In Benin Republic, there are five different known shea parks. The dedicated various studies to the characterization of nuts and kernels in Benin, and in the sub-region, are often limited to the samples taken from only one zone and did not take into account the variability of the production zones. This study aimed at assessing the physical properties of shea kernels collected in four shea parks of Benin. Sizes (length, width, thickness), one-thousand nuts weight, the true and bulk volumes, sphericity, porosity and the true and bulk densities, have been determined on shea kernels from each park using appropriate methodology. The results showed that average moisture content of the shea kernels was 7.55±1.23% (wb). The parks of Kandi and Savè displayed the smallest shea kernels while those from Parakou and Bembèrèkè, showed the biggest. Sphericity of shea kernels turns around 0.72 whereas their porosity ranges from 41.59 to 43.24% and the weight of onethousand kernels ranges from 3.98 to 4.40 kg. The true and bulk volumes of one-thousand kernels vary from 3.88 to 4.37 dm3 and 6.64 to 7.70 dm3 respectively. The true and bulk densities fluctuate from 1,007.51 to 1,024.24 kg/m3 and 571.77 to 598.12 kg/m3 respectively. These results call for the development of appropriate equipment for shea processing in Benin.Keywords: Sizes, sphericity, porosity, true density, specific area, one-thousand kernels.

Pachyrhizus erosus is a legume plant that produces tubers rich in nutrients (protein, iron, zinc, etc.) that are used in various kinds of food processing. The objective of this study was to analyse producers’ and processors’ perception regarding processing P. erosus tubers into gari in on-farm conditions and its financial profitability. Kendall’s concordance test was used to classify perceptions, and cost analysis was used to analyse the profitability of the product. The results showed that the mixed gari with 50% P. erosus was highly appreciated because of its greater fermentation ability than cassava gari. The price at which processors broke even was FCFA 340 (~ $ 0.57) per kilogram and the sensitivity analysis revealed that when the yield of P. erosus -based gari increased by 30%, processors made a profit of 25% of the investment cost. So, processing of P. erosus is beneficial for the processors and consumers appreciate it more than cassava gari. The Benin Government needs to promote this crop in order to feed its population. © 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Roots and tubers, technical performance, malnutrition, Benin, population, food quality

In 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 in two agroecological zones fungi, mycotoxins and insects in cassava and yam chips were evaluated. Interaction of season, zone and time with fungal occurrence and incidence (cfu/g) and aflatoxin and fumonsin level. Mean moisture content was 11.9% and 12.4% with levels in the Northern Guinea Savannah (NGS) exceeded the recommended limit of 9-10% (2003-04). In the Sudan Savannah (SS), moisture content ranged from 10.1 to 14.5% and 11.1 to 14.5% in cassava and yam chips, respectively. During the 2004/2005 moisture ranged from 9.5 to 13.6% in the NGS and from 9.2 to 13.8% in the SS. The insects’ species identified included Prostephanus truncates, Cathartus quadricollis, Carpophilus dimidiatus, Tribolium casteneum and Sitophilus zeamais. P. truncates and C. quadricollis were more prevalent in cassava than yam. After three months, all stored cassava chips were infested by P. truncates and C. quadricollis, whereas no yam chips in the SS showed insects. A. flavus was the most predominant fungal species its prevalence varied with season, during storage period and agroecological zone. Fungal levels in cassava and yam chips reached 8950 cfu/g and 6030 cfu/g, respectively, exceeding the tolerance limit in foodstuffs (10). Other fungal species included Penicillium chrysogenum, Mucor piriformis, Phoma sorghina, Fusarium verticillioides, Rhizopus oryzae and Nigrospora oryzae. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of both cassava and yam chips showed that they were not contaminated by either aflatoxins or fumonisin B1. The limits of detection were 0.1μg/kg for all the aflatoxins and 0.025μg/kg for fumonisin B1.

Cowpea is an important leguminous crop in Benin. Prac tices such as farming and storage conditions may influence the production yield and the grain qu ality. In this study, preand post-harvest practic es of cowpea were analysed in relation to the quality of the grains. A survey on cowpea farming activities w as conducted in the four agro-ecological zones of Benin . Three localities producing cowpea were selected i n each agro-ecological zone. Information was obtained thro ugh individual interview and focus group discussion . Cowpea was mainly cultivated either as a monocrop or inte cropped with maize and groundnuts in the four agro-ecological zones. Cowpea infestation by insects on farm and in storage was a major problem mention ed by farmers. To prevent insects’ infestation in stor age, cowpeas were thoroughly sundried at harvest an d adequately sorted prior to storage. Such post-harve st practices could limit cowpea grains quality dete rioration. Cowpeas were mainly stored in bags for about 3 month s. About 23 cowpea based foods were identified. Maj or cowpea foods were ata (akara), moin-moin and adowe. Common processing operations included sorting, washing, dehulling of cowpeas, boiling and frying. These processing operations as practiced by process ors are generally recognized as a good practice in food pre paration. © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights res erved.

