LACTOSE DIGESTION IN DIFFERENT, NIGERIAN, ETHNIC GROUPS

There is a wide variation in the degree of lactose digestion (tolerance) in different populations in the world.
Lactose sugar is a disaccharide found exclusively in milk and some milk products. Lactose intolerance is
caused by a deficiency of the intestinal enzyme lactase that splits the disaccharide lactose into two
monosaccharide sugars, glucose and galactose, and so allows lactose to be digested, absorbed from the
intestine and assimilated by the body.

In order to discover possible reasons for these differences, tests were carried out on single individuals from
two Nigerian ethnic groups, Yoruba and Fulani.

The degree of digestion of lactose was detected by measuring the level of blood glucose 30, 60, 90 and 120
minutes after lactose ingestion. A similar experiment was later carried out on the same two people using
sucrose as the disaccharide source.

The results obtained are shown in Table 1

Table 1

Blood glucose concentration (mg/100 ml)

Before
30 mins 60 mins 90 mins 120 mins
ingestion
Glucose level
following sucrose
A 75 125 100
ingestion in a Yoruba
and a Fulani
Glucose level
B following lactose 75 77 79 83 78
ingestion in a Yoruba
Glucose level
C following lactose 75 100 125 97 75
ingestion in a Fulani

1. Make one graph of the full set of results recorded in Table 1. [5 points]
2. Answer these questions about the graph:
a. What was the purpose of the experiment involving sucrose?
b. What is the increase in blood glucose level 30 minutes after sucrose ingestion in both the Yoruba
and the Fulani?
c. What is the increase in blood glucose level in the same period of time following lactose
ingestion by:
i. Fulani
ii. Yoruba? [4 points]
3. What do the differences in your answer to 2. c) above suggest about lactose tolerance in Yoruba and
Fulani? [1 point]
4. a. At what time is the maximum level of blood glucose following lactose ingestion in:
i. Fulani
ii. Yoruba?
b. How does this compare with the time taken for glucose to reach maximum level following
sucrose ingestion?
c. Suggest a reason for the longer time taken for glucose elevation following lactose ingestion.
[4 points]
The Yoruba are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa and comprise about 21% of the population of
Nigeria, and were the dominant cultural force in Nigeria as far back as the 11th century. They are one of the
most urbanised people in all of Africa, historically living in huge and well-fortified city-states. The Yoruba
diet is traditionally based on solid foods, mostly cooked, pounded or prepared with hot water. These foods
are usually by-products of crops like cassava, yams, plantain, corn and beans. Protein is most often derived
from meat and fish.

The Fulan are another widespread ethnic group, comprising many different sub-sets and cultures, found
throughout sahelian West and Central Africa. One of the best known are the Fulani, the most populous
pastoralists in all Africa, who wander nomadically with their cattle, seldom remaining in one place for more
than 3 months. They do not live in permanent dwellings and have a diet based almost exclusively on their
livestock.

The largest single ethnic group in all Africa are the Hausa, who have settled in towns and cities of the Sahel
region. Probably a sub-set of the Fulan people, in Nigeria they are known as Hausa-Fulani and are often
identified as the trading people of West Africa.

5. From your knowledge of the diets of the Yoruba and Fulani, attempt a hypothesis to account for the
difference in lactose tolerance of the two ethnic groups. [2 points]
6. The Hausa-Fulani, living in towns, show greater lactose intolerance than do the pastoral Fulani. Suggest
an explanation for this fact. [1 point]
7. a. What is the rate of glucose decline per minute between 60-90 minutes after lactose ingestion in
the Fulani?
b. What is the rate of blood glucose decline per minute between 90-120 minutes after lactose
ingestion in the Yoruba?
c. Can you suggest a reason for this difference? [3 points]
8. This investigation is interesting but not very scientific. The results and conclusions do not have much
validity and can easily be challenged.
a. Identify a major fault in the way in which this investigation was conducted.
b. Suggest how you would conduct the investigation in order to correct the fault you have
identified and so generate more validity in the results and conclusions. [2 points]

Images of Hausa-Fulani from Nigeria

Fulani pastoralists in northern Nigeria

Yoruba love parties and ceremony

[TOTAL 22 POINTS]