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Agriculture and Food Sciences Research 
Vol. 5, No. 2, 73-78, 2018 

ISSN(E) 2411-6653/ ISSN(P) 2518-0193 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.512.2018.52.73.78 

© 2018 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

    

 
 
 
Influence of Agro-Ecological Areas on the Antioxidant Capacity of Onion Varieties 
Grown in Burkina Faso 

 
Virginie Marie Dakéné1

 
Abdoulaye Sérémé2 
Moumouni Koala3 
Marius K. Somda4 
Hagrétou Sawadogo – Lingani5 
Alfred S. Traoré6 

 
 

( Corresponding Author) 
Virginie Marie Dakéné1 

 
1National Laboratory of Public Health; 09 BP 24 Ouagadougou 09; Burkina Faso 

 
2Natural Substances Department / IRSAT / CNRST, 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03; Burkina Faso 
3Department of Medicine and Traditional Pharmacopoeia / IRSS / CNRST, 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03; 
Burkina Faso 
5Food Technology Department / IRSAT / CNRST, 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03; Burkina Faso 
4,6Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology; University Ouaga I Pr Joseph KI-ZERBO; 03 BP 7021 Burkina 
Faso 

 
Abstract 

Colored onion bulb is an important source of antioxidants. Some ecological factors can 
significantly influence the content and quality of these substances. The aim of the present study is 
to determine the antioxidant and total polyphenol content of fresh bulbs of five (05) varieties of 
onion (Galmi Violet, Damani Violet, Prema, Safari and a Local variety-LV) grown in Burkina Faso, 
and to evaluate also the influence of agro-ecological parameters on the antioxidant content of the 
most cultivated variety (Galmi violet) of them. Samples of onion bulb for analysis were collected in 
the six agro-ecological areas of Burkina Faso under the same cultivation conditions. Antioxidant 
activities were evaluated using the method of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power.  The evaluation 
of the total polyphenol contents was carried out using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results 
showed that antioxidant activities for the 5 varieties tested vary between 0.125 ± 0.001 and 0.149 
± 0.004 mg TE / g, and total polyphenol contents from 0.172 ± 0.011 to 0.272 ± 0.003 mg 
EAG/g. Results on the assessment of the effect of ecology on the antioxidant content of Galmi 
violet variety revealed significant variations in antioxidant content from 0.144 ± 0.002 to 0.155 ± 
0.001 mg TE / g, and total polyphenols from 0.208 ± 0.014 to 0.292 ± 0.012 mg EAG / g 
depending on the ecological cultivation area. 

 
Keywords: Agrarian, Cultivation. 

 
Citation | Virginie Marie Dakéné; Abdoulaye Sérémé; Moumouni 
Koala; Marius K. Somda; Hagrétou Sawadogo – Lingani; Alfred S. 
Traoré (2018). Influence of Agro-Ecological Areas on the 
Antioxidant Capacity of Onion Varieties Grown in Burkina Faso. 
Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 5(2): 73-78. 
History:  
Received: 12 October 2018 
Revised: 21 November 2018 
Accepted: 17 December 2018 
Published: 7 January 2019 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Contribution/Acknowledgement: All authors contributed to the conception 
and design of the study. 
Funding: This research project was supported by a grant from the West 
Africa Agricultural Productivity Program/National Center of Specialization - 
Fruits and Vegetables (WAAPP / NCS-FV). 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 74 
2. Material and methods ..................................................................................................................................................................... 74 
3. Results ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 75 
4. Discussion .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 76 
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 77 
References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 77 
 

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1. Introduction 
Air pollution, ionizing radiation, radioactive radiation (UV, X or ɣ) consequences of  industrialization and 

urbanization, as well as tobacco and alcohol, are among the main risk factors responsible for diseases, related to 
oxidative stress. These diseases pose an increasingly serious public health problem [1]; [2]. Indeed, diseases 
related to oxidative stress are the increasingly important causes of  disability and premature death in both 
developed and developing countries such as Burkina Faso. In 2001, they were responsible for about 60% of  the 56.5 
million deaths worldwide, and 46% of  the global burden of  morbidity [1]. The same source indicates that this 
morbidity rate will rise to 57% in 2020, and diseases that are linked to oxidative stress will be responsible for nearly 
3/4 of  deaths worldwide. In developing countries deaths from these diseases dominate in mortality statistics [3]. 
One of  the main causes of  these diseases is the action of  free radicals, chemical molecules naturally produced in the 
body during different reactions of  metabolism. 

