Project Materials

THE OXIDATIVE STRESS STATUS OF RATS FED ON OIL BEAN SEED MEAL

ABSTRACT

This study looked at the oxidative stress levels of rats fed with Pentraclethra macrophylla, often known as African oil bean seed oil in English or Ugba in Igbo. Sixteen male rats were divided into four groups. 1 (control), followed by 2, 3, and 4 (test groups). They were fed a designed meal (5%, 10%, and 20% inclusions) for 28 days. Group 1 was the control group, which was provided the usual feed, whereas groups 2, 3, and 4 were the test groups, which were fed the test feed formula. The parameters measured were MDA concentrations and catalase activity. Serum MDA levels increased significantly (p<0.05), although catalase activity declined significantly (p<0.05). This finding could be therapeutically meaningful for people who are predisposed to higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other degenerative illnesses.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Ugba, also known as ukpaka, is a famous delicacy in Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo ethnic group. It is high in protein and is produced through solid-state fermentation of the seed of the African oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth).

The natural fermentation of the seed, which is still done at home, makes the product healthy, tasty, and non-toxic (Enujiugha, 2002). Its creation, like many African fermented foods, is fully dependent on mixed fermentation by microorganisms from various sources.

Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth is a big woody plant found in the rain forests of West and Central Africa. It is thought to have originated in Nigeria around 1937 (Ladipo, 1984), and is now found in South Nigeria (Mbajunwa et al., 1998).

―Ugba, Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth belongs to the Leguminosae family, specifically the Microsoideae subfamily (Keay, 1989; NFTA, 1995). Ugba seeds are irregular and oblong, forming flat, black, and rigid pods. It is made up of oil, protein, and minor amounts of carbohydrates (Obeta, 1982).

1.1 Aim and Objectives

(i) Determine the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA, which represents the peroxidation status), and

(ii) Catalase activity (an antioxidant marker) in the serum of rats fed varying amounts of African oil bean seed meal.