Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 9 (10): 987-989, 2010 ISSN 1680-5194 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010 Corresponding Author: D. Dahiru, Department of Biochemistry, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B, 2076, Yola, Nigeria 987 Taurocholate Binding Capacity and Water Holding Capacity of Some Wild Leafy Vegetables of Northern Nigeria H.A. Umaru, S.A. Iya, W. Obidah and D. Dahiru Department of Biochemistry, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B, 2076, Yola, Nigeria Abstract: Taurocholate binding capacity (TBC) and water holding capacity (WHC) of twelve wild leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Nigeria were studied. Taurocholate binding capacity varied between 17.36±2.58 to 31.02±1.21mg/g. Results obtained showed that Celtis africana had the highest taurocholate binding value of 31.02±1.21 mg/g followed by Hibiscus cannabimis (30.02±1.23) and Balanite aegyptiaca (30.12±3.23mg/g). The lowest taurocholate binding capacity value was observed in Apuim gravealens (21.73±0.25mg/g). While the highest water holding capacity value was observed in Celtis africana (2.24±0.28mg/g), closely followed by Balanite aegyptiaca (2.08±0.11mg/g) and Moringa oleifera (1.88±0.13mg/g). Corchorus oloitoms, Solanium nigrum and Mormodica basalmina had the lowest water holding capacity value (1.02±0.04, 1.21±0.01 and 1.27±0.05mg/g respectively). Thus indicating that these wild vegetables contain high fiber and have the potential to reduce cholesterol considerably from the body and other related diseases. Key words: Taurocholate binding capacity, water holding capacity, wild vegetables, cholesterol, fiber INTRODUCTION The end product of cholesterol metabolism is a primary bile acid known as taurocholate. It is excreted from the body through feaces as neutral steroid of bile acid (Murray et al., 1988). Synthesis of bile acid is one of the predominant mechanisms for the excretion of excess cholesterol from the body. However the excretion of cholesterol in the form of bile acids is insufficient to compensate for an excess dietary intake of cholesterol (Michael, 2006). Elevated level of cholesterol in the body causes hypercholesterolemia, which occurs jointly with other disorders associated with lipid metabolism (Murray et al., 1988). These diseases or disorders affect middle age sedentary people and tend to occur in combination of two or three in the same individual (Umaru et al., 2003). These include arteriosclerosis, colorectal cancer, xanthomatosis, angina, coronary artery diseases etc (Ruales and Nair ,1994). Efforts have been directed to reduce the levels of cholesterol in the hope of reducing the degree of vascular cholesterol deposition. However, some of the drugs used to reduce cholesterol to a minimum level are harmful and have some complications (Lopez, 2002) some cholesterol Collection and treatment of samples Wild vegetables lowering drugs have their side effects ranging from liver were obtained around the Federal University of damage, muscle tenderness, weakness, to intestinal Technology Yola in May, 2005. Plant materials were problem (Tracy, 2004). dried under room temperature and ground to powder Fiber has the ability to hold water and bind with using mortar and pestle. Ground materials were sieved cholesterol. Absorption of cholesterol is interrupted by using 1mm sieve. dietary fiber in the small intestine, thus minimizing the rate of cholesterol absorption thereby decreasing the Taurocholate binding capacity determination: To rate of lipid absorption (Umaru et al., 2003). The product different weight of the samples (2.0, 1.0, and 0.5g), of cholesterol metabolism (bile acid salts) bind with fiber complexes that are not absorbed and are excreted with feaces (Johnson, 1990). Short chain fatty acids, which are products of fermentation from soluble fiber in the gut, may inhibit synthesis of cholesterol by the liver thereby reducing the concentration of blood cholesterol (Truswell, 1990). Dietary fiber also removes health harm full factors such as artificial food, aluminium and mutagens from the body and improves the flora of intestinal bacteria (Lopez, 2002). The high viscosity of soluble fiber may also slow the rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrate, affecting insulin activity, which is implicated in the removal of LDL-cholesterol (Truswell, 1999). Wild vegetables are commonly consumed in northern Nigeria. Little is however known about their fiber content. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the taurocholate and water holding capacity of twelve wild leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS