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Biokemistri
Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology
ISSN: 0795-8080
Vol. 16, No. 1, 2004, pp. 49-55
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Bioline Code: bk04008
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Biokemistri, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2004, pp. 49-55
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Assessment Of Biological Value Of Terminalia Catappa Seed Meal-based Diet In Rats
Muhammad, Nasir O. & Oloyede, Oyelola B.
Abstract
The effects of defatted Terminalia catappa seed meal on the growth
performance and carcass of rats were investigated. Twelve weaning albino
rats (Rattus norvegicus) with an average weight of 24.0 ± 3.4g were
maintained on diets composed of defatted T. catappa seed meal (Tc
meal) and soybean meal (control) for six weeks. The weights of the rats
were monitored on weekly basis, at the same period of the day and before
being served the (weighing) day’s feed. The organs and carcasses of the
rats were weighed after they were sacrificed and disemboweled, and the
chemical compositions of the carcasses were also determined. The body weights
of the rats maintained on defatted Tc meal were significantly reduced to
one-third (1/3) of the weights of the control animal (p<0.05). The organ
to body weight ratio of the Tc meal rats were significantly higher (p<0.05)
than that of the control. In the carcass of rats fed Tc meal diet, ether
extract, crude protein and ash contents were significantly reduced (p<0.05)
when compared with the control. However, the crude fibre and the nitrogen
free extract (NFE) were significantly higher in the Tc meal rats than that
of the control (p<0.05). It can be deduced that the defatted Terminalia
catappa seed meal could cause depression in growth rate, enlargement
of rat tissues with adverse effects on carcass of rats.
Keywords
Terminalia catappa, defatted meal, growth depression, carcasses
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© Copyright 2004 - Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology
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