The Effect of Macronutrient Restrictions on Gut Microbiome and Biochemical Parameters of Wistar Albino Rats

Macronutrients serve as a source of energy for both gut microbiota and its host. An increase or decrease in macronutrients can either increase or decrease the composition of gut microbiota, leading to gut dysbiosis which has been implicated in many diseases state including non-communicable diseases. To achieve this, seven diets were formulated by restricting 60% of each macronutrient. These diets were fed on 42 albino rats (Wistar), divided into 7 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 was fed on a normal laboratory chow diet (ND), group 2 received a fat-restricted diet (FRD), group 3 received a protein-restricted diet, (PFD), group 4 received a carbohydrate-restricted diet (CRD), group 5 received a protein and fat-restricted diet (PFRD), group 6 re-ceived a carbohydrate and fat-restricted diet (CFRD) and group 7 received a carbohydrate and protein-restricted diet (CPRD). Feed and water intake were given ad libitum and daily weight and food intake were recorded. The experiment went on for 4 weeks after which animals were sacrificed and intestinal content and blood were collected for analysis (gut microbial composition, glucose, insulin levels, serum lipid, and enzyme). Compared to the control group results showed a decrease in Bacteroides (40.50 - 14.00 CFU), HDL (68.20 - 40.40 mg/dl), and AST (66.62 - 64.74 U/L) in FRD. An increase in AST (66.6 - 69.43 U/L), Bifidobacterial (59.50 - 92.00 CFU) and decreased Bacteroides (40.5 - 19.5 CFU) for PRD was also recorded. CRD reduced Lactobacillus (73 - 33.5 CFU), total bacterial count (129 - 48 CFU), HDL (68.2 - 30.8 mg/dl), and cholesterol (121.44 - 88.65 mg/dl) whereas intestinal composition of E. coli (30.5 - 51.5 CFU) increased. PFRD increased Lactobacillus (73.00 - 102.5 CFU), Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 100 CFU), HDL (68.2 - 74.7 mg/dl), and Triglyceride (111.67 - 146.67 mg/dl) concentration. Meanwhile, a reduction in Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 41.5 CFU), and an increasing of AST (66.62 - 70.30 U/l) were recorded for CFRD. However, Bacteroides (40.5 69.5 CFU), LDL (30.95 - 41.98 mg/dl) increased and Bifidobacterial (59.5 - 38.00 CFU) and HDL (68.2 - 53.5 mg/dl) decreased for CPRD. This work, therefore, concludes that macronutrient restriction causes significant changes in serum marker and enzyme profile, and gut microbial composition which can cause gut dysbiosis and later on could expose the host to inflammatory diseases in the long run.

Antioxidant potential of methanolic extracts and powders of some Cameroonian spices during accelerated storage of soybean oil

The efficacy of methanolic extracts and powders of 12 spices (Pimpinella anisum, Scorodophleuszenkeii, Xy- lopiaparviflora, Eugenia caryophyllus, Fagara leprieurii, Fagara macrophylla, Monodora myristica, Olax subscorpioidea, Xylopiaaethiopica, Allium sativum, Zinziber officinale and Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in stabilizing crude soyabean oil during accelerated storage was assessed. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols in all the spices except that of Allium sativum. Total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts varied significantly (p < 0.01) ranging from 1.34 to17.72 gGAE/100 gand 18.91% to 96.39% respectively. Extract of Zinziber officinale, Olax subscorpioidea, Fagaramacrophylla, Eugenia caryophyllus and Xylopia parviflora, which offered the highest TPC, exhibited superior antioxidant activity with regard to the DPPH. Furthermore, the antioxidant effectiveness of the extracts and powders was assessed using crude soyabean oil (CSO) as the oxidation substrate. CSO samples stabilized with extracts at a concentration of 500 ppm (w/w) and powders at a concentration of 1000 ppm were subjected to accelerated storage (65?C, oven heating, 24 days, 8 h heating cycle per day), and analyzed periodically for the extent of oxidative alterations following the measurement of iodine and peroxide value. CSO + BHT at 200 ppm served as standards besides the control. Results?reveal Zinziberofficinale, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Scorodophleuszenkerii, Monodora myristica, Xylopiaaethiopica, Allium sativum, Fagara leprieurii extracts and powders and the powder of Pimpinella anisum to be potent antioxidants for stabilization of crude soyabean oil.

Lipid Oxidation of Catfish (<i>Arius maculatus</i>) after Cooking and Smoking by Different Methods Applied in Cameroon

The influence of different cooking and smoking methods (boiling, frying, frying + boiling, hot and cold smoking) on oxidation and fatty acid composition of catfish (Arius maculatus) commercialized on the Wouri river coast was evaluated including commonly used analytical indexes (peroxide and acid values)and physical analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mean moisture, protein, ash and fat contents of raw fish were 75.88 ± 0.55;64.24 ± 0.14;10.98 ± 0.31 and 23.02 ± 0.88 respectively. All these treatments provoke the modification of the quality indexes. Lipid deterioration, thermolysis and lipid oxidation occurred throughout the treatment. Peroxide value decreased for all cooked and smoked catfish, while free fatty acids of smoked sample increased. The FTIR applied to evaluate lipid oxidation in extracted lipid clearly provided a better picture of the oxidation progress and led to a similar conclusion with chemical analysis. Boiled, bleaching hot and bleaching cold smoking were found to be the suitable treatment methods for catfish because they gave it a high nutritive value compared to other smoking methods.