The biochemical characteristics of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water during germination

The purpose of this study was to determine the biochemical characteristics of coconut water during germination. The three cultivars most used worldwide were studied; West African Tall ‘WAT’, Malaysian Yellow Dwarf ‘MYD’ and improved ‘PB121+’ hybrid. Germinated ‘MYD’ and ‘PB121+’ had the greatest physical characteristic (water weight). As for the chemical parameters, the amounts of total sugar fluctuated from 25.60 mg/ml to 50.85 mg/ml while the amount of ashes and pH varied from 0.25% to 0.47% and 6.36 to 6.97 respectively. Coconut water from the ‘WAT’ and from the ‘PB121+’ hybrid which is richer in sugars and ashes is appropriate for vinegar making. It could be also used as an additive in food for children suffering from mineral deficiencies.Keywords: Biochemical parameter, cultivar, nut, hybri

Quality of fermented cassava flour processed into placali

Fermented cassava flour was obtained from Yace variety. Cassava roots were washed, peeled and ground. After adding cassava inoculums at 8% (m/m), the pulp was allowed to ferment for 72 hours at ambient temperature. The fermented dough was removed, squeezed and oven-dried for 48 hours at 55 °C. The dried product was ground and sieved with a 200 μm mesh sieve. Proximate composition and the ability of fermented flour to be processed into placali appreciated by consumers were evaluated. Moisture, protein, ash, fat, total sugars and cyanide contents were low while starch, total carbohydrate and energy contents were high. Minerals like phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc were available and well-balanced. The sensory evaluation test indicated a significant difference (P<0.05) between the different placali samples in terms of visual appearance, odour, taste, texture and global appreciation. It is a clear indication that reconstitution proportion affects all the hedonic appreciations evaluated. Placali prepared from fermented cassava flour were then highly appreciated when reconstitution proportion (flour to water ratio) was within 1:3.5 and 1:3.Keywords: Proximate composition, cooking time, sensory analysis, reconstituted doug

A Comparative Study of the Syneresis of Yam Starches and other Modified Starches

The syneresis of starch gels from 19 yam cultivars (belonging to 4 Dioscorea species and complex of species) and 5 modified starches were studied during refrigeration (4°C) and freezing (-20°C). Syneresis of starch gels evolved on refrigeration at the onset from zero and remained constant between 20% to 60% after 8 weeks of storage for all the yam species. The cultivars Daminangba (Dioscorea alata) and Assawa (Dioscorea cayenensis) were the most refrigeration-resistant. During freezing, syneresis of yam gels evolved from zero and remained constant in the 56 - 70% interval for the D. alata, 35 - 70% for the D. cayenensis-rotundata complex, and 37 - 55% for D. dumetorum and D. esculenta. The Kpokpokpo (D. cayenensis-rotundata) was the most freeze-resistant cultivar. The resistance during refrigeration of Daminangba and Assawa, as well as the freeze resistance of Kpokpokpo were in all cases less than those of Amioca and Colflo 67, the best modified commercial starches. Treatment of yam gels with appropriate doses of hydrophilic ingredients might be necessary to reduce their syneresis to acceptable levels. KEY WORDS: Syneresis, Refrigeration, Freezing, Stability, Yam starch. The Journal of Food Technology in Africa Volume 7 No.1, 2002, pp. 4-

A comparative study of the syneresis of yam starches and other modified starches

The syneresis of starch gels from 19 yam cultivars (belonging to 4 Dioscorea species and complex of species) and 5 modified starches were studied during refrigeration (4°C) and freezing (-20°C). Syneresis of starch gels evolved on refrigeration at the onset from zero and remained constant between 20% to 60% after 8 weeks of storage for all the yam species. The cultivars Daminangba(Dioscorea alata) and Assawa(Dioscorea cayenensis) were the most refrigeration-resistant. During freezing, syneresis of yam gels evolved from zero and remained constant in the 56 - 70% interval for the D. alata, 35 - 70% for the D. cayenensis-rotundata complex, and 37 - 55% for D. dumetorum and D. esculenta. The Kpokpokpo(D. cayenensis-rotundata) was the most freeze-resistant cultivar. The resistance during refrigeration of Daminangbaand Assawa, as well as the freeze resistance of Kpokpokpo were in all cases less than those of Amiocaand Colflo 67, the best modified commercial starches. Treatment of yam gels with appropriate doses of hydrophilic ingredients might be necessary to reduce their syneresis to acceptable levels

