Regions Of Benin Research Articles

Population structure and sociocultural importance of Tamarindus indica L. in dry regions of Benin (West Africa)

Population structure and sociocultural importance of Tamarindus indica L. in dry regions of Benin (West Africa)

New perspectives on harvesting as one driver of ecosystem dynamics

New perspectives on harvesting as one driver of ecosystem dynamics

Biodiversity of predominant <i>Bacillus</i> isolated from afitin, iru and sonru at different fermentation time

Two hundred (200) presumptive isolates of Bacillus collected at different fermentation time from spontaneous fermented samples of afitin, iru and sonru produced in three different regions of Benin were identified at species and strains levels. ITS-PCR-RFLP revealed that 79% of the isolates were really identified as Bacillus, 5% as Staphylococcus and 16% as unidentified bacteria. The 16S rDNA sequencing showed that 74.7% of the Bacillus belonged to the B. subtilis group and 25.3% to the B. cereus group. Additional biochemical tests and API 50 CHB system applied to 50 isolates randomly selected from the B. subtilis group divided the latter into 80% typical B. subtilis and 20% typical B. licheniformis, which showed different PFGE-RFLP band patterns. Strains belonging to the B. cereus group were differentiated by PCR with specific primers BCW1F and BCW1R and specific enzymes EcoRI, Sau3AI and RsaI. All strains of the B. cereus group, except one, were found to be typical B. cereus. This work showed the predominance of B. subtilis in afitin, iru and sonru along the fermentation process. Keywords: Afitin, Iru, Sonru, Fermentation, Bacillus. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 211-222

Characterization of Pentadesma butyracea sabine Butters of Different Production Regions in Benin

AbstractPentadesma butter (Pentadesmabutyracea, sabine, clusiaceae) is an extract of the kernels of tree fruits in West Africa and similar to shea butter. The study of the fatty acid composition, triacylglycerols, sterols and tocopherols of Pentadesma butter was carried out on seeds collected in ten production areas in Benin. The results obtained show that the composition in fatty acids is characterized by the presence of stearic acid and oleic acid, which represent nearly 96% of the total fatty acids. The triacylglycerols profile of the different butters is marked by the overwhelming presence of the triacylglycerols SOS and SOO. The unsaponifiable fraction shows, for the sterolic composition, a predominance of stigmasterol (nearly 68% of the total sterols) whilst the β‐tocopherol is the main tocopherol.

Sustainable soil fertility management in Benin: learning from farmers

The perception of farmers from the Atacora and Savè regions of Benin was studied about the causes and consequences of land degradation and corrective actions for sustaining soil fertility. Research methods in this diagnostic study included group discussions, using non-standardized unstructured interviews and participant observations. Farmland degradation leading to declining yields, and land tenure arrangements were identified as the main constraints on the sustainability of agriculture. In both regions the farmers stated that climatic changes (less and more irregular rainfall), run off, erosion, and overexploitation of farmlands caused land degradation. Soil fertility status was assessed on the basis of dicotyledonous weeds, soil texture and colour, and soil fauna (earthworm casting activity). Farmers have adapted their cropping systems to the local environment by developing traditional and new strategies and activities that could contribute to maintain or enhance crop productivity. These strategies include animal manure, inorganic fertilizer, crop rotation, a five-year fallow, extensive cropping systems with cassava or egusi melon, and emigration. Land tenure arrangements between landlords and migrants affect strategies that can be applied to maintain soil fertility. The importance of building mutual trust and the need to experiment with different land tenure arrangements are indicated. A framework for interactive research where knowledge is collectively generated is proposed in order to test the effectiveness and applicability of some of these local innovations not yet well understood by conventional science.

Propriétés physico-chimiques et composition de l'huile non conventionnelle de pourghère ( Jatropha curcas) de différentes régions du Bénin

Physicochemical properties and composition of pignut ( Jatropha curcas) non-conventional oil from different regions of Benin . The non-conventional oils extracted from pignut seeds in eight localities of Benin have been studied. Oil content of seeds was in the range of 40 to 60%. Oil samples of different localities showed liquid and unsaturated oils and contained mainly oleic acid (43 to 53%), linoleic acid (20 to 32%) and palmitic acid (13 to 15%). Unsaponifiable content of these samples did not exceed 4%, except at Bohicon (5,5%) and Akiza (8,4%). To cite this article: D.S.S. Kpoviessi et al., C. R. Chimie 7 (2004) .

Occurrence of cassava diseases in relation to environmental, agronomic and plant characteristics

Among the seven cassava diseases observed in a survey in the cassava-growing regions of Benin and Ghana, cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) occurred most frequently in all ecozones, with a higher incidence in Ghana (82.2%) than in Benin (48.1%). Stepwise regression and canonical correlation analysis revealed that CMD was positively correlated with increasing numbers of weeds and with cultivar mixtures. Cassava bacterial blight (CBB) was particularly severe in all ecozones of Benin, but rare in Ghana. Cassava in the savanna zones of Benin was heavily diseased with an incidence of 34.5–84.1% and a high percentage of plants showing systemic symptoms, while CBB was not observed in the rainforest (RF) zone and only sporadically in the coastal savanna zone of Ghana. High incidence and severity of CBB was associated with increasing plant age and clay soils, whereas the disease was less when fields were intercropped or planted to cultivar mixtures. Anthracnose and leaf diseases caused by Cercospora spp. were of minor importance. The severity of diseases caused by Cercospora spp. was positively correlated with profusely branching varieties. Incidence of Cercospora caribaea was associated with increasing rainfall and seemed to be suppressed in cultivar mixtures. Integrated control methods are proposed for the diseases, especially CBB.

