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American Journal of Public Health Research
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The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
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American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
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The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
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Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
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The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

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Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
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Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

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Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

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Diversity and Ethnomycological Knowledge of Wild Mushrooms Consumed by Indigenous People Living Near the Botambi Classified Forest in the Central African Republic

Madiapevo Stéphane Nazaire, Worowounga Xavier*, Ndotar Michel, Semboli Olivia, Mandago Jean Bedel

Laboratory for the Analysis, Architecture and Reactivity of Natural Substances (LAARSN)

Abstract: This study aims to safeguard endogenous knowledge on the use of wild mushrooms from the classified forest of Botambi in the Central African Republic and to highlight the dietary importance of these biological resources for Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies Aka pygmies indigenous peoples. To do this, field missions, based on the use of individual interviews using a Semi-structured questionnaire were carried out with only 60 people from May to October 2023. A total of 46 species have been recorded, divided into 25 genera and 18 different families. Of these species, 43 have been well identified while 3 have not been formally identified mycologically. The most represented genera are Cantharellus and Termitomyces with 6 and 5 species respectively. Four species including Auracularia cornea, Aulacularia delicata, Cantharellus rhodophyllus and Schizophyllum commune are used in traditional medicine to treat adolescent spleen disease, stomach ache, tooth decay, kidney failure. The results also showed that 4 species are the subject of barter activities and 11 are offered for sale. The habitat of these species includes forest, palm grove and coffee plantation. Cooking is the most commonly used method of preparation (93.47%). This study reveals that there is a high diversity of edible wild mushrooms in the Central African Republic. Many efforts must be made to enhance and safeguard this food heritage.

Keywords: Endogenous knowledge, edible wild mushrooms, rural environment, Central African Republic

Received September 03, 2024; Revised October 04, 2024; Accepted October 10, 2024

Citation: Madiapevo Stéphane Nazaire, Worowounga Xavier, Ndotar Michel, Semboli Olivia, Mandago Jean Bedel, Diversity and Ethnomycological Knowledge of Wild Mushrooms Consumed by Indigenous People Living Near the Botambi Classified Forest in the Central African Republic. American Journal of Food Science and Technology, 12 (5). 167-176. January 2024. doi:10.12691/ajfst-12-5-5

1. Introduction

Forest communities depend upon forest resources and have developed strong biocultural relationships over time. These relationships involve the use, care, and foster of diverse species used for food, fuel, and spiritual purposes [1,2].

Mushrooms are seasonal macrofungi occupying various niches in the forest environment [3]. They are most common during the rainy season, especially in forests where the dense tree canopy shadow creates a wet environment favorable for the germination and growth of mushrooms [4]. Edible wild mushrooms are an essential component of food security in many African countries. They grow in the wild and are cultivated for food and medicines worldwide [5]. For many years, mushrooms have accompanied humans both as food and medicine. Data from the literature indicate that, with the onset of hunting, mushrooms began to play an important role in the human diet [6]. They play a vital role in the lives of human beings in terms of food and health. Most tropical countries have a great diversity of these fungal resources. Mushrooms have many health-promoting benefits and applications in traditional medicines [7,8].

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in edible mushrooms worldwide. To date, there is very little knowledge about their nature and importance. Thus, efforts must be made for a better scientific knowledge of these food resources in order to integrate them into the food culture and consumption habits of the Central African populations in general.

Various studies have already been carried out on edible mushrooms in Africa. In the Central African Republic in particular, some studies were carried out among the Boffi and Gbaya indigenous peoples [10,11,12,13]. However, there is still a lack of information to be filled, particularly on methods of preparation, different types of use, methods of nutrition and the periodicity of mushrooms. Also, among the Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies indigenous peoples, no such study has yet been conducted. In addition, of all the existing literature on the mycoflora of the country, the peculiarity of the fungal resources consumed in the Ombella M'Poko, located in the south-western part of the CAR, remains unavailable. This study is a response to these major concerns. In fact, it is a contribution to previous mycological studies carried out in tropical African regions.

