Toxicity of Soursop Leaf Powder and Its Relevance in Determining The Micronutrient Status in Formulated Complementary Food

Complementary food was produced from blends of hungry rice (A), pigeon pea (P) and soursop leaves (S). The raw materials were washed with portable water, dried at room temperature, milled hammer mill, fermented for 24 hours 28 ± 2 °C (28 °C), oven-dried 50 12 hours, remilled, sieved to 1 mm pore size packaged in polyethylene bags further analysis. samples the ratio 70:30:0 (sample APS), 65:30:5 APS1), 60:30:10 APS2) 55:30:15 APS3). Toxicity test lethal dose (LD50) carried out on leaves. Bioassay male albino rats days including acclimatization period 7 days. Feed intake weight gain experimental recorded daily weekly. Blood serum collected before after feeding trials analyzing bioavailability selected micronutrients. data subjected one-way analysis variance. Means separated using Duncan’s multiple range significance accepted probability level 0.05 %. toxicity indicated safety leaf as an infusion (oral administration) lower doses 10-1000 mg/kg body rats. bioassay revealed that significantly (p < 0.05) different among first, second third week. Rats ate normal rat chow had highest while APS3 lowest intake. Weight it APS3. Bioavailability micronutrient calcium content fed AP. Sample APS1 iron (47.83 %) fortified chow. Zinc (52.86 APS1. work vitamins most available APS2 minerals sample