Fermentation of maize (Zea mays L.) meal or mawe production in Benin : physical, chemical and microbiological aspects

Mawè is a sour dough made from partially dehulled maize meal, which has undergone natural fermentation for 1 to 3 days.In this thesis, the processing methods, the characteristics of the products and the physical, chemical and microbiological changes during natural fermentation of two differently processed mawè (home and commercial processes) from Bénin were investigated.The main difference between both processes is the removal of more hulls and germs from the commercial mawè. The latter was whiter than the home-produced mawè and had better swelling and thickening characteristics, but the nutrient loss was higher. This study showed that the physico-chemical changes occurring in the fermenting product depend on the processing method used.Dominant microflora in mawè included obligately heterofermentative lactobacilli: L. fermentum and its biotype cellobiosus, L. brevis, and yeasts: C . krusei and S.cerevisiae. Ability of these organisms to ferment dehulled maize porridge was also tested and showed that fermentation can be carried out using a single starter culture of the Lactobacilli. The utility of the yeasts was not evident as far as their effect on acid production was concerned

Diagnostic des systèmes techniques de transformation de l'igname en cossettes séchées au Bénin

Les pertes après-récolte des tubercules d'igname enregistrées dans les pays producteurs de l'Afrique de l'Ouest sont très importantes (40-50 % après 6 mois de stockage). Ces pertes sont dues à l'absence de moyens et méthodes de conservation appropriés. La transformation des tubercules en produits stables (cossettes, farine) est une solution à la conservation de l'igname frais. Cette technique permet, en outre, de réduire de plus de la moitié le poids de la matière à transporter. La méthode de fabrication des cossettes d'igname, connue depuis longtemps au Bénin et dans les pays voisins (Nigeria, Togo), permet de conserver le surplus des tubercules pour les utiliser pendant les périodes de soudure. Depuis plus d'une décennie, la farine de cossettes d'igname (Elubo) est passée dans les habitudes alimentaires des populations urbaines. L'importance de la demande actuelle nécessite que cette technique soit évaluée, améliorée et valorisée

Fermented sorghum porridge fortified with Moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp cured children from moderate acute malnutrition in Benin

Inappropriate feeding, too early introduction of complementary foods and restriction in food selection are a major cause of malnutrition among young children in developing countries. Food-to-food fortification is a good strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of children’s diet. This strategy is more and more promoted because it allows delivery of micronutrients to a large population in a cost-effective manner. The present study aimed at testing the effect of the consumption of sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp on the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in Northern Benin. A two-week intervention was implemented in Tanguiéta (Benin) among children affected by moderate acute malnutrition, using 400 g of fermented sorghumporridge fortified with 15 g of a designed mix of moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp. Sixty-three children aged 6–59 months who had malnutrition assessed by anthropometry were randomly selected and assigned to a treatment or a control group. Children in the treatment group consumed the fortified formula daily for two weeks in a nutritional rehabilitation hearth whereas those in the control group had their habitual diet. Their nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometry. Recovery rate and average weight gain of children were computed. Results show that daily consumption of the fortified food for two weeks did not significantly (P> 0.05) increase children’s weight in treatment vs. control. However, average weight gain was 9.85 g/kg/day in the treatment group and total recovery rate at risk of malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition was 62.50% among children who fully complied with the  intervention. Fermented sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp may be promoted to scale in more regions of Benin as a local affordable and effective therapeutic food against child acute malnutrition. Further investigation of its  potential effect while accounting for parasitic infection is needed, to eliminate all risks of intestinal micronutrient  malabsorption or malaria and enhance the effectiveness of the fortified food on children’s weight as well as their iron status. Key words: Food-to-food fortification, malnutrition, sorghum porridge, northern Beni

Complementary feeding practices of children aged 6-23 months in rural area, Southern-Benin: challenges and opportunities

Aims: This study aims to provide in-depth knowledge of current infant feeding practices in order to create an evidence base and develop well-targeted strategies to reduce the prevalence of child malnutrition. Study Design: This study is designed by using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in two rural districts, Bopa and Houeyogbe, in Southern Benin from October to December 2013. Methodology: A total of 1225 mother-infant pairs, aged 6-23 months were randomly selected in seventeen villages through exhaustive sampling. Socio-demographic data of participants were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Complementary feeding practices were assessed using recommended Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators. Statistical analysis were performed with SPSS version 20. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Overall, 20% had timely initiation of complementary feeding, whereas 61% and 17% had early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding, respectively. The mean age of introducing solid foods was 4.9 ± 2.3 months. Prevalence of MDD, MMF and MAD was 60%, 71% and 46% respectively. There is no specific complementary foods (CFs) for Benin children. Cereal porridges and extracts from family diets were two categories of complementary foods identified. Complementary food (CF) is characterized by unenriched porridges, mashed family diets and low consumption of fruits and eggs. Most of the children (70%) were fed vegetables consumed individually or mixed with other leaves. The most popular vegetables consumed by the children were Corchorus olitorius (48%), Hibiscus esculentus (22%), Solanum macrocarpon (18%). Conclusion: Untimely initiation of complementary feeding was predominant. Complementary feeding practices in this area of Benin were suboptimal. The valorization of local biodiversity and traditional recipes was an opportunity to improve quality of child’s diet. Reinforcing the capacity building of stakeholders focused on child feeding may be a crucial step for child well-being

