Associated factors of dietary diversity among schoolchildren in Plateau Central region of Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT: School-age is a dynamic period of growth and development, leading to good health and a productive adult life. Adequate dietary intake provides essential nutrients for growth, health and cognition. However, the practices of adequate nutrition is still not a matter of course for schoolchildren in many countries. The aim of this study was to identify associated factors of dietary diversity among students in public primary school in the Central Plateau Region. METHOD: Multi-stage sampling was used to select schoolchildren. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information's of food consumption at home and at school using a 24-h dietary recall method. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with students' dietary diversity scores (DDS) with statistical significance at p < 0.05, after performing Chi-square test of independence to identify candidates variables at p < 0.25. RESULTS: The study involved 560 pupils aged 6 to 14 older, including 52.9% girls and 47.9% boys. Dietary diversity was divided into three classes: low (DDS ≤ 4), medium (DDS = 5) and high (DDS ≥ 6). Thus, 13.4% of students have a low DDS and average in 48.9%, versus 37.7% high. Students in Ganzourgou were twice as likely to have a low DDS (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI:1.00-4.04) compared to those in Oubritenga. Household drinking water source, pupil status and father's occupation were significantly associated with pupils' dietary intake. CONCLUSION: Primary schoolchildren don't have good dietary practices in the Plateau Central Region. Promoting dietary diversification in households and balanced meals in school canteens would be necessary to improve the DDS of schoolchildren. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Number: 2022_33_/MS/MESRSI/CERS of 02/14/2022.

Food Environment in Burkina Faso: Review of Public Policies and Government Actions Using the Food-EPI Tool.

BACKGROUND: Governments have a central role to play in creating a food environment that will enable people to have and maintain healthy eating practices. OBJECTIVES: This study analyzes public policies and government actions related to creating healthy food environments in Burkina Faso. METHODS: The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index tool used for this study has 2 components, 13 domains, and 56 indicators of good practice adapted to the Burkina Faso context. Official policy documents collected from data sources such as government and nongovernment websites, and through interviews with government and nongovernment resource persons, provided evidence of considerations of food environment in public policy documents in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: Policies documents show a lack of revision of old texts and administrative processes for new policies and government practices are very slow. Added to this is the absence of a regulatory document for some implemented actions. The analysis of the documents collected in relation to the indicators of Food-Epi tool shows that there is no evidence of consideration of food environments for the indicators concerning the regulation of nutrition and health claims, labeling, taxes on healthy and unhealthy foods, support systems for training for private structures on healthy diets, implementation of food guidelines, and food trade and investment. CONCLUSION: This study permits a review of public policies that take into account food environments through the various indicators and constitutes a starting point from which improvements can be made by the government.

Plain language titleOverview of Nutrition Policies, Taking Into Account All the Dimensions That Can Influence People's Food Choices Across Government, the Food Industry and SocietyPlain language summaryTo achieve healthy eating habits, governments need to be involved in creating a healthy food environment. This study analyzes public policies and government actions related to the creation of healthy food environments in Burkina Faso. The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index tool was used to carry out this study. Policy documents collected from data sources such as governmental and nongovernmental websites, and through interviews with governmental and nongovernmental resource persons, provided evidence of the consideration given to the food environment in Burkina Faso. Thus, policy documents show a lack of revision of older documents and a very slow administrative process. Added to this is the lack of regulatory documentation on concrete measures taken. An analysis of the documents collected according to the Food Epi-Tool indicators shows that food environments are not taken into account for indicators relating to nutrition and health claims, labeling and taxation of healthy and unhealthy foods, support systems for training private structures on healthy diets, implementation of food guidelines, and food trade and investment. In short, this research provides a starting point for evaluating and improving food-friendly public policies through a series of indicators.

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Potential, and Antimicrobial Activity of Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae), a Food Plant from Burkina Faso.