Antioxidants are chemical molecules that not only fight against free radicals, but also repair the damage they 
cause. They therefore play a leading role in the prevention of  diseases caused by oxidative stress [4]; [5]; [6]. 
Synthetic antioxidants exist but are inaccessible to consumers because of  their cost. In addition, at high doses, 
these synthetic antioxidants could become pro-oxidants potentially dangerous for health Defraigne and Pincemail 
[7]; Edeas [8]; Favier [9]. Pincemail, et al. [10] pointed out that many studies show that a high level of  
antioxidants obtained through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce safely the relative risk of  mortality 
due to oxidative stress. Food and nutrition are therefore important factors in determining the prevention of  
oxidative stress related illnesses [3]. Several foods are used as natural sources of  antioxidants, but their 
antioxidant abilities are not well known generally, hence the present investigation on onion (Allium cepa L.). 
Because of  its composition, onion is a plant with many nutritional and antioxidant properties. Indeed, many studies 
attribute it properties to fight against certain diseases related to oxidative stress such as cancer, cardiovascular 
disease, diabetes, aging-related diseases [11]; [12]; [13]; [14]; [15]. Burkina Faso is one of  the largest producers 
of  onion in West Africa where it ranks fourth after Nigeria, Niger and Senegal [16]. Onion bulb ranks first among 
market gardening. It is a consumer product both in urban centers and in rural areas. In 2012 the production was 
329319 tons, and this production continues to grow [16]. The onion bulb produced in Burkina Faso is exported to 
the countries of  the sub-region, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin [16]; [17]. Its use as a 
natural source of  antioxidants could therefore allow populations, and particularly vulnerable ones such as children, 
pregnant women and the elderly, to prevent diseases related to oxidative stress. However, some factors such as 
culivation techniques, environmental conditions, have an impact on the biosynthesis of  antioxidant compounds in 
plants [18]; [19]; [20]; [21]; [22].  

The aim of the present study is to check antioxidant and total polyphenol content of five (05) varieties of onion 
bulb (Galmi Violet, Damani Violet, Prema, Safari and  LV ) grown in Burkina Faso, and to determine the influence of 
agro-ecological factors on the antioxidant content of Galmi Violet, the most cultivated variety. 
 

2. Material and methods 
2.1. Sampling 

The study is focused on the following five varieties: Galmi violet, Damani Violet, Prema, Safari and a LV. Samples 
of each variety of onion bulb were collected in six regions of Burkina Faso: Mouhoun, High Basins, North, Central, 
West Central and East, for laboratory analyzes. Sampling was done randomly for each variety. Since the cultivation 
techniques are identical for the six areas, two (02) batches each consisting of a 50 kg bag of bulb were collected by 
variety. Varieties collected by region are presented in Table 1. A total of twenty (20) lots of 05 onion varieties were 
collected for this study (Table 1). The batches were kept at room temperature, in a ventilated place, away from 
solar, heat and light. 
 

Table-1. Varieties collected and number of  lots by region 

Region Number of  lots Varieties collected 

Mouhoun  02 Galmi Violet  
Central 02 Galmi Violet  
West central 06 Galmi Violet, Prema, LV 
East 04 Damani Violet, Safari 
High Basins 02 Galmi Violet  
North 04 Galmi Violet, Safari 

                    Source: Field work data. 

