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Morphometric Characterization of Endomycorrhizal Fungi (Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae) from the Bouaflé and Niellé Areas in Côte d'Ivoire
Germain Droh,
Kouadio Meliton Djezou,
Seydou Tuo,
Mamadou Touré,
Abou-Bakari Kouassi
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023
Pages:
1-10
Received:
31 October 2022
Accepted:
7 December 2022
Published:
10 January 2023
Abstract: Mycorrhizal symbioses, which are widespread in various terrestrial ecosystems, constitute a very important research topic for many biologists. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), belonging to the phylum Glomeromycota, take their name from their characteristic structures: arbuscules. Spores represent the main structures allowing the morphological identification and characterization of AMF. The spores directly extracted from soil samples were identified under an optical microscope. The diversity of AMF in maize rhizospheres in Bouaflé and Niellé areas was highlighted. Thus, 12 genera of AMF divided into 8 families have been identified. Spores of two families of endomycorrhizae (Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae) have been described. The spores of the Glomeraceae family represented by 4 genera Glomus, Funneliformis, Septoglomus and Rhizophagus are globose to subglobose, 45 to 200 µm in size. The spores have a single wall composed of 3 to 4 parietal layers. The outer layers stain with Melzer's reagent. The suspensory hypha often characterized by the presence of constriction, light brown in color is the extension of layer 2. Morphologically, the spores of Acaulosporaceae represented by a single genus Acaulospora, are distinguished by the globose to subglobose shape. The spores are whitish, pale yellow, golden yellow to orange-brown in color and 90 to 200µm in diameter. The subcellular structure of spores consists of a spore wall (outer wall) and two inner walls. The outer and inner walls of the spores consist of three parietal layers. The outermost layers are evanescent, hyaline whitish, orange-brown to pale yellow. The layers of the inner wall are adherent to each other appearing as a single layer. The surface of the spores, populated with projections of different shapes resembling often rudimentary hyphae, show scars and ornamentations. This study gives the essential of the status of AMF and revealed the morphometric and structural characteristics of some AMF.
Abstract: Mycorrhizal symbioses, which are widespread in various terrestrial ecosystems, constitute a very important research topic for many biologists. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), belonging to the phylum Glomeromycota, take their name from their characteristic structures: arbuscules. Spores represent the main structures allowing the morphological id...
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Immunostimulatory and Antimicrobial Claims of Super-7 Herbal Mixture (SHM) and Odogwu Cleanser Herbal Mixture (OCHM) Commercially Available in Enugu State, Nigeria
Enebechi Charles Kenechukwu,
Ugwu Malachy Chigozie,
Nwobodo David Chinemerem,
Enebechi Godson Uchenna,
Emencheta Stephen Chijioke,
Ugwu Chiamaka Belinda,
Okoye Festus Basden Chiedu
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023
Pages:
11-20
Received:
29 December 2022
Accepted:
25 January 2023
Published:
14 February 2023
Abstract: The continuous increase in resistance associated with conventional drugs is gradually shifting focus to herbal remedies as an alternative globally. This study was designed to investigate the immunostimulatory and antimicrobial claims of Super-7 herbal mixture (SHM) and Odogwu cleanser herbal mixture (OCHM) commercially available in Enugu State, Nigeria. Immunomodulatory properties of the products on the Delayed Type Hypersensitivity reaction (DTHr), the Primary and Secondary humoral response and the in vivo leucocyte mobilization were evaluated using a total of one hundred and forty-six (146) Swiss albino rats. The spectrum of antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method using eight (8) selected microorganisms. The LD50 of both products was greater than 100% ml/kg body weight. OCHM elicited significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in total leucocyte and neutrophil counts compared to Levamisole (2.5mg/kg) and the untreated group. A 100% ml/kg SHM (78.07%) also exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher oedema inhibitory potentials compared to the standard drug (levamisole = 65.78%). Samples of SHM demonstrated dose dependent antibacterial activities against B. subtilis and S. typhi, while only exhibiting antifungal activity against C. albicans (IZD = 9.0±0.0 mm). OCHM was observed to inhibit E. coli, S. typhi, S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. typhi and the fungus C. albicans. An average bioload of 2.8 x 104±1.0 CFU/ml which was higher than the average count (2.8 x 104±1.0 CFU/ml) obtained for OCHM. Conclusively, this study showed that samples of SHM and OCHM exhibited significant immunostimulatory and antimicrobial properties, but also recorded the presence of microbial contaminants.
