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The current study was aimed to investigate the dynamics of insecticide resistance inAnopheles gambiaesensu lato populations from Bohicon in Sudano-guinean area of Benin, West Africa. Larvae and pupae ofAnopheles gambiae s.l.populations were collected from the breeding sites in Zou department in 2015 and 2020. WHO susceptibility tests were conducted on unfed female mosquitoes aged 2-5 days old. WHO bioassays were performed with impregnated papers of permethrin (0.75%) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) (4%).An. gambiaemosquitoes were identified to species using PCR techniques in 2015. Molecular assays were also carried out to identifykdrmutations in individual mosquitoes.An. Gambiae s.l.populations from Bohicon were resistant to permethrin and DDT in 2015 and still remained resistant to these products in 2020. There is cross-resistance to both insecticides. PCR revealed 100% of mosquitoes tested wereAnopheles gambiae s.s. TheL1014F kdrmutation was found inAn. Gambiae s.s.Bohicon at high allelic frequency.

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the R. brasiliensis aerial part extracts collected in southern-Benin. Methodology: The phytochemical screening was performed by a differential precipitation staining method. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were made using conventional method with water and ethanol as solvent. The obtained extracts were used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and ten reference strains by the solid-medium diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined by the liquid macro-dilution method. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts was evaluated on Artemia salina larvae obtained by hatching. Results: The phytochemical screening showed a strong presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids and a medium presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins and mucilage’s. The extraction yields vary according to the solvent: water (15.5%) and ethanol (10.30%). The two extracts variously (p 0.05) in inhibition of strains growth between 24h and 48h. The largest diameter (21±0.75 mm) of inhibition with the reference strains was obtained with P. aeruginosa by action of the aqueous extract. Regarding Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections, the largest diameter of inhibition is about 19.25±2.75 mm obtained with strains isolated from ulcers. The average mics of 2.81 mg/ml and 2.08 mg/ml were obtained respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts in the presence of the reference strains. The LC50 determination obtained using the regression line is 0.36 mg/ml for the aqueous extract and 1.16 mg/ml for the ethanolic extract. Conclusion: The aqueous extract is more effective because of its action spectrum. This extract can be used for the development of a soap or ointment to fight against skin infections.

The use of chemical insecticides causes important damages to environment and human health and there is a need to search for alternative solutions. This study aims to investigate on the effect of coconut oil onAnopheles gambiae sensu latolarvae tolerance in malaria vector control in Dogbo district in south-western Benin, West Africa. Larvae ofAnopheles gambiae s.l.mosquitoes were collected from breeding sites using the dipping method in May 2020 during the rainy season in Dogbo district. A batch of 25 larvae of fourth instar were exposed to a mixture of coconut oil with distilled water saturated with oxygen containing in each of five glass jars or test cups of same dimensions contained each 48 ml distilled water saturated with oxygen plus 2 ml of coconut oil and one control jar containing no trace of coconut oil. Larval mortality was recorded after 24 hours, 48 hours and 72hours exposure. The results show that the use of coconut oil causes full-grown Anopheles larvae to die by suffocation. After the application of this mixture, the larvae of four instars cannot breathe. The use of coconut oil is effective method for disturbing the siphonal respiration of mosquito larvae. Coconut oil is effective method for mosquito larvae control.

The use of chemical insecticides causes important damages to environment and human health and there is a need to search for alternative solutions. This study aims to investigate on the effect of aqueous extract of lemon inAnopheles gambiaes.l.larvae tolerance in couffo department in south-western Republic of Benin, West Africa. Larvae ofAnopheles gambiae s.lmosquitoes were collected from breeding sites using the dipping method in July 2020 during the rainy season in Dogbo district. A batch of 15 larvae of fourth instar were exposed to a mixture of aqueous extract of lemon with distilled water saturated with oxygen containing in each of five glass jars or test cups of same dimensions contained each 48 ml distilled water saturated with oxygen plus 2 ml of aqueous extract of lemon (Citrus limon)and one control jar containing no trace of aqueous extract of lemon. Larval mortality was recorded after 24hours, 48hours and 72hours exposure. The results show that the use of aqueous extract of lemon causes full-grown Anopheles larvae to die by suffocation. After the application of this mixture, the larvae of four instars cannot breathe. The use of aqueous extract of lemon is effective method for disturbing the siphonal respiration of mosquito larvae. Aqueous extract of lemon is effective method for mosquito larvae control.

