As the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger continues, this study was undertaken to determine the biological value in growing rats (BV) of proteins of some lesser known tropical seeds gathered in Nigeria. Antinutritional factors (trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid, oxalate, tannin, alkaloids) and amino acid compositions were also determined, and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) was calculated using the amino acid requirement pattern of the preschool child and individual seed-specific correction factors for crude protein. A rat growth and balance study was conducted to determine digestibility, nitrogen-, and energy balance by feeding as the only unsupplemented protein source milled and heat-treated seeds of Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) and Prosopis africana, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Enterolobium cyclocarpium, Sesbania pachycarpa and Pterocarpus osun (Leguminosae) in comparison to casein fortified with methionine (control). Diets containing P. africana and L. sericeus seeds caused poor feed intake and weight loss in rats and were excluded from the nitrogen-balance test. Among the seed samples, S. pachycarpa followed by A. digitata showed the most advantageous nutritional quality [amino acid composition, digestibility, BV and net protein utilization (NPU)]. True digestibility was 82.9 and 74.5 vs. 98.5, BV was 64.6 and 70.0 vs. 90.4, and NPU was 53.5 and 52.1 vs. 89.0 for S. pachycarpa and A. digitata vs. casein (control), respectively. In terms of PDCAAS, lysine was the first limiting amino acid for S. pachycarpa (88%) and for A. digitata (58%). The PDCAAS of all essential amino acids was below 100% for E. cyclocarpium (e.g., cysteine + methionine: 37%) and for P. africana (e.g., threonine: 46%, except valine and a very high content of cysteine and methionine). In conclusion, all seeds tested in the rat balance trial were of inferior quality compared to casein. Before these tropical seeds could be used as food components or feed supplements, safety studies and proper processing to remove antinutritional factors and possible toxic constituents were required.

As the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger continues, this study was undertaken to determine the fat content and the fatty acid composition of 15 lesserknown wild tropical seeds gathered in Nigeria. Results were contrasted with five tropical soybean varieties (Glycine max). The fat content varies from less than 1% (Pterocarpus santalinoides, Daniellia ogea) to 59% (Entandrophragma angolense). The fatty acid composition of most of the wild and mostly leguminous seeds differed considerably, compared to the composition of tropical soybeans. The oil of Adansonia digitata, Prosopis africana, Afzelia lebbeck, Enterolobium cyclocarpium, and Sesbania pachycarpa contained high proportions of linoleic and oleic acid as well as palmitic and linolenic acid. Seeds of Milletia thonningii, Lonchocarpus sericeus, and S. pachycarpa were much higher in linolenic acid and relatively poor in linoleic acid, compared to soybeans. The content of saturated fatty acids was higher than that of soybeans, resulting in lower polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S) ratios (0.83-2.12) than observed in soybeans (P/S = 3.4), with the exception of the composition of S. pachycarpa (P/S = 3.15). Some of these less familiar wild seeds could be used as sources for industrial or edible oils, provided that possible toxic constituents could be removed.

The increase in the prevalence, complications and cost effect of diabetes management necessitated the search for alternative treatment and a look into the anti-diabetic and biochemical effects of Persea americana seed extract on the liver of diabetic rats. This study was conceived and designed based on the gaps in the research that has been performed and what is known about the plant. The anti-diabetic and biochemical effects of both the water and ethanol extracts of Persea americana (avocado pear) seed on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats were investigated. The seeds were minced by means of a grater and dried to a constant weight in an oven at 50°C. It is then ground to powder. One hundred grams (100 g) of the sample was extracted with 1000 ml of both water and methanol using the maceration method. The extracts were evaporated to dryness using a rotary evaporator and the extracts stored at 4°C until use. The effects of different doses (200 mg/bw, and 300/bw) of both water and methanol extracts of P. americana seed on alloxaninduced diabetic albino rats were compared with those of a reference drug, insulin. The glucose

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Introduction: This research work was carried out to determine chemical components of Persea americana seed. Persea americana (avocado) is widely grown fruit in parts of South East, Nigeria, where it is used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of several ailments by alternative medical practitioners. Materials and Methods: The chemical components of Persea americana seed includes the proximate and minor components. The fleshy part of the fruit was removed to obtain the seed. The dried seeds were ground to powder and dried to constant weight. Results: The seed is high in carbohydrate (49.03±0.02 g/100 g), lipid (17.90±0.14 g/100 g), protein (15.55±0.36 g/100 g) and moisture (15.10±0.14 g/100 g). It also showed low amounts of ash (2.26±0.23 g/100 g). The seed also presented total oxalate (14.98±0.03 mg/100 g). Levels of tannin (6.98±0.04 mg/100 g) and phytic acid (3.18±0.16 mg/100 g) were also present in low amounts. Conclusion: It seems P. americana seed contains substantial amount of nutrients that could warrant its utilization in animal feed or food.

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As the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger continues, this study was undertaken to determine nitrogen and amino acid content, chemical score, protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, available lysine and in vitro digestibility of 8 lesser known, wild tropical seeds, gathered in Nigeria. Results were contrasted with a tropical soybean variety (Glycine max, TGX 1660-15F). The investigated seeds were Millettia thonningii, Gliricidia sepium, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Albizia zygia, Daneillia ogea and Afzella bella from the family of Leguminosae, Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae) and Entandrophragma angolense (Meliaceae). The crude protein content, based on nitrogen determination, was found to be lower in the wild seeds compared to soybean, which was partly due to the relatively high content of non-protein nitrogen. With reference to amino acid requirement and digestibility in most seed samples, lysine, followed by sulphur amino acids and threonine, were the limiting amino acids. It was concluded, that these less familiar wild seed plants may be used as valuable food or feed complements. However, further investigation is necessary to elucidate potential toxic and antinutritional factors.