Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), 03 BP 7192, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Spirulina is a food supplement rich in micronutrients and vitamins. It is called «the ideal food for humanity» and the World Health Organization has considered it a «super food» and the best food for the future due to its high nutritional value. The present study aimed to determine the proportions of total proteins in sun-dried spirulina. This was an analytical titration study using the KJELDAHL method. The average proportion of proteins in the spirulina samples was 47.52%. The lowest proportion was 43.14% and the highest was 56.10%. There is no significant difference between the variations in proportions of total proteins of the samples studied. However, the protein proportions of spirulina depend considerably on the climate and the growing area. Drying and packaging spirulina remains the only means of wide commercial distribution. Given the nutritional losses that can occur during storage, it is suggested that spirulina be consumed quickly after harvesting in order to maximize the nutrient benefit.
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common and serious nutritional deficiencies in Burkina Faso. However, several ways to prevent and fight against these health risks exist, including the consumption of food provitamins A from a varied diet. The present study aims to assess the β-carotene content of three varieties of mangoes (Kent, Keitt and Springfield) producted and consumed in Burkina Faso. Twelve mangoe samples including four mangoes per sample were collected in twelve mango production fields from high production area in Burkina Faso. Their β-carotene contents were analyzed in triplicate using high performance liquid chromatography. The average contents expressed in micrograms of β-carotenes per hundred grams of mangoes are as follows: Kent (376,4 µg / 100g), Keitt (664,6 µg / 100g) and Springfield (471,9 µg / 100g). Based on the origin of studied mangoes varieties, it should also be noted that the varieties grown in the Banfora area have a higher β-carotene content (Kent (425,5 µg/100g), Keitt (773,5 µg/100g) and Springfield (534,6 µg/100g).) compared to those grown in others areas such as Bobo Dioulasso and Orodara.