Abstract

 The study was carried out to determine the effect of roasted groundnut (Arachis hypogea) on obesity and cholesterol level using rats. Fifteen albino rats of weight in the ranges 70 grams and 82 grams were grouped into five and fed with RAA (100% commercial rat fed), RAB (60% rat feed: 40% groundnut feed), RAC (50% rat feed: 50% groundnut feed), RAD (40% rat feed: 60% groundnut feed), RAE (100% groundnut feed) separately and monitored for 28 days (4 weeks) with weekly assessment of weights using aid of a toploading weighing balance (Netler, England), and an improvised “ratbag” and total cholesterol determination were measured weekly using a standard CHOD-PAD single reagent test kit and spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was also carried out using IBM Statistical Product of Service Solution (SPSS) Version 23.0. Results of proximate analysis ofthe rat diets showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the commercial feed and the groundnut supplemented diets. Protein content was the highest in RAE (24.63%) feed diet and lowest (18.96%) in RAA feed diet. Diet RAA had the lowest fat content (9.18%) whereas RAE had the highest fat content (38.01%). Diet RAE had the lowest cruder fiber content (1.52%) whereas RAA had the highest crude fiber (9.45%). Diet RAE had the lowest ash content (4.12%) whereas RAA had the lowest ash content (5.19%). Diet RAE had the lowest moisture content (5.82%) where RAA had the lowest moisture content (10.97%), for carbohydrates contents, RAE had the lowest carbohydrate content (25.90%) whereas RAA had the highest carbohydrate content (46.25%). Results of the mineral content of the rat diets showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the commercial feed and the groundnut supplemented diets while sodium had no significant differences (p>0.05). Diet RAA had the lowest mineral content in Calcium (86.67mg/100g), Sodium (30.60mg/100g) and Phosphorus (44.87mg/100g) whereas RAE had the highest mineral content in Calcium (201.03mg/100g), Sodium (31.33mg/100g) and Phosphorus (94.83mg/100g). Results of the Vitamin contents of the rat diets showed a significant difference (p<0.05). Diet RAE had the lowest Vitamin content in Vitamin A (5.167mg/100g), Vitamin Bi (0.047mg/100g), and Vitamin E (O.OOmg/lOOg) whereas RAA had the highest in Vitamin A (113.280mg/l 00g), Vitamin Bi (0.147mg/100g), and Vitamin E content (9.347mg/100g). Results of the antinutrients content of the rat diets showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the commercial feed and the groundnut supplemented diets. Diet RAE had the lowest phytate content 0.31% whereas RAA had the highest 0.47%. Diet RAA had the lowest hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content 0.91mg/kg whereas RAE had the highest 1.29mg/kg. Changes in the cholesterol levels and weight gain ofthe rat had a significant difference (p<0.05). Results of cholesterol level shows that it decreased significantly in the rats fed with groundnut-supplemented feed and increased in the controls fed with commercial feed. Cholesterol level was between 102.83mg/dl to 121.33mg/dl (RAA) in the content ofthe commercial feed but decreased from 108.17mg/dl down to 92.67mg/dl (RAE) in the fourth week period ofstudy in the groundnut feed. There was a significant differences (p<0.05) in weight gain. The percentage weight increase was 3.17% in the control rats (RAA) in the fourth week but the weight decreased to 1.15% in the fourth week ofthe groundnut rats (RAE). Based on the findings, it was observed that the groundnut-supplemented feeds reduced both blood cholesterol and overweight in the rats. This shows that groundnut could be used to control weight and blood cholesterol.