Nutritional Evaluation of Milk Bush (Thevetia neriifolia) Seed Oil in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

The nutritional value of milk bush Thevetia neriifolia seed oil was carried out in Wistar albino rats, 5%, 10% and 15% of the seed oil were administered to Wistar rats for 42 days (6 weeks) and various parameters like food intake, body weight changes, biochemical parameters like serum creatinine, liver and kidney catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lipid peroxidation, liver and heart cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. There was a significant decrease in liver cholesterol synthesis and triglycerides. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in kidney SOD catalase activity and a non-significant increase in liver SOD when the test rats were compared with the control group. A significant decrease in body weight and feed intake were observed when rats fed with 10% and 15% test diet were compared with the control. Finally, there was no significant change in liver and kidney catalase activity when test animals were compared with the control. The physicochemical studies of the seed oil showed the presence of 2.115 acid value, 70.125 mgKOH/g saponification value and 4.145 iodine value. Therefore, Thevetia neriifolia meets the nutritional requirements and if detoxified could be recommended for consumption.