Use of pectin fibers from water hyacinth and banana peels as an anti-obesity food supplement

Abstract

This research aimed at utilizing phytomass pectin from water hyacinth and banana peels to formulate an anti-obesity food ration whose effects were tested using Wister female albino rats. Obesity is a condition of excess body fat which increases likelihood of various cardio vascular diseases. Diet modification involving increase in pectin composition has been recommended in lowering lipids. In this study, water hyacinth was collected from L.Victoria and fresh banana peels from restaurants from which pectin was extracted using acid water and characterized by decarboxylation by sulphuricacid. Efficacy of pectin on reducing weight gain was done using female wister albino rats. Five groups of rats of which three groups were normal weights and two groups subjected to diet induced obesity after which pectin effect was tested on the normal weight groups and obese groups under a high fat diet for a period of four weeks. Pectin composition in water hyacinth and banana peels was 26% and 4.2% respectively. It was shown that normal rats under fat diet and pectin increased in weight but not as much as weight gain increase for normal rats under fat diet without pectin. For obese rats under fat diet and pectin, their weights were maintained generally constant well as for obese rats under fat diet without pectin, their weights increased during treatment. Pectin additive resulted into formation of a viscous fiber gel in the gastral lining reducing food absorption, pectin reduced activity of Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme thus reducing lipid uptake, reduced bile reabsorption and the butyric acid from pectin breakdown induce production of satiety hormones PYY and reducing food intake thus overall effect is reduction in weight gain. Thus consumption of a pectin rich food ration by rats on a high fat diet decrease weight gain.