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Isabelle Michel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Trajectories of Cocoa agroforests and their drivers over time: lessons from the Cameroonian experience
European Journal of Agronomy, 2018Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Eric Malézieux, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Isabelle MichelAbstract:Since its origins, Cocoa growing has gone through a series of crises and booms, with a shift in production areas at the expense of tropical forests. Nowadays, the recent sharp rise in the global demand for Cocoa more than ever calls into question the future of these forest resources. Nevertheless, in contrast with the dominant technical models, often unsustainable, part of global Cocoa growing is based on complex agroforestry systems which are, in many cases, very old and still managed by farmers. To better understand the genesis and the functioning of these systems over time, we analysed the evolution of 30 Cocoa agroforests, most of which were several decades old, located in central Cameroon. In this region, Cocoa growing has been developing since the 1930s and experienced major changes in contexts, including the severe crisis of the 1990s. By combining field observations and historical survey data, we reconstructed the impacts of these changes over time on management practices, agroforestry structures and Cocoa yields. We formalized five Cocoa agroforests trajectories closely linked to main phases of Cocoa growing in central Cameroon, each phase leading to changes in farmers’ practices. These trajectories explain the current agroforests structures, with low (1180 in. ha−1) or high Cocoa tree densities (2190 in. ha−1), mean basal area per Cocoa tree which ranged from 29.4 cm2 to 92.7 cm2, and finally Cocoa yields which varied from 542.7 to 1275.7 kg ha−1. Our results show how the management of interacting species allows a system balance that can be temporarily broken or redesigned, suggesting the resilient and flexible nature of these complex Cocoa agroforests. The properties of these Cocoa agroforests—gradually built over time—enable adaptations and their transmission during difficult times. To cope with current challenges facing global Cocoa production, we recommend that these Cocoa agroforests serve as a basis to promote new Cocoa cropping models to better reconcile Cocoa production and the preservation of forest resources.
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The structure of complex Cocoa agroforestry systems is the key of their resilience: study case of Central Cameroon
2014Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Eric Malézieux, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Isabelle MichelAbstract:In the humid tropics, while the world Cocoa demand increases, the sustainability of Cocoa production is the subject of debate because of its environmental impact, particularly in terms of disappearance of forest land. However, some of the world's Cocoa cultivation is based on complex agroforestry systems where Cocoa is associated with numerous forest and fruit tree species. This is the case in Central Cameroon, an old Cocoa production area where Cocoa agroforests are characterized by their longevity and their stability in space and time. We assume that the maintainance of these old Cocoa agroforests, always cultivated, over time is largely linked to their agroforestry structure which gives them flexibility in terms of technical management. This flexibility allows farmers alterations, adaptations and changes from the different stands (Cocoa and associated trees) already set up. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a research on twenty old Cocoa agroforestry located in central Cameroon. From surveys and observations, we reconstructed the structure trajectories of these Cocoa agroforests, also their technical trajectories, and we researched their determinants. Our results showed that the life of Cocoa agroforests can be divided into different phases: ongoing maintenance, semi- abandonment, recovery and rehabilitation, or major technical reorientation. The succession of these different phases leads to trajectories that are often discontinuous over time. These trajectories are the result of changes and/or modifications of the Cocoa agroforests structure. They are linked firstly to the evolutions of the socio-economic context of the Cocoa supply chain (Cocoa price fluctuations, introduction of new technologies by farmers, development of agricultural knowledge and technical advice), and secondly to farmers' history, the Cocoa plots from one manager to another over the succession of generations. Such changes and adaptations are possible through the forest environment where are Cocoa trees. Cocoa stands can withstand a few years abandonment as well as technical interventions that modify the architecture of Cocoa trees and/or their density. After a period of abandonment and recovery, our results showed that it is possible to regain a Cocoa yield similar to that which prevailed before, as well as in the context of a major technical shift that changes the structure of Cocoa agroforests and leads to a significant increase of the Cocoa yield. Finally, our results enable us to put forward some proposals for developing a new technical model for Cocoa growing, based on the management of different tree species that interact. This new model could be both more environmentally friendly and providing farmers more flexibility for the management of their Cocoa agroforestry systems compared with the conventional model.