The study aimed to evaluate phenolic content and antioxidant and antibacterial potentials of the fractions of the hydroethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae leaves, a food plant from Burkina Faso. Thus, the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions of the hydroalcoholic extract after drying were used to determine phenolic compound content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial potential on strains of pathogenic bacteria responsible for food contamination. Phytochemical analyses were performed according to standardized methods, while antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and FRAP methods. The antibacterial activity of the fractions was determined by diffusion and microdilution methods on the agar medium with gentamicin as a reference antibiotic. All the six strains, namely, Salmonella typhi ATCC 19430, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Bacillus cereus ATCC 13061, and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, were sensitive to the fractions tested. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 37 µg·mL-1 to 1.67 mg·mL-1, respectively, gentamicin and butanolic fractions, while minimum bactericidal concentrations of the fractions ranged from 0.037 to 2.500 mg·mL-1 depending on the bacterial strain. Antioxidant activity varied significantly between fractions. For DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the butanol fraction was the most active, with an IC50 of 280 µg/mL, while the lowest activity (705 µg/mL) was recorded by the hexane fraction. Those of trolox and ascorbic acid used as standards were 80 and 100 µg/mL, respectively. Ferric reducing power (FRAP) ranged from 0.34 to 0.40 mmol EAA/g extract for the hexanic and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. Phenolic compound contents also varied significantly between fractions. Butanoic and ethyl acetate presented the best contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. Significant and positive correlations were also recorded between phenolics and antioxidant activities. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the active fractions would be related to their richness in bioactive compounds, including phenolic, which are powerful natural antioxidants. U. chamae leaf extracts could therefore be used as dietary supplements to boost the immune system and prevent bacterial infections.

Physicochemical, potential nutritional, antioxidant and health properties of sesame seed oil: a review.

Sesame (Sesanum indicum L.) is one of the primary annual oilseeds grown in Africa and Asia. Sesame seed oil (SSO) is of great economic and human nutrition interest worldwide. Due to its composition in phytochemical antioxidants and profile in unsaturated fatty acids, sesame is used as a biological source of essential fatty acids. It contains bioactive compounds such as lignans (sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin), tocopherols and phytosterols. The oleic/linoleic fatty acids ratio of sesame makes it important for human health. SSO has bioactive compounds that can help prevent certain cardiovascular, metabolized and coronary diseases. The ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids in SSO are precursors to eicosanoids that regulate the immune system and inflammatory functions. The essential fatty acids contained in this oil are essential for cell construction and highly recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. The consumption of SSO allows both a decrease in the LDL-cholesterol complex and an increase in the HDL-cholesterol complex. It regulates blood sugar and may have favorable effects on people with liver cancer and those developing fatty liver disease. In this review, the nutritional value, antioxidant properties, and health benefits of SSO have been compiled to provide collective information of nutritional and medical interest.

Production and sensory evaluation of composite breads based on wheat and whole millet or sorghum in the presence of Weissella confusa A16 exopolysaccharides.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptability of composite breads based on local cereal (millet and sorghum) formulations. Bread preparations based on 50% wheat flour and 50% local cereal flour were made in the presence of exopolysaccharide (Eps) production stimulated by a strain of Weissella confusa A16 in the fermented dough. Seven formulations were done in two baking sets and were submitted to sensory evaluations which consisted of tests on sensory profile, hedonic analysis and ranking. Results showed that the presence of Eps improved the acceptability of breads made with local cereal flours. The white color of the crumb of breads made with 100% wheat flour was the most appreciated by consumers. The less local flour is used in the bread preparation, the better the bread is appreciated. Nevertheless, formulations containing whole grains were the least appreciated, partly because of the hardness of the breads. Interestingly, more than 50% of consumers found the taste pleasant for breads made with 50% millet flour.

Analysis of the nutritional composition and organization of school meals in the province of Kadiogo in Burkina Faso: challenges and prospects.

Background: In the face of food shortages and precariousness, school meals are an effective means of encouraging pupils to attend and stay in school, and of combating nutritional deficiencies. Unfortunately, there are bottlenecks to be identified and resolved. Objective: Analyzing the composition of meals served to school-age children in primary schools in the province of Kadiogo, while assessing the opinion of school staff on these meals (Burkina Faso). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey about school meals was carried out during the period from April to May 2019 among school stakeholders in primary schools in five (05) municipalities of the province of Kadiogo. Results: Insufficient quantity and quality of rations served were recorded in primary schools. The endogenous initiative canteens represented 46.4% of the registered canteens. The promotion of Health-Hygiene-Nutrition (H-H-N) activities in schools encountered difficulties in covering the sanitary needs of school-aged children because unavailability of socio-sanitary infrastructures. School meals consisted of starchy foods and legumes in rural schools and more diversified meals consisting of fruits and vegetables as well as meat and fish in urban schools. In rural municipalities, school meals were insufficient in quantity and quality, while in the urban municipality, macronutrient intakes were in excess with micronutrient intakes largely deficient. Conclusion: Despite the shortcomings, school officials specified that school meals cover lunch rations, increase school enrolment, and improve school-aged children' learning capacity.