The use of chemical insecticides causes important damages to environment and human health and there is a need to search for alternative solutions. This study aims to investigate on phytochemical properties ofHyptis suaveolensLinn (Lamiaceae) andAzadirachta indica(Meliaceae) leaves and to evaluate their larvicidal activities in the malaria vector control in couffo department in south-western Republic of Benin. Larvae ofAnopheles gambiaes.l mosquitoes were collected from breeding sites using the dipping method from April to July 2022 during the great rainy season in Dogbo district. A batch of twenty (20) larvae of fourth instar were exposed to ethanolic extracts ofHyptis suaveolensLinn andAzadirachta indicaleaves with different concentrations of 1 mg/liter, 2mg/liter, 3 mg/liter, 4 mg/liter and 5 mg/liter in some glass jars or plastic test cups of same dimensions covered with small cutting untreated net and in some control jars containing no trace of these ethanolic extracts. Larval mortality was recorded after 24 hours, 48 hours and 72hours exposure. The results showed that the optimal concentration of ethanolic extract ofHyptis suaveolensLinn which kills 100% ofAnopheles gambiaes.l. larvae was 4 mg/liter whereas the optimal concentration of ethanolic extract ofAzadirachta indicawhich kills 100% ofAnopheles gambiaes.l. larvae was 2 mg/liter.Hyptis suaveolensLinn andAzadirachta indicaleaves possess some phytochemical properties with larvicidal activities on larvae ofAnopheles gambiaesensu lato.

Background: Lippia multiflora Moldenk is a shrub that is present in Benin. It is used as nutritious food and its leaves and flowers are rich in mineral salts and especially vitamin A and C. Also, these leaves and flowers transformed into powders, are sold and used to flavor sauces and for other purposes. Aim/Objectives: Our work aims to provide consumers with information on the sanitary and hygienic quality of the powders from the leaves and flowers of Lippia multiflora in order to determine their shelf life. Methods: The study was carried out on three different powders, namely leaf-based powder; those from the flowers and those purchased from the sellers. Physico-chemical analyses and microbiological evaluation were made on these different powders at different dates for 18 months to see the growth of the microorganisms in these powders. Results: These analyses revealed that the means of the physico-chemical parameters in the leaf-based powders, the flowers and those sampled are respectively: water content (7.42%; 9.89% and 11.67%); ash content (15.83%; 10.77% and 6.52%); pH (7.25; 6.22 and 5.95) and titrable acidity (0.55%; 2.46% and 1.84%). Microbial loads in total flora are below the standard for 18 months in leaf and flower powders but are above the standard in powders sampled after 12 months of storage. The growth of yeasts and molds was observed during the first 6 months and their load is well below the standards from the 7th month until the end of storage. Coliform, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, faecal Streptococci and Clostridium sulfito-reducers loads are below the detection threshold throughout the shelf life. Conclusion: Therefore the powders based on the leaves and flowers can be kept for a period of eighteen months without risk to the consumer. But those sampled can be kept for up to 12 months.

