NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF SYNSEPALUM DULCIFICUM PULP AND THE EFFECTOF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN ALBINO RATS
ABSTRACT
For the purpose of enhancing the knowledge already known about the anti-diabetic properties of the plant, the nutritional and antinutritive compositions of S. dulcificum pulp were examined. Rats were given various concentrations of the methanolic extract to determine their effects, and biochemical parameters such as blood glucose, serum lipid profile, and lipid peroxidation were measured. Other biochemical parameters included liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and bilirubin concentrations, serum total protein, serum albumin and globulin, kidney function parameters (creatinine and urea concentrations), and serum total protein, albumin, and globulin. Additionally removed and utilized for histopathological research were the internal organs (liver and kidney). According to the study’s findings, S. dulcificum has a proximate composition of 7.75% protein, 59.55% moisture content, 4.36% ash, 6.24% crude fiber, 3.26% fat, and 18.84% carbohydrates. The outcome of the mineral analysis reveals that the pulp of S. dulcificum contains Calcium at 100 mg/g, iron at 24.20 mg/g, zinc at 9.49 mg/g, copper at 6.22 mg/g, chromium at 0.01 mg/g, and cobalt at 0.01 mg/g. The S. dulcificum pulp contains 0.04% vitamin A, 22.69% vitamin C, 0.01% vitamin D, and 0.02% vitamin K, according to vitamin analyses. The pulp has 5.67% oxalate, 0.03% phytates, and 0.02% hemagglutinin, according to antinutrient analyses. The amino acid profile of S. dulcificum pulp reveals that it contains 8.055% tryptophan, 1.35% phenylalanine, 0.7% isoleucine, 0.5% tyrosine, 1.05% methionine, 0.4% proline, 0.69% valine, 1.1% threonine, 0.4% histidine, 0.5% alanine, 1.02% glutamine, 1.6% glutamic acid, 0.7% glycine, 0.3% The pulp contains 3.45% saponins, 57.01% flavonoids, 7.12% tannins, 0.0001% alkaloids, 0.0001% glycosides, 0.0003% resins, 0.0002% terpenoids, and 0.0001%, according to quantitative phytochemical analysis. cyanogenic glycosides, and 0.0003% of steroids.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
High mortality and morbidity rates, particularly among infants and children in low-income groups, are a result of the deteriorating food crisis and the widespread prevalence of malnutrition that has resulted in developing and underdeveloped countries (Enujiugba and Akanbi, 2005). Food has been defined as any substance that can be consumed by an animal or a human to meet their nutritional needs, as well as occasionally for enjoyment, and that primarily contains carbohydrates, fats, water, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Food can be derived from plants, animals, fungi, fermented foods like alcohol, or it can come from any of these sources. Food is also anything solid or liquid with a chemical makeup that allows the body to use it to produce heat or any other form of energy, as well as provide material to allow.