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Egyptian Journal of Nutrition
Egyptian Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 29 (4): 89-119 (2014).
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Abstract: |
The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical composition, protein digestibility, biological value, functional properties of (raw, roasted and germinated) fenugreek seeds and leaves. Also, investigate the effect of 10% fenugreek seeds and leaves on body weight gain, glucose and lipid profile of diabetic Albino rats.
Results showed that crude protein, fat, ash and crude fiber of raw fenugreek seeds were (29.26, 7.41, 4,43 and 9.95%), respectively. A slight decrease in these values is shown in germinated fenugreek, while increases in these values are obtained in roasted fenugreek. Otherwise, total, reducing, and non-reducing sugars and nitrogen free extract were higher in dried leaves.
Results also, indicated that Na, P, Ca and K had the highest macro minerals, while, Zn and Fe were the highest micro minerals in raw seeds. Vitamin B_3 (Niacin) was the highest vitamin in raw seeds, germinated, roasted and dried leaves of fenugreek followed by vitamin B_(1 )(Thiamin) and vitamin B_(2 )(Riboflavin), respectively. Phytic acid was the highest percentage of antinutritional factors in raw seeds and germinated fenugreek.
Otherwise, results showed that fenugreek protein is rich in essential amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine and valine. Dried leaves contain higher percentage of essential amino acids, followed by roasted, raw seeds and germinated fenugreek, respectively.
Biological evaluation observed that diabetic Albino rats fed on basal diet containing 10% dried fenugreek leaves recorded higher values of final body weight, body weight gain and daily body weight gain followed by groups fed on diets containing 10% of germinated fenugreek. Meanwhile, group rats fed on diets free of fenugreek recorded lower values.
Results indicated that diabetic rats fed on basal diet without 10% of fenugreek (control+) the highest content of glucose blood compared with (control-) group. A gradually higher decrease of blood glucose on rats groups fed on diets containing raw fenugreek seeds and its treatments compared with (control+) group. The best results were obtained from rats group fed on diets supplemented with 10% fenugreek dried leaves. Otherwise, results showed that rats groups fed on basal diet containing 10% fenugreek dried leaves recorded lower values of triglycerides and cholesterol compared with (control+) group.
These bindings indicated that high effect and an important role of fenugreek and its treatments to reduce glucose levels, triglycerides, cholesterol and low density lipoproteins in diabetic rats.
Accordingly, it could be recommended that fenugreek seeds and its leaves can be added to food systems such as bakery and ground meat formulations as a part of our daily diet and/or by eating fenugreek and its treatments to reduce glucose blood levels in diabetic patients not only as a nutrient supplement but also as a functional agent.
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