Corchorus olitorius L. which belongs to Tiliaceae family is a cultivated herbaceous plant highly consumed as traditional leafy vegetables in Benin. Extracts from samples of different morphotypes leaves of this species were analysed for their phytochemical compositions, antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities. On each sample extract, qualitative phytochemical tests were used to detect the presence of bioactive molecules and evaluate their cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl assay. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several phytochemical compounds in all samples of morphotypes studied but these have not a similar profile. Morphotypes with shiny rounded leaves have more phytochemicals (58% of phytochemicals compounds) than the other samples. Analysis of the potential antioxidant reveals a first category of morphotypes with high potential antioxidant capacity ranged from 27,859 to 32,985 mM EAA/g followed by second class of morphotype which ranged from 17,527 to 23,098 mM EAA/g . Regular consumption of C. olitorius such as varieties with rounded and non-shiny leaves, varieties with elongated and shiny leaves, varieties with red stems, varieties with elongated and non-shiny leaves with lateral lobes, would be useful for the treatment of various diseases induced by free radicals. The LC50 of morphotypes C. olitorius varies between 0.78 and 3.125 mg/ml indicating non toxicity. From this study, results justify the use of some morphotypes of C. olitorius in traditional medicine. Hence, these morphotypes are nutraceuticals leafy vegetables that must be promoted through development of food based products. Key words: Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, cytotoxic activity, Corchorus olitorius, morphotypes, Benin.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food consumed in every region in Republic of Benin; however, it remains a neglected and under-utilized crop. In order to assess the value of bean germplasm of the central region in the Republic of Benin for useful breeding programs, 57 accessions were collected from 23 villages. After a classification based on the morphological variables of the seeds, these accessions were evaluated using 30 morphological traits (18 qualitative and 12 quantitative) following the IBPGR descriptors in experimental field at Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa. Based on the seeds morphological variability, the accessions have been grouped in 8 morphotypes. However, 9 morphological types were obtained with cluster analysis based on UPGMA classification method using qualitative variables, whereas in Principal Component Analysis (PCA) they were gathered into 4 clusters using quantitative variables. The accessions in cluster 1 (11 accessions) were identified as possessing the highest values in quantitative traits like days to maturity, and number of pods per plant. While accessions in cluster 2 (3 accessions) have had the lowest number of days to flowering and the highest pods length, the accessions of cluster 3 (23 accessions) presented the highest 100-seed weight. Correlation coefficient of 100-seed weight was positively significant (p ≤ 0.001) with leaf length, pod width, and seeds length while it was negatively correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with days to flowering, pod length and the number of seeds per pod. Cluster 3 accessions may serve as useful genetic material in future, for any breeding programmes to improve the productivity of other common bean accessions through hybridization. Key words: Common bean, cluster analysis, diversity, landraces, qualitative traits, quantitative traits.

Background Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important grain legume crop grown in the central region of the Republic of Benin. However, its production declined in recent years to the extent that its diversity is being threatened with extinction. Understanding the folk nomenclature and taxonomy, as well as use values that allow its maintenance in Beninese agricultural system, is a prerequisite to develop efficient strategies for its conservation. Knowing that each sociolinguistic group develop various uses and traditional knowledge for their crop genetic resources, we hypothesized that enhancement of farmers’ livelihood, thanks to the use values of common bean landraces, differ from one sociolinguistic group to another and contribute to their conservation in the traditional agriculture of central Benin. Methods Hundred and one common bean producers belonging to seven sociolinguistic groups selected through 23 villages of the region under study were surveyed. Data were collected through participatory research appraisal tools and techniques (individual interviews and direct observation) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Folk nomenclature and taxonomy of common bean, local uses, and factors affecting them were investigated. Results Across the seven sociolinguistic groups surveyed in the study area, five common bean generic names and 26 folk varieties corresponding to 12 landraces have been recorded. Folk nomenclature and taxonomy were mainly based on seeds’ coat color. The present study has revealed five common bean use values in the study area (food, medicinal, commercial, fodder, and mystic-religious), which are influenced by sociolinguistic groups. Leaves, roots, and seeds of three common bean folk varieties are used by surveyed farmers for disease treatment. Nine common bean folk varieties are considered by farmers as magical plants which have supernatural properties while several taboos for deities’ followers regarding Séssé landrace are inventoried across sociolinguistic groups. Level of education and age of respondents influence positively and significantly medicine and mystical-religious uses of common bean respectively while commercial use is positively influenced by age and negatively by gender. Conclusions Traditional values associated with common bean landraces in the central region of the Republic of Benin increase their chance of survival in the farming systems. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents which influence common bean use values must be taken into account in future programs of conservation. However, an assessment of diversity and analysis of distribution of extend of common bean landraces in the study area is a necessity for the development of an efficient strategy of conservation of this genetic resource.

Variability study of agro-morphological characteristics is important for varietal improvement and plant breeding program. For this, 148 chili pepper landraces (Capsicum annuum L.) collected from Northern Benin were characterized using 39 (21 qualitative and 18 quantitative) morphological characters. The trial was conducted in a Fisher block design with 3 replicates at the experimental station of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST) of Dassa based in Central Benin. The results revealed considerable morphological variability between landraces. Twenty nine (16 quantitative and 13 qualitative) variables among the 39 examined were discriminatory and group the landraces into 4 classes when considering the qualitative variables. With quantitative variables, 9 groups were obtained. The correlations between the studied quantitative variables show that the yield parameters are correlated with the variables related to the vegetative part of the plant. This study will help breeders to better select their parents for crossing in order to produce desirable and high yielding varieties.

