The chemical contamination of food is among the main public health issues in developing countries. With a view to find new natural bioactive products against fungi responsible for chemical contamination of staple food such as maize, the antifungal activity tests of scopoletin extracted from different components of the cassava root produced in Benin were carried out. The dosage of scopoletin from parts of the root (first skin, second skin, whole root, and flesh) was done by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The scopoletin extract was used to assess the activity of 12 strains (11 strains of maize and a reference strain). The presence of scopoletin was revealed in all components of the cassava root. Scopoletin extracted from the first skin cassava root was the most active both as inhibition of sporulation (52.29 to 87.91%) and the mycelial growth (36.51-80.41%). Scopoletin extract from the cassava root skins showed significant inhibitory activity on the tested strains with fungicide concentration (MFC) between 0.0125 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL. The antifungal scopoletin extracted from the cassava root skins may be well beneficial for the fungal control of the storage of maize.

In Benin, many families resort not only to consumption but also to the therapeutic use of cassava (Manihot esculenta). The study assessed the impact of socio-economic factors on the use of cassava, and the perception of the actors involved in the value chain in Benin. Four areas of high production and processing, with 516 producers and processors of cassava roots were surveyed. The results reveal that producers are mostly men (83.30%) over 40 years of age (53%) with a primary education (73%); while processors are mostly women (83%) over 40 years of age (65%) and uneducated (55%). BEN, RB, and Finton are the most produced varieties. Post-harvest losses are much higher in Kétou than Aplahoué and Zogbodomè. The processors carry out at least two processes per month (83%) with a quantity of less than 500 kg (93%), and an annual income of less than 150,000 African Financial Community franc (CFAF). Cassava leaves are used to treat anaemia in children, haemorrhage and headaches, while the roots are employed to treat erectile dysfunction and malaria. Cuttings are used against accidents. Cassava is important in Benin because of its nutritional, financial and therapeutic values.