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Body composition of young male rats fed on diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour

Carlos Alberto Soares da Costa (Applied Nutrition Studies Group, Multidisciplinary Health Studies and Research Complex, Health and Science Center, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil)
Letícia Rozeno Pessôa (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Gabrielle Ribeiro Gracio (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Maíra Duque Coutinho de Abreu (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Bianca Ferolla da Camara Boueri (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Carolina Ribeiro Pessanha (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Aline D'Avila Pereira (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Danielle Cavalcante Ribeiro (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Gilson Teles Boaventura (Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Nutrition & Food Science

ISSN: 0034-6659

Article publication date: 1 September 2022

Issue publication date: 28 February 2023

35

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour on the body composition of rats.

Design/methodology/approach

Weanling male rats were divided into Control (n = 11) and experimental groups (Taro, n = 12); experimental rats were fed on taro for 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated on a weekly basis. Body composition was assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intra abdominal fat mass was measured at the end of 90 days.

Findings

Taro group recorded protein intake (55.5 ± 14.1 vs 43.8 ± 12.8 kcal, P < 0.009), body mass (between 40 and 90 days, P < 0.05), fat mass (147.3 ± 7.7 vs 99 ± 6.1 g, P < 0.001), lean mass (282.8 ± 4 vs 253.5 ± 7 g, P < 0.001), trunk fat mass (97.1 ± 7.7 vs 71.5 ± 4.1 g, P < 0.010), as well as intra-abdominal (31.3 ± 1.9 vs 21.1 ± 1.7 g, P < 0.001), epididymal (9.2 ± 0.8 vs 4.7 ± 0.5 g, P < 0.001) and retroperitoneal (14.2 ± 0.9 vs 8.8 ± 1.2 g, P < 0.002) fat mass higher than that of the Control group.

Originality/value

Taro flour would show anabolic effects on body compartments of rats. The extrapolation of these findings herein recorded for rats to humans requires caution; however, it is necessary conducting further studies to investigate potentials anabolic effects of taro (Colocacia esculenta) flour on the body composition of physical training models.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Assessment (LANUFF), College of Nutrition, Fluminense Federal University, for technical assistance and use of DXA equipment.

Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Citation

da Costa, C.A.S., Pessôa, L.R., Ribeiro Gracio, G., de Abreu, M.D.C., Boueri, B.F.d.C., Pessanha, C.R., Pereira, A.D., Ribeiro, D.C. and Boaventura, G.T. (2023), "Body composition of young male rats fed on diet added with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 600-607. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-06-2022-0176

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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