Dioscorea sp. is a wild yam of the Gabonese forests. It is poorly studied because of its toxic and inedible tubers. The stems of this plant are however heavily consumed by several ethnic groups of Gabonese populations. The present work has been done to study some nutritional characteristics of these organs. The plant material was bought at the market from vendors in Moanda, and analyzed in the laboratory. The physicochemical and biochemical characters were studied using standard food analysis techniques. The results showed that the stems of this plant were rich in water (87.52%), ash (13.22%), and fiber (14.30%). From the biochemical point of view, the results revealed high levels of proteins (24.43%), carbohydrates (44.30%), vitamins C (2.38%) and polyphenols (0.78%). These different physicochemical and biochemical characteristics suggest that wild yam contains many nutritional and medicinal potentialities. It is therefore possible to foresee the domestication of this plant for a wider diet.

Introduction: Roselle is a wet rot in Gabon caused by Phoma sabdariffae Sacc., a deuteromycete fungus of the family Phomaceae. The chemical control used for its eradication has had many limitations, including the appearance of fungal resistance and the persistence of chemoactive substances. Objective: The present study was initiated to test an alternative control solution, by the use of a toxic plant, Tephrosia vogelii. Methods: For this purpose, this plant was macerated, and the solutions transferred to PDA solid culture media, to constitute 4 treatments: T5 (5%), T10 (10%), T15 (15%) and T20 (20%). Fungal spores were cultured in the center of petri dishes, and mycelial growths measured every 2 days for 10 days. Results: The results revealed that all the modified treatments in solution of Tephrosia vogelii reduced the mycelial growth of Phoma sabdariffae. The most pronounced reductions were produced by the T15 and T20 treatments, with the respective inhibition rates of 81% and 100% at the 10th day of incubation. Conclusion: The use of concentrated extracts of Tephrosia vogelii is therefore possible in the biological control of roselle rot in Gabon.

Gabon contains the richest and most diverse forest block in the Congo Basin. More than 50 non-timber forest products are listed. Despite this natural advantage, Gabon continues to import many forest products, including spices. The present work was initiated to study some morphometric, physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of a species of local wild pepper (Piper guineense), in order to domesticate and commercialize it. The results obtained showed that the leaves of this pepper had average leaf area of 106.71 cm2. These organs contained 87.57% moisture content, 17.13% dry matter and 3.4% crude ash. At the biochemical level, the wild pepper leaves of Gabon contain 26.04 g/ 100 g of protein DM, 21.48 g/ 100 g of total sugar DM and 244 g/ 100 g of chlorophyll Pigment FM. This plant is also rich in polyphenols (0.6 g/ 100 g DM) and ascorbic acid (3.58 g/ 100 g DM). It is not very pungent and contains only one (1) digital unit of Scoville. All these physicochemical and biochemical characteristics bring this morphotype closer to other types of pepper imported from Central America or Asia. Gabon's wild pepper can therefore be domesticated and marketed to reduce the country's food dependency.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the waters of Franceville lakes, which are real receptacles for several pollutants. The physico-chemical parameters in situ were measured by means of a multiparameter and other chemical elements as phosphate, sulfate and ammonium were highlighted and measured by a colorimetric and spectrophotometric method. The microbiological parameters were determined by the colony-forming unit (CFU) method on selective agar media. Finally, strains of Escherichia coli were identified by biochemical tests. The results of the physico-chemical parameters show that the waters of Lake Lacaisse have the highest temperature, conductivity, salinity and dissolved oxygen values respectively, 26.71 °C, 398.67 μs/cm, 190 mg/l and 376.4 mg/l. On the other hand, these waters have neutral pH. The results of the bacteriological parameters show that the lake Makana contains the strongest rates of coliformes totals (4.84.105 UFC/100 ml) and of presumptive Escherichia coli in 37°C (3.54.105 UFC/100 ml). Eosin methylene blue medium is the best for counting total coliforms. In addition, (6.45%) colonies of Escherichia coli were identified. So, other coliformes thermotolérants (Entérobacter Sakazakii, Entérobacter cloacae, klebsiella ozaenae, klebsiella Pneumoniae. pneumoniae). In sum, this study shows that the water in Lake Makana appears to be more polluted than Lac Lacaisse.

Phoma sabdariffae Sacc. (Sphaerioidaceae) is the main pathogenic fungus agent of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. var. sabdariffa), in Gabon. It does induce wet rot on every part of the infected plant's organs. This work was initiated to evaluate in greenhouse the impact of this pathogenic fungus agent on 13 roselle cultivars through the study of some morphological and biochemical parameters of the fruits. Morphological parameters evaluated have been fruit's number, weight and contamination rate. Concerning biochemical study, parameters measured have been roselle fruit's acidity, proteins and phenolics compounds levels. The results revealed that excepted 3 cultivars VV1, RV1 and RR1, Phoma sabdariffae caused significant decrease in the fruits number and weight of most of the roselle's cultivars. The decrease rates have been higher than 60% and 20% respectively. The improvement in acidity, protein and phenolics compounds levels were not significant, in contrary to those of the 3 cultivars above mentioned. In these 3 roselle's cultivars, biochemical parameters (pH, oxalic acid, ascorbic acid, proteins and phenolics compounds) levels have been superior to 20%. This work showed the disastrous impact of this fungus on the roselle's fructification and revealed that, some of the cultivars of roselle bright develop resistance mechanisms against Phoma sabdariffae.