New evidence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) pounding by western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus).

Ageing is driven by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and impaired cellular repair. However, Adansonia digitata linn is employed as an anti-ageing remedy in West Africa with limited scientific basis. Hence, this study evaluated the potential of Adansonia digitata Ethylacetate Leaf Extract (ADELE) in mitigating against redox imbalance and inflammatory disorders associated with ageing in hepatic tissue of male Wistar rats. Ethylacetate extract of the powdered leaves of the plant was prepared by cold extraction. Sixty-three (63) male Wistar rats weighing an average of 110 g were randomly allocated into 9 groups of seven (7) rats each. Group I (control), Group II (ADELE-only 200 mg/kg body weight (bw)), Group III (Vitamin E-only 200 mg/kg bw), Group IV (D-galactose-only) were treated for 8 weeks, and pretreatment groups receiving graded doses of ADELE and/or Vitamin E 4 weeks prior to D-galactose administration for an additional 4 weeks: Group V (ADELE 100 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VI (ADELE 200 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VII (ADELE 400 mg/kg bw and D-gal), Group VIII (Vit. E 200 mg/kg bw and D-gal) and Group IX (ADELE 100 mg/kg bw and Vit. E 100 mg/kg bw and D-gal). ADELE was administered orally in 0.3 ml distilled water while D-galactose was administered intraperitoneally (IP) in 0.3 ml of 0.9% normal saline daily and animals were sacrificed after eight weeks. Liver indices [Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities and total bilirubin concentrations] in serum, antioxidant indices [Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, Reduced glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein concentrations], and inflammatory indices [Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations] in liver homogenates were evaluated using standard biochemical methods. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism 5 at (P < 0.05) level of significance. Results showed induction of ageing by D-galactose (Group IV) with significant increase (P < 0.05) in liver indices (ALT: 84.01 ± 3.86, AST: 95.17 ± 2.33, GGT: 29.49 ± 1.70 and total bilirubin: 50.70 ± 2.87), lipid peroxidation (MDA: 10.26 ± 0.89), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α: 6709 ± 833.00 and IL-6: 528.9 ± 35.31), and concomitant reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD: 0.69 ± 1.11, CAT: 4.07 ± 0.33 and GPx: 4.07 ± 0.13), as well as GSH: 3.60 ± 0.24 and hepatic total protein (TP): 27.04 ± 1.36, compared with controls (ALT: 70.09 ± 3.23, AST: 76.35 ± 2.51, GGT: 15.36 ± 0.52, total bilirubin: 38.74 ± 0.98, MDA: 3.84 ± 0.57, TNF-α: 1268 ± 82.66, IL-6: 345.6 ± 29.94, SOD: 1.43 ± 1.60, CAT: 5.19 ± 0.13, GPx: 6.07 ± 0.11, GSH: 4.18 ± 0.16, hepatic total protein: 38.00 ± 0.72). Pretreatment groups (V, VI, VII, VIII and IX) markedly attenuated D-galactose-induced alterations, restoring most biochemical parameters toward control levels, with some parameters showing dose-dependent activity. Histological examination revealed dose-dependent improvement in D-galactose-altered hepatic architecture toward control levels. ADELE exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-protective potential; hence, its bioactive components may be employed in the treatment of oxidative stress- and inflammatory-related disorders as well as in the management of ageing.

This study presents plant-assisted synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) using Adansonia digitata extract via ionic gelation, demonstrating their dual role as antimicrobial agents and enhancers of seed germination under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress, a model for drought conditions. The CNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Seed germination assays involved soaking seeds in a one mg/mL CNP solution for 12 hours. Results revealed that CNPs were efficiently produced via ionic gelation of chitosan with TPP in the presence of A. digitata extract, resulting in spherical particles with a peak absorption at 339 nm and an average size of 13.06 ± 0.05 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial activity, particularly against E. coli, and significantly enhanced seed germination and growth under both normal and water-limited conditions. These findings highlight that integrating plant-derived bioactive compounds into chitosan nanoparticles not only boosts antimicrobial properties but also improves plant resilience to osmotic stress. This dual functionality positions plant-based CNPs as a sustainable strategy to address drought and pathogen-related challenges in agriculture.

