Growth performance, biochemical and haematological parameters of BALB/c mice fed on staple grains and bee larvae (Apis Mellifera) blended complementary foods

Shewangzaw Addisu Mekuria,John N Kinyuru,Beatrice Kiage Mokua,Mesfin Wogayehu Tenagashaw

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09003

Shewangzaw Addisu Mekuria, John N Kinyuru + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09003

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Abstract

In Sub-Saharan Africa, inadequate complementary feeding practices and being nutritionally inadequate are primary factors in infant and young child malnutrition, growth failure, and high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, novel complementary foods need to be developed to alleviate malnutrition problems in IYC. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to assess the effects of newly developed grain-bee larvae blended complementary foods on the growth performance, haematological, and biochemical parameters of BALB/c mice. A complete randomized design was used and a total of 75 BALB/c mice were assigned to each of the five treatments. The treatments were: T1 = Casein diet; T2 = 57 % Maize, 29 % Teff, 14 % Soybean; T3 = 58 % Maize, 29 % Teff, 13 % Bee larvae; T4 = Commercial wean mix; and T5 = Basal diet alone. The in vivo experiment trial was done for 28 days along with seven days of adaptation. Dietary intake was not significantly different (P = 0.96) between treatments, but it was noted that T3 had gained the highest final body weight (38.52 g). The examined biochemical parameters showed T4 had the lowest serum protein (6.27 mg/dl) and globulin (3.61 mg/dl). Compared to others, T3 significantly (P < 0.001) increased WBC (4 × 106 mm3), RBC (11.37 × 103 mm3), Haemoglobin (16.42 g/dl), and Hematocrit (63.04 %). The highest serum levels of zinc (0.55 mg/dl) and iron (2.08 mg/dl) were reported on T2, while the highest serum calcium content (10.64 mg/dl) was reported on T1. The results indicated that T3 can aid body growth, health, and prevent malnutrition in infants and young children.

Highlights

Malnutrition is a global problem in infants and children, that affects the world population
Our study showed that (Table 3) at the end of the experiment, the final body weight (g), weight gain (g), body weight gain (%), and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significant differences among the dietary groups
The mice's nutritional status showed that the mice fed with T2 (38.39 g) and T3 (38.52 g) had better growth performance than those fed with T1 (37.15 g), T4 (35.02 g), and T5 (33.37 g)

Summary

Introduction

Malnutrition is a global problem in infants and children, that affects the world population. According to the reports of, UNICEF (2021), children under five affected by stunting and wasting are 21.3 and 2.1%, respectively. People living in those developing nations, including in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) or South Asian countries, are frequently considered seriously malnourished (Raza et al, 2020; Tao and Li, 2018). Malnourished children have a greater risk of infection, ill-health, and mortality, and early growth retardation is associated with distinct variants of negative functional outcomes, including reduced cognitive function, delayed motor development, and poor school performance. Undernutrition accounts for around half of all mortality in children below the age of five (UNICEF, 2021)

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