Néré (Parkia biglobosa L.) is a tree of the Mimosaceae family, typical of the semi-arid and sub-humid zones of West Africa. It is a wild edible fruit tree generally found in the North where it occupies a prominent place in people's lives (Kouamé et al., 2015; Arbonnier, 2009). The wild fruit tree Parkia biglobosa L (Néré) is widely distributed and consumed in the Poro (Korhogo), Worodougou (Séguéla) and Bounkani (Bouna) regions (Kouakou et al., 2020; Ambé, 2001). The fruits of P. biglobosa are long pods of about 45 cm, 2 cm wide, slightly arched, hanging in clusters on the club-shaped flower. During the ripening, the endocarp constantly fills the cavity between the seeds of the whole pod, which becomes powdery and light yellow at maturity. At maturity the flattened black seeds are embedded in a yellow pulp rich in sucrose (Mabetty, 2018). According to Touré (2020), the pulp of Néré is the sweet and yellow floury substance surrounding the seeds. It is rich in energy value and consumed raw or processed into a refreshing drink. The pulp of P. biglobosa constitutes a means of subsistence for local populations. The harvested mature fruits are used as food in the dearth season (Nyadanu et al., 2017). The pulp of the Néré has an interesting nutritional value, rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, b-carotene, ascorbic acid, riboflavin and also phenolic compounds. This pulp could therefore contribute to reducing malnutrition caused by micronutrient deficiencies and extreme hunger in developing countries (Bamigboye et al., 2012; Kouassi et al., 2018a). In addition, Néré pulp contains high dietary fibre content, making it essential for intestinal transit, prevention of obesity, intestinal diseases such as colon cancer and other gastrointestinal conditions and helps prevent diabetes (Nyadanu et al., 2017). Parkia biglobosa pulp can therefore contribute to human nutritional needs and be a good source of energy due to its high carbohydrate content. It can be used as a nutritional supplement (Aja et al., 2015). Thus, this pulp could fill micronutrient deficiencies in Côte d'Ivoire where malnutrition is a real public health problem. Indeed, some areas in Côte d'Ivoire can reach up to 40% for global acute malnutrition and over 5% for severe acute malnutrition. These deficiencies mainly affect women of childbearing age and children (N'goran, 2014; Schwartz and Grellety, 2010; WHO, 2009; FAO, 2008). An alternative to this situation could be the valorization of traditional wild fruit dishes such as Néré. The yellow pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten raw or used to make cold drinks (Andon et al., 2018) or used in many other cereal foods such as fritters and cakes (Lamien et al., 2011). There is very little data on dishes incorporating Néré pulp. Only recent studies (N'goran, 2014; Kouassi et al., 2018b) based on juices derived from Néré were available. There is a lack of literature on cereal foods made from Néré. Thus, in order to promote their access to consumers, the objective of this study was to inventory dishes incorporating Néré pulp in the formulation and determine their characteristics, that is, process, dietary habits and food consumption.

The technical material consists of a household survey form with consumption practices sections such as food modes, food forms, consumption frequencies, and production processes of Néré-based dishes.

Survey areas

In each Néré widely distributed zone (Korhogo, Séguéla and Bouna), three villages were selected after a pre-survey based on the consumption of Néré pulp. Thus, the villages of Nahouokaha, Lataha and Kotchiéri (Korhogo), Sifié, Sélakoro and Bobi (Séguéla) and Niandégué, Bouko and Panzarani (Bouna) were surveyed.

Selection of surveyed households

Households were selected using the snowball technique. The size (n) of the households surveyed was calculated according to Dagnelie (1998) formula for an independent non-exhaustive sample based on Côte d’Ivoire population and housing census (RGPH, 2014):

To compensate errors in questionnaires that were incorrectly filled out, 20 additional households were added to calculate sample size (n). Thus, a total of 405 households were surveyed with 135 per department (Table 1).

Statistical processing

Data were entered using SPHINX Plus² (V5) software and then exported to SPSS 20.0 software for database. Statistical analyses were performed using XLSTAT 2016 software. The relationship between the dependent variables was assessed by Chi-square test and Z test at 5% threshold. Correspondence factor analyses (CFA) were performed for the comparison of more than 3 variables. Excel software was used to produce graphs of periods, consumption frequencies and level of knowledge of foods.