There is an increasing interest in knowing the population and health status of Baobab trees (Adansonia digitata L.) found in Tanzania. This information is important for planning and formulation of strategies for its conservation. This study assessed the effects of land use types on population density, distribution, and healthy status of baobab trees (Adansonia digitata L.) in Kilolo district. Data was collected from five villages, with four land use types: settlement, farmland, grazing land, and village forest reserve, using 47 transects of 1 km long and 50 m wide. Measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and stem condition were taken for each encountered tree. A total of 875 trees were recorded in the study area, with the largest population found in grazing land (48%), and the lowest population in settlement land (14%). Adult trees were many (81%) than Sub-adult (14%) and Juvenile (5%). Regarding the status of stem conditions, 91% had good health, and 9% had some defects. Among those with defects, adult trees were ranked higher (93%), followed by sub-adults (6%) and juveniles (1%). The majority of the affected trees were found in farmland (43%). The study recommends that communities should be sensitised about the importance of this species for their involvement in its conservation, especially in settlement and farmland areas. Sustainable management approaches on how best the species can be utilised without affecting its condition should be instituted to safeguard the existence of the baobab tree.

ABSTRACT Feed scarcity during the long dry season is a major constraint to livestock production in the Sahel. During this period, fodder trees provide a valuable source of nutrients. This study assessed sheep feeding preferences for five woody species from Senegal’s silvopastoral zone (Adansonia digitata, Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Guiera senegalensis, Khaya senegalensis) and evaluated their enteric methane mitigation potential. A cafeteria-style trial quantified voluntary intake, feeding time and preference coefficients of four sheep for fresh and air-dried leaves over 5 consecutive days during daily 30-min sessions. In vitro gas production assays, conducted with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG), measured total gas, methane concentration, and estimated digestibility. Leaves of A. raddiana and B. aegyptiaca showed high crude protein contents (168.7 and 167.0 g/kg DM) and metabolisable energy values (8.7 and 12.1 MJ/kg DM). In contrast, G. senegalensis and K. senegalensis contained high fibre (aNDF: 586.6 and 484.8 g/kg DM) and condensed tannins (35.8 and 66.9 g/kg DM). PEG addition increased gas production in A. raddiana, G. senegalensis and K. senegalensis, confirming tannin inhibition of fermentation. Sheep showed a clear preference (p < 0.001) for ingesting fresh A. raddiana (298 g/animal) and B. aegyptiaca (270 g/animal) leaves; feeding time and preference coefficients followed the same pattern. Preference coefficients were positively associated with crude protein and negatively linked to fibre and tannin contents, while tannin-rich species also produced less methane in vitro. Overall, A. raddiana and B. aegyptiaca emerged as valuable indigenous fodder resources for improving dry-season nutrition and potentially contributing to climate-smart livestock systems in the West African Sahel.

The involvement of community members significantly increases the success of tree planting projects – a case study of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) planting, South Africa