Perinatal mortality in northern Benin.

The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) at the Hopital Evangelique in the Borgon region of Benin was 224/1000 in 1984 compared to 164/1000 in 1994. Despite the decrease, the rate was still high. Perinatal deaths for 1994 were reviewed retrospectively from case notes and data routinely recorded (presentation, distance traveled, and prenatal care). The probable causes of death were determined. A total of 511 babies were delivered by 484 women in 1994 at the hospital. There were 62 stillbirths (26 cases of birth asphyxia, 14 cases of antepartum hemorrhage, 7 cases of ruptured uterus, and 6 cases of intrauterine death before labor) and 22 neonatal deaths (7 cases of birth asphyxia and 11 cases of prematurity). Maternal errors accounted for 14 stillbirths and 4 neonatal deaths; logistical difficulties accounted for 8 stillbirths and 4 neonatal deaths; and the errors of management/referring maternity accounted for 4 stillbirths and 1 neonatal death. Some examples of maternal errors included a patient (gravida 6, para 5) who had not received prenatal care and presented with antepartum hemorrhage after being in labor for 72 hours. She had a ruptured uterus and required hysterectomy. Another patient (gravida 6, para 5) who had not received prenatal care presented to a maternity unit in labor with a shoulder presentation. On arrival, and after referral, intrauterine death was diagnosed and the fetus was delivered. Examples of logistical problems included a primigravida referred from a maternity unit more than 50 km away for delay in the second stage of labor. She delivered normally after arrival; however, the baby was asphyxiated and died. A patient who was gravida 2, para 1 was referred from a maternity unit with a cord prolapse. The fetal heart beat was present on leaving the maternity unit but was absent on arrival at the hospital. Bad management cases related to prolonged labor or attempts at a traumatic vaginal delivery. Maternal errors were the main source of deaths; thus, prenatal and intrapartum care should be more accessible to reduce the PMR.

Sero prevalences to three diseases in village chickens in Benin

Seroprevalences to three infectious agents were studied in rural poultry farms in three different ecological regions in Benin. Of 260 sera, 65% were seropositive for Newcastle disease virus, 10% for Salmonella pullorum and 62% for Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Sensitivity in vitro of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and mefloquine in two regions of Benin

Sensitivity in vitro of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and mefloquine in two regions of Benin

Adoption of Agricultural Innovations in Developing Countries: A Survey

This paper reviews various studies which have provided a description and possible explanation to patterns of innovation adoption in the agricultural sector. The survey points out that the tendency of many studies to consider innovation adoption in dichotomous terms (adoption/nonadoption) may not be appropriate in many cases where the actual decisions are defined over a more continuous range. More attention needs to be given to the socio-cultural and institutional environment in area studies so that their interrelation with economic factors affecting adoption can be inferred. The presence of several interrelated innovations is another aspect that needs to be considered more carefully in future research, since a number of simultaneous decisions may be involved. Furthermore, the possibility of regular sequential patterns in adopting components of a new technological package should be specifically addressed in future studies. Finally, the impact of differential adoption rates on land holding distribution merits attention in future research.

Choosing among Parallel Health Care Systems in a Bariba Community

It is increasingly common in developing countries to find the proliferation of parallel health care systems in which cosmopolitan and indigenous health services co-exist. The basis of people's decisions to select from among these health care options is not, however, thoroughly understood. In this paper, based on research conducted in the People's Republic of Benin in 1976-77, I intend to consider one dimension of health service utilization - namely, alternatives for obstetrical assistance utilized by women in a Bariba region of Benin. In subsequent sections, I will attempt to delineate a set of factors influencing women's choices of obstetrical care in this rural African setting and draw conclusions regarding the decision-making process among pregnant Bariba women. This research was conducted in northwestern Benin, particularly in the District of Kouande. The primary research site was the village of Pehunko, which has a population of about 2000 and is primarily Bariba. The Bariba are one of the three most populous ethnic groups in Benin, numbering perhaps 300,000 and extending into western Nigeria. Pehunko was chosen as the focus of this research because of its location as a crossroads market center, through which communications from surrounding settlements flow regularly. Pehunko is located at the intersection of several settlements with maternity care services and is the center of an agglomeration of villages. Pehunko, then, seemed to serve as an illustrative site to

Choosing Among Parallel Health Care Systems in a Bariba Community

It is increasingly common in developing countries to find the proliferation of parallel health care systems in which cosmopolitan and indigenous health services co-exist. The basis of people's decisions to select from among these health care options is not, however, thoroughly understood. In this paper, based on research conducted in the People's Republic of Benin in 1976-77, I intend to consider one dimension of health service utilization - namely, alternatives for obstetrical assistance utilized by women in a Bariba region of Benin. In subsequent sections, I will attempt to delineate a set of factors influencing women's choices of obstetrical care in this rural African setting and draw conclusions regarding the decision-making process among pregnant Bariba women. This research was conducted in northwestern Benin, particularly in the District of Kouande. The primary research site was the village of Pehunko, which has a population of about 2000 and is primarily Bariba. The Bariba are one of the three most populous ethnic groups in Benin, numbering perhaps 300,000 and extending into western Nigeria. Pehunko was chosen as the focus of this research because of its location as a crossroads market center, through which communications from surrounding settlements flow regularly. Pehunko is located at the intersection of several settlements with maternity care services and is the center of an agglomeration of villages. Pehunko, then, seemed to serve as an illustrative site to