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N. Ogugua Victor ¹, N. Emmanuel Tufon ¹, C. Enechi Osmond ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

The continuous fluctuation in power supply in some developing countries has been suggested to be one of the contributing factors that affect stored experimental blood samples leading to errors in laboratory results. The study was therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of vitamin-E stored blood samples on Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein concentrations with a view to suggesting a way of reducing errors in laboratory results that are due to oxidation. MDA was determined using the method of Das et al. (1990) while Biuret's method as described in Amadi et al. (2004) was used to determine the protein concentration. The results obtained show that MDA concentration in the blood sample without vitamin E increased during storage from day 1 (80% TBARS) today 4 (233% TBARS) while in the sample stored with vitamin E, the concentration of MDA decreased slightly during storage from day2 (80% TBARS) today (79% TBARS). The protein concentration in the samples without vitamin E decreased during storage from day 1 (2.5±0.08 g/dl) today 4 (1.7±0.09g/dl) while the concentration of protein in the sample stored with vitamin E, showed no significant increase or decrease from day 2 (2.5±0.03g/dl) today 4 (2.4±0.01g/dl). From the results of the study, it is therefore strongly suggested that vitamin E should be added to blood samples before storage considering the inconsistent power supply in developing countries. This will reduce the effect of oxidation and thus minimize errors in laboratory results.

Keywords

Vitamin E, MDA, Protein, Blood.

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C. Enechi Osmond ¹, Emmanuel N. Tufon ¹, N. Ogugua Victor ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

Since animals and animal products are very expensive sources of nutrients especially in developing countries, it is very important to exploit other sources of acquiring nutrients that will be less expensive. This work was therefore aimed at evaluating the nutritional and toxicological potentials of Mucuna pruriens seed in view of proposing a less expensive source of nutrient in developing countries. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using the method of Harbourne et al. (1973). The proximate analysis, elementary analysis and determination of toxicants were determined using standard biochemical methods. Results of the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins in high concentration; flavonoids in moderate concentration while cyanogenic glycosides and steroidal aglycones were absent. Proximate analysis revealed high percentage of crude protein (30.1±0.25%) while ash (8.2±0.2%), moisture (7.67±0.34%) and fiber (3.2±0.01%) were in moderate percentages. The mineral composition indicated the presence of iron (33.75±0.18μg/100g), potassium (700.02±48.7μg/100g) and phosphate (622±7.29μg/100g). The results also showed the presence of some toxicants, oxalate (11887.5±517.1μg/g) in high concentration while phytate (61.3±0.45μg/g), hemagglutinin (14.67±0.69μg/g) and cyanogenic glycosides (0.013±0.59μg/g) were present in low concentrations. We therefore conclude from our results that well processed Mucuna pruriens seed would not only be a less expensive source of nutrient in developing countries but may also provide medical benefits.

Keywords

Toxicology, Mucuna pruriens, Nutrients, Toxicology, Phytochemistry.

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