EFFECTS OF WATER HYACINTH LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE ON GROWTH AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF RATS
*Adeyemi Oyeyemi and Osubor Chris C.
ABSTRACT
In this study, edible form of water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate (WHLPC) was extracted. The WHLPC was used to formulate feed using different concentrations (7.73, 15.46, 23.19, and 30.92) %w/w. A control feed was formulated with soybean (15.46%w/w) in place of WHLPC. The resulting feeds were fed to different groups of rats. The feeding exercise was for a period of twenty (20) weeks during which haematological properties and growth of rats were monitored. Growth response curve of rats placed on formulated feed showed positive slope. At the end of the experiment, rats in various groups gained weight, gain in body weight measured in Control rats (55.35 g), WHLPC1 rats (57.75 g) were not significantly different (p>0.05). Haematological properties of experimental rats favourably responded to the formulated feeds and there was no significant difference among the test rats relative to the control (p>0.05). Evidence from this study suggests that WHLPC maintains blood integrity and supports normal growth in rats. WHLPC was also found to be well tolerated and therefore may be a good raw material for food and beverage industries.
Keywords: Water hyacinth; leaf protein concentrate; haematology; formulated diet; feeding exercise.
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