IMPACT OF EXTRUDED SNACKS FROM AERIAL YAM (D. Bulbifera) AND AFRICAN BREADFRUIT SEED (Treculia Africana) ON BODY WEIGHT AND VITAL ORGANS OF ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Aerial yam and Treculia africana are lesser-known food materials with high nutritive value and health benefit potential. Despite these, functional food production from them is rare. Effects of consuming extruded snack from these materials on body weight and some vital organs were investigated. Six groups, each consisting of five encaged albino rats were freely allowed to feed on weighted extruded snacks and distilled water for 28 days after acclimatization for 10 days. Snacks comprising aerial yam and Treculia africana in ratios (100:00, 00:100, 80:20, and 65:35) were served to groups I to IV. Commercial diet and casein-incorporated snack were given to groups V and VI, respectively, as controls. Daily, weekly and monthly consumption rates per animal in groups were estimated. Weekly, monthly and percentage weight difference were also determined. Daily inspection for possible signs of toxicity and deaths was carried out. Four rats per group were weighed and sacrificed for relative organ weights determination. The average feed consumption for experimental diets (8.06-10.82 g) was less than half that of commercial diet (24.62 g). Life weights of animals were significantly (p≤0.5) different among the groups. Weight reductions (%) for rats in groups I to IV were: -20.18, -23.98, -16.33 and -28.15, respectively. These contrasted with 17.16 and 23.39(%) weight gains in control groups. No significant differences (P≤0.05) in organs relative to body weight of rats fed with both experimental diets and controls. Rats appeared physically healthy with stools being consistent and no death of any rat recorded. The snack can be recommended for weight control.