Antioxidant,nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum from rainforest ecosystem of Ondo State,Nigeria

Tropical forests contain many tree species that have supplied edible fruits for centuries.These fruits have contributed to human diets due to their richness in nutrients,vitamins,minerals,antioxidants and their low antinutrients content.We investigated the antioxidant,nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum fruit parts.The nutritional,anti-nutritional and antioxidant compositions differed depending on the fruit part.Irrespective of fruit part,moisture content was high（72–93 %）.While the edible part（fruit pulp） of C.albidum proved a better source of protein（4）,fibre（17 %） and fat（2 %）,the seed kernel was a better source of ash（2 %） and carbohydrate（15 %）.Carbohydrate（22 %）,protein（2 %）,fat（1 %） and fibre（3 %） were higher in G.kola seed kernel（edible part） than in the pulp and pod.Anti-nutrient content in G.kola and C.albidum fruits was low,indicating that their consumption would not pose nutritional or health problems.The antioxidant compositions（especially phenolic content（10–21 mg g-1） and DPPH（1,1-diphenyl–2 picrylhydrazyl）（26–55 %）） of C.albidum fruit pulp and G.kola seed kernel were high,implying that they could be good sources of natural antioxidants and could be used as supplements in food manufacturing.

Antidiabetic effect of Chrysophyllum albidum is mediated by enzyme inhibition and enhancement of glucose uptake via 3T3-L1 adipocytes and C2C12 myotubes

Objective:To investigate the in vivo and in vitro antidiabetic potential of Chrysophyllum albidum.Methods:The effects of oral treatment with hydro-ethanolic extract(125,250 and 500 mg/kg)of the stem bark of Chrysophyllum albidum and glibenclamide for 21 d on glucose level,serum enzyme markers for liver function,lipid profile,total protein,serum urea,serum creatinine,and body weight were evaluated in experimental diabetic rats administered with 45 mg/kg of streptozotocin.In vitro assays including glucose uptake in C2 C12 cells and 3 T3-L1 adipose tissues,α-glucosidase andα-amylase inhibition were employed to evaluate the possible mechanism of hypoglycemic action of the extract.DPPH and nitric oxide radical antioxidant activity of the extract was also measured.Results:The increased levels of blood glucose,triglycerides,lowdensity lipoprotein,total cholesterol,serum aspartate,and alanine transaminases,creatinine,and urea in the diabetic animals were reduced significantly(P<0.01)after treatment with Chrysophyllum albidum extract.The decreased total protein and high-density lipoprotein concentrations were normalized after treatment.In addition,the extract significantly(P<0.01)increased the transport of glucose in 3 T3-L1 cells and C2 C12 myotubes and exhibited considerable potential to inhibitα-amylase andα-glucosidase.It also demonstrated potent antioxidant action by scavenging considerably DPPH and nitric oxide radicals.Conclusions:Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark extract exhibits considerable antidiabetic effect by stimulating glucose uptake and utilization in C2 C12 myotubes and 3 T3-L1 adipocytes as well as inhibiting the activities ofα-amylase andα-glucosidase.

Comparative Study on Effect of Chrysophyllum albidum and Irvingia gabonensis Leaves Extracts on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Wistar Rats

Leaves of Chrysophyllum albidum and Irvingia gabonensis have been reported to possess saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and tannins which have several health benefits. This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of methanol extract of leaves of Chrysophyllum albidum and Irvingia gabonensis in high fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with HFD for eight weeks to induce obesity. Rats in different groups were thereafter treated with extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum (250 and 500 mg/kg;p.o), Irvingia gabonensis (250 and 500 mg/kg;p.o) or the reference anti-obesity drug (orlistat&reg;20 mg/kg, p.o) for four weeks. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and Lee’s index were recorded. Following sacrifice of the rats, weight of adipose tissues (retroperitoneal and epididymal fat), serum lipid profile, kidney function markers, liver and cardiac function enzymes were measured. Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney tissues were carried out. Obese rats treated with Chrysophyllum albidum, Irvingia gabonensis or orlistat showed normal body weights. Weights of adipose tissues, BMI and Lee’s index were comparable with those of normal control [normal fat diet (NFD) fed rats]. Also, serum analysis showed that orlistat and extracts treated rats had restored lipid profile, liver, kidney and cardiac function parameters in contrast with the untreated HFD fed obese group. Furthermore, liver and kidney of orlistat and extracts treated groups showed normal architecture while those of the untreated HFD group showed inflammation and hepatic steatosis. Findings from the study suggest that methanol extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum and Irvingia gabonensis leaves have anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties. Comparatively, extract of Irvingia gabonensis appeared to be a better suppressor of adiposity than extract of Chrysophyllum albidum.

