Effect of boiling and roasting on the proximate properties of asparagus bean (Vigna Sesquipedalis)

The proximate properties of asparagus bean flour obtained after boiling and roasting at 100 and 160°C, respectively for varied period were evaluated and compared in this study. Results showed that boiling for 40 min significantly (p<0.05) reduced protein and moisture contents by 10 and 6% respectively, but increased carbohydrate (CHO) content by 8%. Furthermore, it insignificantly (p>0.05) reduced fat, fibre and ash contents by 28, 13 and 21%, respectively. On the other hand, roasting for 20 min significantly (p<0.05) reduced protein and moisture by 11 and 43%, respectively, but increased CHO content by 14%. However, roasting reduced fat, fibre and ash by 20, 18 and 10%, respectively. However, the observed reduction was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Overall, the effects observed in this study were time dependent, suggesting possible enhancement with increasing processing time. Roasting markedly decreased the moisture content, implying that 20 min roasting probably enhanced the stability and kept the quality of the asparagus bean flour. Thus, roasting may be preferred to boiling for commercial production and storage of asparagus bean flour.Key words: Asparagus bean, boiling, roasting, crude protein, ash, fibre, moisture, fat, carbohydrate

Monosodium glutamate: Potentials at inducing prostate pathologies in male Wistar rats

The potential of varying doses of monosodium glutamate (MSG) at altering the functional capacity of the prostate, and the possible role of increasing the concentration of either MSG or distilled water (DW) on such alteration were examined. To achieve these, adult male Wistar rats were treated daily and orally with MSG (5 and 10 mg/kg of body weight (BW)) and DW (1 and 2 ml/kg BW). After 28 days of treatment, the tested doses of MSG significantly elevated the serum total acid phosphatase (TAP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) activities. Increasing the concentration of either DW or MSG elicited a quantitative but opposing influence on the serum TAP and PAP activities. Thus, medium-term ingestion of MSG might adversely alter the functional capacity of the prostate. The health implication of the alteration could be compounded by the opposing response elicited by increasing the concentration of either MSG or DW.Key words: Monosodium glutamate, total acid phosphatase, prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate cancer, prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, infertilityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5950-5954, 6 September, 201

Hepatotoxic effects of low dose oral administration of monosodium glutamate in male albino rats

The present study is aimed at investigating the potentials of low concentration administration of monosodium glutamate in inducing hepatotoxic effects in male albino rats. Thus, monosodiumglutamate at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight was administered to adult male albino rats by oral intubation. Treatment was daily for 28 days. The monosodium glutamate treatment significantly (

Low dose oral administration of monosodium glutamate in male albino rats may be nephroprotective

The speculation that low dose intake of monosodium glutamate over time may be toxic warranted the present study. The aim was to investigate the effect of the administration of monosodium glutamate at a low concentration on the functional capacity of the kidney. Thus, monosodium glutamate at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight was administered to adult male albino rats by oral intubation. Treatment was daily for 28 days. The monosodium glutamate treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the serum sodium ion concentration by 11.38 % and the water intake by 9.39 %, but had no apparent change in the serum potassium ion concentration (change, 0.00 %). The treatment increased (p < 0.05) the serum urea and creatinine concentration by 12.80 % and 107.81 % respectively. Therefore, treating rats with monosodium glutamate at a low concentration (5 mg/kg of body weight) could be nephroprotective, but with possible significant dehydration. The health implications of the results are highlighted in the discussion