Abstract

Crude fiber consists largely of cellulose(60-80%) and lignin (4-6%) plus some mineral matter. These Fibers are beneficial in treating or preventing constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, coronary heart diseases, and some type of cancer. A rapid method was developed for the quntative estimation of crude fiber present in nine different natural food stuff by using Hennerberg, Stohmann and Rauterberg method. The following plants Triticum aestivum, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Pisum sativu, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cicer arietinum, Brassica nigra, Arachis hypogaea, Cocos nucifera, Coriandrum sativum, Psidium guajava, Musa acuminate, Vitis vinifera, Citrullus lanatus, Carica papaya shows the ascending order of crude fiber percentage. The laxative activity of fruits (guava, banana, grapes, water melon) was studied in rats. The results showed that an oral administration of the fruit pulp extract produced significant and crude fibre dependant increase in faeces output of rats. Key words: Crude

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