Koffi Apeti Gbogbo

Turning Waste into Value: Nanosized Natural Plant Materials of Solanum incanum L. and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir with Promising Antimicrobial Activities

Numerous plants are known to exhibit considerable biological activities in the fields of medicine and agriculture, yet access to their active ingredients is often complicated, cumbersome and expensive. As a consequence, many plants harbouring potential drugs or green phyto-protectants go largely unnoticed, especially in poorer countries which, at the same time, are in desperate need of antimicrobial agents. As in the case of plants such as the Jericho tomato, Solanum incanum, and the common African tree Pterocarpus erinaceus, nanosizing of original plant materials may provide an interesting alternative to extensive extraction and isolation procedures. Indeed, it is straightforward to obtain considerable amounts of such common, often weed-like plants, and to mill the dried material to more or less uniform particles of microscopic and nanoscopic size. These particles exhibit activity against Steinernema feltiae or Escherichia coli, which is comparable to the ones seen for processed extracts of the same, respective plants. As S. feltiae is used as a model nematode indicative of possible phyto-protective uses in the agricultural arena, these findings also showcase the potential of nanosizing of crude “waste” plant materials for specific practical applications, especially—but not exclusively—in developing countries lacking a more sophisticated industrial infrastructure.

Valeur nutrition/santé de quelques espèces de légumineuses alimentaires mineures au Togo

Abstract A study on some minor Togolese food plants shows that some « local varieties » are potentially rich in some nutritious and healthy substances. Based on a precise methodology, we point out that: - beans of Cajanus cajan local varieties are richer in proteins (206.55 ± 0.03 to 220.17 ± 0.09 mg.g−1) than those of Macrotyloma geocarpum (155.7 ± 0.07 to 172.9 ± 0.18 mg.g−1); the subunits molecular masses are between 1,7 and 83 kDa; - Vigna unguiculata local varieties beans contains more phaseolin (28.46 ± 0.65 mg.g−1) than those of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (4.91 ± 0.21 mg.g-1); - all studied beans concentration in polyphenols varies from 0.79 ± 0,06 to 2.21 ± 0,03 mg.g-1. These new data are useful for a better valorisation of the studied food minor plants.

Distribution spatiale des plantes alimentaires mineures ou menacées de disparition au Togo: un indicateur de l’ampleur de leur menace

Résumé L’analyse de la problématique des plantes alimentaires mineures et menacées au Togo a pris en compte l’aspect distribution spatiale afin de mieux juger de l’ampleur de la menace. L’étude a été menée sur la base des enquêtes ethnobotaniques dans 280 localités distribuées sur toute l’étendue du territoire togolais. Au total, 137 espèces alimentaires mineures et menacées de disparition au Togo ont été inventoriées. Le nombre de plantes alimentaires en disparition varie de 2 à 40 suivant les localités et de 10 à 50 chez la plupart des ethnies. L’amplitude de leur distribution spatiale montre 20% des plantes signalées en régression sur l’étendue du territoire national. En revanche, 10%, 18% et 18% des plantes ont des distributions respectivement septentrionale, centrale et méridionale. Le reste des plantes présente des distributions interrégionales. Ces différentes distributions traduisent des degrés de menace qui dépendent non seulement du nombre de citations de la plante, mais aussi de l’aire de distribution naturelle de l’espèce.

EVALUATION DE L’ACTIVITE ANTIMICROBIENNE DE MOMORDICA CHARANTIA (CUCURBITACEAE), PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (MYRTACEAE) ET PTELEOPSIS SUBEROSA (COMBRETACEAE)

Innovation is the application of new knowledge and its materialization. Thus it ensures the companys ability to cope with changes in the business environment and the ability to survive in the global competitive environment. As a result, innovation saves natural resources, provides safe and more efficient transport and production. Innovations change the style of work life, place emphasis on the importance of education, creativity, communication and collaboration. However, innovations are associated with a number of problems. They require high costs of the research and development and they face the risks during implementation. This paper describes specific experience with the application of principles and tools of logistics, project management and mainly the application of management system created for the streamlining not only the process of preparation and implementation of the specific innovation project, but also for the streamlining the operation of research and development workplace which implement innovative projects.

EVALUATION DES ACTIVITÉS ANTIMICROBIENNES DE TRIDAX PROCUMBENS (ASTERACEAE), JATROPHA MULTIFIDA (EUPHORBIACEAE) ET DE CHROMOLAENA ODORATA (ASTERACEAE)

Innovation is the application of new knowledge and its materialization. Thus it ensures the companys ability to cope with changes in the business environment and the ability to survive in the global competitive environment. As a result, innovation saves natural resources, provides safe and more efficient transport and production. Innovations change the style of work life, place emphasis on the importance of education, creativity, communication and collaboration. However, innovations are associated with a number of problems. They require high costs of the research and development and they face the risks during implementation. This paper describes specific experience with the application of principles and tools of logistics, project management and mainly the application of management system created for the streamlining not only the process of preparation and implementation of the specific innovation project, but also for the streamlining the operation of research and development workplace which implement innovative projects.

Activité antifongique des huiles essentielles de Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) et Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. (Poaceae) sur des micromycètes influençant la germination du Maïs et du Niébé

Abstract Tests of germination of the corn seeds (Zea mays L.) and cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) are made in the presence of phytopathogenics and toxinogenics fungus isolated from pastoral grounds in the south Togo. The results obtained show that these micromycètes can induce in vitro a reduction of germination rate of these two seeds. Essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Cymbopogon schoenanthus are clearly indicated to fight against the fall of the germinative capacity of these seeds. Among fungus tested, Nigrospora oryzae seems the least sensitive strain at the strongest concentration (1,14 μl/ml) used.