Background: A fifty-six (56) day experiment was conducted at the small animal experimental unit of Federal College of Wildlife Management, New-Bussa, Niger State to determine the effect of fortifying the feed of weaned rabbits with graded levels of Garcinia kola (G. kola). Methods: Forty unsexed New-Zealand white rabbits weighing between 0.90-0.92kg used for this experiment were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments tagged T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The experimental rabbits were fed with Iso-Caloric and Iso-Nitrogenous diets that are rich in lipids with a very high metabolizable energy (M/E). Rabbits in T1which served as the control were fed plain diets not fortified with G. kola. Rabbits in treatments 2 to 5 were fed diets fortified with graded level of processed G. kola seeds at 5g/100g, 10g/100g, 15g/100g and 20g/100g respectively and the animals were fed at 10% of their body biomass by monitoring the weight on weekly basis. Results: Data obtained from this study revealed that feeding of weaner rabbits with feed fortified with powdered G. kola seed produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent serum-lipid lowering effects as compared to the control group, this may be mediated by some of the phytochemical and nutritional constituents of G. kola. The phytochemical analysis revealed that values of Tannin Flavonoids, Saponin and Alkaloids ranges from 5.94 ± 0.58%, 1.57 ± 0.37%, 3.46 ± 0.365% and 6.58 ± 0.38% respectively while the results of the Proximate analysis revealed that G. kola seed contained 8.51 ± 0.045% Moisture, 2.39 ± 0.420% Protein, 4.65 ± 0.365% Ash and 75.91 ± 2.265%NFE. Conclusion: This research work has revealed that G. kola seed has a hypolipidemic effect when consumed and that consumption of G. kola seed may help in the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular.

Background: This study examined marketing of non-timber forest products as a means of income generation in Oja-Oba Market, Iseyin Local Government of Oyo State. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been located to play an important position in family financial system and food security. Methods: In the present study, a simple random sampling was used to choose ninety-four respondents (25 % sampling depth) from 376 marketers that were identified. A total of seventy-eight responses were retrieved from the 94 questionnaires distributed. Data were analyzed using descriptive information and budgetary evaluation. Results: Most of the of respondents (51.4%) were the ages of 31 and 40 years old, female (51.3%), married (73.1%), had adult schooling (34.6%), have been farmers (60.3 %), had 11-20yrs experience (44.9%), and had been indigenous (69.2%). Many of the marketed NTFPs had been bush meat (73.1%), honey and bee wax (71.8%), fuel wood (60.3%), and Shea butter (60.3 %). The charges of NTFPs numerous at diverse tiers, for example, bush meat that sells for #2500.00 on the farm level is in the end offered at #6000.00 to very last purchasers. This also carried out to different NTFPs advertised in the place, indicating that NTFP marketing turned into a profitable enterprise in the study area. Profitability of the very best marketed NTFPs (bush meat) revealed an average gross margin of #34,040.00 and a net profit of #28,040.00, whilst the benefit cost Ratio was 2.53, indicating that for each # 2.00 invested in the business, there was a go back of 53kobo. Poor transportation (35.9%), a lack of storage facilities (23.1%), deforestation (12.8%), and price fluctuation are the various fundamental issues encountered (11.5%). Marketing NTFPs is a rewarding commercial enterprise which could assist improve rural livelihoods. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was determined that the area was highly enriched with various varieties of NTFPs that serve the needs of the residents. It was recommended that Sustainable forest management of non-timber forest products should be implemented as a development strategy in the study area to ensure the continuous availability of non-timber forest products in the study area.