The aim of this study was to conduct an ethnomycological survey of Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies indigenous peoples living near the classified forest of Botambi in the Central African Republic in order to collect endogenous knowledge inherent in edible wild mushrooms.The objectives were to determine the local taxonomy, preparation methods, availability period, habitat and uses of these natural resources. To our kind knowledge, this is the first study of its kind carried out in the territory of the Ombella M'Poko.

2. Methodology

2.1. Site

The study environment is the forest sector of Botambi, a peri-urban area, located about 18 km from the southern exit of the Central African capital. It is located in the Sub-prefecture of Bimbo, Prefecture of Ombella M'Poko (Figure 1). The hottest month is March, the coldest is August. Precipitation is abundant and amounts to 1600 mm. The soils are ferralitic, red or ochre sometimes beige. The Botambi area belongs to the forestry sector of the south-west of the Central African Republic belonging to the Guinea-Congo region, to the Congo Basin domain. The classified forest of Botambi occupies an area of 27962 ha. It is in the case of the conservation of vegetation with a view to safeguarding genetic resources that this forest was erected as a "classified forest" by the Central African Government during the colonial era, on 19 June 1950. The presence of this vegetation therefore ensures the maintenance of the balance of biophysics and also stabilizes the ozone layer of the micro climate of Bangui. This sector is home to important activities in the informal sector (gathering, hunting, fishing, food crops, livestock, trade). This work will focus on the classified forest of Botambi which is an integral part of the Congo Basin, one of the very rare relics of the dense humid formations of the South-West of the Central African Republic whose knowledge on edible wild mushrooms is still unknown from a scientific point of view.

2.2. Technical Equipment

The technical material for mycological investigations consists of a survey sheet, a camera, a tracking device (GPS) and a tool made of cardboard.

2.3. Biological Material

It consists of edible mushrooms growing in the wild recognized by the indigenous our study site. In the context of this work, edible wild mushrooms are referred to as mushrooms that can be eaten and whose consumption is not risky to human health. During the investigations, the samples were collected and stored at the Laboratory of the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Bangui.

Figure 1. Study Area Rental Ma

2.4. Methods

To evaluate wild mushroom species, the descriptive method of Liezl et al [9] was used with modifications. On the sites, the species encountered during our research were noted and photographed. This approach was intended to provide a complete and detailed account of the fungus species present. The transect walking method allowed us a better understanding of the distribution of mushrooms and their abundance. This method was deemed appropriate for achievement of our study objectives by directly observing and Discover the species of wild mushrooms of study site.

Prior to mycological surveys, surveys were conducted in April 2023 in the study area for the selection of villages to be investigated and the identification of the Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies ethnic group. Four villages were chosen according to their geographical positions, located near the classified forest of Botambi where many activities of harvesting and collecting edible wild mushrooms are practiced. These are Yombo, Yatimbo, Bombabia and Sebala. The actual investigation began in May 2023 and ended in October 2023. In each village, 15 individuals were interviewed, for a total of 60. For all surveys, the Semi-structured method was used to collect ethnomycological data, using the survey sheet, based on the free consent of the respondents. In addition to the villages surveyed, the forest and plantations (coffee and palm trees) of the study environment were investigated. The field missions with the guides aimed to inventory wild edible mushrooms species in situ. Where possible, photographs were taken at harvest sites to support this identification (Appendix 1). The nomenclature aspects were checked in MycoBank (www.mycobank.org) and Index Fungorum ().

2.5. Methods of Analysis

2.5.1. Inventoried Species

The incursions carried out in the forest and plantations with guides coupled with the surveys carried out at the level of the four villages made it possible to list edible mushrooms and to collect information on their vernacular names in Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies, their uses, their methods of preparation. The periodicity, habitat and different types of substrate on which fungi grow were also recorded. We have thus drawn up a food mycoflora of the wild edible mushrooms of the study environment, taking into account all the species recorded in the field. All these data have been enriched by various books and articles whose names of authors and titles are referenced in the bibliography.

