Nutritional evaluation of processed Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds-Soya bean (Glycine max) seeds- Maize (Zea mays) grains-Crayfish blend of weaning formulae

Abstract

Weaning formulae, SCMC 20% (20% protein) and SCMC 16% (16% protein) prepared from available and 
affordable plants (soya bean seeds, cowpea seeds, maize grains, and fluted pumpkin leaves) and animal 
(crayfish) sources  were evaluated for their nutritional efficiency in a comparative study. The experimental 
design for the animal feeding trial is a single factor, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Fourty male wistar 
albino rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each, housed in stainless steel cages and fed ad-libitum 
on three different types of weaning formulae (SCMC-16%, SCMC-20%, and nutrend (Rd)), and a basal diet, for a 
period of 28 days. Results were recorded as values of mean ± S.E unit, as follows (range of values): growth 
performance (GP): (-25.1± 1.02 -86.2 ± 1.0 g), Serum albumin (SA) (1.78 ± 0.2-4.15 ± 0.1g/dl), Serum cholesterol 
(C) (155 ± 0.02-185 ± 0.02 g/dl), Serum triglyceride (T) (95± 0.04 -125± 0.01g/dl), WBCTotal (2754± 12-5183± 25.15 
mm), Aspartate amino transferase (AST): (9.1 ± 0.01-18.1 ± 2.16  U/l), PCV% (27.1 ± 0.2-55.8 ± 1.2%), Net protein 
utilization (NPU%) (87.1 ± 2.1-97.2 ± 1.02%),  Biological value (BV) (90.2 ± 1.0-98.2 ± 1. 2), True digestibility 
(TD%): (90.2 ± 1.0-97.1 ± 1.02%), and Protein efficiency ratio (PER): (-1.35 ± 0.5-3.55± 0.01), Histopathology (liver 
tissues), diet group : SCMC-20% : normal; basal : degenerative changes. The SCMC-20% diet group had the 
significantly  highest mean values of all the parameters measured, except the AST activity, C and T of which it 
had the lowest. GP (grams) regressed multiply and significantly (p<0.05) with PCV%, SA (g/dl) and TD% of the 
SCMC-20% diet group. The regression and correlation between NPU% and SA (g/dl) of the SCMC-20% diet 
group was significant (p<0.05) (r = 0.985). The nutritional efficiency of the weaning formulae listed in sequential 
order of significant (p<0.05) decrease is: SCMC 20%>SCMC 16%/Rd (nutrend). The weaning formulae could 
serve as preventive and curative dietary therapies of protein energy malnutrition.