EFFECT OF CASSAVA FIBRE BASED-BISCUIT AS A PREBIOTIC IN RAT ASSAY

Abstract

Cassava fibre that used to be discarded as waste product in starch production was incorporated into wheat composite flour. Wet cassava fibre was brought to the laboratory and dried at temperature of 102°C for 15 minutes and later at 60°C for 30 minutes. The dried cassava fibre was mixed with wheat flour at ratio of 50/50, 60/40. 70/30 and 80/20 respectively. The blends were evaluated for Proximate composition. Cracker- like biscuit was produced from the composite Flour with preferred ratios. The cassava fibre- based biscuit groups were milled and mixed with basal diet comprising of vitamin premix, sucrose, salt, bone meal and non-nutritive cellulose. For comparison, growers mash (Top Feeds) and Ogi served as the other groups. During rat bioassay, weight gain was monitored and faeces collected from day 1 and subsequently at interval of 7days up to the zs" day for microbiological analysis. The rats were killed and blood samples were collected into Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) coated bottles for Haematological analysis, liver function test, protein and glucose determination. The protein content of the fibre biscuit 50/50 and 60/40 respectively ranged between 10-15%; Crude fibre between 14.1-17.%; fat content 5-9.0%; Ash between 3.0-5.0% and carbohydrate 46.8-51.9% moisture on dry basis 10-13.0%. The group on Ogi diet had protein content 8.8%. crude fibre 1.0%. moisture on dry basis 8.0%, Ash 1.0%, carbohydrate 77.9%. The protein content of cassava fibre was 0.5%; crude fibre 33.0%; fats 1.0%; moisture on wet basis 53.5%; Ash 2.5%; and carbohydrate 9.5%. The result of the liver functioning test showed that rats fed on 50/50 biscuit and 60/40 fibre biscuit respectively had low cholesterol of 28.75 mg/ul, and 18.75 mg/dl. The result also showed that 50/50 fibre biscuit had low (aspartate amino transferase AST) 44.5 iU/I, (alanine amino transferase ALT) 50/50 fibre biscuit had 27.0 iu/l, and 60/40 fibre biscuit had AST 43.5 iu/l and ALT 19.5 iu/l respectively. These values are significantly lower than values of Top Feeds that had AST 67.75 iu/l ALT 29.5 iu/l and Ogi AST 29.0 iu/l and ALT 29.0 iu/l respectively. The study also revealed rat fed on 50/50 fibre biscuit and 60/40 fibre biscuit to have higher WBC count of 12.0 mm'' and 11.75mm3 respectively and higher PCV count of 38.5% and 36.5% for 50/50 fibre biscuit and 60/40 fibre biscuit respectively. This is an index of good health and non anaemics although rat fed on Top feeds had significantly higher PCV value (41.75%) different from 50/50 fibre biscut and 60/40 fibre biscuit because high protein content. The report also revealed that rats fed with Ogi had significantly lower PCV 29.3% because of its low. protein content. The report of faecal analysis showed that rat fed with 50/50 fibre biscuit had higher Lactobacillus count of95.0 x 103 cfu/g and lower E coli count, 62.0 x 103 cfu/g significantly different from those fed with Top feed. Rats fed with top feed had Lactobacillus count of 73.5 x 105 cfu/g. The weight observed revealed that rats fed with top feed had highest weight gain 53.7g, 50/50 fibre biscuit 47;Og, 60/40 fibre biscuit, 43.0g and Ogi 35.3g respectively. This showed clearly that 50/50 fibre biscuit and 60/40 fibre biscuit had good nutraceuticeffect, good pre-biotic effect, anticholesterolmic effect and reduction of enterobacteria in the colon than Top feed and Ogi. The top feed and Ogi served as the positive and negative controls respectively.