Citric Acid Production Potential of <i>Aspergillus niger</i>Using <i>Chrysophyllum albidum</i>Peel

The production of citric acid using Chrysophyllum albidum an indigenous under-utilized fruit waste peel and genetically characterized strains of Aspergillus niger was carried out. The Chrysophyllum albidum peel was dried, sieved to remove dirt, dry milled and the powder used as substrate for citric acid production. Thirteen fungal isolates were obtained from soil samples and decayed agricultural waste by spread plate technique and screened for citric acid producing capabilities on Czapek dox agar. Citric acid producing capability of the isolates revealed a wide yellow zone around the inoculated colonies. Two (F1 and F3) out of the thirteen isolates exhibited positive reactions and were identified based on their cultural, morphological and molecular characteristics. The fungal species were identified using PCR as Aspergillus niger DTO: 133-E8 and Aspergillus niger DTO: 131-H5. Their cultural/growth optimal conditions were determined through Solid State Fermentation of the substrate using two species of the test organism. The effects of fermentation period examined revealed, Aspergillus niger DTO: 133-E8 which produced the highest amount of citric acid 15.7 ± 0.08 g/l, lower reducing sugar and final pH of 2.1 and 121.5 ± 0.31 g/l respectively after 192 h of growth at 30°C. Aspergillus niger DTO: 131-H5 showed highest amount of citric acid 10.2 ± 0.22 g/l, lower reducing sugar and final pH of 2.4 and 128.5 ± 0.15 g/l respectively after 192 h of growth at 30°C. Maximum concentration of citric acid ranging between 16.3 ± 0.30 g/l and 12.6 ± 0.11 g/l with reducing sugar 125.4 ± 0.11 g/l and 127.2 ± 0.03 g/l was achieved at an initial pH of 5.5. Methanol was used to stimulate citric acid production (0% - 3% (v/v)) and was found to be effective at 2% (v/v) level with 21.2 ± 0.20 g/l of citric acid produced with residual sucrose concentration of 129.5 ± 0.44 g/l. The effect of trace element on citric acid production showed that Cu2+ and Fe2+ stimulated citric acid production;while other ions reduced citric acid production. There was a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the citric acid produced with the various parameters investigated in this research. From the study, it has been found that Chrysophlum albidum is suitable for the cultivation of Aspergillus niger and has great potential for citric acid production and could be exploited to promote certain industrial applications of underutilized fruits in Nigeria. This can be an application of waste to wealth as well as a way of minimizing agro-based environmental pollution for a cleaner environment.

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of African Star Apple Juice (Chrysophylum albidum) on Rats Fed on Diets High in Cholesterol and Oil

This study investigated the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of Chrysophylum albidum juice in rats fed on highcholesterol and fatty diets (HFCD). The juice was expressed, pasteurized and frozen until needed. Diets were formulated by mixing at different ratios. Bio-assay of the blends was carried out for a period of 28 days. Twenty five male rats were divided into five groups of five each: a normal diet group, a high-cholesterol diet group, a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 3 ml of African Star Apple Juice group, a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 6 ml of African Star Apple Juice group, and a high Fat/Cholesterol diet with 9 ml of African Star Apple Juice group. Blood serum, selected tissues and organs were collected and the serum lipid profile, organ histology and oxidative stress test were carried out at the end of the animal experimentation. The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and artherogenic index obtained from rats treated with African star apple juice (3 ml, 6 ml and 9 ml) decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), compared respectively to the HFCD rats. The results also showed that treatment with African star apple (Chrysophylum albidum) positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles in cholesterol-fed rats, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects, and by inference, the antiatherogenic properties in male rats. African star apple (Chrysophylum albidum) juice could protect against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index, thereby supporting the local use of Chrysophylum albidum in the management of atherosclerosis and hypertensive conditions.