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Afforestation of savannah with Cocoa agroforestry systems : a small-farmer innovation in central Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 2012Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Isabelle Michel, Didier Snoeck, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Eric MalézieuxAbstract:Cocoa cultivation is generally considered to foster deforestation. Contrary to this view, in the forest–savannah interface area in Cameroon, farmers have planted Cocoa agroforestry systems on Imperata cylindrica grasslands, a soil-climate zone generally considered unsuitable for Cocoa cultivation. We undertook a survey to understand the agricultural and ecological bases of this innovation. Age, cropping history and marketable Cocoa yield were assessed in a sample of 157 Cocoa plantations established on grasslands and 182 Cocoa plantations established in gallery forests. In a sub-sample of 47 grassland Cocoa plantations, we inventoried tree species associated with Cocoa trees and measured soil organic matter levels. Marketable Cocoa yields were similar for the two types of Cocoa plantations, regardless of their age: 321 kg ha−1 in Cocoa plantations on grasslands and 354 kg ha−1 in Cocoa plantations in gallery forests. Two strategies were used by farmers to eliminate I. cylindrica prior to the establishment of Cocoa plantations, i.e., cropping oil palms in dense stands and planting annual crops. Farmers then planted Cocoa trees and fruit tree species, while preserving specific forest trees. The fruit tree and forest tree densities respectively averaged 223 and 68 trees ha−1 in plantations under 10 years old, and 44 and 27 trees ha−1 in plantations over 40 years old, whereas the Cocoa tree density remained stable at 1,315 trees ha−1. The Shannon–Weaver index increased from 1.97 to 2.26 over the same period although the difference was not statistically significant. The soil organic matter level was 3.13 % in old Cocoa plantations, as compared to 1.7 % in grasslands. In conclusion, our results show that the occupation of grasslands by Cocoa agroforestry systems is both an important example of ecological intensification and a significant farmer innovation in the history of Cocoa growing.
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Long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests: a case study in central Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 2011Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Isabelle Michel, Eric MalézieuxAbstract:The sustainability of Cocoa growing systems in the humid tropics is debatable. Socio-economic and technical data were obtained from 1,171 Cocoa farmers and 1,638 Cocoa plantations to assess the long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests in central Cameroon since the beginning of the twentieth century. On-site, we estimated the age of the Cocoa trees and measured their density in a sub-sample of 402 Cocoa plantations. We inventoried associated woody species in 45 Cocoa plantations from this sub-sample. Our results revealed a high Shannon index for the Cocoa plantations (2.6) and showed that an average of 25 tree species per Cocoa plantation had been planted with the Cocoa trees at a density of 120 trees ha−1. Surveys indicated that there had been no mineral fertilization. Nearly 70% of the Cocoa agroforests were over 40 years old, and all farmers continuously regenerated their Cocoa tree stands. Irrespective of the Cocoa plantation age, the Cocoa tree density remained over 1,000 plants ha−1, and fermented dried Cocoa yields were 255 kg ha−1 on average. Cocoa agroforests occupied 60% of the cultivated area on farms and Cocoa sales accounted for 75% of total farm income. Almost a third of the farmers were from the area and under 40 years old. In conclusion, our results show that the farmers’ agroforestry practices, in addition to the fact that the Cocoa tree stands were continuously regenerated and passed down between generations of farmers, could explain the long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests in central Cameroon.
