Malnutrition for children aged under five years in Burkina Faso is a health problem. Research to contribute for a balanced nutrition of these children is needed. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional values of Allium cepa and Amaranthus hybridus leaves consumed in Burkina Faso. The cool leaves of these plants have been purchased in three markets of Ouagadougou and allow to air-dry in laboratory at 25 °C. The nutritional values have been analysed for following minerals (Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphor, Sodium, Iron and Zinc). For minerals content analyses, the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flam photometer methods have been used. The results showed that the two leaves had high content in Calcium, Potassium, Phosphor and Magnesium. For Allium cepa, the leaves mean content in Calcium, Potassium, Phosphor and Magnesium were 881 mg/100 g; 2657 mg/100 g; 324 mg/100 g and 204 mg/100 g, respectively. Iron (81 mg/100 g) and Zinc (4 mg/100 g), which are trace elements were also high. For Amaranthus hybridus leaves, the Calcium, Potassium, Phosphor and Magnesium content were 606 mg/100 g; 3573 mg/100 g; 222 mg/100 g and 475 mg/100 g. The trace elements Iron and Zn were 5 mg/100 g and 2 mg/100 g, respectively. Allium cepa leaves had highest content in Calcium, Phosphor, Iron and Zinc compared to Amaranthus hybridus leaves. This study showed that leaves of Allium cepa and Amaranthus hibridus have important nutritional values. Included these leaves in children diet will contribute to their nutritional balanced.

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.

Malnutrition and particularly undernutrition and intestinal parasites represent a real public health issue in developing countries. In order to highlight the nutritional and parasitic status of the populations, a cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural commune of Niou. The objective of this study was to determine the different prevalences both in terms of nutritional and parasitic status. A total of 380 people took part in the study, of which 61.84% were women. Overall, 69.2% of the study population had a normal nutritional status, 24.2% suffered from malnutrition due to deficiency and 6.6% suffered from obesity or overweight. At least one in two people in our study population harbored a parasite in their digestive tract, an overall prevalence of 58.95. Among the subjects in a situation of nutritional deficiency, 61.95% were parasitized against 57.79% of parasitized in people with normal nutritional status and 56.0% in subjects in a situation of overweight or obesity. In total, 58.72% of women were carriers of parasites against 59.31% in men. Gender as well as sociodemographic situation are not determining factors for the occurrence of malnutrition and intestinal parasites. It is necessary in the fight against malnutrition and parasites in the population of Niou, to guarantee not only adequate food and hygiene but also to combine it with an effective treatment against intestinal parasites.

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.

To rise to the challenge of access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation, Catholic Relief Services through his project named Koom yilma provided fifty-seven (57) elementary schools with boreholes in the centre-north region in Burkina Faso. This study aims to assess the organoleptic, physicochemical and heavy metal contents of water consumed in these schools. Thus, twenty-three (23) parameters were analyzed according to international standards. The results showed that the turbidity of 25% of water samples from boreholes were between 5.4-66.33 NTU, so non-compliant with WHO standard. The pH of 17.30% of water samples was between 8.52-8.9. 0.325-2.62 mg/L of iron were observed in 28.85% of water samples. The content of potassium was above WHO standard in 13.46% of water. Concerning nitrate and arsenic, 3.8% of samples were non-compliant with WHO standards. Water from Saada borehole was contaminated with 101.725 mg/L and those from Yaoghin with 125 µg/L of arsenic. Globally, waters from boreholes located in schools were of good quality except those of Saada and Yaoghin. Despite these good results, it is necessary to monitor the physicochemical and toxicological quality of these groundwater because of the geological context of site (gold region). That will prevent the consumption of water contaminated with heavy metal and therefore chronic diseases among children.