Storage conditions are key constraints for quality assurance of the shea (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertner) butter. In the Sudan savannah Africa, storage conditions of butter produced by women vary across and among processors, traders and consumers. These conditions could impact the quality of the products and reduced their access to international market. The present study attempted to investigate the effect of storage duration and packaging materials on microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of shea butter under tropical climatic conditions. Five packaging materials traditionally used in shea butter value chain were tested for their efficacy in storing shea butter freshly produced. Total germs, yeasts and mould varied with packaging materials and storage duration. After 2 months of storage, moisture content of butter remained constant (5%) whereas acid value increased from 3.3 to 5.4 mg KOH/g, peroxide value from 8.1 to 10.1 meq O 2 /kg and iodine value dropped from 48.8 to 46.2 mg I 2 /100 g in shea butter irrespectively to the storage materials used. The basket papered with jute bag was the less effective in ensuring the quality of butter during storage while plastic containers and plastic bags seemed to be the best packaging materials.

Natural occurrence of Fusarium and fumonisin contamination were evaluated from 1999 to 2003 in 'both preharvest and stored maize produced by small-scale farmers in four agroecological zones of Benin. Mycological analyses revealed a predominance of both Fusarium and Aspergillus in maize samples compared to other genera. The two Fusarium species most commonly isolated from maize were F. verticillioides (68 %) and F. proliferatum (31 %). F. semitectum was also encountered but only in 2002/2003 on preharvest maize. Atypical isolates of F verticil/ioides with some characteristics of F andiyazi but apparently closer to F verticillioides because the isolates were all high fumonisin producers, were also found only on preharvest maize. Study of F verticillioides· strains showed the presence of extremely high fumonisin producers in Benin with total fumonisin levels ranging from 8240 to 16690 mg kg"I. Apart from 2002/2003, Fusarium occurrence was not significantly different from one zone to another although a slight decrease was observed from south to north. Fusarium occurrence varied somewhat from one year to another. and significantly decreased over the six months of storage. Widespread fumonisin occurrence in maize was observed, most of the maize samples collected being found positive for fumonisin with levels ranging from not detected to 12 mg kgI in 1999/2000, 6.7 mg kg-] in 2000/200 I, and 6.1 mg kg") in 2002/2003. In contrast to Fusarium occurrence, fumonisin levels in maize were found to be significantly higher in the two southern zones during all the surveys. The highest mean total fumonisin level was detected in 1999/2000 in maize samples from the southern guinea savannah (SGS) (12 mg kg-I) whereas in both 2000/200 I and 2002/2003, it was in samples from the forest mosaic savannah (FMS) (6.7 mg kg"l and 6.1 mg kg"l respectively). Fumonisin levels yaried from one year to another. They also changed throughout the storage time showing a decreasing trend in each zone. However, this decrease was only significant in 1999/2000. An increasing trend was observed dunng some seasons U1 the SGS and N GS. The results of this study emphasise that fanners and consumers, not only in Benin but also in other West-African countries, should be alerted to the danger of fumonisin contamination in maize.

Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from local plants in Benin and oil from seeds of the Neem tree (4zadirachta indica) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides infection and fumonisin contamination. Fumonisin in maize was quantified using a fluorometer and the VICAM method. Oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum were the most· effective in vitro, completely inhibiting the growth of F verticillioides at lower concentrations over 21 days of incubation. These oils reduced incidence of F verticillioides by more than 50 % in maize during 21 days of incubation.' They totally inhibited fungal growth in maize at concentrations of 8 III g-I, 6.4 III g-l and 4.8 III g-l, respectively. At the concentration of 4.8 ~lllg, these oils affected, but not significantly, fumonisin levels in maize stored in closed containers. They adversely affected seed germinatton at 4.8 'Illig, therefore cannot be recommended for controlling F verticillioides on stored corn used as seeds, when used at this concentration. The oil of Neem seeds showed no inhibitory effect but rather accelerated the growth of F verticillioides.