Effect of Irvingia gabonensis var. wombolu kernel powder and oil on serum protein profile and enzymatic activities of Wistar albino rat

Irvingia gabonensis Kernel powder and the oil extracts (±testa) were mixed with commercial animal feed (50:50)and fed to groups of animals. Animals in groups A and B were fed with the powder at an equivalent concentration of 67mg/kg body weightwhile those in groups C and D were fed with the equivalent4ml of the oil extract in the mixture. Animals in group E, the control, were fed on the commercial feed only. All the animals were fed in an aluminum cage for 21 days and sacrificed the following day. Blood from the jugular vein was collected in universal bottles and used for determination of protein and enzymatic profiles of these animals. Groups A and B showed appreciable elevation of albumin. Elevated transaminases were indicative of early signs of liver damage. The observation was attributed principally to the phytochemical component of the testa present in these sample types A and C fed to the animals under the restricted dietary laboratory condition. The study has shown that under unrestricted dietary condition, incorporation of Irvingia gabonensis kernel in animal feed had beneficial effects.