ISSN 2169-3048
International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (9), pp.230-238, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Utilization of high quality weaning formulae as dietary therapies of protein energy malnutrition
Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence
Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University. Aba. Abia State. Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 07034851899.
Received 19 October 2012; Accepted 11 December 2012
Abstract
High quality weaning formulae SGMC and SMC (20% protein diets) prepared from available and affordable plants (soya bean, groundnut, maize, and fluted pumpkin green leaves) and animal sources (milk, catfish, and crayfish) were used in rehabilitating kwashiorkor-induced wistar albino rats in a comparative study. The experimental design for the treatment of kwashiorkor was a single factor, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Administration of the weaning formulae to the kwashiokor-induced rats, caused a reversal of the earlier observed decreases in the parameters [White blood cell count (WBCTotal), True Digestibility (TD%) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER)], measured, in order of consecutive significant increase (p<0.05) as follows: SGMMRd>SGMC/SMC. Results were recorded as values of mean ± S.D unit, of the SGMC/SMC diet groups, as follows: growth performance: (90.4 ± 0.5/87.0 ± 2.84 g), Liver weight (10.77 ± 1.05/10.47 ± 1.01 g), WBCTotal (5156.12 ± 60.3/5150. 2 ± 59.03 mm3), AST: (11.1 ± 0.05/10.95 ± 0.05 U/l), TD%: (97.0 ± 0.06/96.0 ± 0.07%), and PER: (2.44 ± 0.10/2.45 ± 0.16). The regressions, and correlation between growth performance (grams) and PER of the SGMC and SMC diet groups, were significant (p<0.05), with Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. SGMC and SMC weaning formulae achieved the most rapid catch-up growth rates in the kwashiorkor-induced rats, and serve as prophylaxis and dietary therapy of protein energy malnutrition.
Key words: Protein energy malnutrition, dietary therapy, weaning formulae.