2.5.2. Statistical Treatment

After analysis of the survey sheets, the study parameters such as the category of uses, the methods of preparation, the periodicity, the habitat were treated. Excel – 2010, Statistica – 6.0 software was used to perform all calculations, statistical analyses accompanied by the presentation of graphs and tables and discussed.

3. Results

3.1. Inventoried Species

A total of 46 edible species were identified in the study environment. They were divided into 25 genera belonging to 18 different families. Of these species, 43 have been well identified while 3 have not been formally identified mycologically. This list of mycological flora gathers only the main species of edible mushrooms of nutritional interest frequently encountered in the Botambi sector. It is obviously only not exhaustive (Table 1). The most represented genera are Cantharellus and Termitomyces with 6 and 5 species respectively.

Table 1 below presents the correspondence between species and vernacular names (Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies), together with details of mycological data recorded in the field and ecological characteristics.

Table 1. List of species collected and their periodicities

Table 2. Vernacular names of the species collected and methods of preparation

3.2. Utilities

It appears from this Figure 2 that 42 species or 91.30 % of the mushrooms listed are consumed as food while 4 species, or 8.70% are nutraceuticals (both food and medicinal). These results reveal that indigenous Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies peoples mainly use wild mushrooms for domestic consumption. Only four (4) species are used in traditional medicine. These include Auricularia cornea, Auricularia delicata, Cantharellus rhodophyllus and Schizophyllum commune. These include Auricularia cornea, Auricularia delicata, Cantharellus rhodophyllus and Schizophyllum commune. The infusion solution of the first two species (Auricularia cornea and Auricularia delicata) in boiling water treats spleen disease in adolescents. Of the 46 wild edible mushrooms species identified, 4 are traded in the form of barter. They are: Armilaria mellea, Marasmius buzungolo, Termitomyces letestui and Termitomyces mammiformi. This barter is based solely on direct exchanges of these mushrooms with cooking salt, cigarettes, skill, sugars, coffee between the indigenous Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies. Alongside these specimens, 11 mushrooms with very nutritious quality of commercial interest are sold on the Bimbo market. These are Auricularia cornea, Auricularia delicata, Cookeina speciosa, Macrolepiota daulichola, Macrolepiota procera, Mycena sp., Termitomyces clypeatus, Termitomyces globulus, Volvariella bombacyna, Pleurotus pubescens, Boletus sp. Figure 3 above shows photos of some mushrooms offered for sale in the Botambi market.

Figure 2. Proportions for these listed mushrooms

Figure 3. Auricularia cornea (a), Armillaria mellea (b) , Lentinus squarrosulus (c), Volvariella sp. (d), Termytomyces clypeatus (e), Auricularia delicata (f)

In the rainy season, we can hope to easily find these four mushrooms on the Bimbo market sold at 500 FCFA per package.

3.3. Methods of Preparation

From Figure 4, we note that cooking is the most used method of preparation (93.47%). However, 6.53% of mushrooms are cooked or grilled before being consumed.

Figure 4. Proportions of the methods of the mushrooms listed

3.4. Periodicity

Although the species, Pleurotus pubescens is actually encountered throughout the year, other species of fungi have privileged periods of emergence.

Figure 5. Information on the period of availability of the listed mushrooms

Figure 5 shows that 82.24% of mushrooms are available in the rainy season. On the other hand, 15.55% are in the dry season. However, only one species or 2.21% is annual. These include Pleurotus pubescens.

3.4. Habitat

Figure 6. The proportions of species belonging to different habitats

In light of these results (Figure 6), we notice that the mushrooms listed are more found in the forest (73.91%). However, 8.70% are observed in the forest and palm grove, 6.52% are ubiquitous, 4.35% are found in the palm grove (plantation of Elaeis guineensis), as well as in the forest and coffee plantation (4.35%); and finally, a very small percentage of mushrooms (2.17%) is observed in the coffee plantation (plantation of Coffea arabica).

