Evaluation of the Haematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Mice Fed with Three Varieties of Unprocessed Lima Beans (Phaeolus lunatus)

Abstract

Lima Bean (LB) (Phaseolus lunatus) is an underutilized legume. This study evaluated effects of feeding three varieties of unprocessed LB diets (LB011, LB001 and LB015) from IITA, Ibadan on the haematology and serum chemistry of mice. 40 mice weighing 17g-32g, divided into four groups (A-D), of 10 mice per group were used. Group A (control) received commercial mice feed while  groups B, C and D received 50% LB diet inclusions of LB011, LB001 and LB015 respectively. All analyses were done using standard protocols and statistical analysis was done using students’ t-test. Group D mice recorded the highest packed cell volume (40.00±1.00%), Haemoglobin (13.43±0.12 g/dl) and red blood cells counts (6.52±0.06 10⁶/ul). Group C mice gave the highest white blood cells counts (5688±370.50 10⁹/ul). For serum chemistry, Group D mice recorded the highest ALP (224.7±23.71 U/L), Group C mice gave the highest ALT (137±8.87 U/L) while Group A mice had highest AST (256.8±33.34 U/L). The study concluded that consumption of the different varieties of unprocessed lima beans did not produce significant adverse effects on the haematology and serum biochemistry of the mice.

Keywords: Lima beans, mice, biochemical, IITA.