A Comparative Study of the Syneresis of Yam Starches and other Modified Starches

The syneresis of starch gels from 19 yam cultivars (belonging to 4 Dioscorea species and complex of species) and 5 modified starches were studied during refrigeration (4°C) and freezing (-20°C). Syneresis of starch gels evolved on refrigeration at the onset from zero and remained constant between 20% to 60% after 8 weeks of storage for all the yam species. The cultivars Daminangba(Dioscorea alata) and Assawa(Dioscorea cayenensis) were the most refrigeration-resistant. During freezing, syneresis of yam gels evolved from zero and remained constant in the 56 - 70% interval for the D. alata, 35 - 70% for the D. cayenensis-rotundata complex, and 37 - 55% for D. dumetorum and D. esculenta. The Kpokpokpo(D. cayenensis-rotundata) was the most freeze-resistant cultivar. The resistance during refrigeration of Daminangbaand Assawa, as well as the freeze resistance of Kpokpokpo were in all cases less than those of Amiocaand Colflo 67, the best modified commercial starches. Treatment of yam gels with appropriate doses of hydrophilic ingredients might be necessary to reduce their syneresis to acceptable levels

The Thai Red Cross protocol experience in Côte d'Ivoire

Rabies is a public health problem in the world especially in Cote d'Ivoire. The epidemiological surveillance of rabies revealed 10,197 exposures with 17 deaths in 2015 and 11,481 exposures with 18 deaths in 2016. The management of exposed people was based on WHO's intramuscular (IM) protocols (Essen and Zagreb). The usual results from these anti-rabies protocols showed low compliance corresponding to 45-50% exposed people who did not complete the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) schedule, mainly due to the cost of vaccines. The main objective of the project was to test the feasibility of a free rabies PEP based on the Thai Red Cross (TRC) protocol used by intradermal route. The study population was exposed people (patients) vaccinated in the anti-rabies center of Bouake and San Pedro which were two departments selected for this study. The TRC protocol was implemented in year 2017. Patients have been vaccinated according to IM post exposure protocols or by the TRC schedule. This new protocol was administered free of charge to exposed people with their consent. Patients who did not complete the PEP schedule were researched and interviewed for having the reasons related to this non-completion. In 2017, 1625 exposures were registered including 1121 in Bouake and 504 in San Pedro. Overall immunization compliance was 63%. Patients who received the TRC schedule were 829 (52%) With 70% PEP compliance The PEP compliance of Zagreb protocol was 67% and the Essen protocol recorded 38% of PEP compliance. The research of exposed people who did not complete the PEP schedule has shown that cost effectively remains the major limiting factor among exposed people vaccinated by Essen or Zagreb protocols. But negligence was main cause for the non-completion PEP among exposed people who accepted the TRC schedule. Introduction of free rabies PEP through the TRC protocol has found the population support. This experience has been successful with a better PEP compliance, which means safe protection of people from rabies. This study has demonstrate that free rabies vaccine used by ID route is one of the best solutions to improve the PEP compliance in Cote d'Ivoire. Nevertheless, alternatives ways should be provided in order to minimize vaccine wastage rates in anti-rabies center receiving very few exposed persons. Community engagement would be necessary for more rabies awareness raising and improving bite victim's follow-up

