Background/Objective: Processing improves the nutritional quality of food and may/not lead to nutrient losses. Processing is done to eliminate inactive microorganisms/ antinutrients and extend the shelf life of food. Moringa oleifera plant is an important tree in some part of Nigeria having been successfully used as food, medicinal and for industrial purpose. This study was designed to determine the effect of processing on the nutritional profile of Moringa olifrera leaves and seeds. Materials and Methods: The leaves and seeds were harvested from the forest. The leaves were washed, drained and divided into three portions. The first portion was processed raw, the sun and shade dried samples were the second and third portion. The seeds were cracked and divided into six portions. The first portion was processed raw and the other five portions were fermented for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h respectively. The samples were analyzed for proximate, vitamin, mineral, and anti-nutrients contents using the standard method. Results: The proximate composition of the seeds showed that the samples had a range of moisture, 16.63-17.75%, protein 13.92-38.45%, fat 14.93-19.00%, fibre 3.94-7.10%, ash 1.96-6.22% and carbohydrate 9.08-36.61%/100 g respectively. The ranges for the mineral contents of the seeds were iron 2.10-33.35 mg, zinc 1.19-1.35 mg/100 g, and iodine 12.33-126.61 mg. Also, the ascorbic acid content of the seeds ranged from 3.57- 24.55 mg. The anti-nutrient contents of the seeds were 0.03 – 1.35/100 g saponin, 0.21 – 6.25 mg/100 g of oxalate, 0.11 – 0.28 mg tannins and 5.69 – 16.81 mg/100 g of phytate. The proximate composition of the vegetables ranged from 8.99 – 75.33% moisture, 6.01 – 17.78% protein, 0.64 – 3.89% fat, 3.14 – 11.96% fibre, 2.46 – 15.22% ash and 12.01 – 48.52% carbohydrate. The ranges for mineral contents of the vegetables were iron 0.04 – 0.23 mg, zinc 0.03 – 0.10 mg and iodine 13.66 – 46.61 mg. The vitamin levels of the vegetables were ascorbic acid 56.43 – 167.66 mg/100 g. The level of the anti-nutrients in the vegetables ranged from 0.04 – 1.26 mg/100 g saponin, 0.31 – 8.44 mg/100 g oxalate, 0.05 – 0.20 mg/100 g tannins while phytate varied from 3.31 – 13.20 mg/100 g. Conclusion: Processing of both leaves and seeds of Moringa olifera increased their nutrient density and reduced the concentration of anti-nutrients. The consumption of Moringa olifera should be popularized to diversify diet and extend their food use.

Background/Objective: Protein malnutrition is detrimental at any point in life. Protein malnutrition prenatally has also been shown to have significant lifelong effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein uptake and utilization of Moringa olifera leaves and seeds fed to rats as a dietary supplement. Materials and Methods: The leaves and seeds were harvested from the forest. The leaves were washed, drained and divided into three portions. The first portion was processed raw, the sun and shade dried samples were the second and third portion. The seeds were cracked and divided into six portions. The other five portions were fermented for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h respectively. The blends of the shade dried leaves (SHDL) and 69 h fermented seed (FMS) provided 10% protein for two groups of rats. The diets were fed to twenty (20) adult albino rats in a 12-day N and mineral balance study. Casein was used as control. The result generated were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The result showed that over 70% of the nitrogen consumed by all the two groups of rats fed the test diets were absorbed and retained. Among the test diet group, the FMS diet had the highest absorbed nitrogen (0.94 g), retained nitrogen (0.55 g), biological value (76%) and net protein utilization (52%) which was significantly different from the other groups. The SHDL had the most digested nitrogen (94%), highest maintenance food intake (74.09%) and weight gain (34.28%) that were comparable with the reference protein casein at (p>0.05). The FMS group had the highest liver, small intestine and lung weight.  The mineral metabolism of all the rats fed the test diets were absorbed and retained. Conclusion: Generally, both the leaves and the seeds of Moringa olifera have good nutrient profile which could promote growth, they should be consumed to diversify diet and reduced micronutrient deficiency.

Aim:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Nicotiana tabacum on the testicular function and micro-architectural integrity in male Albino Wistar rats in relation to the serum concentrations of estradiol, cholesterol, testis and body weights. Study Design: The experiment was carried out on Albino Wistar Rats. Methodology: A total of 18 male Albino Wistar rats aged 8 to 10 weeks and weighing 140 to 220 g was used. Aqueous extract of N. tabacum at the doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight were orally administered to groups B and C, respectively while 0.5 ml of distilled water was administered to group A (Control) for 28days. Serum concentration of estradiol (E2) and total cholesterol were estimated using the microplate enzyme

The study aims to investigate the effects of the medicinal plants {seeds} on the  reproductive hormones and sperm profile of male albino rats to ascertain their possible usefulness  as  fertility agent. Walnuts [Tetracarpidium conophorum], Sesame (Sesamine indicum), and Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) seeds were obtained and taken to the Department of plant  Science and  Biotechnology, University of  Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The seeds were milled into fine powder. One hundred and ten sexually matured aibino rats of about twelve weeks weighing 130-180 g were divided into eleven groups (1-11) using completely randomized design. There were two different control groups and rats in group 1 served as the Control 1 and were fed with normal commercial feed. Rats in group 2 were administered with a drug (Ketoconazole) to induce infertility. The Infertility Induced groups were treated with low dose (groups 3-5), medium dose (groups 6-8) and  high dose (9-11) for the period of nine (9) weeks. At the end and testes and Epididymides were surgically removed and weighed. Blood  sample analysis revealed that the concentration of sex hormones  measured in the male rats fed with medium plants (seeds) showed that the testosterone concentration significanty increased (p<0.05) in animal control group 1(normal rats) Therefore,  these medicinal plants walnut seeds showed significant increase in their testosterone concentration, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which significantly enhanced the production of reproductive hormones which enriched the fertility status of these animals.

Background: Anemia is regarded as public health challenge and is predominant in developing countries due to nutritional deficiencies. Aim/Objectives: The study was carried out to evaluate the biological properties of Ficus capensis fruits and vegetables on some haematological parameters in 2, 4 (dinitrophenyl hydrazine) induced anemic rat. Materials and Methods: Ficus capensis leaves and fruits were separately plucked, sorted cleaned. Twenty male adult rats were purchased from the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each on the basis of body weight. The rats in all the groups received 2, 4-DNPH (20 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 7 days to induce anaemia. Group I were fed rat chow alone, group 2 were fed rat chow with ferrous sulphate, group 3 were fed rat chow with Ficus capensis leaves extract and group 4 were fed rat chow with Ficus capensis seed extract. The aqueous extracts of the leaves and fruits were tested for haematinic effects in albino rats. Blood parameters such as Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) count and Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) were measured. Results: The result showed that the mean PCV baseline of the rats were (38.72-39.24%), mean PCV of anemic rats (33.01- 34.60%) and the mean PCV of the rats after test of recovery were group 1 (34.10%), group 2 (51.81%), group 3 (40.20%) and group 4 (38.20%).The result showed that the mean HB baseline of the rats were (9.67-10.47 g/dl), mean HB of anemic rats (6.50- 7.10 g/dl) and the mean HB of the rats after test of recovery were group 1 (6.51 g/dl), group 2 (12.32 g/dl), group 3 (9.73 g/dl) and group 4 (9.69 g/dl). The results of the effect of the extracts on the haematological parameters indicated that oral administration of the aqueous extract of Ficus capensis leaves and fruits after 22 days exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) increase in haematinic activity by increasing the blood parameters Hb, PCV, WBC and RBC.