Chili peppers play a significant role in the world diet and can contribute to the improvement of horticultural producers’ incomes. In Benin, chili pepper production is hampered by many challenges that need to be characterized, prioritized and addressed. Moreover, the existing diversity, as well as the agronomic potential, of the varieties being cultivated in Benin is still not well understood. In order to define the scientific basis for the improvement of chili pepper production and the preservation of its diversity, one hundred villages were randomly selected and surveyed in Northern and Central Benin by using participatory research appraisal tools and techniques. Twelve production constraints were identified, of which low productivity (19 %), soil infertility (18.5 %), drought (18.3 %), pests and disease susceptibility (17.9 %), early fall of plant organs (15 %) appear as the most important. In terms of diversity, 77 chili pepper varieties (40 from the frutescens group, 24 from the annuum group and 13 from the chinense group) including 72 local and five introduced varieties (Tatache, Yeyekouka, Yeyekouokoure, Cote d’ivoire and MC) were found. The number of varieties varies from three to seven (four on average) per village and from one to five by household. The proportion of loss of diversity per village varies from 0 to 75 % with an average of 26.61 %. Susceptibility to pests and diseases (37.1 % of responses), early fall of plant organs (11.6 % of responses) and susceptibility to drought (8.5 %), were the most important reasons given in attempts to explain the loss of diversity. Farmers’ varietal preference criteria are essentially agronomic (90.4 % of responses). The participative agronomic evaluation revealed that the varieties of frutescens group are significantly higher with respect to the evaluated variables, but they are less appreciated by the consumers.

Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) locally named “Doyi” is a grain legume of high nutritional and economic value widely consumed in Benin but neglected by the scientific research and the development programmes. In order to document the indigenous knowledge related to the production, diversity and use of this crop and to collect samples for characterisation and evaluation, 30 villages from South and Centre of Benin were randomly selected and surveyed. In each village, 10–15 producing households (374 farmers in total) were chosen as above and interviewed using participatory research appraisal tools and techniques. The study revealed that the production of Kersting’s groundnut is particularly concentrated in central Benin (departments of Zou and Collines), but is seriously declining for ten reasons. As reported by farmers, the most important factors of those included the high cost of production (40.7 % of responses), the susceptibility of cultivars to high soil moisture (25.5 % of responses) and the complexity of the cultural practices (25.2 % of responses). Only three local cultivars differing mostly by the colour of seed coat (white, red and black) were recorded. The white seeded cultivar was the most cultivated and preferred for consumption. Gender role analysis indicated that young women were the most involved in the cultivation of M. geocarpum. Phenotypical analysis of the different accessions (32 in total) collected during the study revealed only three groups that differ mainly in leaf width, yield and date to 50 % flowering. Agronomic evaluation indicated a significant difference (p

