Abstract

Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence,Ozougwu, Jevas Chibuike,Ihedimbu, ChiamakaPerpetua, Obasi, Uchechi Kingsley, Nwufo, Chekwube Kanayo

Weaning formulae, SMQ, SMG, SMD (20% dietary protein) prepared from available and affordable plants (soya bean seeds, maize grains, and fluted pumpkin leaves) and animal (quail, guinea fowl, domestic poultry hen eggs) sources were evaluated for their nutritional efficiency in a comparative study. The experimental design for the animal feeding trial was a single factor, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Fifty male wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 animals each, housed in stainless steel cages and fed ad-libitum on 4 different types of weaning formulae (SMQ, SMG, SMD and nutrend (Rd)), and a basal diet, for a period of 28 days. Results were recorded as values of mean ± S.E unit (range of values): growth performance (GP): (-25.1± 1.02 -130 ± 0.2 g), Serum albumin (SA) (1.58 ± 0.1-5.5 ± 0.1g/dl), Serum total cholesterol (C) (115 ± 0.01-128.5 ± 0.01 g/dl), Serum triglyceride (T) (65± 0.02 -80± 0.01g/dl), WBCTotal (2754± 2-5205± 0.15 mm3 ), Aspartate amino transferase (AST): (9.05 ± 0.16-42.1 ± 0.16 U/l), PCV% (25.1 ± 0.2-55.8 ± 1.2%), Net protein utilization (NPU%) (87.1 ± 2.1-98.2 ± 1.0%), True digestibility (TD%) (88.1 ± 1.1-97.5± 2.0), Biological value (BV): (90.5 ± 1.0-98.0 ± 1.02%), and Protein efficiency ratio (PER): (-1.35 ± 0.5-3.85± 0.16), Histopathology (liver tissues), diet groups : SMQ, SMG, SMD and nutrend (Rd): normal; basal : degenerative changes. The SMQ, SMG, SMD diet groups had the highest mean values of all the parameters measured, except the AST activity of which these groups had the lowest, and C(SMQ had the lowest) and T. The regression and correlation statistical analysis between TD% and SA (g/dl) of the SMQ, SMG, and SMD diet groups were significant (pRd (nutrend). The weaning formulae are preventive and curative dietary therapies of protein energy malnutrition in human infants.