Ethnobotanical Survey and Agro-Morphological Characterization of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae) Cultivars in South Benin

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae), a cultivated annual herbaceous plant is one of the most important spices consumed in the world with many medicinal properties. It is an income-generating plant for its production. This study aims to document endogenous knowledge on speculation as well as an agro-morphological characterization in order to make it better known and to reveal its potential to the whole world. The ethnobotanical data obtained by a semi-structured survey conducted from a questionnaire in six (06) municipalities in southern Benin made it possible to determine the local taxonomy of Ginger, the cultural practices and the different uses of the species. Ginger has been introduced in Benin for decades and in all the area study. The local names for the species as well as its uses, vary according to locality. As for the agro-morphological characterization, a complete random block device composed of five sub-plots was used. The experimental data allowed us to obtain three classes with all the accessions collected. Ginger cultivation is widespread in the study area with production on a small area. The cultivation techniques adopted do not follow any defined technical itinerary and the production tools are often rudimentary. The cultivation of ginger is therefore limited despite its multiple medicinal and economic potential. The institutions in charge of agriculture do not have data concerning the cultivation of ginger in southern Benin.

Using Aedes aegypti larvae to Assess Pesticide Contamination of Soil, Groundwater and Vegetables.

In Benin, the use of synthetic pesticides in vegetable production poses a risk to the environment and human health. Vegetables, water and soil quality assessment is very important for monitoring and mitigation of these risks. The evaluation of pesticide contamination of vegetables and agricultural environment is often made using expensive methods. It is crucial for research in so-called developing countries to develop less expensive tools for pesticide risks assessment and monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of using Aedes aegypti larvae as a bio-indicator to measure the pesticide contamination of soil, groundwater and vegetables. Vegetables just before harvest, groundwater and soils samples from three production sites and vegetables samples from markets were collected from March to August 2011. Ethanol extracts of these samples were tested on first stage larvae of Aedes aegypti. The method made it possible to detect residues of chlorpyrifos-ethyl and deltamethrin in cabbage until 4 and 8 days respectively after treatment with the recommended doses for crop protection. It proved inappropriate to measure pesticides residues in market-gardening soils, since these soils contain some amounts of nitrite, nitrate and phosphate, coming from the decomposition of fertilizers which are poisonous for the first stage larvae of Aedes aegypti. Overall, the results revealed the presence of small amounts of pesticides residues in 12.5% of the vegetables collected from markets. Pesticides residues were also detected in 30.0% of vegetables collected just before harvest. Residues of pesticide were not detected in groundwater samples collected from vegetable growing areas. First stage larvae of Aedes aegypti could be used as a bio-indicator to characterize and monitor risk of pesticide contamination of vegetables in southern Benin. It could also be used for a monitoring program before running a more thorough chemical analysis to identify and quantify the pesticide molecules present in samples.

Ethnopharmacological Survey on Antihemorrhagic Medicinal Plants in South of Benin.

Aims: Bleeding is the leading cause of early death and a post-traumatic major cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Although 80% of African people have used herbs to treat wounds, very little information is available about plants species with hemostatic properties. This study aims to contribute to a better knowledge of plants used for their hemostatic properties in southern Benin. Study Design: Ethnobotanical and survey study. Place and Duration of Study: Southern Benin in West Africa between January and June 2011. Methodology: Ethnopharmacological surveys were conducted from January to June 2011, with 66 traditional healers in Southern Benin using the method by Semi Structured Interview (SSI). Results: We surveyed 55 species of medicinal plants belonging to 28 families. The most used species were: Musa sapientum L., Jatropha multifida L., Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel., Annona muricata L., Macrosphyra longistyla DC. And Newbouldia leavis P. Beauv. The use of these plants is more common in postpartum hemorrhages (45.8%), scarification (22%), circumcision (13%) and snake bites (7%). Preparations administered orally (56.8%) or locally (43.2%) are most often in the form of various extraction products (latex sap or juice (31.9%), aqueous decoction (22.7%), aqueous maceration (17.6%) or powder (13.5%). The plant parts most frequently used are: leaves (38.2%), bark (23.6%), roots (12.7%) and latex (11.9%). Conclusion: The extracts of these plants could therefore be an attractive option given the urgency posed by hemorrhages.