Patrick Jagoret - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Trajectories of Cocoa agroforests and their drivers over time: lessons from the Cameroonian experience
European Journal of Agronomy, 2018Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Eric Malézieux, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Isabelle MichelAbstract:Since its origins, Cocoa growing has gone through a series of crises and booms, with a shift in production areas at the expense of tropical forests. Nowadays, the recent sharp rise in the global demand for Cocoa more than ever calls into question the future of these forest resources. Nevertheless, in contrast with the dominant technical models, often unsustainable, part of global Cocoa growing is based on complex agroforestry systems which are, in many cases, very old and still managed by farmers. To better understand the genesis and the functioning of these systems over time, we analysed the evolution of 30 Cocoa agroforests, most of which were several decades old, located in central Cameroon. In this region, Cocoa growing has been developing since the 1930s and experienced major changes in contexts, including the severe crisis of the 1990s. By combining field observations and historical survey data, we reconstructed the impacts of these changes over time on management practices, agroforestry structures and Cocoa yields. We formalized five Cocoa agroforests trajectories closely linked to main phases of Cocoa growing in central Cameroon, each phase leading to changes in farmers’ practices. These trajectories explain the current agroforests structures, with low (1180 in. ha−1) or high Cocoa tree densities (2190 in. ha−1), mean basal area per Cocoa tree which ranged from 29.4 cm2 to 92.7 cm2, and finally Cocoa yields which varied from 542.7 to 1275.7 kg ha−1. Our results show how the management of interacting species allows a system balance that can be temporarily broken or redesigned, suggesting the resilient and flexible nature of these complex Cocoa agroforests. The properties of these Cocoa agroforests—gradually built over time—enable adaptations and their transmission during difficult times. To cope with current challenges facing global Cocoa production, we recommend that these Cocoa agroforests serve as a basis to promote new Cocoa cropping models to better reconcile Cocoa production and the preservation of forest resources.
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Rehabilitation practices that shape Cocoa agroforestry systems in Central Cameroon: key management strategies for long-term exploitation
Agroforestry Systems, 2017Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Didier Snoeck, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Emmanuel Bouambi, Salomon NyasséAbstract:In Africa’s main Cocoa producing countries, rehabilitation of old Cocoa orchards is increasingly debated but rarely adopted. In Central Cameroon, rehabilitation practices are regularly set up in old Cocoa-based agroforestry systems (cAFS). To better understand the impact of such practices we built a chronosequence of 40 cAFS. We carried out specific surveys with farmers on each plot in order to check for rehabilitation effects on Cocoa stands and associated woody species (AWS). We found that Cocoa trees represented on average 88.2% of woody individuals and increased with age (from 84.7 to 91.5%). The Cocoa stand basal area (BA) share significantly increased with age and reached up to 40.2% in the oldest systems. Cocoa, fruit and forest trees mean BA increased with aging. They were on average of 6.5, 5.7 and 10.7 m2 ha−1 respectively. Six different architectural types, different from the theoretical architectural evolution of Cocoa trees over time, were identified. Among them, type 4 characterized by several orthotropic suckers of differing ages, was found typical of farmers’ cutting back practices. Type 4 Cocoa trees density increased over time and its BA represented on average 60% of Cocoa stand BA in the oldest systems. Concomitantly, farmer’s management of AWS led to continuous evolution of the systems both in terms of density and species composition. Our results show that (i) permanent densification and cutting back practices (type 4) allow the rejuvenation of Cocoa stands while increasing Cocoa stands BA share; (ii) the continuous management of AWS by farmers is undertaken to favour Cocoa trees share over time by limiting inter-specific competition and promoting complementarity between Cocoa trees and AWS. We argue that such practices explain a fair part of the long-term sustainability observed in cAFS from Central Cameroon and represent a model from which new rehabilitation schemes could be inspired.
