Nutritional Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaves and the Effect of Its Bio-fortification with Animal Feed on Physical Changes and Organ Weights in Male Albino Rats
Peter Folorunsho Ayodele *
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
Oyeleke Oyedotun
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Olayinka Fisayo Onifade
Department of Chemical and Food Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Abiola Muhammad Adeosun
Department of Biochemistry, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Ifeoluwa Adebayo Odeniyi
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, Auburn University, Auburn, USA.
Olaniyi Stephen Omowaye
Department of Bioscience, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Mohammad Akram
Department of Eastern Medicine, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The current research investigated the nutritional value of the Moringa oleifera leaves Four diets, different in their composition were used on sixteen male albino rats (n=4). Commercial vitamins and minerals premix (75.0 g) were used solely in diet 1; diet 2 contained 37.5 g of the vitamin-mineral premix and 37.5 g MOL. Diet 3 contained 19.0 g of vitamin-mineral premix and 56.0 g of MOL. Diet 4 contained only MOL (75.0 g) as the sole source of vitamins and minerals. Diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 were provided for groups A (control), B, C and D respectively. Nutritional evaluation of the Moringa oleifera leaves contained protein (28.23±0.02%), dry matter (25.56±05%), Calcium (723.01 ±0.11 mg), Magnesium (677.28±0.00 mg) and Zinc (214.51±0.02 mg). Concerning the respective diets on feed consumption, bodyweight gain and growth performance, results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in dose-dependent manners compared with control (A). Groups C and D showed a significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the efficiency of feed conversion when compared to control. The organs of all the test groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in weight compared to control. Conclusively, the study suggests the use of MOL may be needful only as a supplement, condiment or ingredient to enrich diets with essential vitamins and minerals but not for growth or bodyweight gain.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaves, bio-fortification, animal feed, bodyweight gain, efficiency of feed conversion.