Assessment of probiotic and technological properties of Bacillus spp. isolated from Burkinabe Soumbala.

BACKGROUND: Soumbala is a highly loved alkaline traditional fermented food condiment in Burkina Faso. It harbors various microbiota dominated by fermentative Bacillus spp. as functional microorganism with little confirmed health-promoting properties. METHODS: The present study aimed to evaluate six Bacillus strains previously isolated and identified from soumbala. These strains were selected as presumptively safe bacteria for probiotic and technological characteristics. These strains were assessed for in vitro probiotic criteria (tolerance to acidic pH, gastric juice, 0.3% (m/v) bile salts, intestinal juice and 0.4% (w/v) phenol, cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation capacity, antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm production) and technological properties, including protease, amylase, lipase, and tannase activity, as well as poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA) production and thermo-tolerance. RESULTS: All tested Bacillus strains (B54, F20, F24, F21, F26 and F44) presented variable relevant probiotic properties (good tolerance to pH 2 and pH 4, gastric juice, bile salts, intestinal juice and phenol), with marked differences in hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation capacity ranging from 73.62-94.71% and 49.35-92.30%, respectively. They exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against foodborne pathogens depending on target pathogen, with the highest activity exhibited by strain F20 (29.52 mm) against B. cereus 39 (p < 0.001). They also showed good biofilm production as well as variable hydrolytic enzyme activities, including protease (43.00-60.67 mm), amylase (22.59-49.55 mm), lipase (20.02-24.57 mm), and tannase (0-10.67 mm). All tested Bacillus strains tolerated temperature up to 50 °C, while only strains F26 and F44 showed the best PGA production. CONCLUSION: Overall, the tested cultures exhibiting potential probiotic and technological characteristics; particularly B. cereus F20, B. benzoevorans F21, B. cabrialessi F26, and B. tequilensis F44 could be a source of probiotic-starters of commercial interest in the production of high-quality soumbala.

Effect of pedo-climatic conditions on physicochemical characteristics and agro-industrial potential of three native oilseeds fruits from Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Plants are greatly affected by pedoclimatic conditions. They can alter the physiology of plants and affect seeds agro-morphological and physicochemical characteristics. It is therefore conceivable that tree species which have a potential as oil/fat producing plants are affected by pedoclimatic conditions variability. This study aims to evaluate the effect of pedoclimatic conditions variation on the physicochemical characteristics and the agro-industrial potential of three oilseeds fruits  from Burkina Faso: Balanites aegyptiaca, Sclerocarya birrea and Lannea microcarpa. RESULTS: A characterization of the size, chemical composition and weight of 100 seeds of the three native oilseeds from Banfora (Sudanian zone), Ouagadougou (Sudano-Sahelian zone) and Ouahigouya (Sahelian zone) was carried out. Results showed that seed size, seed weight and chemical composition varied significantly according to the pedoclimatic zone of the collection  significant correlations between seed size, 100-seed weight, total ash and also for seed oil content and moisture have also been revealed. Principal component analysis (PCA) associated increases in seed size and total ash content with high annual rainfall and low temperature areas, while increases in seed oil content were associated with low rainfall and high annual temperature areas. CONCLUSION: Seed size and seed weight were associated with high rainfall and low temperature, while high temperature and low rainfall were associated with oil accumulation in the seeds. However, the limit number of replications of physicochemical characteristics analyses, a limitation of the study, does not allow an exhaustive conclusion to be drawn from the study.

Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Profiling of Medicinal Plants from Burkina Faso Used to Increase Physical Performance.

