Lipid Profile and Haematological Indices of Wistar Albino Rats fed Riped, Unripe and Artificially Riped Mangifera indica (Mango) Pulp Formulated Diets

Abstract

Lipid profile and haematological indices of Wistar albino rats fed naturally riped, unripe and artificially riped mango pulp formulated diets were investigated. Artificially riped mangoes were obtained by wrapping with dark polyethylene bag and others by treatment with calcium carbide and hot water. After inducing ripening, the mango samples were air-dried, ground and used to formulate the 10%, 20%, 30% diets fed to rats for 28 days. Results obtained indicated that at 10% level of incorporation, there was no significant difference in high density lipoprotein concentration in all the groups which ranged from 69.5±3.29mg/dl in calcium carbide group to 72.4±0.87mg/dl in the control group. At 20% and 30% levels of incorporation no significant difference in high density lipoprotein was obtained between the controls, unripe the polybag and hot water riped groups but each was significantly higher than values obtained for calcium carbide group. At 10% level of incorporation low density lipoprotein was highest in polybag group (88.60±5.95mg/dl) followed by calcium carbide group (88.67±5.95mg/dl) but was lowest in the control group (78.37±3.75mg/dl), whereas at 20% and 30% levels of incorporation, no consistent pattern was observed. At 10, 20 and 30% levels of incorporation ofsamples into the formulated diets, White blood cell count increased while Red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration decreased in the artificially riped groups compared to the control. Generally, the values of lipid parameters and haematological indices suggest that artificial ripening especially by the use of carbide may not be a good candidate in the ripening of mango fruits.