 

2.2. Methods of Analysis 
The determination of the antioxidant activities and the total polyphenol contents on fresh extracts of onion 

bulb concerned all the five varieties. The evaluation of the effect of the agro-ecological areas on the concentration 
of antioxidants and total polyphenols is done on the Galmi violet variety only. 
 

2.2.1. Sample Preparation and Extraction of Antioxidants 
For each variety, three (3) bulbs from each batch are taken randomly.  The outer peel (dried flake) were removed 

and then cut into pieces using a stainless steel knife and crushed using a porcelain mortar. Then, 2 grams of  the 
fresh onion raw material was immediately weighed in a glass beaker and mixed with 3 ml of  solvent consisting of  a 
mixture: acetone, water, acetic acid (AWA) in the proportions of  70: 29.5: 0.5 (v / v). After homogenization with the 
vortex mixer, the mixture was macerated for 24 hours under cold conditions (4 °C.). After filtration using 
Whatman No 1 filter paper, the filtrate was stored at 4 °C protected from light in amber flasks for further analysis. 
This extraction operation was repeated three times in succession in order to ensure the total extraction of  the 
sample. 
 
 



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2.2.2. Evaluation of  the Antioxidant Activity of  the Varieties Collected 
The FRAP method (Ferric ion Reducing Antioxidant Power) [23] was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity 

of  the collected samples. The principle is to evaluate the effectiveness of  an antioxidant by its ability to reduce iron 
(transition from ferric form, Fe3 + to ferrous form, Fe2+). The oxidant used for this purpose is a ferric salt, Fe (III) 
(TPTZ)2Cl3 (TPTZ = 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine) which goes from colorless to intense blue when reduced. The 
absorbance of  the solution is measured at 595 nm [24].  The procedure was as follows: a volume of  20 µl of  
extract was introduced into 30 µl of  distilled water and then 200 µl of  FRAP solution which is prepared by mixing 
1 ml of  TPTZ, 10 ml of  a buffer solution of  acetate of  sodium (pH = 3.6) and 1ml of  Fe (III), H2O solution. A 

blank consisting solely of  250 μl of  the extraction solvent was also prepared. The whole was incubated at 37oC for 
10 minutes after homogenization. Absorbance was then read at 595 nm with a spectrophotometer (MP96, SAFAS) 
for each sample. A calibration curve was established using Trolox as a reference (antioxidant). The results were 
determined from the equation (Y = 28.67 x + 0.066, R2 = 0.999) of  the standard curve and were expressed in mg 
of  Trolox Equivalent (TE) per gram of  fresh plant material. An average of  the contents for each variety was 
calculated. 
 

2.2.3. Evaluation of the Phenolic Compounds Content of the Varieties Collected 
The evaluation of the content of phenolic compounds was made using the method of Folin-Ciocalteu (R-FC) 

[25] whose principle is to react on the sample (the extract), the reagent of Folin-Ciocalteu (diluted 10 times) and 

absorbance measured at 765 nm. The procedure was as follows: a volume of 60 μl of extract was mixed with 60 μl 
of the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent diluted 10 times. The mixture was left at room temperature for 8 minutes to allow 

complete reaction of the reagent on the oxidizable compounds or on the phenolates. Then, 120 μl of 7.5% (w / v) 
aqueous sodium carbonate solution (Na2CO3) was added to neutralize the residual reagent. After 30 minutes of 
incubation at 37 °C, the absorbance of the extracts was measured at 765 nm with the MP96 spectrophotometer, 

SAFAS (96 well quartz microplates). A blank is made with 60 μl of R-FC and 120 μl of sodium carbonate solution.  
A calibration curve was established using gallic acid as a reference. The results were determined using the equation 
(Y = 46.41x + 0.063, R2 = 0.998) of the calibration curve. They were expressed as mg Gallic Acid Equivalent 
(GAS) per gram of fresh plant material. All measurements were made in triplicate. 
 

