Jean Paul Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua
Université de Kinshasa

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Floristic and ethnobotanical diversity of plants used in traditional craftsmanship in the Kimvula Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo Lemmy Lassa; Guy Ilumbe; Jean Paul Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua; Blaise Bikandu; Monizi Mawunu; Jean Pierre Habari; Apollinaire Biloso; Da Musa Masens; Félicien Lukoki
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.645-654

Abstract

The Kimvula Territory in the Democratic Republic of the Congo exhibits intensive use of forest plants in traditional craftsmanship, encompassing agricultural tools, furniture, and household artefacts. This ethnobotanical investigation (2014–2016), based on structured interviews and field observations, aimed to document and analyse indigenous knowledge related to artisanal plant use. A total of 76 species belonging to 67 genera and 32 families were recorded, with Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Marantaceae, and Rubiaceae being the most represented families. Prominent species included Elaeis guineensis, Eremospatha haullevilleana, Raphia spp., Alstonia congensis, and Ricinodendron heudelotii, with stems identified as the most commonly used plant part. Millettia laurentii exhibited the highest ethnobotanical use value, while several species showed strong consensus among respondents. Variation in species use between communities reflected both ecological availability and socio-cultural preferences. These findings highlight the pivotal role of forest biodiversity in sustaining rural livelihoods and preserving traditional craftsmanship. They further emphasize the need to integrate indigenous knowledge into conservation planning and sustainable resource management strategies across the Congo Basin.
A Novel Thickening Agent Made from a Mixture of Cassava and Corn Flour for the Production of Edible Mushroom Growing Media Alfred Apaab Kiame; Timothée Mananga Nkodi; Jean Paul Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua; Alain Nkongolo Tshisuaka; Nicolas Kalulu Taba; Joseph Kasali Lumande; Simon Mpulusu Dibaluka
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.1407-1413

Abstract

According to the FAO, sub-Saharan Africa population’s diet has a real deficit in animal protein for several reasons, including low animal production, rapid population growth, economic factors, etc. To compensate for this deficiency, the population turn to consuming mushrooms harvested seasonally, which are unfortunately becoming scarce due to deforestation. This has led to a shift towards mushroom cultivation, which necessarily requires the use of agar as a reference solidifying agent for the culture medium. However, agar is an imported product that is not accessible to all social classes. Hence, the aim of this research was to compare agar with three other solidifying agents: A1, A2, and A3, composed respectively of 1:1; 1:2, and 2:1 (cassava flour:corn flour, pretreated in an oven at 157.5 ±3.54 °C). When preparing the culture media with these three solidifiers, the best gel was obtained from solidifying agent A3, with which the fungal species Pleurotus oestratus was inoculated. On the third day, the mycelia had invaded all nine tubes of the agar medium, almost reaching the mother culture at the same time (three days) as the reference medium prepared with agar as the solidifying agent (PDA). To ensure the viability of our culture medium prepared with A3, the seed stock and seed led to the production of sporophores, proving that solidifying agent A3 can effectively replace agar, especially in developing countries.