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The structure of complex Cocoa agroforestry systems is the key of their resilience: study case of Central Cameroon
2014Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Eric Malézieux, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Isabelle MichelAbstract:In the humid tropics, while the world Cocoa demand increases, the sustainability of Cocoa production is the subject of debate because of its environmental impact, particularly in terms of disappearance of forest land. However, some of the world's Cocoa cultivation is based on complex agroforestry systems where Cocoa is associated with numerous forest and fruit tree species. This is the case in Central Cameroon, an old Cocoa production area where Cocoa agroforests are characterized by their longevity and their stability in space and time. We assume that the maintainance of these old Cocoa agroforests, always cultivated, over time is largely linked to their agroforestry structure which gives them flexibility in terms of technical management. This flexibility allows farmers alterations, adaptations and changes from the different stands (Cocoa and associated trees) already set up. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a research on twenty old Cocoa agroforestry located in central Cameroon. From surveys and observations, we reconstructed the structure trajectories of these Cocoa agroforests, also their technical trajectories, and we researched their determinants. Our results showed that the life of Cocoa agroforests can be divided into different phases: ongoing maintenance, semi- abandonment, recovery and rehabilitation, or major technical reorientation. The succession of these different phases leads to trajectories that are often discontinuous over time. These trajectories are the result of changes and/or modifications of the Cocoa agroforests structure. They are linked firstly to the evolutions of the socio-economic context of the Cocoa supply chain (Cocoa price fluctuations, introduction of new technologies by farmers, development of agricultural knowledge and technical advice), and secondly to farmers' history, the Cocoa plots from one manager to another over the succession of generations. Such changes and adaptations are possible through the forest environment where are Cocoa trees. Cocoa stands can withstand a few years abandonment as well as technical interventions that modify the architecture of Cocoa trees and/or their density. After a period of abandonment and recovery, our results showed that it is possible to regain a Cocoa yield similar to that which prevailed before, as well as in the context of a major technical shift that changes the structure of Cocoa agroforests and leads to a significant increase of the Cocoa yield. Finally, our results enable us to put forward some proposals for developing a new technical model for Cocoa growing, based on the management of different tree species that interact. This new model could be both more environmentally friendly and providing farmers more flexibility for the management of their Cocoa agroforestry systems compared with the conventional model.
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Afforestation of savannah with Cocoa agroforestry systems : a small-farmer innovation in central Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 2012Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Isabelle Michel, Didier Snoeck, Hervé Todem Ngnogué, Eric MalézieuxAbstract:Cocoa cultivation is generally considered to foster deforestation. Contrary to this view, in the forest–savannah interface area in Cameroon, farmers have planted Cocoa agroforestry systems on Imperata cylindrica grasslands, a soil-climate zone generally considered unsuitable for Cocoa cultivation. We undertook a survey to understand the agricultural and ecological bases of this innovation. Age, cropping history and marketable Cocoa yield were assessed in a sample of 157 Cocoa plantations established on grasslands and 182 Cocoa plantations established in gallery forests. In a sub-sample of 47 grassland Cocoa plantations, we inventoried tree species associated with Cocoa trees and measured soil organic matter levels. Marketable Cocoa yields were similar for the two types of Cocoa plantations, regardless of their age: 321 kg ha−1 in Cocoa plantations on grasslands and 354 kg ha−1 in Cocoa plantations in gallery forests. Two strategies were used by farmers to eliminate I. cylindrica prior to the establishment of Cocoa plantations, i.e., cropping oil palms in dense stands and planting annual crops. Farmers then planted Cocoa trees and fruit tree species, while preserving specific forest trees. The fruit tree and forest tree densities respectively averaged 223 and 68 trees ha−1 in plantations under 10 years old, and 44 and 27 trees ha−1 in plantations over 40 years old, whereas the Cocoa tree density remained stable at 1,315 trees ha−1. The Shannon–Weaver index increased from 1.97 to 2.26 over the same period although the difference was not statistically significant. The soil organic matter level was 3.13 % in old Cocoa plantations, as compared to 1.7 % in grasslands. In conclusion, our results show that the occupation of grasslands by Cocoa agroforestry systems is both an important example of ecological intensification and a significant farmer innovation in the history of Cocoa growing.
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Long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests: a case study in central Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 2011Co-Authors: Patrick Jagoret, Isabelle Michel, Eric MalézieuxAbstract:The sustainability of Cocoa growing systems in the humid tropics is debatable. Socio-economic and technical data were obtained from 1,171 Cocoa farmers and 1,638 Cocoa plantations to assess the long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests in central Cameroon since the beginning of the twentieth century. On-site, we estimated the age of the Cocoa trees and measured their density in a sub-sample of 402 Cocoa plantations. We inventoried associated woody species in 45 Cocoa plantations from this sub-sample. Our results revealed a high Shannon index for the Cocoa plantations (2.6) and showed that an average of 25 tree species per Cocoa plantation had been planted with the Cocoa trees at a density of 120 trees ha−1. Surveys indicated that there had been no mineral fertilization. Nearly 70% of the Cocoa agroforests were over 40 years old, and all farmers continuously regenerated their Cocoa tree stands. Irrespective of the Cocoa plantation age, the Cocoa tree density remained over 1,000 plants ha−1, and fermented dried Cocoa yields were 255 kg ha−1 on average. Cocoa agroforests occupied 60% of the cultivated area on farms and Cocoa sales accounted for 75% of total farm income. Almost a third of the farmers were from the area and under 40 years old. In conclusion, our results show that the farmers’ agroforestry practices, in addition to the fact that the Cocoa tree stands were continuously regenerated and passed down between generations of farmers, could explain the long-term dynamics of Cocoa agroforests in central Cameroon.
