Evaluation of the efficacy of dietary <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> oil inclusion on growth parameters in male albino wistar rats

Abstract

40 male wistar rats between 7-8 weeks old and weighing between 100 and 120 kg were used in a 28-day trial to examine the effect of supplementing different levels of Canarium schweinfurthii oil on growth rate of male wistar rats. The rats were randomly distributed into groups of ten (10) using a completely randomized design in four treatment groups with one serving as control. Control group was fed using standard growers mash as diet without oil, while the remaining treatment groups were fed diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0% Canarium schweinfurthii oil. ANOVA was used to analyse the data generated and the results indicated that weight gain of rats differed significantly (p<0.05). Feed intake also differed significantly (p<0.05) among the rats receiving 10% level of Canarium schweinfurthii oil supplementation. Proximate analysis study revealed high ethyl extracts, protein and calcium levels in this particular level of supplementation. The findings in this present study suggest that dietary Canarium schweinfurthii oil supplementation at the appropriate levels can offer improved nutritional outcomes.

Keywords: Canarium Schweinfurthii; Dietary supplementation; Growth; health promotion; proximate analysis