Risk factors for rabies in Côte d'Ivoire

Rabies affects more than 150 countries worldwide. Cote d'Ivoire is one of the rabies-endemic countries that has recorded deaths every year since 2006. The evolution of these deaths is almost constant with an average of 18 annual deaths (annual incidence=0.06-0.08 per 100,000). Children predominate among these victims. However, prevention measures exist in anti-rabies centers distributed throughout the country. The objective of this study was to determine the factors related to rabies risk in Cote d'Ivoire through Gavi rabies project entitled 'Impact of rabies and immunization in Central and West Africa'. The implementation was conducted from 2016 to 2018 in two departments of Cote d'Ivoire (Bouake and San Pedro). The study population was dog-bite victims vaccinated in anti-rabies centers of project sites from January to December 2016. Two non-free rabies immunization protocols are used in the country (Essen and Zagreb). Information was collected from bites victims for an adequate follow-up. It was to apprciate the risk of developing rabies through access to care, the immunization status of biting animal, the category of exposure and the result of rabies post exposure prophylaxis (compliance). Local program implementers responsible for these bite-management activities and veterinary staff had receved training and the necessary material. The public health education and information dissemination activities were carried out in support of promoting a wide spread of rabies prevention messages. Household surveys were conducted by sociology students in 4002 households each in urban and in rural areas. This activity helped to find people exposed by dogs and who did not receive any Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The study registered 1,263 bite victims in pilot anti-rabies centers in 2016, 51% of them were children. People living in urban areas were strongly represented (87%) because of anti-rabies centers proximity. Dog was the most animal associated to exposure (94%). Seventy-two percent (72%) of them had owners, but only 14% were vaccinated against rabies. More than half of dog bite victims had category III of exposure (58%). PEP compliance record was very low (37%), which means that 63% of bite victims have not completed the protocol. This study conducted in Bouake and San Pedro showed somes factors responsible for rabies deaths evolution in Cote d'Ivoire. Main issues identified are the geographical accessibility of anti-rabies centers, frequent bites caused by unvaccinated dogs, often category III of exposure and many non-completions of rabies PEP in ignorance context. The establishment of national comprehensive and integrated rabies control program is needed in Cote d'Ivoire. It must take into account all these factors by focusing on public awareness, dog vaccination and adoption of modern intradermal vaccination regimens to better manage rabies situation in Cote d'Ivoire

Rabies burden in Côte d'Ivoire

BACKGROUND: In Cote d'Ivoire, just as in the majority of developing countries, rabies cases are underestimated. The official data are based on passive surveillance studies which cannot provide true estimates. Therefore, the economic and health burden of rabies is underestimated. To be able to better estimate the true burden of rabies, this study looked at surveillance data of bite records and household survey. METHODOLOGY: The data was collected from a cross-sectional survey of 8004 households, of which 4002 were in the Department of Bouake and 4002 in the Department of San Pedro. Further data was collected from Human Rabies control centres and from the respective veterinary services. We estimate the burden of rabies through data from the bites surveillance records. Human deaths from rabies were estimated using a series of probability steps to determine the likelihood of clinical rabies in a person after being bitten by a suspected rabid dog. Monte Carlo simulations of a series of interconnected probabilities were used to estimate the rabies burden in the country. RESULTS: The number of deaths from rabies was estimated at 637deaths per year [95% CI 442-849] and human mortality from rabies was estimated at 2.61 per 100'000 [95% CI 1.81-3.56], which represents 24-47 times more cases than the official data. Deaths due to rabies are responsible for 23252 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) lost each year [95% CI 16122-30969]. The estimated annual cost of rabies is 40.15 million USD [95% CI 27.8-53.4]. Overall, 99% of the cost was due to premature deaths. The cost of post-exposure prophylaxis was estimated at 1.6 million USD and represented 1% of the overall cost of rabies. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the underreporting of rabies cases by the official health information system in Cote d'Ivoire and the annual financial losses related to rabies are equivalent to the estimated cost of the elimination of rabies by 2030. Thus, investing in the fight against in Cote d'Ivoire will be cost effective