Draženka Komes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bioactive and Sensory Properties of Herbal Spirit Enriched with Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Polyphenolics
Food and Bioprocess Technology, 2012Co-Authors: Draženka Komes, Dunja Horžić, Helena Drmić, Svjetlana Škrabal, Ana Belščak-cvitanović, Borislav MilicevicAbstract:In the Southeast European and Mediterranean regions, consumption of various alcoholic beverages in the form of plain and aromatized spirits and liqueurs is an important part of traditional local gastronomy. Especially herbal spirits and liquors are widely spread and consumed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of using Cocoa raw materials (Cocoa beans, Cocoa nibs or Cocoa liquor) in order to enhance the bioactive profile of traditional herbal liqueur, and to produce an appealing Cocoa-flavoured alcoholic beverage. Therefore, the polyphenolic profile, antioxidative and sensory properties of herbal liquors containing the macerated Cocoa raw materials were monitored during 6 months, in order to evaluate the kinetics of Cocoa polyphenols release and optimise the maceration procedure for obtaining the best Cocoa-enriched herbal spirit. Compared to plain herbal liquor without the additions, the obtained herbal liqueurs exhibited significantly higher content of polyphenolic antioxidants. Among the used Cocoa raw materials for the maceration, Cocoa nibs were evaluated as the best source of polyphenolic compounds (herbal liqueur containing Cocoa nibs, 3,081.82 mg GAE/L), followed by Cocoa liquor (1,897.73 mg GAE/L) and Cocoa beans (1,358.64 mg GAE/L). Prolonged maceration time (up to 6 months) resulted with an increase in the content of polyphenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of herbal liqueurs. Herbal liqueurs containing the Cocoa raw materials of bigger particle size (Cocoa beans and Cocoa nibs) exhibited better sensory properties (overall acceptability and chocolate-like flavour) than herbal liqueur containing Cocoa liquor.
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comparative study of commercially available Cocoa products in terms of their bioactive composition
Food Research International, 2009Co-Authors: Ana Belscak, Draženka Komes, Dunja Horžic, Karin Kovacevic Ganic, Damir KarlovicAbstract:Abstract Recent trends in food marketing suggest that Cocoa products, besides being favourite sweets among consumers, also present multiple-benefit foodstuffs, which are becoming objects of increased scientific research, mainly because of their interesting phytochemical composition. UV/VIS spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA) methods were applied in order to compare the composition of polyphenols and methylxanthines in commercial Cocoa products affected by different extraction solvents. Antioxidant capacity of water and methanol extracts was evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assays. The obtained results confirmed that the content of polyphenols and methylxanthines, as well as the antioxidant capacity of Cocoa products depend on the content of their Cocoa solids. Among the tested Cocoa products, the highest content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols and methylxanthines) was determined in extracts of Cocoa products with the highest content of Cocoa solids (Cocoa liquor, Cocoa powder and dark chocolate with 88% Cocoa solids), while the lowest content was determined in milk chocolate and Cocoa bar extracts. The most abundant phenolic compound in Cocoa extracts was (−)-epicatechin, while the most abundant methylxanthine was theobromine. In comparison with water, 70% methanol demonstrated higher efficiency for the extraction of the studied bioactive compounds from Cocoa products.
