Lipid Peroxidation Activity and Phytochemical Constituents of Extract of Groundnut Peels

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and lipid peroxidation activities of extracts of two species of groundnut peels (Var-Hypogaea-Big and Var-vulgaris-Small).

Study Design: Twenty-four (24) male wistar albino rats where randomized into four (4) groups of six (6) rats each. Group A was the baseline, Groups B and C were given feed formulated with 1% groundnut peel extract of Var-hypogaea and Var-vulgaris respectively, group D is the control group fed with a standard feed.

Results: The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. Lipid peroxidation was determined by the thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) assay method. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract from the groundnut peels of Var-hypogaea-big contain alkaloids, tannins, saponnins, terpenoid, flavonoids phlobotannin, and glycosides. Also, the groundnut peel extracts of Var-vulgaris-small reveal the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponnins, terpenoid, flavonoids phlobotannin and glycosides. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the malondialdehyde level of the groups that were fed with the feed compounded with both species of the groundnut compared with the baseline and normal control. However, the malondialdehyde level of the group fed with var-vulgaris was higher than that of Var-hypogaea.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the groundnut peel extract of Var-hypogaea and Var-vulgaris is capable of inducing lipid peroxidation in living tissues. The groundnut peel does not only serve as a covering to the groundnut seed but may also protect the seeds from the effect of pests since it exhibits lipid peroxidative activity.