Biochemical composition and nutritional value of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del fruit pulps from Northern Ferlo in Senegal

Balanites aegyptiaca, a forest species of socio-economic interest for rural people, was chosen to be planted in the frame-work of the Great Green Wall project in Senegal. Although in vastly demand during food scarcity period before crops harvest, the species’ fruit is poorly valued despite its important production. In this study, the fruit pulps were harvested at maturity and the biochemical characteristics were accessed in order to better understand the fruit’s nutritional value. The moisture, sugars, proteins, amino acids, ash, fat, minerals and some vitamins were determined by standard methods of analysis. The results indicated that the fruits are a good alimentary source of sugar, minerals (mainly potassium) and ascorbic acid. The pulp proteins were qualitatively balanced, but were present only in weak quantities. Its caloric value is high due to the high concentration of sugars. Low humidity should allow a fairly good postharvest fruit conservation. The dietary intake of this fruit for local people is very valuable especially in terms of nutrition.Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, pulp, biochemical, nutritional valueAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 336-342, 8 January, 201

Diversity and dynamics of rhizobial populations in acidic soils with aluminum and manganese toxicities in forest zones

Soil acidity in the humid forest zones of Cameroon is one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity. This study was carried out to assess the rhizobial communities of two acidic soils; with aluminum toxicity (Nkoemvone) and manganese toxicity (Nkolbisson) for their potential to improve soil fertility in Cameroon. These two soils were used to inoculate to the host plants cowpea and siratro. At harvest, 120 rhizobacterial isolates were extracted from the nodules of these two hosts and subjected to morphological characterization. Twenty isolates per site were selected and analyzed for their 16S rDNA genetic profile following restrictions with endonucleases of PCR products and electrophoresis. The restriction patterns of the 16S rDNA of the 40 isolates showed 12 different profiles. Eight occurred in both types of soils, where as 4 were specific to the manganese-toxic-acidic soil. While the Al toxicity reduced the nodulation and growth of both plants, the Mn toxicity mostly affect the cowpea. This study ascertained the distribution of rhizobia based on soil characteristics. Further molecular analyses would allow the identification of the isolates recovered as well as their phylogenetical relationships.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 12-23, December, 201

Liver Stiffness Measurement and Biochemical Markers in Senegalese Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Normal ALT and High Viral Load

Despite the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Africa, few studies have been performed among African patients. We sought to evaluate liver stiffness measurement by FibroScan® (LSM) and two biochemical scores (FibroTest®, Fibrometer®) to diagnose liver fibrosis in Senegalese CHB patients with HBV plasma DNA load ≥3.2 log(10) IU/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values.LSM and liver fibrosis biochemical markers were performed on 225 consecutive HBV infected Senegalese patients with high viral load. Patients with an LSM range between 7 and 13 kPa underwent liver biopsy (LB). Two experienced liver pathologists performed histological grading using Metavir and Ishak scoring.225 patients were evaluated (84% male) and LB was performed in 69 patients, showing F2 and F3 fibrosis in 17% and 10% respectively. In these patients with a 7-13 kPa range of LSM, accuracy for diagnosis of significant fibrosis according to LB was unsatisfactory for all non-invasive markers with AUROCs below 0.70. For patients with LSM values below 7 kPa, FibroTest® (FT), and Fibrometer® (FM) using the cut-offs recommended by the test promoters suggested a fibrosis in 18% of cases for FT (8% severe fibrosis) and 8% for FM. For patients with LSM values greater than 13 kPa, FT, FM suggested a possible fibrosis in 73% and 70%, respectively.In highly replicative HBV-infected African patients with normal ALT and LSM value below 13 kPa, FibroScan®, FibroTest® or Fibrometer® were unsuitable to predict the histological liver status of fibrosis

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CASSAVA VARIETIES AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN CROP PRODUCTION IN EASTERN CAMEROON

Cassava represents a staple food source in Cameroon and in many other tropical countries, as it is effectively able to combat hunger. This study was carried out to: (i) determine the growth characteristics of improved and local cassava varieties in Eastern Cameroon under repeated cultivation, (ii) assess the effects of different soils on cassava growth, and (iii) disseminate the improved varieties throughout the region. The experiment was carried out during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 seasons. Two improved varieties, TMS-92/0326 and TMS-96/1414, and the local Ntolo variety were cultivated at three sites in a randomized block design with six replications. No fertilizer was applied and the fields were weeded regularly. A twoway ANOVA (variety x site) for each season showed that variety and site were equally significant, and there were no significant interactions between varieties and sites. The improved varieties had higher yields (2.0–5.5-fold higher) than Ntolo, with cassava mosaic disease having seriously affected the Ntolo yield. Soil acidity and organic matter content in the soil surface horizon may be major factors affecting the cassava yield, with TMS-92/0326 and Ntolo being tolerant of higher acidity than TMS-96/1414, which suggests that variety-soil interactions should be considered when improved varieties are introduced

