Nutritional Evaluation of Infant Formula Based on Delipidized Corn Flour and Pumpkin Seeds (Citrullus lanatus) in Growing Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Background:  Protein-energy malnutrition s a public health problem in developing countries. The search for available and less vegetable protein is recommended as a solution. Nevertheless for their efficient use knowledge of their bio disponibility is recommended. Food seeds known and appreciated by African populations, particularly in rural areas, commonly called 'courges' in the Republic of Congo, 'pistaches' in Côte d'Ivoire, or 'Egusi' in Benin and Nigeria. Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop s to promote the use of delipidated pumpkin seeds (Citrullus lanatus as a source of protein to contribute to the resolution of protein-energy malnutrition. Materials and Methods: The overall composition of these seeds was first determined and then an animal experiment was carried out on 12 growing Wistar rats.  A control diet based on commercially sourced corn and soybean (RMSO); and an experimental diet based on corn and defatted pumpkin seeds (RMCODE). have therefore been formulated   The experiment made it possible to evaluate the growth parameters, blood biochemical and biometrics of the organs of the animals. The data collected were analyzed using STATISTICA software version 7.1. The data, expressed as Mean±Standard deviation, were compared using Tukeyʼs HSD test with a significance level set at 5%. Graphical representations were made with Graphpad Prism 9 software. Results: The results for the overall composition of Pumpkin seeds gave 3, 89 % humidite, 46,04 ± 0,02% protein, 4, 45 ± 0,03% fat, 43, 5 ± 0,00% total carbohydrate with an amount of energy of 543.54±1.05 Kcal/100 g MS.In terms of blood biochemical parameters and organ biometrics, the comparative analysis revealed similar values in the rats subjectedto the two diets except the triglycerides which was low in the rats subjected to the pumpkin seeds diet. Blood creatinine levels are a better indicator of kidney function. Total cholesterol and HDL levels were lower in rats on the RMCODE and RMSOI diets. Conclusion: Pumpkin seeds therefore, appears to be a good alternative to common vegetable proteins and a means of reducing protein-energy malnutrition.