Abstract
The ubiquitous consumption of junk foods has drastically contributed to the exponential rise in the incidence of obesity. Hence, the present study explores the therapeutic effect of selected indigenous wild bean Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Otili) and condiment fermented Parkia biglobosa (Iru) on obese rats. The rats were fed with a high fat diet for four weeks and the gut microbiota was monitored every other day throughout the period of the experiment. Then, the fecal metabolome was analysed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Although there was a decrease in the mean weight of rats treated with fermented iru compared with those given Otili, it was not statistically significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The organisms identified from the fecal samples of the fermented Iru groups are Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus cereus and Esherichia coli while those identified from the Otili group include Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter Freundii. However, further study revealed that Otili and Iru had a similar faecal metabolome. Medium chain fatty acids, such as Decanoic acid, Octanoic acid, ethyl tetradecanoate, Hexadecanoic acid, Methyl tetradecanoate, 9-Hexadecanoic acid, Hexadecnoic acid, cis-10-Hepadecanoic acid, are the most common compounds found in this study. This suggests the fact that the associated gut microbiota from breakdown of respective food samples must have actively mediated in their roles of ameliorating the effect of obesity.
Highlights
Current evidence supports the potential role of the human gut microbiota in obesity
The organisms identified from the fecal samples of the fermented Iru groups are Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus cereus and Esherichia coli while those identified from the Otili group include Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter Freundii
Studies have shown that the bacterial composition of gut microbiota differs between obese and lean individuals; and that a Western-style diet which is high in fat and refined carbohydrates may promote increased intestinal bacteria linked to obesity [1]
Summary
Studies have shown that the bacterial composition of gut microbiota differs between obese and lean individuals; and that a Western-style diet which is high in fat and refined carbohydrates may promote increased intestinal bacteria linked to obesity [1]. There is scarce report on African leguminous plants, such as Parkia biglobosa (African locust beans) and Sphenostylis stenocarpa (African yam bean); locally known as Iru and Otili in Western Nigeria respectively The seed of the former is always fermented to produce food condiments for flavouring due to its outstanding protein and amino acid composition [5] [6] [7]. This yam bean is a very useful crop because of the ability to thrive under extreme conditions, such as high rainfall, acidity and infertile soil and its resistance to several major crop pests [15]
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