Effects of Different Types of Litters and Fertilizer Application on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L. var. Across 86 Pool 16) in Senegal

This study aimed to characterize the effects of the application of different types of litters and fertilizer on the growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L. var.) in Senegal. A split plot experiment was conducted in a low fertile soil at Thiès. Three factors corresponded to: inorganic fertilizer as urea at two levels (0, 2), insecticide as fipronil at two levels (0, 2) and litter type at 5 levels (D, A, B, E, F). Zero (0) represented the controls without fertilizer, insecticide or litter application. Two (2) corresponded to an application of 71.4 kg ha^<-1> N fertilizer, and 7.5 L ha^<-1> insecticide, both sequentially applied 3 times during the trial. D, A, B, E, F corresponded to the control, 5.7 t ha^<-1> of Andropogon gayanus Kunth, Casuarina equisetifolia (Forssk), Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. and Faidherbia albida (Chev.) litters, respectively, applied 73 days before sowing. This gave a total of 20 experimental units with 3 replications each. With no inorganic or insecticide application, the effect on growth parameters (plant height, medium collar diameter, number of leaves per plant) was not significantly different among the different applied litters. Litter application positively affected the growth parameters compared to the control. F. albida litter increased the quantic maximal output of the photochemical activity by 6% and the energy use efficiency by 26%, compared to the other litter types. At harvest, litters of F. albida, C. equisetifolia and P. glaucum increased grain yields by 94.3% over the control. The addition of inorganic fertilizer and/or insecticide improved the stem collar diameter and plant height and grain yield. In conclusion, the incorporation of locally available litters (more specifically that of the leguminous plants F. albida and C. equisetifolia) and their combination with inorganic N fertilizer and insecticide are good alternatives to increase maize production in tropical croplands

Diversity and dynamics of rhizobial populations in acidic soils with aluminum and manganese toxicities in forest zones

Soil acidity in the humid forest zones of Cameroon is one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity. This study was carried out to assess the rhizobial communities of two acidic soils; with aluminum toxicity (Nkoemvone) and manganese toxicity (Nkolbisson) for their potential to improve soil fertility in Cameroon. These two soils were used to inoculate to the host plants cowpea and siratro. At harvest, 120 rhizobacterial isolates were extracted from the nodules of these two hosts and subjected to morphological characterization. Twenty isolates per site were selected and analyzed for their 16S rDNA genetic profile following restrictions with endonucleases of PCR products and electrophoresis. The restriction patterns of the 16S rDNA of the 40 isolates showed 12 different profiles. Eight occurred in both types of soils, where as 4 were specific to the manganese-toxic-acidic soil. While the Al toxicity reduced the nodulation and growth of both plants, the Mn toxicity mostly affect the cowpea. This study ascertained the distribution of rhizobia based on soil characteristics. Further molecular analyses would allow the identification of the isolates recovered as well as their phylogenetical relationships.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 6 (2): 12-23, December, 201

DIVERSITY AND DYNAMICS OF RHIZOBIAL POPULATIONS IN ACIDIC SOILS WITH ALUMINUM AND MANGANESE TOXICITIES IN FOREST ZONES

Soil acidity in the humid forest zones of Cameroon is one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity. This study was carried out to assess the rhizobial communities of two acidic soils; with aluminum toxicity (Nkoemvone) and manganese toxicity (Nkolbisson) for their potential to improve soil fertility in Cameroon. These two soils were used to inoculate to the host plants cowpea and siratro. At harvest, 120 rhizobacterial isolates were extracted from the nodules of these two hosts and subjected to morphological characterization. Twenty isolates per site were selected and analyzed for their 16S rDNA genetic profile following restrictions with endonucleases of PCR products and electrophoresis. The restriction patterns of the 16S rDNA of the 40 isolates showed 12 different profiles. Eight occurred in both types of soils, where as 4 were specific to the manganese-toxic-acidic soil. While the Al toxicity reduced the nodulation and growth of both plants, the Mn toxicity mostly affect the cowpea. This study ascertained the distribution of rhizobia based on soil characteristics. Further molecular analyses would allow the identification of the isolates recovered as well as their phylogenetical relationships