JIST

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina stem as food waste was assessed for antinutrients and its effect on serum lipid profile of monosodium glutamate-intoxicated rats. Twenty (20) adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (A-E). Group A (control) rats were administered water only. Group B rats received 8000 mg/kg body weight monosodium glutamate (MSG). Group C rats  received the sample extract while those in groups D and  E received 8000 mg/kg body weight MSG plus 200 mg kg and 400 mg/kg boby weight extract, respectively. Antinutrients detected were: tannin (130.06 ± 11.67 mg/ 100 g), trypsin inhibitor (7.75 ± 0.02 µl/mg) and phytate (1.10 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). After 14 days exposure,  triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration in the MSG-rat group  was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to tbat in the other rat groups except the group E rats. Total cholesterol (TCHOL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)  concentration in the MSG-treated rats were significantly  (p<0.05) higher than the corresponding parameters in the other rat groups. Rats in the MSG group had  significantly (p<0.05) lower high density lipoprotein (HDL)  concentration compared to the low and high dose extract  groups (D and E). Thus tannin is the most abundant out  of the determined antinutrients in Vernonia amygdalina  stem. And, the sample extract showed a significant lipid lowering effect either alone or simultaneously with MSG- intoxication. The apparently synergistic interactive effect of the sample extract with MSG-intoxication on the HDL concentration in the rats could be significant hence warrants follow-up.