Pratiques de production et caracteristiques physiques et chimiques du shô basi, un ouscous de niebe (Vigna unguiculata) produit au Mali

En Afrique de l’Ouest, le niébé est transformé en plusieurs produits dont le plus largement consommé au Mali est un produit granulé cuit à la vapeur et dénommé couscous de niébé ou Shô basi en Bambara. La qualité organoleptique du Shô basi est variable, probablement du fait de la diversité des pratiques de production. La présente étude vise à déterminer les pratiques et contraintes de production et les caractéristiques physico-chimiques du Shô basi tel qu’il est vendu sur le marché malien. Pour ce faire, une enquête a été réalisée au Sud du Mali auprès de dix-huit (18) coopératives de productrices de Shô basi constituées de 8 à 32 membres chacune. Dix-huit échantillons de Shô basi collectés auprès des coopératives enquêtées ont été analysés au plan physico-chimique. L’enquête révèle que la production de Shô basi est réalisée exclusivement par des femmes majoritairement mariées, non ou peu alphabétisées et âgées de 20 à 59 ans. Les principales variétés de niébé utilisées pour la production sont sangaraka et wilibali qui appartiennent à l’espèce Vigna unguiculata. Elles sont toutes les deux caractérisées par une couleur blanche ou crème. Le Shô basi est produit à partir d’un procédé présentant deux variantes technologiques majeures dont l’une implique le décorticage humide total (VDT) et la seconde le décorticage à sec partiel (VDP) du niébé. Indépendamment des deux variantes technologiques, le Shô basi de bonne qualité devrait selon les enquêtés avoir une couleur claire, une texture molle dans la bouche, une granulométrie uniforme avec une absence d’odeur et de goût de niébé. Les deux types de Shô basi dérivés des deux variantes technologiques présentent des teneurs en protéines (25,0 g/100g), en polyphénols (24,3 mg/100g) et un degré de gonflement similaires. Cependant, le Shô basi obtenu par la variante VDP est moins claire mais plus riches en fibres, en minéraux totaux avec des granulés plus fins. Le décorticage du niébé, la granulation de la farine, la cuisson à la vapeur et le séchage constituent les principales contraintes à la production à grande échelle et à la standardisation de la qualité du Shô basi au Mali

Complementary feeding practices: determinants of dietary diversity and meal frequency among children aged 6–23 months in Southern Benin

Poor complementary feeding practices have detrimental effects on child growth, development and survival. This cross-sectional study in rural areas of southern Benin examined some determinants of complementary feeding practices using socioeconomic and dietary data collected among 1225 primary caregivers. Determinants of complementary feeding practices in the study areas are multidimensional and include many interacting factors such as socio-economic aspects, farming practices, household demographics, cultural practices and geography. Child age, diversity of food groups produced, income allocated to feeding, commune of residence, ethnicity, caregivers’ occupation, marital status and household size were identified as the main factors affecting complementary feeding practices. Food group diversification in farm-systems and overall social behavior and support as well as women’s empowerment are necessary to improve children’s diets. Reducing women’s workload through improved working conditions appears crucial to decrease time burdens and allow more time for child care. Multisectoral interventions should be embraced to improve complementary feeding practices in Benin

Complementary feeding practices among children under two years old In West Africa: A review