Savanna ecosystems are shaped by complex interactions among disturbances, climate extremes, and management, yet quantitative assessments of their structural and floristic characteristics in Nigeria remain limited. This study, therefore, examined the present status of protected areas (PAs) within the savanna ecological zone of Northern Nigeria, focusing on tree species diversity, abundance, stand structure, density, and distribution patterns with the view of providing information for management and conservation purposes. Data were collected from five randomly selected PAs: Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park (Bauchi State), Kainji Lake National Park and Borgu Game Reserve (Niger State), and Marhai Forest Reserve (Nasarawa State). A systematic line-transect sampling technique was used, with four 50 m × 50 m plots established at 250 m intervals in alternate directions within each site. All trees with DBH ≥10 cm were measured and identified. A total of 1,051 trees, 71 species and 22 families were recorded. Tree density ranged from 68 to 275 trees ha⁻¹. Combretaceae and Fabaceae were the most dominant families, while Combretum micranthum, Anogeissus leiocarpa, and Vitellaria paradoxa were the most frequent species. Despite low population density, Adansonia digitata contributed substantially to basal area and volume. Kainji recorded the highest Shannon index (3.21), evenness (0.95) and Margalef's index of species richness (6.87). Tree density and height varied significantly (p&lt;0.05), but basal area and DBH did not differ. Strong correlations between structural variables and diversity indices highlight the need to conserve and protect large-tree growth in the Nigerian savanna.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia constitutes a critical public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Its pathophysiology involves not only micronutrient depletion but also a severe disruption of cellular redox homeostasis. Conventional iron supplementation is often limited by gastrointestinal side effects and oxidative stress induction via the Fenton reaction. This study characterizes an Improved Traditional Medicine (ITM) from the West African pharmacopoeia designed to restore antioxidant balance and promote erythropoiesis. Methods: The ITM was formulated using a synergistic matrix of Beta vulgaris (roots), Daucus carota (roots), Zingiber officinale (rhizomes), and Adansonia digitata (fruit pulp), processed via mechanical extraction and thermal optimization. Qualitative phytochemical screening and quantitative spectrophotometric analyses determined the concentration of total polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and antinutritional factors. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated in vitro using DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Results: Phytochemical profiling revealed a high density of bioactive secondary metabolites, with a total polyphenol content of 356.20 ± 68.07 mg GAE/100 mL and a flavonoid concentration of 99.76 ± 6.84 mg QE/100 mL. The formulation exhibited an acidic pH of 3.90 ± 0.30, optimizing iron bioavailability. In antioxidant assays, the ITM demonstrated exceptional antiradical activity with a DPPH IC50 of 0.51 (dilution fraction) and a maximal inhibition rate of 94.63 ± 2.42%. The FRAP assay indicated strong reducing power (Absorbance: 2.98 ± 0.20), comparable to standard ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The ITM functions as a robust redox shield, leveraging a "cocktail effect" of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants to neutralize reactive oxygen species. The strategic incorporation of Adansonia digitata optimizes the ascorbate-to-iron ratio, offering a scalable nutraceutical alternative for managing anemia-associated oxidative stress. Keywords : Iron deficiency anemia, Polyherbal formulation, Antioxidant activity, Phytochemical profiling

Endophytic fungi associated with roots of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) remain poorly documented in terms of species diversity worldwide. During an ongoing fungal survey in the dry-hot valleys of Honghe (Yunnan Province, China), five endophytic fungal strains were isolated from healthy roots of A. digitata. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of four loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, and rpb2), combined with morphological observations, all five strains were identified as belonging to the genus Polyschema. Hence, three novel species are introduced in the present study, namely P. adansoniae-digitatae, P. hongheense, and P. radicicola. This study constitutes the first record of Polyschema from mainland China. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic placements of the three new species are provided. Additionally, the species diversity, morphology, and phylogeny of Polyschema are updated and discussed. These findings enrich knowledge of endophytic fungal diversity associated with baobab in China and provide insights into the taxonomy and diversity of Polyschema. Furthermore, an updated discussion on the ecology and genera within the family Latoruaceae is presented.

The potential of Adansonia digitata (baobab) pulp polysaccharides (BB), combined with whey protein (WP) and alginate (ALG), was evaluated as a novel pharmaceutical excipient to enhance the viscosity, swelling behavior, controlled release, and mucoadhesive properties of hydrogels prepared by the ionotropic gelation technique. Hydrogels based on BB, WP, and ALG, alone or in combinations (WP/BB, WP/ALG, ALG/BB, and WP/ALG/BB), were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. Rheological, swelling, controlled release, and mucoadhesion studies were conducted to assess the functional contribution of BB and its synergistic effects with WP and ALG. All polymers exhibited viscoelastic solid behavior (G' > G″). For each polymer, with or without crosslinking, molecular interactions were observed, leading to variations in the Tan δ parameter. The crosslinked WP/ALG/BB hydrogel exhibited reduced polymer swelling and provided a more sustained release of the incorporated active substance. In vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated strong interactions between the polymeric matrices and intestinal mucus, with the WP/ALG/BB system showing the highest mucoadhesion. Further in vivo investigations are needed to confirm the ability of BB to enhance the oral bioavailability of active substances. Overall, Adansonia digitata pulp polysaccharides, in combination with whey protein and alginate, represent a promising natural excipient for the development of bioadhesive hydrogels and cold-gelled delivery systems in pharmaceutical formulations.

