Effect of soy flour processing methods on weight gain and physiological parameters in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Assessment on the effect of selected standard processing methods on body weight, biochemistry, haematological and histological profile of Wistar albino rats fed with soy flours was done. Three soy flour samples were prepared using three processing methods (PM1 –PM3). PM1 involves soaking of clean soy bean seeds, dehulling, sundrying (2-3 days), milling, cooling and packaging; PM2 involves soaking with (0.5% NaHCO3), decanting, washing, dehulling, dehusking, sundrying (2-3 days), milling, cooling and packaging; PM3 involves soaking, blanching (100 ᵒC for 5min), draining, cooling, dehulling, sundrying (2-3 days), milling sieving and packaging. Data of the body weight, biochemistry, haematological and histological indices were statistically analyzed. Weight gain in the test groups B (84.50±13.58 g) and C (51.37±12.46 g) differed and above value for D (35.17±6.17) and control (35.80 ± 4.68(g); AST, ALT, ALP, TP, ALB, GB, T.BILI, D.BILI, and LDH had range of values 37.24±0.01- 41.90±0.17 u/l, 11.00±0.00-13.00±0.00 u/l, 21.99 ±0.01-34.21±0.30 u/l, 56.94±0.02-62.19±0.01g/l, 42.72±0.01-48.87±0.01 g/l, 11.54±0.00-28.74±0.16 g/l, 0.15±0.00-0.85±0.01, mg/dl, 0.14±0.00- 0.61±0.01 mg/dl and 30.55±0.01-34.53±0.02 u/l, respectively. The body weight gain of Wistar Albino rats given soy flour from processing method one (PM1) had the highest weight, followed by that of processing method two (PM2). Liver enzymes and kidney parameters were however, within normal ranges, hence, no appreciable impact on the biochemistry profiles of the Wistar Albino rats fed soy flour from processing methods. The morphological shapes of liver and kidney of rats given soy flour from PM1 and PM3 were perfectly intact. However, the spleen of rats in group D, liver, spleen and kidney of rats in group C showed inflammatory cell within the tissue, loss of tissue (necrosis) while the spleen showed atrophy. The selected standard processing methods appreciably impacted positively on the weight gain of the Wistar Albino rats fed with soy flour from the different processing methods.