2.2.4. Statistical Analysis of the Results 
The statistical analysis of  the results was carried out using the Genstat version 14 software. The comparison 

between the varieties was also performed by the multivariate analysis of  Genstat version 14. 
 

3. Results  
3.1. Antioxidant Activities (AAO) of  Onion Bulb Varieties Collected in the 6 Production Areas 

The results of the antioxidant activity of the extracts of the 05 varieties of onion bulb collected in the 
Mouhoun, High Basins, North, Central, West Central and East regions are presented in the Table 2. Significant 
differences (P <0.05) between the antioxidant activities (AAO) of different varieties of fresh bulb are observed. 
These contents range from 0.125 ± 0.001 to 0.149 ± 0.004 mg TE / g fresh material. The varieties with the 
highest levels of antioxidants are LV, Galmi Violet and Damani Violet, with contents respectively 0.149 ± 0.004; 
0.147 ± 0.004 and 0.139 ± 0.000 mg TE / g fresh material. However, it is noted that the levels are substantially 
equivalent for the Galmi violet (0.147 ± 0.004 mg TE / g fresh material) and LV (0.149 ± 0.004 mg TE / g fresh 
material) varieties. Prema and Safari have lower levels (0.125 ± 0.001 and 0.132 ± 0.002 mg TE / g fresh material). 
 

Table-2. Antioxidant Activity of the 5 varieties of onion bulb collected 

Variety  Antioxidant Activity (AAO) (mg TE / g MF) 

Galmi Violet 0,147 ± 0,004c 

LV  0,149 ± 0,004c 

Damani Violet 0,139 ± 0,000b 

Safari 0,132 ± 0,002ab 

Prema 0,125 ± 0,001a 
Note: All assay results are expressed as mean contents ± standard deviation. The averages affected by the same 
letter are not significantly different. 

 

3.2. Total Polyphenol (TPP) Content of  Onion Bulb Collected in Production Areas 
The results of the total polyphenol contents of the extracts of the 05 varieties of onion bulb collected in the 

Mouhoun, High Basins, North, Central, West Central and East regions are shown in Table 3. The results show a 
significant variation (P <0.05) from one variety to another. The contents range from 0.220 ± 0.013 to 0.272 ± 
0.003 mg EAG / g fresh material for the five varieties. The highest levels are obtained with Galmi Violet, Prema 
and Damani Violet varieties, with respectively 0.272 ± 0.003; 0,270 ± 0,014 and 0,254 ± 0,017 mg of EAG / g of 
fresh material. The Safari variety has the lowest content (0.172 ± 0.011 mg EAG / g fresh material). However, 
Galmi Violet and the Prema have almost the same level of polyphenol. 
 

Table-3. Total Polyphenol Content of  the 5 onion bulb collected 

Variety Total polyphenol (TPP) content (mg EAG / g MF) 

Galmi Violet 0,272 ± 0,003c 

LV  0,220 ± 0,013b 

Damani Violet 0,254 ± 0,017bc 

Safari 0,172 ± 0,011a 

Prema 0,270 ± 0,014c 
Note: All assay results are expressed as mean contents ± standard deviation. The averages affected by the same letter are not 
significantly different. 



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No significant correlation was observed between AAO and TPP for the different varieties (R2 = 0.069) (Figure 
1)  
 

 
Figure-1. Correlation between AAO and TPP of 5 varieties of onion collected in the production areas 

 

3.3. Effect of the Agro-Ecological Areas of Burkina Faso on the Antioxidant and Polyphenol Contents of Galmi 
Violet Variety 

The results of the effect of the agro-ecological areas in Burkina Faso on the antioxidant and total polyphenol 
contents of the variety Galmi violet are presented in Table 4. Two batches of fresh onion bulb were collected by 
region, the results are an average of the data obtained from the two lots. These results show that, there is a 
significant variation (P <0.05) of antioxidants and polyphenols contents from one ecological region to another. For 
AAO and TPP these levels respectively range from 0.144 ± 0.002 to 0.155 ± 0.001 mg TE / g fresh material, and 
from 0.208 ± 0.014 to 0.292 ± 0.012 mg EAG / g fresh material (Table 4).  