Given the high cost and side effects of conventional treatments, many people, particularly those in rural areas, turn to traditional medicine to find natural solutions for managing various ailments, including gynecological disorders, such as myomas. This study aimed to characterize the medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of myomas. A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Koung-Khi Department (West Cameroon) using structured questionnaires and direct interviews with individuals knowledgeable about antimyoma medicinal plants. Pharmacognostic analyses were performed for macroscopic and microscopic identification of the most frequently cited species.Phytochemical and physicochemical tests were also carried out according to standard procedures. A total of 53 plants species belonging to 33 families were identified. The most frequently cited family was Asteraceae, and the most mentioned species were Hallea sp, Combretum sp, Adansonia digitata, Erigeron floribundus, Solanum aculeastrum, Tetrapleura tetraptera. In this study, men represented the majority (78%), and most participants were aged between 51 and 60 years. The most commonly used plant part was the bark (28%), which was incorporated into 46 different recipes. Decoction (80%) was the predominant preparation method, with oral administration being most frequent (84%). The botanical and microscopic characteristics supported the identification and authentication of the plant materials. Determination of water and total ash content proved essential for assessing the quality, safety and efficacy of these drugs. Most of the studied species contain phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and terpenes. Overall, this study highlights the importance of traditional knowledge in the search for alternative therapeutic solutions.

ABSTRACT Baobabs are of conservation concern in protected areas in southern Africa because rates of elephant‐induced mortality, coupled with severe drought periods, may threaten to lead to local extirpation. Alternatively, baobabs may persist because of spatial refuges provided by distance from permanent water or rugged topography. Long‐term trends in damage and mortality of baobabs were assessed for Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, based on park reports and resampling of old (11–53 years) data sets. Elephant‐induced death of baobabs has been recorded since the 1960s during periods of severe drought, initially when elephant densities were not high. Since 1992, elephant density has increased from ~1 to &gt; 2 elephants km −2 and in the same period baobab mortality has escalated. Annual mortality rates ranged from 3.8% on riverine flats to 0.2% in hills away from permanent water, but mortality was lower on rocky areas next to a river than on adjacent flat alluvial soils. Baobab trees appear not to be threatened with extirpation in GNP because hills presently offer a refuge, whereas riverine baobabs are unlikely to persist without protection. Future security of the baobab population depends on regeneration, which remains an almost unknown facet of this species population ecology.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is a keystone dryland tree species, providing various ecosystem services that support rural livelihoods. Despite the importance, there is limited knowledge of community management practices and the threats they face in semi-arid Tanzania. This study assessed community awareness of baobab ecosystem services, conservation practices, and perceived threats in the Dodoma region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to May 2025 across three districts, covering 515 households selected randomly. Data were analysed using chi-square tests, negative binomial regression, and binary logistic regression. Results indicate high awareness of land-related services provided by baobab, such as soil fertility improvement and erosion control, reflecting the respondents’ engagement in farming. District was the main determinant of awareness of various ecosystem services provided by baobab. Respondents with informal education (OR = 2.34) and younger respondents (OR = 0.97) showed a higher likelihood of being aware of the pollination services provided by baobab. Further, age showed a negative association with the awareness of water retention services (OR = 0.96). Household land size emerged as the strongest factor driving baobab abundance. Climate change (53%) and agricultural land clearance (36%) were perceived as main threats, while traditional beliefs contributed to informal protection. Challenges to active conservation of baobab included slow maturation and large land requirements, limiting willingness to plant baobab. This study emphasises the need to integrate local knowledge and cultural practices into conservation strategies and land-use planning. Promoting grafting can accelerate fruit set, which serves as an important source of livelihood for the community.

