Typology and quality preference of plant leaves used for food packaging in Benin

Abstract

Plant leaves are used to package various local foods in Benin. Vegetable packaging is a good alternative to plastic packaging in use in the country. A better knowledge of these plants and their different uses is necessary for their valorization. This study aims to identify the plant resources that are used in Benin as food packaging and to determine their preferable characteristics according to food processors and consumers. A survey was carried out considering 300 food processors and 300 consumers in ten municipalities in Benin. The leaves of 58 plant species belonging to 30 families have been identified and are used to pack 29 different types of food sold in the different markets of the survey areas. The choice of a leaf by processors and consumers is performed according to well-defined