3.6. Mode of Nutrition

Figure 7. The proportions of the feeding patterns of the listed mushrooms

With regard to Figure 7, it emerges that 68.89% of the fungi listed are saprophytic, living on decomposing matter of more or less advanced to develop while 31.11% are symbiotic, growing in close association with certain trees to form a mixed symbiotic organ, mycorrhizae or termite mounds.

3.7. Meaning of the Local Nomenclature

Vernacular names are assigned to fungi based on synthetic resemblance to a plant or animal [19]. Table 1 and Table 2 provides details on the meaning of the vernacular names of some of the Wild edible mushrooms listed.

4. Discussion

The diversity of fungi and their cycle mean that throughout the year there are one or more wild edible mushrooms Wild edible mushrooms available in the mycoflora of the study area.

The present work shows Periodicity the high diversity of the genus Cantharellus, with 6 species of fungi consumed. This result corroborates the findings of [14] who stated that the genus Cantharellus is best represented in terms of specific diversity in the Republic of Congo. Inventories conducted in the study area revealed a high abundance and diversity of Wild edible mushrooms. These species grow wild in the forest and plantations of Elaeis guineensis and Coffea arabica. Saprophytic fungi are the best represented (68.89%). Then come symbiotic fungi (31.11%). All these species are therefore indispensable and vital for the classified forest of Botambi and the plantations of palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) and coffee trees (Coffea arabica). A total of 46 species have been recorded. This number is much higher than those obtained in other territories of this country: 29 species [11], 27 species [12], 24 species [10, 15, 16] and a little further from CAR, particularly in Benin, 25 species [16]. This total number of species, although high, is below 74 species listed in the Democratic Republic of Congo by Yorou et al [17]. The 60 species in Benin [17] and also the 60 species listed in the Gbaya Bodoé of Central Africa. In light of these results, it can be deduced that the number of species of mushrooms consumed varies according to local ethnic groups and study sites. However, this variation in consumption is reduced because of the cohabitation between ethnic groups.

As far as local taxonomy is concerned, all vernacular names Ngbaka correspond respectively to the 45 species listed. In some cases, there is frequently the radical "toulou" which means mushroom. This Ngbaka nomenclature is different from that of Boffi (boua which means mushroom) [18] as well as the name Gbaya (Kpouwa which also means mushroom) [19,20]. These results reveal that the vernacular names reported in various Central African territories on mushrooms vary according to ethnic groups. In addition, the significance of the local names of some edible mushrooms recorded during our investigation is identical to that already reported by other researchers [12,19,21] effectively corresponding to the same taxa. This is the case of various Termitomyces whose meaning in three different dialects (Boffi, Lissongos, Ngbaka) is identical. It is the same for Macrolepiota procera and Termitomyces clypeatus where the local names in these three dialects have the same meaning. This fact underlines the quality of the observations made by the various indigenous peoples of CAR. As for the collection of wild edible mushroomwild edible mushrooms, As for the collection of wild edible mushroomwild edible mushrooms, it is done by manual collection on the ground in the forest, palm groves and coffee plantation. Rural women are strongly involved. Rural women are strongly involved. Some species are found in the rainy season (82.24%) while others in the dry season (15.55%). Only one species (Pleurotus pubescens) or 2.21% is present throughout the year. These results show that mushrooms follow one another over the seasons following climate variations. Also, from one year to the next, harvests are highly variable, although some species seem less sensitive to interannual variations. The results of the preparation methods also showed that wild edible mushroomwild edible mushrooms are generally prepared cooked or grilled. The culinary practice of these resources calls on ancestral knowledge and traditional know-how that are transmitted from generation to generation. Women are the real owners. Of the 46 species listed, some have already been reported in inventories carried out in various African territories. Overall, however, Armillaria mellea, Macrolepiota procera and Schizophyllum commune are widely distributed worldwide. Hence the need to enhance and conserve these fungal resources.