Medicinal plants are an important source of bioactive compounds that may help combat opportunistic infections. Adansonia digitata (baobab) is recognized for its antimicrobial properties; however, the efficacy of its aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts has not been thoroughly investigated. This study examines the phytochemical composition, microbiological quality, antifungal activity, and acute toxicity of extracts from the leaves and root bark of A. digitata. Extracts were prepared using aqueous and hydroethanolic maceration, analyzed qualitatively according to AFNOR standards, and tested against Candida albicans using the microdilution method. Acute toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 423 guidelines. Hydroethanolic extracts yielded the highest quantities (20 to 21%), while aqueous extracts yielded 16 to 16.5%. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, and terpenes. The aqueous extract exhibited the strongest inhibition of C. albicans (MIC = 250 mg/mL, CMF/MIC = 1), indicating a complete fungicidal effect against this yeast species. No clinical signs of toxicity were observed at doses up to 5000 mg/kg, and the median lethal dose (LD50) of these A. digitata extracts was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. These findings confirm the phytochemical richness, low toxicity, and antifungal activity of A. digitata extracts against C. albicans, supporting their potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations and functional food products. Key words: Adansonia digitata, antifungal, aqueous extracts, hydroethanolic extracts, Candida albicans, toxicity, secondary metabolites.

ABSTRACT Global water scarcity and environmental degradation by pollutants have led to researches into possible water sources and amongst them the investigations of different wastewater treatment options to remedy the situation. This study investigated the different plant seeds from Acacia Erioloba, Combretum Apiculatum and Adansonia Digitata on the removal of Lead and Copper ions from aqueous solutions through adsorption process. The corresponding points of zero charges of the plant seeds, respectively, were 5.1, 6.0 and 5.3. The removal efficiencies for lead and copper ions for the three adsorbents exceeded 90%. Batch kinetic results revealed that Pseudo-Second-Order reaction fitted the experimental data better than Pseudo-First-Order reaction model. The Intraparticle diffusion model was not solely controlling the rate of adsorption but other mechanisms were involved as well. The adsorption isotherm data was best described by the Temkin equation compared to the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Further studies such as influence of temperature, pH and fixed bed columns should be investigated.

Wild edible plants that provide non-timber forest products for food are a source of subsistence for people in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. However, the uses and nutritional potentials of these wild plants are poorly documented. This study aims to summarize the scope of knowledge on wild edible plants in sub-Saharan Africa. Scientific articles related to plant uses and nutritional potential were searched on Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus and PubMed using various keywords. A total of 420 species belonging to 215 genera and 69 families were identified as contributing to food security. Adansonia digitata L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuillet, Annona senegalensis Pers. and Tamarindus indica L. were the most represented according to the relative importance index. Eight edible parts were listed, among which fruits, flowers, seed oil and leaves were the most widely used. Fruits and flowers were the most used in drinks and condiments. Amino acids, lipids, glucids, fibres, water content, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, energy value and proteins were the nutrients recorded in the parts of edible plants. Vitamins are more commonly found in fruits while proteins are found in seed oil, leaves and flowers. The wild edible plants species contain food properties such as aroma, sweetness, acidity and sourness, as well as nutritional value. Acidifying/souring properties are found in leaves while aroma is found in flowers. Identifying plants with high nutritional value could help guide conservation efforts and their inclusion in nutritional programs for sustainable food and nutritional security in sub-Saharan Africa. The results obtained on the nutritional potentials of different parts of plants open the prospects for the formulation of new food products to improve the diet of local people.

Background: Resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, constitutes a major public health challenge, particularly in the field of reproductive health. Objective: The purpose of this study was to document medicinal plants traditionally employed by herbal practitioners against STIs in the Korhogo department. Methods: An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using an oral questionnaire administered to 80 traditional medicine practitioners from the city of Korhogo and surrounding villages (Côte d’Ivoire). Results: Seventeen plant species were identified. The most frequently cited were Adansonia digitata (17.65%), Trichilia emetica (11.76%), Carica papaya (11.76%), and Olax subscorpioidea (9.76%). The plant parts most commonly used in remedy preparation were leaves (58.82%), followed by fruits (23.53%), stem bark (11.79%), and roots (5.88%). The predominant preparation methods included infusion (55%), decoction (16.66%), maceration (16.66%), and hydrodistillation (11.68%). Treatment duration generally ranged from one to three weeks, with oral administration being the preferred route (73.68%). Conclusion: These findings provide an important contribution to the valorization of natural resources in the fight against STIs in the Korhogo department and establish a solid basis for future research.

