Performance characteristics of ungerminated and germinated fluted pumpkin ( Telferia occidentalis ) seed meal on albino rats

The quality of proteins from ungerminated and germinated fluted pumpkin ( Telferia occidentalis ) seeds was investigated using male Wistar albino rats. The proteins were found to have high true digestibility (TD) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the net protein retention (NPR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), Nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER), feed efficiency ratio (FER), net protein utilization (NPU) and relative NPR (RNPR) of the ungerminated and germinated seeds, while the Net protein value (NPV) of the ungerminated seeds was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the germinated seeds. Our results reveal the great potential of Telferia occidentalis seed protein as a source of dietary protein especially in the preparation of protein supplements and formulation of new diets. @ JASE