The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Zinc in selected cereal crops from various Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State, Nigeria and also to determine its bioavailability using albino rats. The dried cereals; Oryza sativa, Zea maize and Sorghum bicolor were collected from farms in seven local government areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The cereals were processed and Zn concentrations of the samples from each local government determined using standard methods. Afterwards, the rats were divided into two groups of ten rats each, a control group and a test group. The cereals were then processed and fed the experimental group of the albino rats for seven days before blood samples were collected and the plasma separated, then zinc concentration determined. Results showed that Karu LGA had the highest Zn concentration in O. Sativa (10.34 mg/g), Nasarawa-Eggon had the highest Zn concentration of 16.72mg/g in Z. mayz, and the highest Zn concentration of 17.98mg/g in Sorghum bicolor. Statistical analysis of the bioavailable Zn however, showed a non-significant (p > 0.05) decrease in Zn bioavailability in the experimental group when compared to the control group. The results of this research therefore indicates that the Zn concentrations in the various cereals obtained from the selected LGAs of Nasarawa State was not bioavalable when the cereals were consumed by the rats hence the need to up Zn concentrations and bioavailability through supplementation to avoid its deficiency among the populace.
The plant, Anthocleista grandiflora is a member of the family Gentianaceae and commonly known as the “forest fever tree” used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments. Its methanol bark extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis using standard methods and the presence of bioactive compounds was determined using Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Results showed the presence of flavonoids in high amount, saponins and cardiac glycosides in moderate amount while tannins, phenols, terpenoids and steroids were present in low amounts. Test for alkaloids, glycosides, anthroquinones, pholobatannins and anthrocyannins showed that they were however absent. GC-MS analysis showed plenty bioactive compounds in which Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (45%) and 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (43%) were most prevalent. These findings supports its current use by some locals to treat stomach ulcer and further portrays it as having great potential in the treatment of myriads of diseases.
The current study evaluated the Phytochemicals Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Compositions of Fresh, Sprouted and Toasted Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Seed extracts. The phytochemicals, proximate, amino acids, microminerals and antinutrients compositions were determined following standard laboratory procedures in autoanalizer machines. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by LSD and Duncan test for levels of significance. Results revealed the presence of Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Terpenoids in the three samples but anthroquinones was absent in sprouted and toasted watermelon seeds. Saponins (2.15 ± 0.07 mg/100 g), Tannins (40.63 ± 0.13 mg/100 g) Cyanogenic glycosides (3.55 ± 0.35 mg/100 g). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the concentrations of the phytochemicals in all the samples except for cyanogenic glycosides which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh sample. Percentage protein (24.87 ± 0.48) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the sprouted sample, ash (%) (2.63 ± 0.11) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the sprouted, fibre (20.64 ± 0.23) and moisture (%) (2.88 ± 0.19) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the toasted and carbohydrates (%) (9.81 ± 1.27) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the sprouted. Results obtained for Amino acids and mineral analyses showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the three samples and Phytates (0.31 ± 0.01%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh sample while oxalates (0.85 ± 0.01%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the sprouted sample. The fresh, sprouted and toasted watermelon seeds may possess nutritional and health benefit by the virtue of their richness in phytochmicals, microminerals and amino acids, however the safety of the fresh sample is not guaranteed due to its high concentration of anti-nutrients.
Some physicochemical changes in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with a mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon was evaluated. During starter phase, 150 broiler chicks were divided into groups A and B of 75 birds each, and were randomly fed diets 1 and 2 respectively for 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by the chickens maintained on the mixed spices supplemented diet (235.15±15.55g) was significantly lower (p<0.05)compared with the weight gain by the control (274.26±20.23g) in the Starter phase. In the Finisher phase, group A was sub-divided into groups C and D while group B was subdivided into groups E and F and fed for additional 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by groups C (242.31±4.97g), D (282.46±15.04g), E (260.14±81.11g) and F (236.67±24.29g) did not vary significantly. The evaluated carcass characteristics and haematological indices when compared with the control did not vary significantly. The serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) in groups D (101.40±4.13), E (106.60±4.59) and F (100.20±9.83) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in comparison with the level in group C (127.00±8.83). Groups E (46.96±8.62mg/dl) and F (47.44±6.35mg/dl) had significantly (p<0.05) lower LDL-C compared with the control (70.56±8.75mg/dl). Therefore, mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon may have no effects on the overall weight gain, carcass traits and haematological profiles but could decrease the risk of atherogenesis and CVD in broiler chickens. Keywords: Cinnamon; ginger; garlic; spices; physicochemical
The plant, Camellia sinensis (leaves) is popularly known for its usage as tea in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to screen for the bioactive compositions and to determine the endogeneous antioxidant potentials of fresh and processed (tea) C. sinensis aqueous leaf extract. Phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins analysis were carried out following standard procedures. The extracts were further administered to alloxan-induced albino rats and its effects on serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), acetyl cholinesterase (AchASE) activity and glucose concentrations were determined following standard procedures. The rats were randomly divided in to different groups thus; Group A: Normal control, Group B; Untreated toxic, Treatment Groups were further divided into four subgroups (1, 2, 3 and 4), Group C; Metformin Treated test (MTT), Group D; Fresh Leaves Treated Test, Group E; green tea, Group F; Black tea. Results showed the presence of presence of Saponin, Tannin, Flavonoid, Steroid, Terpenoid, Quinone, Alkaloid, cardiac glycosides, Proteins and phenol, vitamin C, Ca and Zn in all the extracts. Glucose concentrations significantly (p<0.05) increased upon induction with alloxan. MDA and AChE decreased while SOD, CAT and GSH increased significantly (p<0.05) when treated with the extracts. The aqueous extracts of C. sinensis was found to be rich in bioactive compounds and possess antioxidant properties, hence its continued usage could be encouraged.
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