EFFECTS OF BOUILLON CUBES AND FERMENTED SEEDS OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (G. DON) AT VARIED DIETARY INCLUSION LEVELS ON LIVER FUNCTION OF WISTAR RATS, RATTUS NORVEGICUS
EFFECTS OF BOUILLON CUBES AND FERMENTED SEEDS OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (G. DON) AT VARIED DIETARY INCLUSION LEVELS ON LIVER FUNCTION OF WISTAR RATS, RATTUS NORVEGICUS
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Date
2015-08
Authors
ALFA, ANDREW WILLIAMS
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Abstract
The ability of the liver to respond to environmental resistance is enhanced by suitable foods which are often seasoned with condiments which are either industrially prepared or locally by fermentation process. Condiments, particularly those prepared by the process of fermentation display probiotic properties while industrially prepared condiments tend to be potentially hazardous to health. A liver function test was carried out to determine total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in Rattus norvegicus (wistar rats) after feeding on three brands of industrially manufactured condiments, bouillon cubes and traditionally fermented (condiment) seeds of Parkia biglobosa (FSPB). Four packets of 200 cubes each of three brands of bouillon cubes (BC): Maggi star, knorr and royco, were purchased at N260 each from the community market of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and seeds of Parkia biglobosa from Bagana Market in Kogi State. One hundred and nineteen young adult wistar rats of average weight of 102g were purchased from Institute of Veterinary Research, Vom, Plateau State, separated into 14 groups of 7 rats each and allowed to acclimatize for 7 days before the experimental feeding commenced with various percentage inclusions (10%, 20% and 30%) of the condiments in their feeds. Some quantity of table water, was used to mold the mixture into balls that were dried in the sun protected from dust and insects. Each group was fed with one of the percentages. One of the groups was fed with 100% FSPB and another, the control with 100% pelletised growers mash. The rats were liberally fed with the meals and table water for 28 days by allowing them free access to their meals and water so that each animal ate and drank what was enough for itself throughout the period of the experimental feeding and were all sacrified on the 29th day.
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The blood and livers were harvested for enzyme assay using enzymatic assay kit obtained from Randox Laboratories Ltd, Co. Antrium, United Kingdom as well as light microscopy after staining the liver tissues with haematoxylin and eosin. Analysis of variance showed that levels of ALT and AST for those that fed on bouillon cube inclusion meals were significantly high (P≤0.05) with hepatocytes that showed degenerative changes and necrosis. Those fed with FSPB showed liver architecture, hepatocytes, sinusoids and hepatic central vein as normal with no significant effect (P>0.05) on ALT and AST levels. Both bouillon cube and FSPB showed significant increase (P≤0.05) in the level of total bilirubin. BC inclusion meals at 10%, 20% and 30% appear to cause hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis thereby negatively affecting the ability of the liver of Wistar rats to detoxicate and biosynthesize. FSPB at those percentage inclusions as well as 100% appear not to show such changes with no negative effect on liver function of wistar rats. BC as a condiment therefore, could probably have negative health implications on the human liver.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
DEGREE IN BIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA,
NIGERIA
Keywords
EFFECTS,, BOUILLON CUBES,, FERMENTED SEEDS,, PARKIA,, BIGLOBOSA (G. DON),, VARIED DIETARY,, INCLUSION,, LEVELS,, LIVER FUNCTION,, WISTAR RATS,, RATTUS NORVEGICUS.