Abstract:
Palmyrah (Borassusflabellifer L.) fruit pulp (PFP) contains a group
of steroidal saponins called flabelliferins. One of these flabelliferins (a
tetraglycoside) causes a bitter flavour in PFP, which detracts from the free
use of PFP as a food. Techniques of debittering have been developed but
these have suffered from the criticism that debittering could produce new
saponins that may cause adverse nutritional effects. In this study, trials were
conducted using outberd ICR mice. Experiments carried out with 6 weeks
old (growing) mice with bitter PFP showed a statistically significant (p=(l.029)
lowering of weight gain compared to the control feed (standard ratl mouse
breeding feed) although food intake was nearly equal. Debittering of PFP
with naringinase reversed the effect, in that there was no statistically
significant difference between control and debittered PFP (p=O.88). Weight
gain in the case of debittered PFP was higher than the bitter PFP (p=(l.()23).
The study indicates that debittering does not produce adverse nutritional
effects affecting weight gain but rather improves nutritional value of bitter
PFP as judged by the weight gain. This may be due to. as revealed by a recent
study. the bitter principle having an effect on active transport of nutrients.
