The nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of cassava flour (gari) processed from white (TMS 30572) and vitamin A-biofortified yellow (TMS 07/0593) cassava cultivars were evaluated using standard methods. In addition, the glycemic index (GI) of eba (local food made from the two gari samples) was also evaluated. The yellow gari had significantly higher crude fiber and sugar but lower starch contents compared to the white gari. Similarly, b-carotene (7.34 mg/g) and total carotenoids (13.10 mg/g) levels were significantly higher in yellow gari compared to white gari with 4.97 mg/g and 8.75 mg/g b-carotene and total carotenoids levels, respectively. Eba from yellow gari eba showed a significant (p < .05) lower GI (76.3) compared to white gari eba (85.7). Data obtained from this study showed that eba made from yellow gari had an intermediate GI while eba from white gari had a high GI value. Practical applicationsVitamin A-biofortified cassava varieties have been developed as a sustainable strategy to reduce the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in areas where cassava is a staple food. However, information on its nutritional and health promoting potentials is limited. Hence, the current trend in terms of acceptability and production of vitamin A-biofortified cassava is low when compared with the white cassava varieties in Nigeria. Thus, results obtained in this study would further provide the needed information to enhance general perspectives on the inherent potentials these new cassava varieties has to offer. Furthermore, data obtained from this study could serve as a valuable source of information for dietitians and other health professionals in proper menu planning, in the management of hyperglycemia.

The effect of short-term storage on the protein, phosphorus and phenolic content as well as peroxidase and o-diphenolase activities of cut, harvested Jamaican yam (Dioscorea sp) tubers (D rofundala, D alata and D cayenensis) was studied. There was an initial increase in the total phenolic content up to the third week of storage followed by a gradual decrease to the sixth week. Phenolic content was found to be highest in D cayenensis followed by D rotundata and D alara. The activities of peroxidase (EC 1 .I1 . 1 .7) and o-diphenolase (EC 1.10.3.1) increased steadily up to the third week of storage and thereafter decreased to the fifth week. The intensity and rapidity of browning in tubers when cut, correlated very closely with the tuber o-diphenolase and phenolic content levels while the onset of rotting correlated with the peroxidase activity levels in the species studied.

Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract (TTFE) was evaluated for its effects on streptozotocin‐hyperglycemia and associated complications especially as it relates to dyslipidemia, lipid peroxidation, and renal dysfunction in rats. Two normoglycemic rat groups designated: control (administered distilled water) and control + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg b.w. TTFE) and two streptozotocin‐induced (STZ) diabetic rat groups designated: STZ‐control (administered distilled water) and STZ + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg TTFE). The treatment was given orally once daily for 21 consecutive days. Body weight and insulin concentration showed significant improvement while blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared to diabetic untreated rats. Furthermore, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lowered in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared with diabetic untreated rats. Key enzymes involved in carbohydrate breakdown and cholesterol synthesis, α‐amylase and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) reductase, respectively, were significantly inhibited in TTFE‐treated diabetic rats compared to diabetic control. Results presented in this study suggest that administration of TTFE for 21 days normalized STZ‐induced hyperglycemia and its associated dyslipidemia by a mechanism involving inhibition of α‐amylase and HMG‐CoA reductase activities, respectively, in rats.

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Hematological and antioxidant effects of the aqueous extract of fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum were evaluated in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Extract was administered at doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight by an intragastric tube once daily for 14 d starting from the fourth day after parasite inoculation. At the end of treatment period, mice in each group were sacrificed and blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analyses. A significant (P<0.05) decrease was observed in serum malondialdehyde content with a corresponding significant (P<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in the extract-treated groups compared to the infected but untreated group. The results obtained suggest that crude aqueous extract of G. lucidum fruiting bodies possesses potent antioxidant activity that protects hemoglobin against Plasmodium-induced oxidative damage. These findings seem to justify the use of the plant in traditional African and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent.