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Asian Journal of Plant Sciences

Year: 2007 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 878-880
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Authors

H.O.T. Iyawe

V.E. Osagie

A. Esekheigbe

M.C. Azih

Keywords

Research Article

Nutrient Composition and Effect of Seed Extracts of African Black Pear (Darcryodes edulis) on Rats

H.O.T. Iyawe, V.E. Osagie, A. Esekheigbe and M.C. Azih
This research was designed to determine some of the nutrient composition (%w/w) of the African black pear using standard procedures and the effect the seed extracts may have on some blood constituents of rats. The seeds of three types of African black pear categorized as Small (S), Medium (M) and Large (L) on the basis of their body weights were investigated. The seeds were found to vary significantly (p<0.05) in moisture, dry matter and in lipid contents among the three types. Total carbohydrates in the samples were high [(50.74±1.29) for S; (50.97±0.54) for M and (49.21±0.23) for L], but did not differ (p>0.05) from each type examined. Protein contents of the seeds were low [Small (3.80±0.11); Medium (3.67±0.06) and Large (3.64±0.08)], while starch contents in the three types of seeds under study were high [40.96±0.09; 40.88±0.05; 40.92±0.07 for Small, Medium and Large, respectively]. Aqueous extract of the seeds administered to rats reduced (p<0.05) white blood cells count to (1.14±0.01) x 103 mm-1 from (4.65±0.43) x 103 mm-1 (control). Ethanolic extract reduced (p<0.05) serum cholesterol level (50.10±4.50) mg L-1 as against control (70.60±0.30) mg L-1 and the group that received water extract (68.85±1.25) mg L-1. These novel findings suggest that the seeds of African black pear could be harnessed for their high starch content and cholesterol lowering potentials.
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