Nutritional property of <i>Mucuna pruriens</i> L. seed powder and effect of its graded dietary supplement on serum corticosterone in male and female albino rats

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens(MP) is highly recognized for its diverse biology activities. Its seeds are not only utilized in Asian countries but also here in Nigeria. Hence, the need to evaluate Mucuna pruriens seed powder for its nutritional property and influence on the level of corticosterone hormone when supplemented with rat feed at varying doses. Rats were randomized into 4 groups and fed diets supplemented with graded inclusion levels of MP seed powder for 6 weeks; group 1 (control) was maintained on normal diet while group two, three and four were fed diets supplemented with the powder of MP seed at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g corresponding to 3.33%, 6.67% and 10% inclusion level respectively. Phytochemical, proximate, L-Dopa, minerals and heavy metal compositions were analyzed using standard methods while serum level of corticosterone in rats was analyzed with Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay after consecutive feeding. Saponins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenes, terpenoids, coumarins and glycosides were all present in MP seed powder. Proximate analysis revealed slightly-high carbohydrate (44.70), protein (28.80) and L-Dopa (3.11g/100g) contents. Mineral analysis revealed appreciable level of calcium (125.04 ppm), magnesium (3.31ppm) and iron (2.16 ppm). Level of serum corticosterone in both male and female rats fed diet supplemented with MP at 3.33%, 6.67% and 10% compared to their respective controls was not significantly different (p>0.05). It is thus concludedthat MP seed powder possess nutritional potentials and may not induce stress in animal at inclusion levels of 3.33%, 6.67% and 10%.