Authors : A.F. Eleyinmi , Y.A. Adebowale , I.B. Oluwalana , O.J. Ajisafe and T.F. Akintomide
Abstract: The growth response and haematological profile of albino rats to complementary diets 1-3 containing Garcinia cola, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina respectively at 10% w/w level was investigated. Diet without plant materials served as control. The chemical composition of the plants and test diets were determined. Results show that the protein, fat, crude fibre and ash contents of the test diets on dry matter basis range between 15.44-18.30, 7.93-9.22, 7.65-9.55 and 8.99-10.80%, respectively. Potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium were the major minerals while zinc, copper and phosphorus are the least in the diets. Phytic acid, oxalates and tannins are generally higher in the test diets. The feed consumption rates of the rats on the test diets were low and can be described using regression equations. Feeding time and quantity consumed are positively correlated in Diets 2 and 3 while Diet 1 and the control diet show little or no relationship. Rats fed on Diet 3 had the highest packed cell volume, red blood count, white blood count and haemoglobin contents. Diet 1 group had the highest mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume while Diets 2 and 3 had lower values. The control group had lower heart and kidney weight. The heart, liver and kidney colour of rats fed with the control diet were normal red. The heart colour was normal red while liver and kidney colour varies from very light brown to chocolate brown in rats fed the test diets.
A.F. Eleyinmi , Y.A. Adebowale , I.B. Oluwalana , O.J. Ajisafe and T.F. Akintomide , 2006. Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Garcinia kola, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina on the Nutritional Quality of a Complementary Diet. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 1: 43-49.