The highest levels of antioxidants are obtained with the Mouhoun samples (0.155 ± 0.001 mg TE / g fresh 
material). The North (0.152 ± 0.003 mg TE / g MF), West Central (0.152 ± 0.006 mg TE / g MF) and High 
Basins (0.147 ± 0.004 mg TE / g MF) have equivalent levels. Central samples show the lowest levels (0.144 ± 
0.002 mg TE / g fresh material). 

The highest levels of total polyphenols are obtained with North Region (0.292 ± 0.012 mg EAG / g fresh 
material), Central Region (0.289 mg EAG / g fresh material), West Central Region (0.280 ± 0.002mg EAG/g 
fresh matter) and Mouhoun Region (0.265±0.006 mg EAG / g of fresh material). These 4 regions have 
substantially equal contents. High Basins presented the lowest levels (0.208 ± 0.002 mg of EAG / g of fresh 
material). 
 

Table-4. Antioxidant and total polyphenol content of  Galmi violet by locality 

Region  AAO (mg of  TE / g of  fresh material) TPP (mg of  EAG / g of  fresh material) 

Central 0,144 ± 0,002a 0,289 ± 0,000b 

West Central 0,152 ± 0,006ab 0,280 ± 0,002b 

North 0,152 ± 0,003ab 0,292 ± 0,012b 

Mouhoun 0,155 ± 0,001b 0,265 ± 0,006b 

High Basins 0,147 ± 0,004ab 0,208 ± 0,014a 
  Note: All assay results are expressed as mean contents ± standard deviation. The averages affected by the same letter are not significantly different. 

 

4. Discussion 
4.1. Antioxidant Activities (AAO) and Total Polyphenol Content (TPP) of  Onion Varieties Collected in 
Production Areas: Mouhoun, High Basins, North, Central, West Central and East 

The results obtained are in agreement with those of  the literature concerning the variation of  the 
concentrations of  antioxidants and total polyphenols between varieties of  the same species as pointed out by 
Causse [26] whose researches have shown the existence of  a wide range of  variation of  the concentrations of  
antioxidants and total polyphenols between varieties of  the same species of  fruits and vegetables, ranging from 

single to double. In fact, Jeffery, et al. [20] showed, by comparing the β-carotene content of  50 varieties of  
broccoli, which could be 6 times greater from one variety to another. Kurilich, et al. [27] showed a 5 times increase 
in total antioxidant capacity between eight (08) varieties of  the same plant according to ecological areas. 

Several factors would be responsible for the variation in antioxidant levels between varieties of the same 
species. Indeed, as Causse [26]. Benbrook [28] these variations are physiological, genetical, agronomical 
(cultivation techniques, production method), or environmental (radiation, temperature, region of culture). To our 
knowledge very little work has been done on the antioxidants and polyphenols of onion bulb varieties grown in 
Burkina Faso. 

The variations observed in the case of  onion bulb varieties of  our research, could be explained by the combined 
effect of  these factors. One could thus think that the equivalence of  the levels observed between the varieties of  
Galmi violet and the LV for the antioxidants, and between the varieties of  Galmi violet and Prema for the 
polyphenols, would be the fact of  genetic factors, since the cultivation conditions (agronomic and environmental) 
were the same for these varieties. R2 = 0.069 indicating that only 06.9% of  the antioxidant capacity of  the extracts 
is due to the contribution of  the phenolic compounds. In other words, the richest extract of  phenolic compounds is 
not necessarily the one which has the highest antioxidant activity. These results clearly show that polyphenols are 
not the only compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity of  onion bulb extracts. Similar results have been 



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previously reported by other authors. Indeed, Dabiré [29]; Psarra, et al. [30] showed a weak correlation between 
antioxidant power and phenol content by working on extracts of  Tridax procumbens species and wine samples. 
Carotenoids are also compounds with very high antioxidant activity contained in the onion. Koala, et al. [31] 
showed a good correlation between total carotenoid levels and the antioxidant activities of  eight (08) orange 
fleshed sweet potato varieties. We could therefore think that carotenoids would be the compounds that would 
contribute, to a large extent, to the antioxidant activities of  the onion bulb varieties collected. 
 

