ABSTRACT
Aims: To improve the nutritional values of carrot in the Great North Cameroon by using natural fertilizing. Study Design: A 11x2x2 factorial design with 11 origins of carrot roots (fertilizing) (T0, T+, P10, P15, Py10, Py15, F1, F1+P10, F1+P15, F1+Py10 and F1+Py15), 02 harvest areas (Maroua and Ngaoundere (Cameroon)) and 02 harvest years (2019 and 2020). Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University of Ngaoundere Cameroon, September 2019 and September 2020. Methodology: Nutrient parameters of carrot roots (moisture, vitamin C, carotenoids, fiber, carbohydrates and ash of carrot roots contents) were assessed according to standard methods. Results: Globally, carrot nutritional values varied significantly (p<0.05) depending on fertilizer, harvest area (Ngaoundere and Maroua Cameroon), and harvest year (2019 and 2020). The carrot nutrient contents from Maroua Cameroon were higher than those from Ngaoundere. The highest carrot nutrients content was from F1+P10 plots (combination of 1 Kg of poultry litter with 10 g of vivianite powder). In Maroua, roots from treated carrot plants with F1+P10 fertilizer are 1.55 and 1.24 fold richer in carotenoids than those from T0 and T+ plants respectively in 2019 ; in growing year 2020, the carotenoid contents of F1+P10 roots were 1.52 fold and 1.29 fold higher than those of T0 and T+ plants. In Ngaoundere, Vitamin C content of carrots from F1+P10 fertilizer is 1.79 fold higher than that of T0 plants and 1.18 fold higher than that of T+ plants in 2019, while in 2020 the value of this parameter was 1.69 fold and 1.47 fold higher than that of T0 and T+ plants respectively. The F1+P10 fertilizer encreased total carbohydrate content at 51.88 % compared to T0 and 20.03 % compared to T+ in Maroua, and at 27.59 % and 7.95 % compared to T0 and T+ respectively in Ngaoundere. Conclusion: By used F1+P10 natural fertilizer for carrot growing, we contribute to improve the nutritional values of this vegetable crop, but also to valorize our local resources in biological agriculture, as well as to protect the environment.
ABSTRACT
Aims: to investigate the potential of Mucuna milk to influence weight gain, blood lipid levels and redox status in a rat model on a high-fat diet. Study Design: 42 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 6 rats. Group I received a standard diet; Group II was fed a high fat diet only; Group III was fed a high fat diet and treated with Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg per day) orally for 4 weeks; Group IV, V, VI and VII were tests groups fed a high fat diet and given orally 20 mL of vegetable milk. Methodology: Mucuna milks were produced from two varieties of Mucuna seeds. Three controls (I, II, III) made of normal rats fed with standard diet, rats fed with high fat diet and rats fed with high fat diet received orally atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day). In addition, four test groups (IV, V, VI, VII) consisting of rats fed a high fat diet received oral administration of 20 mL of vegetable milk per day (10 mL at morning and 10 mL in the afternoon). Results: After four weeks, rats on a high-fat diet had an increase in their initial body weight of about 224%, with higher abdominal fat. A significant increase (P<0.05) in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the liver and heart was also observed. However, oral administration of Mucuna milk inhibited weight gain (about 66% reduction) and abdominal fat (54.53 – 55.60% reduction). The reduction of LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and Total cholesterol was remarkable in the groups of rats treated with vegetable milk, as about 67% of reduction was observed with dehulled Mucuna milks (DCM, DVM) and 69 % of reduction with whole Mucuna milks (WCM, WVM). The hyperlipidaemic group of rats had higher levels of ASAT (134.17 UI/L) and ALAT (101.72 UI/L). However, Mucuna milks improved the ASAT and ALAT levels in rats. The reduction of MDA (70-50%) was related to phenolic content of Mucuna milks. Moreover, significant and negative correlations was observed between catalase and MDA (r= -0.86; P =0.05); MDA and SOD (r= - 0.60; P=0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that treatment with Mucuna milks has anti-hyperlipidaemia properties and can increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.