Effects of Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet on selected biochemical parameters in albino rats

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a major societal issue. Cheap and readily available protein from plants source (such as Moringa oleifera) can be helpful in solving the problem.

Objective: The effect of Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet on the serum proteins profile, triacylglycerol, cholesterol level, and organ to body weight ratio in rats was investigated in this study.

Methods: Fifteen weanling albino rats averagely weighing 45.85 ± 0.13 g were randomized into 3 groups comprising of five animals each. Group 1 (control) was fed with a soybean meal-based diet, Group 2 and 3 were fed with raw and defatted Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet respectively. Daily feed intake and weekly bodyweight of the animal were monitored.

Results: The result revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in serum total protein, total and conjugated bilirubin of experimental rats fed the defatted Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet when compared with the control but with a significant increase (p<0.05) in those fed with the raw Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the globulin concentration of Group 3 and Group 2. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the triacylglycerol, cholesterol level, and the organ-body weight ratio of rats fed with the raw and defatted Moringa oleifera seed mea-lbased diet.

Conclusion: The result obtained suggests that the defatted Moringa oleifera seed meal-based diet compared favourably with the control and could be used as a good source of protein in animal diet.