Guinea yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.–D. rotundata Poir. complex) is an important tuber crop that highly contributes to food security and poverty alleviation in Benin. However, its production is seriously affected by many biotic and abiotic constraints which could be overcame by concentrating the production on resistant or tolerant cultivars. In order to identify such cultivars that are known to exist in Benin traditional agriculture, 51 villages were randomly selected throughout the production zones and surveyed. Out of the 426 cultivars (subject to synonymy) evaluated using participatory approach and 13 agronomic, culinary, and technological traits, 25, 47, 49, 64 and 64 cultivars respectively tolerant to poor soils, nematodes, high soil moisture (adaptability to lowland), drought and chips (peeled and dried tuber) storage insects were, among others, identified. These pools of cultivars could serve in breeding program or be directly used in varietal exchanges towards the zones of interests. The agromorphological characterisation conducted per pool of performing cultivars revealed the existence of many duplicates that should be clarified with the use of molecular markers. Flowering, sex and intensity of flowering of the different cultivars were analysed and revealed a low rate (11.68 %) of non-floriferous plants, a high rate (61.03 %) of plants with low intensity of flowering and five types of male inflorescences indicating a hypothetical evolution towards the suppression of flowering with the cultivated yams.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] is an important staple food crop in northern Benin. In order to assess its diversity in Benin, 142 accessions of landraces collected from Northern Benin were grown in Central Benin and characterised using 10 qualitative and 14 quantitative agromorphological traits. High variability among both qualitative and quantitative traits was observed. Grain yield (0.72–10.57 tons/ha), panicle weight (15–215.95 g), days to 50% flowering (57–200 days), and plant height (153.27–636.5 cm) were among traits that exhibited broader variability. Correlations between quantitative traits were determined. Grain yield for instance exhibited highly positive association with panicle weight(r=0.901, P=0.000)and 100 seed weight(r=0.247, P=0.000). UPGMA cluster analysis classified the 142 accessions into 89 morphotypes. Based on multivariate analysis, twenty promising sorghum genotypes were selected. Among them, AT41, AT14, and AT29 showed early maturity (57 to 66 days to 50% flowering), high grain yields (4.85 to 7.85 tons/ha), and shorter plant height (153.27 to 180.37 cm). The results obtained will help enhancing sorghum production and diversity and developing new varieties that will be better adapted to the current soil and climate conditions in Benin.

Objectif : Le present travail vise a evaluer l’activite antimicrobienne des extraits de quatre feuilles ( Thalia geniculata, Musa spp, Manihot esculenta et Daniellia oliveri ) utilisees comme emballages alimentaires au Benin. Methodologie et Resultats : Les extraits aqueux, ethanolique, hydroethanolique, hexanique et acetate d’ethyle ont ete testes sur la croissance in vitro de 10 souches de references par la methode de diffusion en milieu solide. Les Concentrations Minimales Inhibitrices (CMI) et Bactericides (CMB) ont ete determinees respectivement par les methodes de macro-dilution en milieu liquide et ensemencement sur milieu gelose. Les rendements a l’extraction varient d’une plante a une autre en fonction des solvants utilises. De meme la susceptibilite des souches microbiennes varie d’une espece a une autre. Globalement les CMI sont elevees, excepte pour D. oliveri qui donne0, 78 mg/ml ( E. coli ) et 1,56 mg/ml ( S. aureus ). Par ailleurs, Thaila geneticulata presente une CMI de 6, 25 mg/ml sur S. oralis . En general, les extraits presentent une plus forte activite sur les bacteries Gram+ que les Gram-. Conclusion et applications : Les resultats obtenus confirment les observations des productrices des denrees alimentaires qui pensent que Daniellia oliveri et Thalia geniculata utilisees comme emballages alimentaires conservent mieux les aliments au cours de leur stockage. Les extraits de ces plantes peuvent etre utilises comme des agents antimicrobiens pour la conservation des denrees alimentaires emballees. Il est souhaitable que les memes travaux se poursuivent sur les autres especes de plantes identifiees et utilisees dans l’artisanat agroalimentaire en Afrique. Mots-cles : Concentration Minimale Inhibitrice ; Concentration Minimale Bactericide ; antibiogramme ; Musa spp; Manihot esculenta; Daniellia oliveri; Thalia geniculata ABSTRACT Objectives : Plant leaves used as food packaging having thus a protective effect could present an advantage if they have preservative effect on the packaged food. The present work aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of four species sheets ( Thalia geniculata, Musa spp , Daniellia oliveri and Manihot esculenta ) used as food packaging. Methodology and results: The research approach was to make the extracts of each of these plants with appropriate solutions. Then, susceptibility testing was performed with the extracts in order to determine the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of each of the reference strains used (Gram + and Gram -; Yeast and Mould). It appeared that the highest extraction yields are of the order of 20.8% for Manihot esculenta , 11.6% for Daniellia oliveri extract in aqueous medium. The lowest yield was around 0.2% for Musa sp extracted with hexane solution. Overall, the MIC of the test plants were greater than 100 mg / ml, except for Daniellia oliveri has an MIC of 0,78mg/ml and 1.56 mg / ml, respectively E. coli and S.aureus and 3, 12 mg / ml for P. aerpginas . Furthermore, Thaila geneticulata has a MIC of 6.25 mg /ml of S. oralis . It shows that among the four species of plants studied, Daniellia oliveri and Thalia geniculata have relatively stronger antimicrobial activities while Musa spp and Manihot esculenta are less active. In general, the extracts have a higher activity on Gram + bacteria. Conclusion and application of findings : The results confirm the observations of food processors who think that Daniellia oliveri and Thalia geniculata used as food packaging preserve better foods during storage. Extract from the investigated plants can be used as biological antimicrobial agent for the long storage of the packaged foods. Future investigation should be performed on other species of plants identified and used as vegetal food packaging in Africa. Keywords : Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ; Minimum bactericidal concentration ; susceptibility; Musa spp; Manihot esculenta; Daniellia oliveri; Thalia geniculata

