Laboratoire de Biochimie Alimentaire et Technologies des Produits Tropicaux, UFR des Sciences et Technologie des Aliments, Université Nangui-Abrogoua, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire
Protein-caloric malnutrition is very frequent in the Third World countries particularly in the rural zones. The seeds of leguminous plants, in particular, those of lima beans constitute a significant source of plant proteins for the human consumption. The purpose of this study is to contribute of food safety by the valorization of seeds of three cultivars (white, red and black) of Phaseolus lunatus (L.) with the view to their more rational use in the different diets. With this intention, an ethnobotanic survey carried out in Côte d'Ivoire (Southern and East), showed that the seeds of P. lunatus (L.) well known by the old people. 84.46 % of the questioned women have a better knowledge of seeds of P. lunatus (L.) than men questioned with a percentage of 65.59 %. The cultivars differ from an area with another. According to the ethnic groups, the seeds are consumed in various forms (pulp, paste and alimentarus complement) and each ethnic group has its vernacular name.