The burden of child malnutrition is still high in West African countries with 19.2 million stunted children and increases rapidly during the weaning period. This has been attributed to inappropriate complementary feeding practices. To our knowledge, few studies have tried to review the state of complementary feeding in the sub-region. This review aimed to provide an overview of current complementary feeding practices in West Africa in order to identify issues that should be targeted for ensuring optimal infant and young child nutrition. Articles and reports published from 2006 to 2016 were selected and reviewed. All documents were accessed through PubMed, Google scholar, and FreeFullPDF databases. Relevant and current documents focused on infant and young child (IYC) feeding from World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) were identified by using electronic searches via the Google platform. Complementary feeding practices are suboptimal in West Africa compared to the Northern Africa. Porridges and family dishes are the two main categories of complementary foods given to children and there are nutritionally inadequate. Enriched flours have been developed by using local diversity of food resources and improved food process like dehulling, fermentation, germination, malting, but their use remains low. Socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors were the determinants influencing IYC feeding practices at mother and household levels. Besides food availability, social, cultural, economic and geographic determinants were interrelated in a complex way to affect child feeding practices. This paper contributes to a much-needed evidence-based focus on the state of complementary feeding practices. As a key component to child survival, the improvement of complementary feeding has been shown to be the most effective in enhancing child growth and reducing stunting. Stakeholders such as policy and decision-makers, development partners, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations should develop strategies for making enriched flours and nutritionally dense foods more accessible and affordable. Nutritional interventions should emphasize the promotion of adequate complementary feeding practices including feeding frequency, quality and quantity of diet and food safety in order to reduce malnutrition. Ongoing national plans and strategies for optimal IYC feeding should be encouraged to reduce child malnutrition. © 2018, African Scholarly Science Communications Trust (ASSCAT).Peer reviewe

Complementary feeding practices among children under two years old in west Africa: a review

The burden of child malnutrition is still high in West African countries with 19.2 million stunted children and increases rapidly during the weaning period. This has been attributed to inappropriate complementary feeding practices. To our knowledge, few studies have tried to review the state of complementary feeding in the sub-region. This review aimed to provide an overview of current complementary feeding practices in West Africa in order to identify issues that should be targeted for ensuring optimal infant and young child nutrition. Articles and reports published from 2006 to 2016 were selected and reviewed. All documents were accessed through PubMed, Google scholar, and FreeFullPDF databases. Relevant and current documents focused on infant and young child (IYC) feeding from World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were identified by using electronic searches via the Google platform. Complementary feeding practices are suboptimal in West Africa compared to the Northern Africa. Porridges and family dishes are the two main categories of complementary foods given to children and there are nutritionally inadequate. Enriched flours have been developed by using local diversity of food resources and improved food process like dehulling, fermentation, germination, malting, but their use remains low. Socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors were the determinants influencing IYC feeding practices at mother and household levels. Besides food availability, social, cultural, economic and geographic determinants were interrelated in a complex way to affect child feeding practices. This paper contributes to a much-needed evidence-based focus on the state of complementary feeding practices. As a key component to child survival, the improvement of complementary feeding has been shown to be the most effective in enhancing child growth and reducing stunting. Stakeholders such as policy and decision-makers, development partners, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations should develop strategies for making enriched flours and nutritionally dense foods more accessible and affordable. Nutritional interventions should emphasize the promotion of adequate complementary feeding practices including feeding frequency, quality and quantity of diet and food safety in order to reduce malnutrition. Ongoing national plans and strategies for optimal IYC feeding should be encouraged to reduce child malnutrition.Keywords: complementary feeding, practices, determinants, nutrition plans, West Afric

Le développement de la flière cossettes d'igname pour l'approvisionnement des villes au Nigeria, au Bénin et au Togo

Dans les pays du golfe de Guinée, l'igname est un produit très apprécié par la population, y compris dans les villes. Il y a 15 ans au sud-ouest du Nigeria, au Bénin et au Togo, l'approvisionnement des villes en igname était l a rgement dominé par des flux de tubercules frais. Cette situation prévaut dans les autres pays producteurs d'Afrique. Cette filière présente des contraintes : – la difficile conservation des tubercules en frais occasionne des pertes post-récolte importantes et une irrégularité des disponibilités tout au long de l'année ; – les coûts de transport et la commercialisation, et par conséquent, les prix au consommateur sont élevés ; – pour les utilisations culinaires des tubercules frais, les variétés d'igname à gros tubercules sont privilégiées. Ces variétés exigent, pour leur culture, des terres fertiles et un important investissement en travail

Indigenous food ingredients for complementary food formulations to combat infant malnutrition in Benin : a review

This paper reviews indigenous Beninese food resources as potential ingredients for complementary infant foods with the aim to develop affordable formulations for low-income households in each agro-ecological zone of the country. Potential ingredients were selected on their documented nutritional value. The selected foods encompass 347 food resources, namely 297 plant products from home gardens or collected from natural vegetation and 50 animals, either domesticated or from the wild. The compiled data reveal that the distribution of the available food resources was unbalanced between agro-ecological zones. Only a few animal ingredients are obtainable in northern Benin. Most resources are seasonal, but their availability may be extended. A high variation was observed in energy and nutrient contents. Antinutritional factors were identified in some resources, but processing techniques were reported to reduce their presence in meals. In general, ingredients from local tree foods (Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa) were adequate as sources of nutrients for complementary infant foods. Based on this review, local foods for the development of complementary food formulas for Beninese infants and children may be selected for each agro-ecological zone. The approach used is exemplary for other sub-Saharan African countries in need of complementary infant foods