Background: Some ergogenic medicinal plants are used in exercise and sport in Africa in order to increase sport performance. However, data on their composition and their possible impacts on health are limited. This study was initiated to provide ethnobotanical data on plants traditionally used to optimize physical performance and to perform a qualitative characterization of their main chemical groups. Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys in two communes (Dedougou and Nouna), of the region of Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso and phytochemical analyses of the most interesting plants were conducted. Results: A total of 50 respondents including traditional hunters dozo, farmers, healers, herbalists, marabouts, etc., were interviewed. Fifty-two species used in the optimization of exercise and sports have been identified. The most cited species were Cassia sieberiana, Tamarindus indica, Annona senegalensis, Gardenia sokotensis, Securidaca longepedunculata, and Ficus tonningii. These plants are known to prevent muscle and skeletal disorders, aches and pains, and mental disorders. The study identified several types of plants including those displaying stimulation, anxiolytic, sedative, adaptogenic, or erythropoietic activities. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes, and steroids, which are similar molecules families of those of doping molecules. Additionally, TLC screening allowed the characterization of numerous terpene and flavonoid compounds including rutin. Conclusions: The possible structural similarity of the characterized chemical groups of these species with those of doping families raise concerns about the consequences of their consumption. However, the identification of the active molecules of these species remains to be performed in order to predict the real risks associated with their consumption.

Discontinuation of healthcare and factors associated to mortality among severe acute malnourished children under five years in healthcare and nutritional care settings.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Even if under-five children mortality tends to decrease considerably in developed countries, it remains a major concern in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the present study is to assess causes of healthcare discontinuation and factors associated with mortality among severe acute malnourished children under five years old in the health district of Gorom-Gorom in Burkina Faso. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study on healthcare discontinuation and deaths of severely acute malnourished children under five years old who registered from July to December 2018, in the health district of Gorom-Gorom in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: A total of 377 records of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition were exploited. Children of age range 6-23 months were the most predominantly malnourished. Healthcare discontinuation was observed at rates around 24.4%.Deaths were recorded in 9.72% of children hospitalized in the CRNE and around 1% in children in the ambulatory care management. The severe acute malnutrition co-morbidity factors included oral candidiasis [OR = 14.8; (95%CI 1.128-194.285)], dehydration [OR = 11.46; (95%CI 1.085-121.038)] and malaria [OR = 8.32; (95%CI 1.915-36.191)]. CONCLUSION: The risk of death of severe acute malnourished children is higher when the disease is associated with complications.

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of Cola nitida Bark.

Kola nut is chewed in many West African cultures and is used ceremonially. The aim of this study is to investigate some biological effects of Cola nitida's bark after phytochemical screening. The bark was collected, dried, and then powdered for the phytochemical screening and extractions. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of C. nitida were used in this study. The antibacterial activity was tested on ten reference strains and 28 meat isolated Staphylococcus strains by disc diffusion method. The antifungal activity of three fungal strains was determined on the Potato-Dextrose Agar medium mixed with the appropriate extract. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS methods. Our data revealed the presence of various potent phytochemicals. For the reference and meat isolated strains, the inhibitory diameter zone was from 17.5 ± 0.7 mm (C. albicans) to 9.5 ± 0.7 mm (P. vulgaris). The MIC ranged from 0.312 mg/mL to 5.000 mg/mL and the MBC from 0.625 mg/mL to >20 mg/mL. The highest antifungal activity was observed with F. verticillioides and the lowest one with P. citrinum. The two extracts have an excellent reducing free radical activity. The killing effect of A. salina larvae was perceptible at 1.04 mg/mL. The purified extracts of Cola nitida's bark can be used to hold meat products and also like phytomedicine.

Variability of vitamins B1, B2 and minerals content in baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves in East and West Africa.

The regional variability and age-age correlation on vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and minerals (Ca, Mg, P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn) concentration in baobab leaves were investigated. Baobab was cultivated from seeds from 11 countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Tanzania, Togo, Senegal, and Sudan. Vitamins B1 and B2 content were assessed using microbiological VitaFast kits methods and minerals by atomic absorption and flame spectrometry methods. Overall, the results showed a higher content of vitamin B2 compared to vitamin B1 with the highest vitamin B2 content (1.04 ± 0.05 mg/100 g DM) from Senegal. The highest iron (Fe) content of 26.39 mg/100 g was found in baobab leaves from Mali. For age-age correlation, adult baobab leaves of Nankoun in Burkina Faso provided the highest calcium (Ca) content of 3373 mg/100 g. However, for provenance trial, young plants from three communities of Burkina Faso showed the highest calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) content. The study demonstrated that vitamins B1 and B2 and mineral contents in baobab leaves vary with the country and the age of the tree. Vitamin B1 content was higher in baobab leaves from ascendants compared to those from descendants, while in contrast vitamin B2 content was higher in the leaves from the descendants compared to their ascendants (mother tree).

