Effect of Preservation Methods of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Sap on Health Status of Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Male Wistar rats (30) which were split into five groups of six rats each were administered four different forms of oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) sap samples by gavage based on 1.5% of their weekly body weights. The group 1 which served as control received only water, group 2 received pasteurized palm sap (PPS), group 3 received market palm wine (MPW), and group 4 received frozen palm sap (FPS), whereas group 5 received fresh palm sap (FrPS). Chemical compositions of the sap samples were determined. Normal feed and water were fed ad libitum. The mean body weight and feed intake of each rat group was measured every three (3) days. Blood samples were collected weekly for determination of random and fasten blood glucose. After 2 months of treatment, the bloods of each male rat group samples were collected for determination of the liver and kidney functions, while the palm sap products were subjected for microbial analyses. The sap samples content were analysed [1]. The palm sap was evaluated for its effect on the mean body weight and vital organ weight of albino rats. Results showed that palm sap had effect in reducing the mean body weight of the exposed rat groups compared to the control which could be attributed to the low alcohol content and probiotic effect of the fresh palm sap on the treated rat group. The spleen and kidney of the control rat group showed significant decrease compared to the treated rat groups, while the liver of the rat groups could be compared favourably. The percentage increases observed in spleen and kidney of the exposed rat groups was attributed to the presence of alcohol in the palm sap. However, since the liver of the palm sap treated rat groups were comparable to the control; it showed that the presence of alcohol in the palm sap administered to the Wistar rats were within normal limits. There were no significant differences on the random and fasting blood glucose of the rats which is an indication that palm sap drinking may not elevate the blood glucose levels in the blood stream. Results obtained also showed that palm sap contained mainly Saccharomyces cerevisiea. However, the presence of Citrobacter freundi in the MW could be associated with adulteration or exposure to unhygienic environment.