ANTIMICROBIAL PROFILES, ANTIDIARRHEAL AND ANTIPYRETIC CAPACITIES OF PHENOL ACID RICH-FRACTIONS FROM XIMENIA AMERICA L., (OLACACEAE) IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objective: The present study aim to evaluate antimicrobial and antidiarrheal activities of phenol acid-rich fractions of roots from Ximenia americana L., in animal models in order to confirm the ethnomedicinal use of Ximenia Americana L., roots.Methods: In vitro antibacterial (Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill studies) of phenol-rich fractions of roots from Ximenia americana L., was assessed using eight bacteria strains (Gram-negative). The anti-diarrheal activity was evaluated using castor using castor oil induced diarrhea whereas Anti-secretory activity was investigated using castor oil-induced enteropooling assay examined in animal models respectively.Results: All test bacteria were susceptible to the phenol-rich fractions. Time-kill results showed that after 5 h exposition there was no viable microorganism in the initial inoculum. Moreover, phenol acid-rich fractions of roots (100-200 and 300 mg/kg, p. o.) produced dose-dependent and significant (p<0.05-0.001) protection of rats against castor oil-induced diarrhea, and delayed gastric emptying. Phenol acid-rich fractions of roots, dose-dependently and significantly (p<0.05-0.001) delayed the onset of castor oil induced diarrhea, decreased the frequency of defecation, and reduced the severity of diarrhea in the rats. Phenol acid-rich fractions caused dose-related inhibition of castor-oil-induced enteropooling in rats.Conclusion: The data analysis indicates that the tested of phenol-rich fractions has significant effects when compared with the standard antibiotic. These results, therefore, justify the traditional use of Ximenia americana L. About antidiarrheal activity, the findings of this study indicate that phenol acid-rich fraction possesses antidiarrheal property in rats. These findings confirm the ethnomedicinal use of Ximenia americana L., roots valuable natural remedy for the treatment, management and/or control of diarrhea

Assessment of onions contamination by pesticides residues and characterization of market gardeners’ cultural practices in the region of Boucle du Mouhoun (Burkina Faso)

This study was initiated in order to study cultural practices and assess levels of contamination in pesticide residues of onion samples produced in the region of Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso. A collection of samples was carried out at three gardening sites. A survey was also carried out to list the various pesticides used on market gardening sites and the practices for using pesticides. The QuEChERS method allowed the quantification of pesticides. The results show that 93% of the market gardeners were men, and more than 67% were between 25 and 35 years old. Nearly 55% of market gardeners are illiterate and do not have adequate means of protection when applying pesticides. A total of 16 pesticides have been accounted and most of them are Category II which are dangerous for human health and environment. 12 pesticide residues were quantified. Most of the active substances detected above the MRL (set by Codex Alimentarius and EU) were from the organochlorine family. These results reveal a fairly high level of contamination for pesticide residues. The study revealed that cultivation practices in market gardening sites as well as the consumption of onion pose numerous health risks for humans and the environment

Determination of the Moisture and Mineral Contents in Selected Infant Flour Sold at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Child malnutrition is one of the major causes of public health and social welfare problems in developing countries. It is manifested by micronutrient deficiency. Indeed, nutritional deficits are particularly severe in children from 6 to 24 months, when their nutritional needs exceed what they can get from breast milk. To help improve the nutritional quality of locally produced infant flours in Burkina Faso, we assessed the mineral content and determined the water content (moisture content) of 10 infant flours. The principle of moisture determination is to dry a sample at a temperature between 103 and 105 degrees Celsius until a constant result is obtained. The principle of mineral determination is based on flame atomic absorption. The main flours studied are: corn, soy, millet, sorghum and wheat flour. The highest humidity is 14.09%, while the lowest is 3.23%. The concentration of minerals is unevenly distributed in our samples. Thus the concentration of iron varies between 1.30 mg / 100 g to 7.64 mg / 100 g, zinc between 0.04 to 0.50 mg / 100 g, potassium between 0.03 and 67.52 mg / 100 g, sodium between 14.24 mg / 100 g to 222.69 mg / 100 g, magnesium between 27.66 and 114 mg / 100 g, and the calcium varies between 4.29 and 538.43 mg / 100 g. Results were compared to codex standards and it appears that the concentration of minerals did not meet the standards in some samples. No samples met zinc and potassium standards. In addition, we evaluated the proportion of the main minerals in each sample. Calcium is the most common mineral in most samples against the weakly occurring zinc. The results of this work will enable the necessary organizations to make appropriate arrangements so that the flours that will end up in the shops and foodstuffs meet the international standards for the benefit of the population

PHYTOCONSTITUENTS ANALYSIS, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF EXTRACTS FROM LAGGERA AURITA L. (ASTERACEAE)

Objective: This research was designed to evaluate the polyphenolic content, antibacterial potency and antioxidant activity of extract and fractions from Laggera aurita L. (Asteraceae), a medicinal herbaceous from Burkina Faso. Methods: Folin ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods respectively were used for polyphenol contents. The antioxidant activities of the samples were evaluated by various in vitro assays like ferrous reducing antioxidant assay (FRAP), Total reducing power, 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and ABTS radical cation decolorization assays. In vitro antibacterial capacity of bioactive fractions were investigated by agar disc diffusion, micro-well dilution (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assay and at least the effect of the best bioactive fraction (EAF) from Laggera aurita L. (Asteraceae) and in combination with gentamycin against food bacterial strains multi-resistants was evaluated. Results: Estimation of Total phenolic and flavonoids contents revealed that EAF and DCMF have the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents 62.12±0.68mgGAE and 10.56±0.29mgQE respectively. These results indicated that most of the bioactive fractions from Laggera aurita L. were able to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria as compared to Gram-negative bacteria. Among the samples tested for antioxidant activities, EAE and DCMF have the highest activities compared to other fractions. Conclusion: These findings suggested that Laggera aurita L. is not only an important source for antibacterial component, but also a potential source of antioxidants. So, these results may be useful in explaining the medicinal applications of Laggera aurita L

The application of multiplex fluorimetric sensor for the analysis of flavonoids content in the medicinal herbs family Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae

BACKGROUND: The aim of our research work was to quantify total flavonoid contents in the leaves of 13 plant species family Asteraceae, 8 representatives of family Lamiaceae and 9 plant species belonging to familyRosaceae, using the multiplex fluorimetric sensor. Fluorescence was measured using optical fluorescence apparatus Multiplex(R) 3 (Force-A, France) for non-destructive flavonoids estimation. The content of total flavonoids was estimated by FLAV index (expressed in relative units), that is deduced from flavonoids UV absorbing properties. RESULTS: Among observed plant species, the highest amount of total flavonoids has been found in leaves ofHelianthus multiflorus (1.65 RU) and Echinops ritro (1.27 RU), Rudbeckia fulgida (1.13 RU) belonging to the family Asteraceae. Lowest flavonoid content has been observed in the leaves of marigold (Calendula officinalis) (0.14 RU) also belonging to family Asteraceae. The highest content of flavonoids among experimental plants of family Rosaceae has been estimated in the leaves of Rosa canina (1.18 RU) and among plant species of family Lamiaceae in the leaves of Coleus blumei (0.90 RU). CONCLUSIONS: This research work was done as pre-screening of flavonoids content in the leaves of plant species belonging to family Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae. Results indicated that statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in flavonoids content were observed not only between families, but also among individual plant species within one family

Correction: Hibiscus sabdariffa: Genetic variability, seasonality and their impact on nutritional and antioxidant properties.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261924.]