Original Research Article

Effects of feeding a complementary diet formulated from rice, Banjara beans and sesame on in vivo studies in weaning rats

Gazhim S., Bintu B. P., *Modu S., Falmata A. S. and Zainab M. K.
 

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: shemodu@yahoo.com

Accepted January 14, 2015

Abstract

A complementary weaning food was formulated in a 70:20:10 ratio using Rice, Bajara Beans and sesame, they were fermented and roasted respectively and were fed to Rats at weaning age. A total of twenty white albino rats of the winster strain weighing between 35-40 grammes were used for the study. They were divided into four groups of five rats each. With group 1serving as the normal control and fed growers mash, group 2 were fed rice and Banjara beans in a (RB) 70:30 ratio group 3 were fed rice (RS) with sesame in a 70:30 ratio respectively group 4, were fed Rice, Banjara beans and Sesame in (RBS) 70:30:10 ratio (Test diet). The feeding regime lasted for twenty eight (28) days. Starting from the 21st day, feacal and urine samples were collected on daily basis up to the 28th day and later pooled together, for analysis. Processing of the weaning food blend (RBS) resulted in increase in vitro protein digestibility (96.35±0.009) at six hours. Results form the Biologcial value studies recorded (97.6±0.009) and Apparent protein digestibility (96.6±0.033) of the weaning food blend (RBS) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the GW, RB and RS fed groups. The PER of the weaning food blend (RBS) was higher (6.57±0.009) than the GW group (2.60±0.009) RB group (2.87±0.009) RS group (2.91±0.009). Low level of net protein utilization also followed the same trend. The weaning food blend (RBS) was found to be adequate in protein quality, thus it can be recommended in the management of protein energy malnutrition in infants at weaning age.

Keywords: Apparent digestibility, Biologcial value, Energy malnutrition, Protein, Weaning food