Publication:

Effect of long term consumption of graded levels of powdered stored Ocimum gratissimum supplementation on the weight performance in Wistar rats

Background The influence of Ocimum gratissimum leaf supplementation on feed intake; weight change via growth performance of Wistar rats was investigated.

Methods A total of twenty (20) rats (average weight of 80 g±10 g), housed in a well-ventilated cages and given feed and water ad libitum for 2 weeks after which they were randomly allotted to  four dietary treatments comprising 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%, of powdered stored Ocimum gratissimum leaf inclusion.

Results Group of rats fed with the lowest supplementation (2.5%) of Ocimum gratissimum showed significant increase (P 0.05) between the groups fed with 0% and 5%. Also, the weight gain by the rats with 2.5% Ocimum gratissimum diet supplementation had highest weight gain which was significantly different to 10% supplementation and non-significantly different to 5% supplementation. Animals which received 2.5% of leaf of Ocimum gratissimum had the fastest growth rate, followed by those that received 5% and 10%. However, the control feed had higher body weight gain than 10% supplementation. The observable increase in the feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency seen in the lowest supplementation level (2.5%) can be attributed to the spicing and seasoning of food with O. gratissimum and as such could also increase the palatability of the food. Furthermore, 2.5% has the highest dietary lipid which increases the palatability of food by absorbing and retaining flavor.

Conclusions It can be concluded that 2.5% O. gratissimum supplementation has a better palatability than other experimental diets which reflected on the performance characteristics of this treatment.