Toxicity assessment and analgesic activity investigation of aqueous acetone extracts of Sida acuta Burn f . and Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae), medicinal plants of Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Sida acuta Burn f. and Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) are traditionally used in Burkina Faso to treat several ailments, mainly pains, including abdominal infections and associated diseases. Despite the extensive use of these plants in traditional health care, literature provides little information regarding their toxicity and the pharmacology. This work was therefore designed to investigate the toxicological effects of aqueous acetone extracts of Sida acuta Burn f. and Sida cordifolia L. Furthermore, their analgesic capacity was assessed, in order to assess the efficiency of the traditional use of these two medicinal plants from Burkina Faso. METHOD: For acute toxicity test, mice were injected different doses of each extract by intraperitoneal route and the LD50 values were determined. For the subchronic toxicity evaluation, Wistar albinos rats were treated by gavage during 28 days at different doses of aqueous acetone extracts and then haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. The analgesic effect was evaluated in mice by the acetic-acid writhing test and by the formalin test. RESULTS: For the acute toxicity test, the LD50 values of 3.2 g/kg and 3.4 g/kg respectively for S. acuta Burn f. and S. cordifolia L. were obtained. Concerning the haematological and biochemical parameters, data varied widely (increase or decrease) according to dose of extracts and weight of rats and did not show clinical correlations. The extracts have produced significant analgesic effects by the acetic acid writhing test and by the hot plate method (p <0.05) and a dose-dependent inhibition was observed. CONCLUSION: The overall results of this study may justify the traditional uses of S. acuta and S. cordifolia .

Antibacterial activity against ß- lactamase producing Methicillin and Ampicillin-resistants Staphylococcus aureus: Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) determination.

BACKGROUND: The present study reports the antibacterial capacity of alkaloid compounds in combination with Methicillin and Ampicillin-resistants bacteria isolated from clinical samples. The resistance of different bacteria strains to the current antibacterial agents, their toxicity and the cost of the treatment have led to the development of natural products against the bacteria resistant infections when applied in combination with conventional antimicrobial drugs. METHOD: The antibacterial assays in this study were performed by using inhibition zone diameters, MIC, MBC methods, the time-kill assay and the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) determination. On the whole, fifteen Gram-positive bacterial strains (MRSA/ARSA) were used. Negative control was prepared using discs impregnated with 10 % DMSO in water and commercially available Methicillin and Ampicillin from Alkom Laboratories LTD were used as positive reference standards for all bacterial strains. RESULTS: We noticed that the highest activities were founded with the combination of alkaloid compounds and conventional antibiotics against all bacteria strains. Then, results showed that after 7 h exposition there was no viable microorganism in the initial inoculums. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that alkaloid compounds in combination with conventional antibiotics (Methicillin, Ampicillin) exhibited antimicrobial effects against microorganisms tested. These results validate the ethno-botanical use of Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. (Malvaceae) in Burkina Faso. Moreover, this study demonstrates the potential of this herbaceous as a source of antibacterial agent that could be effectively used for future health care purposes.

Biodepollution of wastewater containing phenolic compounds from leather industry by plant peroxidases.

This study deals with the use of peroxidases (POXs) from Allium sativum, Ipomoea batatas, Raphanus sativus and Sorghum bicolor to catalyze the degradation of free phenolic compounds as well as phenolic compounds contained in wastewater from leather industry. Secretory plant POXs were able to catalyze the oxidation of gallic acid, ferulic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, pyrogallol and 1,4-tyrosol prepared in ethanol 2% (v:v). Efficiency of peroxidase catalysis depends strongly on the chemical nature of phenolic substrates and on the botanical source of the enzymes. It appeared that POX from Raphanus sativus had the highest efficiency. Results show that POXs can also remove phenolic compounds present in industrial wastewater such as leather industry. Removal of phenolic compounds in wastewater from leather industry by POX was significantly enhanced by polyethylene glycol.

Biochemical characterization of the major sorghum grain peroxidase.

