Assessment of the quality of plant-based food marketed in food-stores in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

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Résumé

Context: The purpose of human nutrition is to provide exogenous nutrients
useful to the body to maintain good metabolism and prevent health
disorders. However, some food products of plant origin can be toxic due
to their intrinsic chemical composition, degradation during production and
storage or adulteration. Therefore, it is essential to assess the quality and
the safety of plant-based products marketed for safe nutrition.
Methods: Data on food product availability were collected using collection
files. The phytochemical characteristics. were analysied by observation
and application of colorimetric and thin layer chromatographic tests.
Results: About 1020 plant-based products were analysed, mainly as herbal
tea for infusions (81.37%). Leaves were the most plant part frequently used
(49.47%) compare to roots (6.32%). Based on botanical names, we found
55 species from 28 families. Among them 27.07% of plant-based products
were from France. Only Combretum micrantum, Hibiscus sabdarifa and
Moringa oleifera were found to be from Burkina Faso. Organoleptic
analyses indicate that the raw material samples were similar for the same
species. Phytochemical screening of plant-based products raw material
indicated the presence of phenolic and terpenic compounds and absence of
alkaloids. The HPTLC profiles of samples preparations showed qualitative
and semi-quantitative similarities.
Conclusion: The plant-based products found in food from the market were
mixted-type combining both food and medicinal purposes. Plant species
found as raw materials did not exhibit any known toxicity; however,
botanical and pharmacognosical characteristics of certain products indicate
the presence of some degradations.

Mots-clés

Plant-based products; Food and medicinal plants; Pharmacognostic characteristics; Quality control; Combretum micranthum; Hibiscus sabdarifa; Moringa oleifera