The study was conducted to identify the consumption practices of Néré pulp (Parkia biglobosa L.) in the departments of Korhogo, Séguéla and Bouna in northern Côte d'Ivoire. The data showed that six Néré-based dishes were identified (maize or millet couscous in Néré, maize fritters in Néré, cerelac in Néré, fritters in Néré, drinks in Néré and cakes in Néré) in the localities studied. However, the names of these foods differ according to locality/ethnic group. This diversity of foods produced from Néré pulp could reflect the importance of this fruit in the diet of rural populations. These foods would therefore contribute to the food security of these populations. These results corroborate the studies of Ouattara et al. (2016) which revealed the importance of wild fruits in human nutrition. Nyadanu et al. (2017) also confirmed the importance of P. biglobosa pulp in the diet of rural populations. According to these authors, Néré pulp is used as a subsistence food in times of food scarcity and is also used as infant food. While according to studies of Sackou et al. (2020) on food insecurity in the city of Abidjan, only 3.8% of households were food secure. Thus, the popularisation of these foods could contribute to the reduction of food insecurity in developing countries, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. The identified Néré pulp-based foods are consumed more as meals than as drinks, with a meal/drink ratio of 5:1. Néré pulp is consumed as fritters, cakes, cereals and drinks. These different forms of food use in the form of drinks or meals are in line with those described by several authors such as Toure et al. (2020) and Vivien and Faure (2011). These authors confirm that the mealy pulp of the Néré fruit can be consumed raw, in jam or diluted in a liquid to prepare a sweet and refreshing drink. Similarly, Touré (2018) and Lamien et al. (2011) found that the flour of Néré fruit pulp mixed with cereal flour can be consumed in couscous, porridge, fritters and cakes. Studies of Arinola et al. (2019) also revealed that Néré pulp has appreciable dietary and functional properties, both in oil and water, that may qualify it for use in food. Five of the six foods identified are specific to each locality studied. It is believed that the specificity of these foods in each locality is related to differences in culture, customs and also eating habits of the populations. Al-Fatimi (2021) state that there is a strong relationship between local people and their environment, and that traditional knowledge is therefore passed on from generation to generation. Kruger and Gericke (2002) and Thurber et al. (2016) with a meal/drink ratio of 5:1. Cowpea pulp is consumed as fritters, cakes, cereals and drinks. These different forms of food use in the form of drinks or meals are in line with those described by several authors such as Touré (2020) and Vivien and Faure (2011). These authors confirm that the mealy pulp of the cowpea fruit can be consumed raw, in jam or diluted in a liquid to prepare a sweet and refreshing drink. Similarly, Touré (2018) and Lamien continue this same view by stating that it is evident that there is a divergence in the foods consumed, as culture is one of the important factors that influence consumer attitudes towards a given food. For the preparation of all these dishes, wild fruits are mainly collected in the field (92.86 to 98.25%). This result is explained by the fact that the surveys were conducted in rural areas and the abundance of this fruit in these localities. Indeed, Avana-Tientcheu et al. (2019) and Koura et al. (2013) confirm that in Côte d'Ivoire, savannah populations preserve the dwarf tree for its numerous virtues. Koné et al. (2020) make a similar observation on the biodiversity of plant species in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, showing that wild fruit trees such as the dwarf tree are protected by local populations because of their high ethnobotanical value. The use of the dwarf tree in the preparation of dishes is explained by the satisfaction of health problems and the search for particular tastes. In addition, the dwarf tree is considered an emergency food. This diversity in the reasons for consumption of this fruit in different localities could be related to the low level of information about the importance of this fruit. According to Soma Massieke et al. (2017), the lack of knowledge of all the benefits of the fruit may influence food uses. Indeed, as a health product, Néré pulp is used as a mild diuretic and purgative (Arbonnier, 2009; Vivien and Faure, 2011; Aubréville, 1950). It also has a beneficial effect on health due to its high content of flavonoids, which have antioxidant activity on hydroxyl radicals and free radicals. It can also prevent congestive heart failure due to its composition of cardiac glycosides (Arinola et al., 2019). These foods developed by these populations are most often consumed at any time of the day. However, with a consumption rate of 36.79%, Nammigue appears to be the best known and most consumed food in Néré, with a consumption frequency of about 2 times per month. This low consumption rate of the main staple food of Néré could be explained by the fact that Néré is not a food of choice for consumers. This hypothesis is supported by the results of Lamien et al. (2011) which reveal that yellow Néré pulp is much more used only to cover the food deficit of some families during the lean season. This result could also be explained by the modernisation of the rural areas surveyed. It is in this vein that Muhammad et al. (2015) argue that modernisation disrupts and creates conflicts with the cultural traits of rural people by changing their lifestyles. According to Oryema et al. (2015), changing lifestyles promote neglect of wild food resources, thereby reducing their use. It is therefore important to encourage rural populations to consume these foods in order to reduce the rate of food insecurity in Côte d'Ivoire.

The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.

The authors thank the households and guides who gave their time for the success of these surveys. They also thank doctoral student KOUADIO Yapo hypolithe for his help during the surveys.