Abstract: The continuous increase in resistance associated with conventional drugs is gradually shifting focus to herbal remedies as an alternative globally. This study was designed to investigate the immunostimulatory and antimicrobial claims of Super-7 herbal mixture (SHM) and Odogwu cleanser herbal mixture (OCHM) commercially available in Enugu State, Nig...
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Comparative Study of Breastfeeding Practices for Infants Aged 0 to 6 Months in the Communes of Abobo, Bingerville and Yopougon (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
Adepo Yapo Prospère,
Atto Virginie,
Fofana Ibrahim,
Kati-Coulibaly Séraphin
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023
Pages:
21-26
Received:
30 January 2023
Accepted:
27 February 2023
Published:
9 March 2023
Abstract: This work was carried out in the localities of Abobo, Bingerville and Yopougon with the aim of comparing the complexities of exclusive breastfeeding of newborns from birth to 6 months with a view to identifying high frequency difficulties and providing efficient solutions for its implementation. In each of the localities, a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 low-income female households. The survey was conducted from October 2020 to February 2021. After the survey, it was found that the difficulties related to the decline of exclusive breastfeeding are related to the insufficient production of breast milk, the daily occupation of the mother, the precarious health status of the mother. Exclusive breastfeeding ensures the quality and quantity of breast milk to guarantee infant food safety and the competitiveness of breast milk compared to artificial and mixed milk. Availability and use of food plants among breastfeeding mothers through the production of breast milk could be a means of combating acute and chronic malnutrition in young children and very premature babies. Recommendations related to the identified problems will allow first improve the production of breast milk. Secondly, the availability of breast milk for infants could significantly reduce the prevalence of child malnutrition and could constitute an approach to reach the challenges of the WHO and UNICEF; that is to say to feed the newborn from birth until six months only with breast milk, also the possibility of giving breast milk to the young child from six months until thirty months. Good practices of exclusive breastfeeding could contribute to the reduction of child malnutrition and to a lesser degree that of the breastfeeding mother.
Abstract: This work was carried out in the localities of Abobo, Bingerville and Yopougon with the aim of comparing the complexities of exclusive breastfeeding of newborns from birth to 6 months with a view to identifying high frequency difficulties and providing efficient solutions for its implementation. In each of the localities, a descriptive and analytic...
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Endogenous Knowledge and Socio-Economic Importance of Squash (Cucurbita sp.) in Burkina Faso
Soumbougma Benoît,
Kiebre Zakaria,
Kiebre Mariam,
Tiama Djakaridia,
Kabre Nikodeme,
Ouedraogo Jacques,
Bationo-Kando Pauline
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2023
Pages:
27-36
Received:
7 February 2023
Accepted:
16 March 2023
Published:
31 March 2023
Abstract: Squash (Cucurbita sp) is one of the vegetables-fruits used in human nutrition and in traditional medicine. This study contributes to a better understanding of endogenous squash practices related to socio-demographic factors (age and gender) and socio-cultural group in Burkina Faso. To this end, 194 semi-structured personal interviews were conducted in nine regions (South-West, Central-West, Central-South, Central-East, Central, North, Boucle du Mouhoun, East, and Hauts-Bassins) of the country using the random method. The relative frequency of citation, the reported use value and the cultural importance index were used to quantify the uses and importance of the species. Totally, 27 uses were identified and registered into three categories of use, that are the most mentioned with the highest cultural importance values such as food and medicinal uses. The fruit is the part/organ of the plant more needed for food uses. Moreover it is locally marketed. Medicinal uses involve several organs/parts (fruit, leaf, stem, seed and root). Knowledge about the uses of Cucurbita sp varies between socio-cultural groups but not between gender and age groups. Indeed, the Bobo and Toussian socio-cultural groups, unlike the Mossi and Samo, have more knowledge about the uses of Cucurbita sp and prefer it for food uses. The promotion of the food uses of Cucurbita sp can be considered and thus serve as a starting point for its extended value improvement. However, future analyses should explore the genetic diversity of Cucurbita sp and focus on the agronomic, nutritional value and income generated by the plant as well as its expansion for value adding.
Abstract: Squash (Cucurbita sp) is one of the vegetables-fruits used in human nutrition and in traditional medicine. This study contributes to a better understanding of endogenous squash practices related to socio-demographic factors (age and gender) and socio-cultural group in Burkina Faso. To this end, 194 semi-structured personal interviews were conducted...
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