Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) Calyx Diet and Histopathological Changes in Liver of Albino Rats

A.O. Ojokoh

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyx was fermented with and without wood ash. The proximate composition revealed that the sample fermented without wood ash had the highest protein content of 14.7 ± 2.5%. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the antinutrient content (phytate and tannin) with a reduction of between 1.21-1.32% in tannin and 488.8±3.7-827.3±3.7mg/100g in phytate. The unfermented sample had phytate and tannin of 2143.6 ± 0.8mg/100g and 5.30 ± 1.1% respectively. The effect of calyx diet on the morphology of the liver was investigated in albino rats. The results suggest that in high doses, roselle calyx may have some toxic effects on the liver. There was decrease in growth in albino rats on all the treatments except for the control diet where there was no increase in growth.