Maize plays a vital role in Benin's agricultural production systems. However, at the producer-level, yields are still low, although the production of this cereal is necessary for food security. The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of solid biostimulants formulated from the rhizobacteria Pseudomonas putida and different binders on maize cultivation in the farming environment in three (03) study areas in South Benin. For this purpose, three (03) biostimulants were formulated based on Pseudomonas putida and the clay, peat and clay-peat combinations binders. The experimental design was a randomized block of four (04) treatments with 11 replicates per study area. Each replicate represented one producer. The trials were set up at 33 producers in the study areas of Adakplamè, Hayakpa and Zouzouvou in Southern Benin. The results obtained show that the best height, stem diameter, leaf area as obtained by applying biostimulants based on P. putida and half dose of NPK and Urea with respective increases of 15.75, 15.93, and 15.57% as compared to the full dose of NPK and Urea. Regarding maize yield, there was no significant difference between treatments and the different study areas. Taken together, the different biostimulants formulations were observed to be better than the farmers' practice in all the zones and for all the parameters evaluated, with the formulation involving Pseudomonas putida on the clay binder, and the half-dose of NPK and Urea showing the best result. The biostimulant formulated based on clay + Pseudomonas putida could be used in agriculture for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly maize production in Benin.

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<0.001) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and four reference strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Proteus mirabilis A24974, Escherichia coli ATCC25922). However, there is no difference (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 main aim of this study is to evaluate the microbiological quality of yoghurt and two types of dèguè (couscous and millet) sold in Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi. Samples of dairy products were collected in 15 schools of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou from vendors located inside the schools. In this study, 180 samples (60 yoghurt, 60-dèguè millet and 60-dèguè couscous) were analysed. The microbial quality of collected samples was investigated using conventional methods for lactic acid bacteria, staphylococci, faecal and total coliforms and thermo-tolerant Gram-negative bacilli bacteria. The results of the microbiological analyses of the collected samples revealed a contamination of all the samples of yoghurt, dèguè millet and dèguè couscous. The microorganisms load varies according to not only the sampling sites, the sampling period but with the type of microorganisms. The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria particularly the total coliforms (38%), faecal coliforms (21%), and thermo-tolerant Gram-negative bacilli bacteria (20%) and staphylococci (21%) were observed. In addition, it should be noted that the different samples of yoghurt, dèguè millet and dèguè couscous taken in the morning have a high microbial load compared to that of the evening with regard to faecal coliforms for the two sites. Dairy products sold to school children in Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi are potentially sources of food poisoning.

Aims: The aim of this work was to determine the resistance profile and to investigate the production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) by clinically relevant Gram-negative Bacillus (GNB) strains. Methodology: About 191 strains were isolated from 1823 samples collected at the HKM National Hospital and University Center of Cotonou (Benin). Species identification was done with the Api 20th gallery. Two methods were used to search for β-lactamase production: the liquid acidimetric test for penicillinases and double halo method for ESBL. The susceptibility to conventional antibiotic molecules was investigated by the disk diffusion method. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to identify blaTEM and blaSHV genes in the β-lactamases. Results: A prevalence of 10.48% of GNB was recorded. Among the isolated strains, 51.31% came from samples collected from in-patients and 48.69% from out-patients’ samples. The most contaminated samples were urine (43.98%), pus (34.58%) and blood (9.42%). Majority of the isolated species included: Klebsiella pneumoniae (28.27%), Acinetobacter spp. (18.32%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.72%), Escherichia coli (14.15%) and Enterobacter cloacae (12.04%). More than the half (57.07%) of the strains produced penicillinases; whereas 16.76% were ESBL-producers and these occurred only among Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter agglomerans. The ESBL-producing strains were cross-resistant to beta-lactams. Imipenem is the most effective antibiotic on all isolated strains. ESBL-producing GNB strains possessed both the blaTEM gene and the blaSHV gene in a proportion of 25%; 37.5% of the strains had only the blaTEM gene and 12.5% of the strains had only the blaSHV gene. Conclusion: ESBL-producing strains of K. pneumonia in the hospital environment were the major carriers of blaTEM and blaSHV. Given this situation, it is necessary to continue research to identify resistance genes.

Aims: In Africa, and particularly in Togo, fruit trees occupy a special place because of their medicinal and food virtues,. This study aimed to identify the different uses of Blighia sapida in Togo. Methodology: investigations were conducted among 300 B. sapida users in nine villages in the prefectures of Tône, Kozah and Haho of Togo. The choice of the study area was based on its representativeness in relation to the geographical distribution of B. sapida; the presence of resource persons with endogenous knowledge, and the existence of markets where B. sapida organs and fruits are traded. Data collection phase took place in households and markets. The questionnaire solicited information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents; the use of this plant species by the populations, the routes of administration or formulations as well as the quantity sold per day. Results: Blighia sapida is used for nutritional, therapeutic and cosmetic purposes with the   main route of administration being oral. Respondents were predominantly female over 55    years of age. The supply of the fruits of this plant is by purchase and the average amount sold daily is 2500 F (≈4 €).Conclusion: This study showed that various organs of B. sapida are used by the communities. It is a first step towards the valorization of plant resources.