EFFECT OF AFRICAN OIL BEAN SEED (<i>PENTACLETHRA MACROPHYLLA</i>) ON BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVEL IN RATS

Abstract

The effects of fermented and unfermented African oil been seed on plasma cholesterol levels were studied in rats. The sample was treated as unfermented (Fu), fermented for one day (F1), two days (F2), three days (F3) and four days (F4). The lipid, crude protein and carbohydrate contents of these samples were analysed. The carbohydrate content decreased significantly P<0.001 as fermentation time increased. The protein and the fat initially increased after one-day fermentation and continued to decrease till the fourth day of fermentation. When F1, F2, F3 and F4 protein contents were compared with that of unfermented (Fu), the protein contents were significantly decreased at P<0.05. The plasma cholesterol level of rats fed with diets composed with Fu, F1, F2, F3 and F4 increased initially and decreased with the time of fermentation. Degree of fermentation of the African oil bean seed therefore affected the plasma cholesterol.


KEYWORDS. Cholesterol, African bean seed, Pentaclethra macrophyllia, Protein, carbohydrate, fat.


Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(1) 2004: 165-168