The effects of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis tea on the plasma lipid profile and atherogenic indices were investigated in rabbits. The test group received daily, by intra-gastric gavages, 15mg/kg of aqueous extract. The treatment led to significant decreases (p<0.05) in plasma levels of total, LDL-and VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase (p<0.05) in plasma HDL cholesterol level. It also produced significant (p<0.05) decreases in the atherogenic indices; cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma. These results suggest the use of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis tea in the management of dyslipidemia whether primary or secondary to obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and by extension, the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases

The proximate and phytochemical composition of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana Muell Arg was investigated. The proximate composition includes moisture (57.60%), crude fibre (21.66% wet weight and 51.08% dry weight), total carbohydrate (12.50% wet weight and 29.48% dry weight), crude protein (3.94% wet weight and 9.29% dry weight), total ash (3.90% wet weight and 9.20% dry weight), crude fat (0.40% wet weight and 0.94% dry weight) and caloric value of (69.36% wet weight and 163.58% dry weight). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids (catechins and flavones), saponins and tannins; with 19.05mg/100g wet weight and 44.93mg/100g wry weight carotenoids, 7.15mg/100g wet weight and 16.86mg/100g dry weight saponins, and 1.82mg/100g wet weight and 4.29mg/100g dry weight tannins. This result support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals. @ JASEM

ABSTRACT:The proximate and phytochemical composition of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy leaves was investigated. The proximate composition includes moisture (56.10%), crude fibre (5.88% wet weight and 13.39% dry weight), total carbohydrate (4.09% wet weight and 9.32% dry weight), crude protein (21.88% wet weight and 49.84% dry weight), total ash (2.95% wet weight and 6.72% dry weight), crude lipid (0.10% wet weight and 0.23% dry weight) and caloric value (104.78% wet weight and 238.68% dry weight). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids (catechins and flavones), phytates, saponins and tannins; with 0.72% wet weight and 1.64% dry weight carotenoids, 2.20% wet weight and 5.01% dry weight phytates, 0.40% wet weight and 0.91% dry weight saponins, and 0.01% wet weight and 0.02% dry weight tannins. This result support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals. @ JASEM

ABSTRACT:The performance characteristics or quality of protein from ungerminated and germinated African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seeds on male Wistar albino rats was investigated. The proteins were found to have high true digestibility (TD) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The net protein retention (NPR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), Net protein value (NPV), Nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and relative NPR (RNPR) of the ungerminated seeds were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of the germinated seeds, while their net protein utilization (NPU) were not significantly different. This implies a great potency of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seed protein as a source of high quality protein especially in the preparation of protein supplements and formulation of new diets: and the possibility of improvement by germination. @ JASEM

The quality of proteins from ungerminated and germinated fluted pumpkin (Telferia occidentalis) seeds was investigated using male Wistar albino rats. The proteins were found to have high true digestibility (TD) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the net protein retention (NPR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), Nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER), feed efficiency ratio (FER), net protein utilization (NPU) and relative NPR (RNPR) of the ungerminated and germinated seeds, while the Net protein value (NPV) of the ungerminated seeds was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the germinated seeds. Our results reveal the great potential of Telferia occidentalis seed protein as a source of dietary protein especially in the preparation of protein supplements and formulation of new diets. @ JASEM