Haematological Parameters Of Albino Rats Fed On Tiger Nuts (Cyperus Esculentus) Tuber Oil Meal-Based Diet.

The effect of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) tuber oil meal-based diet on the haematological parameters of albino rats was studied. Cyperus esculentus tuber oil was extracted from the tuber using a soxhlet extractor. Twenty, 3 weeks-old albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with an initial average weight of 51.67±5.29g were grouped into two groups of ten (10) animals each. The first group was fed with soybean oil-based (control) diet; the second group on esculentus tuber oil meal-based diet for six (6) weeks. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the Haematological parameters which include Haemoglobin (Hb), Red blood cells (RBC), Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), White Blood Cells (WBC) and platelets in the serum of Tiger nut oil based diet fed rats as compared to that of the soybean oil. We concluded that feeding rats with tiger nut oil based diets is safe, does not cause anemia and will not allow accumulation of toxic material in the body.