Research Article
Pharmacognostic Valorization of Strychnos afzelii Gilg. Stems Used as Traditional Chewing Sticks in Western Cote d’Ivoire: Phytochemical and Elemental Profile
Monyn-Kouamé Ebalah Delphine*
,
Kouamé N’guessan Brigitte
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
92-100
Received:
17 August 2026
Accepted:
28 August 2026
Published:
20 October 2026
Abstract: Traditional chewing sticks remain widely used for oral hygiene in many African communities. In western Cote d’Ivoire, stems of Strychnos afzelii Gilg. are sold in local markets and used as traditional chewing sticks. However, information on their phytochemical composition and elemental profile remains limited. This study aimed to contribute to the pharmacognostic characterization of S. afzelii stems. Plant material was collected at Glaogouin, approximately 5 km from Man, Cote d’Ivoire, and botanically authenticated at the National Floristic Center of Abidjan (voucher specimen UCJ011524). Aqueous and 70% hydroethanolic extracts were prepared by 24-h maceration. Phytochemical screening was performed using qualitative color and precipitation reactions and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The elemental composition of the powdered stems was determined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Extraction yields were 14.0% and 16.9% for the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts, respectively. Both extracts contained polyphenols, flavonoids, catechin tannins, coumarins, aromatic amino acids and proteins. The elemental profile was dominated by calcium (27444.32 mg/kg), followed by potassium (2856.55 mg/kg), sulfur (1992.71 mg/kg), silicon (1868.81 mg/kg), aluminum (1188.71 mg/kg), and magnesium (1020.95 mg/kg). Cadmium was detected at 18.40 mg/kg, whereas lead was detected at 1.30 mg/kg. These findings provide preliminary pharmacognostic data on S. afzelii stems and contribute to the scientific documentation of a traditionally used chewing-stick plant in western Cote d’Ivoire.
Abstract: Traditional chewing sticks remain widely used for oral hygiene in many African communities. In western Cote d’Ivoire, stems of Strychnos afzelii Gilg. are sold in local markets and used as traditional chewing sticks. However, information on their phytochemical composition and elemental profile remains limited. This study aimed to contribute to the ...
Show More
Research Article
Effect of Fertilizer Application on Mealybug Infestation and Physiological Responses of Cocoa at the CNRA Station, Divo, Côte d'Ivoire
Pierre Walet N’Guessan*,
Stanislas Kouakou Koffi,
Diallo Karim Aboudou,
Alain Acka Jacques Kotaix,
Leonard Rusinamhodzi,
Richard Asare,
Kouassi Allou
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
101-109
Received:
28 September 2026
Accepted:
12 October 2026
Published:
29 October 2026
Abstract: Applying fertilizer is one solution for improving cocoa production. However, while it improves cocoa productivity, it also promotes the development of pests and disease vectors. This study aimed to understand the effects of fertilizer on the proliferation of mealybugs known as vectors of cocoa swollen shoot virus. The experimental design was a Fisher block with four fertilizer formulations (T1 to T4) and an unfertilized control (T0), each replicated three times. Each elementary plot contained 45 cocoa trees from CNRA research station in Divo, Côte d’Ivoire. Mealybug infestation levels were evaluated every 15 days for one year, and three cocoa leaves were collected per treatment and replication in order to determine physiological and biochemical parameters. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and XLSTAT 2025. The results revealed seven species of mealybugs in the treatments: Formicococcus njalensis, Planococcus citri, Ferrisia virgata, Pseudococcus longispinus, Phenacoccus hargreavesi, Dysmicoccus brevipes, and Planococcus kenyae. Furthermore, analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the treatments regarding the content of chlorophyll A and B, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein, phenolic compounds, and proline. However, among the seven mealybug species identified, principal component analysis revealed a link between Formicococcus njalensis, Ferrisia virgata, and Dysmicoccus brevipes, as well as chlorophyll A and B, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein, phenolic compounds, and total sugars, in T0, T3, and T4. Meanwhile, the mealybug species Pseudococcus longispinus and Phenacoccus hargreavesi were linked to proline in treatment T2. Overall, the study showed that fertilizer has a small impact on mealybug and more on the physiological and biochemical parameters.
Abstract: Applying fertilizer is one solution for improving cocoa production. However, while it improves cocoa productivity, it also promotes the development of pests and disease vectors. This study aimed to understand the effects of fertilizer on the proliferation of mealybugs known as vectors of cocoa swollen shoot virus. The experimental design was a Fish...
Show More
