(P25-002-23) Nutritional Composition of Treculia Africana (African breadfruit) and Its Effect in Protein Starved Weanling Albino Rats

Objectives: Protein energy malnutrition is one of the challenges in developing countries particularly among children because the diets are mainly carbohydrates devoid of protein and micronutrients. These may be preventable using readily available nutrient rich diets from local foods. This study investigated the nutritional composition of Treculia Africana seeds and its ability to reverse malnutrition in protein starved animal model

Methods: Proximate, micronutrients, anti-nutritional factors and amino acid composition were analyzed using standard protocols. For the in vivo study, twenty four (24) albino weanling rats (21 days old) were randomly divided into four (4) groups of 6 rats each. The control group (Group 1) was fed with a standard commercial diet, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were subjected to malnutrition by adopting a low protein diet (corn meal) for 21 days. After induced malnutrition, groups 3 and 4 were fed with porridge and toasted form of T.africana seeds respectively for 30 days while group 2 were maintained on the corn meal diet throughout the duration of the research. The anthropometric indices of the rats were measured weekly. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital sinus of the rats for biochemical and hematological evaluation.

Results: Results from the study showed a significantly low proximate composition of toasted and porridge compared with raw seeds except carbohydrate which is higher (63 and 68 %) in toasted and porridge respectively compared with raw seeds (52%) Anti-nutrients were significantly lower in porridge compared to the raw seeds. Essential amino acids composition was significantly higher in the toasted and porridge form of T.africana except phenylalanine and Tryptophan. The results of the anthropometric study showed a significant increase in the weight of group 3 and 4 (122.71g±1.28 and 118.77g±1.96) respectively compared to Group 2 (55.38g ± 0.25). The body mass index (BMI) of groups 3 and 4 at the end of the experiment was significantly higher compared with group 2. The biochemical and hematological parameters increased significantly in groups 3 and 4 compared with group 2.

Conclusions: The study has therefore revealed that T. Africana when prepared appropriately has high potential to be used in the formulation of nutritious diet that is affordable and ameliorates malnutrition among children in Nigeria

Funding Sources: Self funded