Thirty five villages randomly selected across ethnic and agro-ecological zones of Benin were surveyed to document the indigenous knowledge associated with the domestication (bringing into cultivation), production and utilization of vegetable Gbolo (Crassocephalum spp.). The study revealed the existence of different morphotypes (1–4 per village) corresponding to two botanical species (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore) and (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore) found unequally distributed throughout the country. The domestication (bringing into cultivation from the wild) of Gbolo was started in many villages and with some tribes in southern Benin, the vegetable is already being produced in sole cropping for commercial purposes. Regular consumption (49.90 % of responses) and scarcity (20.30 % of responses) were the two main reasons attributed by the interviewees for domestication of the vegetable. The cultural practices recorded were of five categories. The commonest cropping system found was mixed or inter-row cropping (92.31 % of producers) with either vegetable crops (53.85 % of producers) or non-vegetable crops (38.46 % of users). Sauce prepared with either fresh or dried leaves was the main type of preparation of Gbolo and the vegetable was reported to possess special nutritional and medicinal values. For further promotion, important researches directions are suggested.

The most cited plant drugs during an ethnobotanical survey conducted for traditional healers and resource persons in southern Benin, used in the treatment of female infertility, were the subject of a phytochemical screening. It aims to determine the chemical substances that are conferred on the plants. These chemical substances are the pharmacological properties that are used for the treat of ailment recognized as being the origin of this disease. As a result, we studied the cytotoxicity of each herbal drug. In total, the organs of 17 plant species involved in this study are Aframomum melegueta, Allium cepa, Anchomanes deformants, Baphia nitida, Carissa spinarum, Elaeis guineensis, Garcinia cola, Kigelia africana, Monodora myristica, Morinda lucida, Musa sapientum, Olax subscorpioidea, Piper guineense, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Pupalia lappacea, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Xylopia aethiopica. The results obtained indicate that the richness in phytochemical element is a function of the species. Thus, Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Monodora myristica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Xylopia aethiopica, and Anchomanes difformis are rich in catechin and/or gallic tannins, mucilages, reducing compounds, anthocyanins and/or leucoanthocyanins. On the other hand, no drugs is at same time rich in free anthracenics, steroids and / or terpernoids, alkaloids, saponosides, and quinone derivatives. The calculated CL50 values for each of the plant organs are all greater than 0.1 mg / ml. None of them is toxic. However, the non-toxicity of an herbal drug does not mean the same with the multispecies recipe in which it is used. Pharmacological tests of the various recipes used are also of significant importance.

