Nutrition and Industrial Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Industrial Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Nwozo, S.O., Nutrition and Industrial Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Ajayi, I.A., Industrial Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Iorliam, B.E., Nutrition and Industrial Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Thevetia Neriifolia was analyzed for fatty acid composition by using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The oil consist of 97.583% fatty acid of which the most abundant is the monounsaturated (C18H34O2) Oleic acid (52%), and the others are saturated fatty acids (C18H36O2) Stearic acid (25%) and the other Palmitic acid (C16H32O2). The physicochemical studies of the seed oil showed: acid value of 0.515 ± 0.27 mg KOH/g; 117.125±2.38 saponification value and 74.145 ± 0.784 iodine value. Growth performance in albino rats following a feeding period of 6 weeks, using 5%, 10% and 15% of the seed oil compounded feed showed a significant decrease in body weight gain and feed intake in 10% and 15% oil-based feed group relative to control. Enzymatic antioxidant, biomarkers of kidney/liver toxicity and lipid profile of visceral organs were evaluated.