C. pentandra vegetable oil have been determined by standard methods. The biofuel potential of this vegetable oil has also been evaluated. The results revealed that C. pentandra vegetable oil is predominant in saturated (40.8%) and polyunsaturated (41.37%) fatty acids. The saturated fatty acids quantified are stearic (20.17%) and palmitic (19.77%), while the most important polyunsaturated fatty acids are linoleic acid (C18:2) (20.95%) and linolelaidic acid (18.28%). Quality indices such as acid (4.52 ± 0.24 mg KOH/g-Oil), peroxide (2.16 ± 0.54 meq O 2 /kg-Oil), saponification (152.79 ± 6.07 mg KOH/g-Oil), iodine (129.79 ± 2.81 mg I 2 /100 g-Oil) and ester (148.27 ± 5.83 mg KOH/g-Oil) shall comply with the recommended standards for biofuels. These values of quality indices coupled with those of lower calorific value (LCV) (~ 40002.26 kJ/kg), refractive index (~ 1.4728 at 30°C) and cetane index (~ 49.70) make it possible to consider the use of this vegetable oil as a fuel oil