Climatic variability increasingly disrupts rainfall patterns, constraining water availability and plant productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. For Adansonia digitata, sustainable domestication requires improved irrigation and harvest management. This study examines the effects of irrigation frequency and cutting intensity on soil moisture, growth, and biomass yield under market gardening conditions. The present research analyzes the effect of irrigation frequency and harvesting intensity on soil water content, growth and biomass yield of Adansonia digitata in market gardening. An experimental set-up in two-factor factorial blocks was set up, consisting of irrigation frequency (F0, F25, F50 representing respectively 0%, 25% and 50% of the irrigation deficit) and harvesting intensity (I25, I50 corresponding to 25% and 50% of the total number of leaves). Soil water content was significantly affected by irrigation frequency and its interaction with harvesting intensity, with reductions of 8-14% under F25 and F50 compared to F0, while harvesting alone had no effect. Plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number increased over time and were influenced by both irrigation and harvesting intensity, with higher values under F50 and H25. Fresh and dry leaf yields were primarily determined by harvesting intensity, with significant interactions with irrigation, showing up to 51% higher yields under optimal combinations. These results highlight the importance of integrated irrigation and harvesting intensity management to optimize the productivity of Adansonia digitata in vegetable farming. In short, integrated practices can improve soil water availability and maximize biomass yield, thus contributing to the resilience of agricultural systems to climatic hazards and improving the incomes of rural populations.

This article considers how African children’s picture books depict animist cosmologies and transmit ecological knowledge across generations. With a close reading of Ken Wilson-Max’s Eco Girl (2022) and Helvi Itenge’s Nekwa and the Baobab Tree (2023), it argues that these texts construct relational ontologies in which trees, animals, ancestors, and children participate in a shared moral ecology. Drawing on African philosophies of ubuntu, ukama, and eniyan, and Harry Garuba’s “animist unconscious” and Fikret Berkes’ theory of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), the article provides an analysis on oral esthetics, taboo logic, and intergenerational practices. Nekwa and the Baobab Tree foregrounds the baobab as elder and moral agent, using taboo, song, and multispecies cooperation to stage ecological correction as cosmological rebalancing. Eco Girl presents a quieter ecological becoming grounded in diasporic memory, familial tree-planting rituals, and imaginative kinship with the baobab. These books frame the baobab as an ecological “Tree of Life” and ancestral archive, mediating ethical relations between humans and the more-than-human world. The focus on early-childhood picture books rather than adult fiction extends African ecocriticism into the domain of children’s literature, showing how animist ethics and intergenerational storytelling shape ecological subjectivities and model environmentally embedded forms of African childhood.

The Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is nicknamed the “tree of life” because of its exceptional versatility in terms of food, medicine, economics and ecology, with edible fruit. The aim of this study is to diversify the use of Adansonia digitata pulp, a local food resource that is little exploited for everyday products such as bread. Adansonia digitata fruit pulp, dried and ground into a very fine mixture, is incorporated into Type 55 wheat flour. Composite formulations containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 12% and 15% Adansonia digitata powder were analyzed for their nutritional, functional and sensory characteristics. The results show a significant improvement in fiber content (2.15%), bioactive compounds (polyphenols (2737.75 mg EAG/100g DM); flavonoids (804.91 mg EQ/100g DM) and tannins (968.25 mg EAT/100g DM)) and minerals (1.47%). Formulations containing up to 10% Adansonia digitata were the best accepted from a sensory point of view. The moderate incorporation of Adansonia digitata pulp into wheat flour therefore appears to be an effective strategy for improving the nutritional quality of bread while preserving its acceptability by consumers.