The major cationic peroxidase in sorghum grain (SPC4) , which is ubiquitously present in all sorghum varieties was purified to apparent homogeneity, and found to be a highly basic protein (pI approximately 11). MS analysis showed that SPC4 consists of two glycoforms with molecular masses of 34,227 and 35,629 Da and it contains a type-b heme. Chemical deglycosylation allowed to estimate sugar contents of 3.0% and 6.7% (w/w) in glycoform I and II, respectively, and a mass of the apoprotein of 33,246 Da. High performance anion exchange chromatography allowed to determine the carbohydrate constituents of the polysaccharide chains. The N-terminal sequence of SPC4 is not blocked by pyroglutamate. MS analysis showed that six peptides, including the N-terminal sequence of SPC4 matched with the predicted tryptic peptides of gene indice TC102191 of sorghum chromosome 1, indicating that TC102191 codes for the N-terminal part of the sequence of SPC4, including a signal peptide of 31 amino acids. The N-terminal fragment of SPC4 (213 amino acids) has a high sequence identity with barley BP1 (85%), rice Prx23 (90%), wheat WSP1 (82%) and maize peroxidase (58%), indicative for a common ancestor. SPC4 is activated by calcium ions. Ca2+ binding increased the protein conformational stability by raising the melting temperature (Tm) from 67 to 82 degrees C. SPC4 catalyzed the oxidation of a wide range of aromatic substrates, being catalytically more efficient with hydroxycinnamates than with tyrosine derivatives. In spite of the conserved active sites, SPC4 differs from BP1 in being active with aromatic compounds above pH 5.

Impact of phenolic compounds and related enzymes in sorghum varieties for resistance and susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Contents of phenolic compounds and related enzymes before and after sorghum grain germination were compared between varieties either resistant or susceptible to biotic (sooty stripe, sorghum midge, leaf anthracnose, striga, and grain molds) and abiotic (lodging, drought resistance, and photoperiod sensitivity) stresses. Independent of grain germination, sorghum varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses had on average higher contents of proanthocyanidins (PAs), 3-deoxyanthocyanidins (3-DAs), and flavan-4-ols than susceptible varieties. Results show that content of 3-DAs is a good marker for sorghum resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses because it correlates with resistance to all stresses except for photoperiod sensitivity. The second good marker for stress resistance is content of PAs. Total phenolic compounds and the activities of related enzymes are not good markers for stress resistance in sorghum grains.

Evaluation of the effect of germination on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in sorghum varieties.

The screening of 50 sorghum varieties showed that, on average, germination did not affect the content in total phenolic compounds but decreased the content of proanthocyanidins, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, and flavan-4-ols. Independent of germination, there are intervarietal differences in antioxidant activities among sorghum varieties. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were more positively correlated in ungerminated varieties than in germinated ones. Sorghum grains with pigmented testa layer, chestnut color glumes, and red plants had higher contents, larger diversity of phenolic compounds, and higher antioxidant activities than other sorghums. Some red sorghum varieties had higher antioxidant activities (30-80 mumol of Trolox equiv/g) than several sources of natural antioxidants from plant foods. Among varieties used for "to", "dolo", couscous, and porridge preparation, the "dolo"(local beer) varieties had the highest average content and diversity in phenolic compounds as well as the highest antioxidant activities. The biochemical markers determined are useful indicators for the selection of sorghum varieties for food and agronomic properties.

Photoacoustic approach to direct determination of the total phenolic content in red sorghum flours.

Photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible was demonstrated to be a suitable tool for direct determination of total phenolic content in red sorghum flours. The PA spectra obtained feature two characteristic peaks: the first centered at 285 nm is due to the aromatic amino acids, while the second one at 335 nm is associated with the total phenolic content. The outcome of the PA study was compared with the results obtained by a conventional, tedious Folin-Ciocalteau chemical method. Statistical analysis indicates no significant difference between the two methods used in this study.

Antimalarial activity of Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae).

Among strategies to combat malaria, the search for new antimalarial drugs appears to be a priority. Sheering for new antimalarial activities, four plants of the traditional medicine of Burkina Faso: Combretum micranthum, Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Sida acuta, were tested in vitro on fresh clinical isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. The screening showed that Sida acuta has a significant activity (IC50 < 5 microg/ml), and Pterocarpus erinaceus has a moderate activity (5 microg/ml < IC50 < 50 microg/ml). Further chemical screening showed that the activity of the most active plant, Sida acuta, was related to its alkaloid contents.