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

Description

CHAPTER ONE

1.0. INTRODUCTION

This study is on the oxidative stress status of rats fed on oil bean seed meal. Ugba also called ukpaka is a popular food delicacy in Nigeria especially among Igbo ethnic group. It is rich in protein and is obtained by a solid state fermentation of the seed of African oil bean tree Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth.

The natural fermentation of the seed which at present is still done at the household level, renders the production nutritious, palatable and nontoxic Enujiugha, 2002. Its production, like many African fermented foods depends, entirely on mixed fermentation by microorganism from diverse source.

Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth is a large woody plant abundant in the rain forest areas of west and central Africa. Its origin in Nigeria is believed to be around 1937 Ladipo, 1984; where it is found in the South Nigeria, Mbajunwa et al., 1998.

Ugba Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth belongs to the Family Leguminosae and subfamily Microsoideae Keay, 1989 and NFTA, 1995. Ugba seeds are irregular and oval; they are flat, black and hard pods. It is composed of oil, protein and small amounts of carbohydrate Obeta, 1982.

1.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

i. To determine the concentration of Malondialdehyde MDA, which indicates the peroxidation status and

ii. The activity of Catalase a marker of antioxidant status in the serum of rats fed graded doses of African oil bean seed meal