The study aimed to determine the effect of seeds size (length, width, thickness and 100 seeds-weight) on their phytochemical composition (total phenolics, total flavonoids, total proteins, soluble sugars and starch) of cowpea accessions (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) grown in Burkina Faso. The genotypes and their descendants had length, width, thickness and 100 seeds weight between 80 ± 0.7 to 7.40 ± 0.46 cm; 6.51 ± 0.41 to 5.76 ± 0.46 cm; 5.15 ± 0.37 to 4.22 ± 0.22 cm; 12.93 ± 0.09 to 20.16 ± 0.39 g respectively. Total phenol, total flavonoid and starch contents ranged from 585.37 ± 9.73 to 1704.71 ± 4.87 mg GAE per 100 g DW; 41.42 ± 2.03 to 52.26 ± 0.75 mg QE per 100 g DW; 6.45% ± 0.3% to 46.58% ± 0.12% respectively. The soluble sugars and total proteins contents were ranged respectively from 149.33 ± 3.80 to 432.82 ± 40.81 µg/100mg, and 20.28 ± 0.17 to 27.32 ± 0.17 (%). Seeds size characters had significant and positive correlations with starch content, and significant and negative correlations with total phenolic content. The study of the genetic parameters of phytochemical traits also revealed that they are slightly influenced by the environment. Genetic factors are believed to account for the variation in the observed seed traits, which provides a high potential of studied accessions for breeding programs.

Seven medicinal plants used in folk medicine to relieve various diseases including diabetes, were investigated for antihyperglycemic activities. Two types of extracts for each plant were processed by decoction and by soaking in an aqueous-acetone mixture. The inhibitory activities were tested on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase along with chelating activity. The aqueous-acetone extracts of Feretia apodanthera and Ozoroa insignis exerted strong inhibition on alpha-glucosidase (96.51 +/- 0.14 and 96.44 +/- 0.68 %, respectively) but lower inhibition on alpha-amylase (21.60 +/- 1.69 and 93.85 +/- 6.58 %, respectively) and displayed a weak chelating activity as compared to the respective standards acarbose and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Subsequent column fractionation resulted in selectively strong inhibition of alpha-glucosidase. The inhibitory activities of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase were weakly correlated (R=0.389) and both were inversely correlated with metal chelating activity (R=-0.731 and R=-0.809, respectively). Volatile compounds, 1-nonadecene and 1-heptadecene identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were related to the inhibitory activities of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes. This potent inhibition of sugar degrading enzymes may help to manage the hyperglycaemia occurring in type 2 diabetes.

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), is a major pest of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in storage. A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the inhibition potential of Guiera senegalensis galls on C. maculatus detoxification enzymes. Methanol extract from galls of G. senegalensis exhibited strong inhibitory effects of the activity of C. maculatus acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and mixed-functional oxidase enzymes. The chemical composition of the extracted oils was examined by gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionisation detectors (FID) and mass spectrometry. Twelve components were identified, namely 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, n-Pentadecane, Octadecane, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl ester, Palmitic Acid, Hexadecane, Cis-vaccenic acid, Oleyl alcohol, stenol, n-Eicosane, n-Heneicosane and vincubine. This plant could be used for improving the efficacy to various insecticide classes against C. maculatus and as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. Keywords : Callosobruchus maculatus, enzymatic detoxification system, galls, Guiera senegalensis

There is a new attention to vegetables as vital components of daily diet.A concerted effort to raise their standing has begun to change mentalities and to fuel a rapid growth of traditional leafy vegetables marketing and consumption in African cities.However, little is known about the production and consumption patterns of these plant foods.This study examined, through a field survey the socio-economic, food consumption and conservation aspects of leafy vegetables in the region of Ouagadougou.It was found that leafy vegetables are cultivated under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions in the villages and also in the city's gardens.The study has demonstrated that there is considerable indigenous knowledge on the leafy vegetables of the region.Amaranth species are the most cultivated and marketed and have potential for commercialization.They are used for many dishes in the local kitchen.Leafy Amaranths are consumed during all seasons even though they are more available (and cheap) during rainy season (June to end October).Ninety-four per cent of the interviewed people use vegetable Amaranth in sauce.There is a growing trend to use cultivated (introduced) species of Amaranth, which were brought to Africa by colonial powers and gained popularity because they were associated with high status.The introduced species are spreading quickly in a spontaneous manner.This can be a threat to biodiversity.There is need for a conservation initiative for the native species.In the commercialization of leafy vegetable and in particular for Amaranth, women play an important role.That could be optimized for marketing purpose to improve leafy vegetable adding-value.Because transportation is a cost increase factor, and given that cities should be targets for increased consumption, it is necessary to promote peri-urban agriculture of leafy vegetables, by policy guidelines.There is a need of documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge on indigenous leafy vegetables.

Phytochemical screening and biological activities of methanol extracts from three Acanthaceae species namely Hygrophila auriculata ( H. auriculata ), Nelsonia canescens ( N. canescens ) and Peristrophe bicalyculata ( P. bicalyculata ), widely used in local ethnomedicine, were carried out. Phenolic content quantification indicated that H. auriculata extract possessed the highest polyphenolics content followed by N. canescens and P . bicalyculata . Biological activities assessment showed that H . auriculata extract has the best antioxidant (through DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods) capacity. Acetylcholinesterase and Lipoxygenase inhibition tests revealed interesting activities from P. bicalyculata . Testing cancer cells antiproliferation, it was showed that H. auriculata and N. canescens) were of good interest (27.00±1.55 and 29.70±3.11 µg/mL). These results showed that the phenolic compounds of these plants could justify their local traditional use to treat inflammatory and tumoral diseases.

P.A.E.D. Sombie, A. Hilou, C. Mounier, A.Y. Coulibaly, M. Kiendrebeogo, J.F. Millogo and O.G. Nacoulma The galls of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (Combretaceae) are used in Burkina Faso traditional medicine to treat some microbial and metabolic diseases such as malaria, dysentery, diabetes and hypertension. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical analysis, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory inhibitory activities from the galls of Guiera Senegalensis. (...)