In view of all these results, this study showed a good diversity of species in the study environment with 46Wild edible mushrooms wild edible mushrooms. The most beneficial potential of these biological resources is their nutritional and therapeutic properties. In addition to these uses, 11 mushrooms are marketed and 4 are the subject of barter activities. Also, they have great socio-cultural value in the study area. As such, they contribute both to food security and to the general well-being of the peoples surveyed. In this study, most of the respondents are women (87.5%). This is because in the Central African Republic, women play a leading role in the collection of Wild edible mushrooms in rural areas. In addition, they are skilled at making recipes in their homes, so they are directly responsible for the nutritional quality of the diet and the health of their family members. This is confirmed in various studies on dietary non-timber forest products for foodin Africa [22,23,24,25,26].

Starting from this good diversity of the resource, it is possible to argue that the indigenous Ngbaka peoples have a good knowledge of their forest environment and the fungal resources that interest them. They know perfectly well the different uses of the wild mushrooms they consume. They master well the precise months for the collection of these natural resources. It was noted that knowledge endogenous to Wild edible mushrooms is generally acquired as a result of transmission from one generation to the next. It should also be noted that the oral transmission of food culture is lost over time by adopting an increasingly westernized life, especially in urban areas. Strategies are needed to reverse the trend. Nowadays, the forests of CAR in general and that of Botambi in particular are under rapid and massive anthropogenic pressure. This affects the biological resources they support. Thus, efforts must be made to better understand wild edible mushrooms, their usefulness and their conservation. Similarly, such efforts concentrated on the basis of a certain political will could make it possible to safeguard the natural habitat and the biological resources that shelter there. Also, it would be necessary to carry out an experimental study of wild edible mushrooms in the laboratory in order to evaluate their nutritional and therapeutic potential. Such a study could lead to domestication trials and improved nutraceuticals for population health promotion. In addition, it could thus prevent possible risks of toxicity. The endogenous knowledge and traditional know-how held by the Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies indigenous peoples are indeed very effective means for food valorization and the safeguarding of wild edible mushrooms.

He high diversity of wild edible mushrooms here shows the importance of edible mushrooms of mycology for indigenous peoples living near the Botambi forest sector where eating habits are still traditional. In human food, these mushrooms reveal the cultural and historical identity of this ethnic group. Indeed, the endogenous knowledge inherent in Wild edible mushrooms is conserved and transmitted from generation to generation. This favours on the one hand the conservation of these biological resources by the aforementioned peoples, and on the other hand also the preservation of their traditional food culture

5. Conclusion

This study showed a good diversity of wild edible mushrooms with nutritional and therapeutic potentials in the study area. The inventory of 46 species of wild edible mushrooms is eloquent proof of a good mycological knowledge in the south-western part of CAR. These fungal resources represent an acceptable source of food, mainly of interest to indigenous Ngbaka, Boffi, Issongo and Aka pygmies peoples living in self-subsistence in rural areas. Also, they have a cultural aspect of paramount importance for these peoples surveyed. The results also showed that 4 species are the subject of barter activities and 11 are offered for sale. The period of abundance of these natural resources is the rainy season. In fact, the selected ethnic group has been able to preserve in the villages, endogenous knowledge of edible mushrooms, its own eating habits and has transmitted to its descendants. To this end, it constitutes the human group to be sensitized, educated and trained in any program for the development of these fungal resources. In view of the nutritional and rustic potential of these wild mushrooms, and faced with socio-economic, environmental and climatic challenges, the valorization of wild edible mushrooms is necessary and a priority. It will contribute to strengthening food security and increasing the quality and diversity of diets in rural areas.

Appendix 1. Illustration of some Wild edible mushrooms

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