La procreation a ete et continue d’etre de nos jours la raison fondamentale du mariage en Afrique depuis les temps immemoriaux. L’infecondite du couple est vue comme une fatalite que ce dernier doit combattre a tout prix durant une bonne partie de sa vie. En vue de connaitre les recettes utilisees au Benin pour traiter la sterilite feminine, une enquete a ete entreprise en direction des traditherapeutes et des personnes ressources dans les departements de l’Oueme et du Plateau au Sud-Benin. Au total 93 traditherapeutes et personnes ressources ont ete enquetes. Il s’agit d’une enquete ethnobotanique basee sur des interviews individuelles semi-structurees qui a permis de recenser 123 recettes dans lesquelles interviennent 90 especes vegetales appartenant a 86 genres et 47 familles dont les plus representees sont les Leguminosae (10%), les Euphorbiaceae (6,67%), les Annonaceae (5,55%). Les organes des especes comme Anchomanes difformis , Aframomum melegueta , Allium cepa , Baphia nitida , Carissa spinarum , Elaeis guineensis , Garcinia kola , Kigelia africana , Monodora myristica , Morinda lucida , Musa sapientum , Olax subscorpioidea , Pupalia lappacea , Tetrapleura tetraptera , Piper guineense , Pterocarpus erinaceus , Xylopia aethiopica sont les plus cites dans les recettes. Ces plantes contribuent a soulager plusieurs couples infertiles et meritent d’etre protegees pour la posterite. © 2017 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles: Infecondite, recettes, traditherapeutes, personnes ressources, Sud Benin English Title: The ethnobotanical study of plants used in women infertility treatment in the departments of Oueme and Plateau in South of Benin English Abstract Procreation has been and continues to be today the fundamental reason for marriage in Africa since immemorial time. Infertility of the couple is seen as a fatality that it seeks to fight at all costs for a good part of his life. To know the recipes used in Benin to treat female infertility, a survey was undertaken towards the traditional healers and resource persons in the departments of Oueme and Plateau in South of Benin Republic. On the whole, 93 traditional healers and resource persons were surveyed. This is an ethnobotanical sample survey which has permitted to identify the causes of female infertility and 123 recipes in which involved 90 plant species belonging to 86 genera and 47 families, the most represented being Leguminosae (10%), Euphorbiaceae (6.67%), Annonaceae (5.55%). The organs of species such as Afromomum melegueta , Allium cepa , Baphia nitida , Carissa spinarum , Elaeis guineensis , Garcinia kola , Kigelia africana , Monodora myristica , Mrinda lucida , Musa sapientum , Olax subscorpioidea , Pupalia lappacea , Tetrapleura tetraptera , Pterocarpus erinaceus , Xylopia aethiopica are the most cited in the recipes. These plants contribute to relieve several infertile couples and deserve to be protected for posterity. © 2017 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Infertility, recipes, traditional healers, resource persons, South of Benin

Using participatory research appraisal, 29 ethnic areas were surveyed to document the folk nomenclature, identify the species under threat and understand the domestication process for the traditional leafy vegetables (TLV) consumed in Benin. It exists a rich folk nomenclature mainly characterised by synonymy and homonymy, 24 species under threat and 17 species under domestication. Factors threatening these TLV listed by farmers include forest destruction, bush fires, destructive harvesting methods and lack of knowledge about the plants. We emphasize the necessity of combining folk and formal nomenclature in all biodiversity research programmes on TLV and recommend the development of integrated conservation through utilisation strategies for the sustainable preservation and promotion of TLV in Benin.

Seventy-three villages randomly selected in 29 ethnic areas and three regions or agro-ecological zones of Benin were investigated by a participatory rural appraisal survey to assess the diversity of the species used as traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs). In total, 187 plant species belonging to 141 genera and 52 families were recorded. Among these, 47 (25.13%) were cultivated and 140 (74.87%) were gathered from the wild. Herbs (64.78%) were the most numerous followed by shrubs (19.78%) and trees (15.50%). The Shannon-Weaver diversity index calculated was 3.232. The total number of TLVs used highly varies, across ethnic groups, from 15 (Toli tribe) to 58 (people Mahi) with, on average, 36 species per ethnic group. The relative proportions of the wild and cultivated species used also vary with the tribes but on average appeared almost the same. Of the species inventoried, 18 of national importance were found among which Solanum macrocarpon, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus cruentus and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum ranked first. The matrix scoring technique yielded 12 criteria of different natures used to define preference. Among these, four (taste, ease of preparation, availability and quantity of required condiments) were the most important and represent, all together, more than 72% of responses. Despite the diversity of species used as leafy vegetables, they were all basically consumed in the same way. Sauces were the main type of preparation and involved all the species. The perceived nutritional and medicinal (curative, regulative and stimulative) properties of the species as well as their cultural significance were documented. Some TLVs are known and consumed by all or many ethnic groups while many others were simply ethnospecific or used by only a few peoples. However, no correlation was found between the distribution of the utilisation of the species and their degree of consumption which all depend on the eating habits of the peoples. Cluster analysis revealed that peoples sharing a common geographical space and/or cultural identity or origin seem to consume almost the same types of TLVs and cluster together. Given the large quantity of evidence of the importance of the TLVs, there should be a systematic effort to improve their understanding and their uses to reduce if not alleviate rural poverty and malnutrition in Benin.