4.2. Effect of the Agro-Ecological Areas of Burkina Faso on the Antioxidant and Polyphenol Contents of Galmi 
Violet Variety 

The results of  the effect of  the agro-ecological areas of  Burkina Faso on the levels of  antioxidants and total 
polyphenols of  Galmi violet variety, show that the contents of  these compounds vary according to the agro-
ecological areas, especially between Central, Mouhoun, and the other 3 regions (West Central, North and High 
Basins) for antioxidants, and between the High Basins and the other 4 regions (West Central, North, Central, 
Mouhoun) for polyphenols. This shows that the areas have an influence on the concentration of  these compounds 
in onion bulb grown in Burkina Faso.  Similar results have been observed by other authors. Indeed, as pointed out 
by Mauget [32] important differences in polyphenol and carotenoid contents are observed for the same variety of  
fruit or vegetable grown in different geographical areas. This has been confirmed by Koala, et al. [31] which 
showed a 30% variation in polyphenol levels as a function of  agro-ecological areas, working on orange-fleshed 
sweet potato (OFSP). As Dragovic-Uzelac, et al. [19] pointed out, that, without climatic characterization of  the 
region, it is difficult to attribute these variations to any factor of  the air or edaphic environment. The nature of  the 
soils in the areas concerned is practically identical because the type of  dominant soils in these areas is ferruginous 
soils, but the morphological characteristics (structure, texture, depth, thickness, color, porosity, etc.) and the 
analytical characteristics differ from an area to another BUNASOLS (National Office of  Soils) [33]; BUNASOLS 
[34]; BUNASOLS (National Soil Bureau) [35]; BUNASOLS (National Soil Bureau) [36]. Schreiner [22] has 
shown that in some vegetables, radiation and temperature play a more important role than water or fertilizer. 
Variations in antioxidant and polyphenol levels from one area to another for the same variety of  onion could 
therefore be explained by the effect of  these factors, and the morphological and chemical composition differences 
observed at the soil level. The equivalence of  concentrations noticed between the areas of  West Central, North and 
High Basins, for the antioxidant content, on one hand, and West Central, North, Central and Mouhoun for the 
content of  polyphenols in other hand, could be explained by the existence in these areas of  similar climatic and / 
or edaphic conditions. 
 

5. Conclusion 
The results of  this work show that onion bulb varieties cultivated in Burkina Faso are rich in antioxidants, and 

concentrations vary from one agro-ecological area to another. The onion bulb could therefore be used as natural 
sources of  antioxidants, and could thus contribute to the prevention of  oxidative stress related diseases which 
today constitute a real public health problem in Burkina Faso and around the world. This onion bulb rich in 
antioxidant and others micronutrients makes it a vegetable that could help improve the nutritional status of  
vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. However, for the future it is necessary that 
much further research studies based on the precise determination of  the influence of  the individual parameters of  
the ecological areas on the antioxidant content of  the bulbous onion be carried out. This could lead to a better 
understanding of  the impact of  these parameters on the antioxidant concentration of  onion bulbs and 
consequently to optimize the antioxidant biosynthesis of  the bulbous onion produced in Burkina Faso. Other 
studies could be focused on the determination of  the carotenoids level in the bulb in order to determine the 
existence or not of  a correlation between AAO and total carotenoid content (TCT). This will make it possible to 
know the contribution of  these compounds to the antioxidant activity of  the onion bulb grown in Burkina Faso, 
and consequently to optimize their biosynthesis within the plant. 
 

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