Anne Clement Vidal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Impact of Cocoa processing technologies in free fatty acids formation in stored raw Cocoa beans
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2008Co-Authors: Simplice Tagro Guehi, Michaël Dingkuhn, Emile Cros, Gérard Fourny, Robert Ratomahenina, Guy Moulin, Anne Clement VidalAbstract:The quality of raw Cocoa beans depends widely on their free fatty acids (FFA) content. High FFA content is a serious quality defect and reduces the technical and economic value of the Cocoa beans. The work investigates the influence of Cocoa processing technologies on FFA formation during storage of raw Cocoa beans. Different samples of ferment dried Cocoa beans purchased from Cote d’Ivoire were stored and analysed for FFA content. Very low FFA contents were found in whole healthy Cocoa beans generally complied with UE standards (1.75% oleic acid equivalent) throughout storage while high FFA content was found in poor quality and broken healthy beans. The formation of FFA did not depend on the genotype or on Cocoa post-harvest processing technologies. However, high and increasing FFA contents were observed in defective Cocoa beans and could be attributed probably to the activity of microflora which in turn were associated with initial quality and loss of physical integrity of the Cocoa beans. Key words: Raw Cocoa beans, processing technologies, free fatty acids content.
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Impact of Cocoa processing technologies in free fatty acids formation in stored raw Cocoa beans
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2008Co-Authors: Simplice Tagro Guehi, Michaël Dingkuhn, Emile Cros, Gérard Fourny, Robert Ratomahenina, Guy Moulin, Anne Clement VidalAbstract:The quality of raw Cocoa beans depends widely on their free fatty acids (FFA) content. High FFA content is a serious quality defect and reduces the technical and economic value of the Cocoa beans. The work investigates the influence of Cocoa processing technologies on FFA formation during storage of raw Cocoa beans. Different samples of ferment dried Cocoa beans purchased from Cote d'Ivoire were stored and analysed for FFA content. Very low FFA contents were found in whole healthy Cocoa beans generally complied with UE standards (1.75% oleic acid equivalent) throughout storage while high FFA content was found in poor quality and broken healthy beans. The formation of FFA did not depend on the genotype or on Cocoa post-harvest processing technologies. However, high and increasing FFA contents were observed in defective Cocoa beans and could be attributed probably to the activity of microflora which in turn were associated with initial quality and loss of physical integrity of the Cocoa beans.
Carl L Keen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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procyanidin dimer b2 epicatechin 4β 8 epicatechin in human plasma after the consumption of a flavanol rich Cocoa
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002Co-Authors: Roberta R Holt, Sheryl A Lazarus, Cameron M Sullards, Derek D Schramm, John F Hammerstone, Cesar G Fraga, Harold H Schmitz, Carl L KeenAbstract:Background: Epidemiologic studies have linked flavonoid-rich foods with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality. Some Cocoas are flavonoid-rich and contain the monomeric flavanols (� )-epicatechin and (+)-catechin and oligomeric procyanidins formed from these monomeric units. Both the monomers and the oligomers have shown potential in favorably influencing cardiovascular health in in vitro and preliminary clinical studies. Although previous investigations have shown increasing concentrations of (� )-epicatechin in human plasma after Cocoa consumption, no information is available in the published literature regarding the presence of procyanidins in human plasma. Objective: This study sought to determine whether procyanidins can be detected and quantified in human plasma after acute consumption of a flavanol-rich Cocoa. Design: Peripheral blood was obtained from 5 healthy adult subjects before (baseline, 0 h) and 0.5, 2, and 6 h after consumption of 0.375 g Cocoa/kg body wt as a beverage. Plasma samples were analyzed for monomers and procyanidins with the use of reversedphase HPLC with coulometric electrochemical array detection and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Procyanidin dimer, (� )-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin were detected in the plasma of human subjects as early as 0.5 h (16 ± 5 nmol/L, 2.61 ± 0.46 � mol/L, and 0.13 ± 0.03 � mol/L, respectively) after acute Cocoa consumption and reached maximal concentrations by 2 h (41 ± 4 nmol/L, 5.92 ± 0.60 � mol/L, and 0.16 ± 0.03 � mol/L, respectively). Conclusion: Dimeric procyanidins can be detected in human plasma as early as 30 min after the consumption of a flavanol-rich food such as Cocoa. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:798‐804.