JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Nutrient bioavailability and growth performance of Wistar rats fed with graded levels of Termitomyces robustus substituted diets
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.618 | Article Number: 1B4CF46D7 | Vol.10 (6) - December 2025
Received Date: 16 October 2025 | Accepted Date: 03 December 2025 | Published Date: 30 December 2025
Authors: Olapade Abiodun OLAOYE* , Oladejo Thomas, ADEPOJU and Kehinde Olugboyega SOETAN
Keywords: growth performance, malnutrition, protein, nutrient bioavailability, Termitomyces robustus.
This study evaluated the nutrient bioavailability of Termitomyces robustus (TR) mushrooms and its potential to support growth in weanling Wistar rats. This is to promote the consumption of indigenous, nutrient-dense foods as viable high quality protein alternative for the vulnerable population. Fresh TR samples were sorted, oven-dried at 60 °C, and stored for feeding trials. Thirty weanling male Wistar rats (21–24 days old) were purchased and acclimatised for seven days and randomly assigned to five dietary groups (n = 6): basal, 5%, 10%, 15% T. robustus protein inclusion, and 10% casein (control). Rats were fed 10g of feed daily for 14 days, recording their daily feed intake and body weight weekly. Conversion Index (CI), Growth Rate (GR), and Efficiency of Conversion of Ingested (ECI) feeds were calculated, and rats were euthanised on the 14th day for haematological and biochemical analyses. Rats’ means weight change across diet groups were basal (-21.8g), casein (+7.3g), 5% (-9.0g), 10% (+2.0g), and 15% (+9.3g) TR inclusion, respectively. Highest ECI and GR were observed in 15% TR (+99.47, +0.008) and casein (+100.27, +0.006) groups. Rats on 15% TR protein diet achieved the highest weight gain (+9.3g) compared to those on a casein diet (+7.3g), while rats on a basal diet recorded significant weight loss (-21.8 g). Red blood cells were elevated while white blood cell counts were positively modulated in 15% TR-fed group. Nutrients from Termitomyces robustus are bioavailable and support optimal growth in rats. These findings indicate that T. robustus can be incorporated into human dietary interventions without adverse health effects.
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