ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the chemical properties of avocado pear seed powder and its toxicological effect on Wistar rats. Avocado seeds were washed, diced and oven-dried at 60 °C for 24h milled into fine powder, and stored in airtight containers prior to analysis. For toxicological effect, a total oftwenty (20) adult Wistar rats weighing 70-85 g were randomly divided into four groups offive rats each. Group I (control) received a standard diet (0% avocado seed meal), while Groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed diets containing 25%, 50%, and 75% avocado seed meal, respectively. Proximate composition ofthe avocado pear seed powder was determined based on the method described by Onwuka, (2018). While the other parameters for toxicological analysis were determined based on standard methods. Proximate results revealed moisture content of(7.80%), crude protein (6.50%), fat (9.20%), fiber (18, 40%), ash (2.70%), and carbohydrate (55.40%). Growth performance improved with moderate inclusion, with the 50% group showing the highest weight gain (43.55 g) compared with the control (3837 g). Lipid profile results revealed a dose-dependent reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), with the 75% group recording the lowest cholesterol (44.27 mg/dl) and LDL-C (6.56 mg/dl). Serum antioxidant result showed reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity declined at higher doses, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased, indicating mild oxidative stress. The findings suggest that avocado seed powder may enhance growth and improve lipid metabolism at moderate inclusion levels (25-50%), but excessive intake (75%) could compromise antioxidant defense.