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.

The in vitro antioxidant property and digestibility of chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH) were evaluated in this study. The antioxidant property of CFPH obtained following chemical treatment of chicken feather waste involving precipitation with various acids (H2SO4, HNO3, TCA and HCl) was determined via its scavenging action against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, iron reduction power and metal ion chelating activity. Data obtained showed that CFPHHNO3 had the highest DPPH scavenging activity while CFPHTCA exhibited the highest ferric (Fe3+) reduction potential. On the other hand, CFPHTCA, CFPHH2SO4 and CFPHHNO3 showed a similar capacity for Fe2+ -chelation compared to CFPHH2SO4 with the least chelating potential. The in vitro protein digestibility of the CFPH of the various acids ranged from 62.30±1.0% (CFPHHNO3) to 73.10±1.3% (CFPHTCA) and were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to the raw feather (23.80±0.5%). These results indicate that CFPH may be useful as antioxidants in animal feed formulations and also serve as additional source of essential nutrients in feeds.

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Objective The hydrolysis of chicken feather waste was carried out using sodium hydroxide and the hydrolysed feather solution precipitated using different acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and trichloroacetic acid). Hydrolysates of the different acids were evaluated for antioxidant activity via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing power and metal chelating activities. In addition, the in vitro protein digestibility of the respective acid hydrolysates was carried out. Results: Data obtained showed that nitric acid-precipitated hydrolysate had the highest DPPH scavenging activity while the hydrolysate precipitated with trichloroacetic acid exhibited the highest ferric (Fe3+) reduction potential. On the other hand, trichloroacetic acid-, sulfuric acid- and nitric acid-precipitated hydrolysates showed similar metal chelating potential compared to hydrochloric acid-precipitated hydrolysate with the least chelating potential. The in vitro protein digestibility of the different hydrolysates ranged from 62.30 ± 1.0% (nitric acid) to 73.10 ± 1.3% (trichloroacetic acid) and were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to 23.80 ± 0.5% (raw feather). These results indicate that alkaline-hydrolysed chicken feather hydrolysate may be useful as supplementary protein and antioxidants in animal feed formulations.

The composition of Blighia sapida fruits is reported to differ based on its origin, variety, and preservation technique. In this study, the effect of drying method on the composition as well as the antioxidant activity of oven-dried and sun-dried B. sapida aril flour and oil were examined using standard procedures. Sun-dried B. sapida aril flour had significantly higher protein and fat content compared to the oven-dried flour. In addition, sun-dried B. sapida aril flour contained a more diverse phytochemical profile compared to the oven-dried flour. However, oven-dried B. sapida aril oil (ODAO) showed a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids compared to oil from the sun-dried B. sapida flour (SDAO). On the other hand, SDAO showed significantly higher DPPH scavenging and nitric oxide inhibitory activities compared to ODAO. Based on these findings, sun-drying is recommended for both nutritional purposes and other health-promoting usage such as antioxidant, over oven-drying.