Acute toxicity of seeds from Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Harms
Paper Details
Acute toxicity of seeds from Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Harms
Abstract
The major fear bound to the consumption of leguminous plant is relative to the concentration of secondary metabolites accumulated in reserve organs such as seeds. These metabolites can induce an anti-nutritional or toxic effect to various degrees according to their nature and concentration. The present work aims to achieve a toxicity study of the seeds of Sphenostylis stenocarpa commonly called African Yam Bean. At the end of the phytochemical screening made on the flours of the seeds in the state and roasted, aiming to put in evidence the alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids and saponosides, only the tannins, flavonoids and saponosides proved to be positive. The same analysis revealed the absence of these metabolites in boiled seed flour and the presence of tannins and flavonoids in the cooking water. Observation of the impact of the content of these present metabolites in the seeds on the biological and histological parameters of the experimental rats as compared to the control rats do not reveal any significant differences or particular remarks. It emerges from this study that Sphenostylis stenocarpa does not have a toxic effect on the health of the consumer, who should fully benefit from its nutritional potential.
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Wilfried Zanmenou*, Razack Osseni, Mahouglo Barnabé Houessou, Chimène Agrippine Rodogune Yelouassi, Comlan Kintomagnimessè Célestin Tchekessi, Philippe Sessou, Anatole Laleye, Pierre Dossou-Yovo, 2026. Acute toxicity of seeds from Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Harms. Int. J. Biosci., 29(2), 89-96.
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