Both cultivars of L. siceraria should be harvested at 50 DAFS owing to the good nutritional properties of their seeds and oils. However, to obtain best-quality proteins, round and oval berry cultivars should be harvested at 30 DAFS and CPW respectively. The results of this study will be useful in reducing the production time of fruits and improving the nutritional quality of their seeds.

The effects of fruit maturity on oxidative stability of LSO were investigated using an accelerated test at 60C for 6 days. Fatty acid composition, Cox, PV, p‐AV, specific extinction at 232 and 268 nm, and TOTOX were used to assess LSO stability. LSO samples from berry seeds at 50‐DAFS, at CPW and at CPW + S60 were analyzed. LSO at CPW was significantly more stable to oxidation than LSO at 50‐DAFS and CPW + S60. This oil had lower p‐AV than control (peanut oil) and other sources of LSO. PV, specific extinction, TOTOX and Cox of LSO at CPW were also lower than those of 50‐DAFS and CPW + S60, but two times higher than control values. Collectively, these data suggest that LSO cannot be used after 3 days of storage at 60C. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results obtained showed that the seed oil of oleaginous gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. was a good source of PUFAs (linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid) for human diet. LSO of CPW could be potentially used for cooking, seasonings and margarine applications because of its high nutritional value and its low linolenic acid content. These seeds could also be used by the food industry for formulating functional foods enriched with PUFAs.

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Wild edible plants are known to make important contributions to the livelihoods of local communities of sub-Saharan Africa countries including Côte d'Ivoire. Some have an important nutritional intake. The aim of this study was to assess the physicochemical and nutritive properties of Justicia galeopsis leaves to ascertain its nutritional suitability as well as health benefits. J. galeopsis leaves were purchased at market in Abengougou Division. Physicochemical composition, micronutrients and antinutritional factors were determined. All results, based on dry matter, had indicated that J. galeopsis leaves were very rich in fiber (33.85%), protein (21.11%), vitamin B12 (4173.09 mg/kg) and vitamin C (892.17 mg/kg of fresh leaf) but low in fat (4.06%). The mineral elements contents were high (17.76%) with remarkable amount of potassium (103.08 g/kg), phosphorus (77.66 g/kg), calcium (59.87 g/kg), sodium (28.30 g/kg), iron (373.01 mg/kg), zinc (177.84 mg/kg) and manganese (128.57 mg/kg). The presence of phytate (33.83 mg/100g), oxalate (740.67 mg/100g) and tannin (66.33 mg/100g) were revealed. The molar ratios of [Phytate]/[Ca] (0.00), [Phytate]/[Zn] (0.15), [Phytate]/[Fe] (0.11) and [Oxalate]/[(Ca+Mg)] (0.07) indicate the high bioavailability for these minerals. This work revealed that J. galeopsis leaves are very nutritive. They could help cover people's nutritional needs and contribute to food security.

Antianemc potential of aqueous of Justicia galeopsis leaves was studied using Wistar Albino rats after induction of anemia by phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Forty rats (20 male and 20 female) subdivided into five groups of eight rats were used. There was a group as control (not anemic) and four other anemic groups which had received by gavage respectively 1 ml/kg of distilled water, 1 ml/kg of body weight of Vitafer (reference drug commonly used to treat anemia), 100 mg/kg of body weight of extract of J. galeopsis leaves cooked during 30 min and 30 mg/kg of body weight of extract of J. galeopsis leaves cooked during 45 min. Hematological parameters (red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit) were analyzed as indices of anemia and the weights of specific organs (liver, spleen and kidney) were evaluated. The results of this investigation had showed that aqueous extract of J. galeopsis leaves cooked improved red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. These extracts were not toxic for liver, spleen and kidney. The administration of 100 mg/kg/day of extract of leaves cooked leaves during 30 min promotes a better recovery rate of the number of red blood cells (94.80 %), hemoglobin level (159.53 %) and hematocrit (117.72 %) than Vitafer and the extract of leaves cooked for 45 min. This is suggestive that aqueous extracts of Justicia galeopsis leaves cooked during 30 min may be exploited during 2 weeks in the treatment of anemia.