Assessment of Calcium Carbide and Natural Ripened Pawpaw (Carica Papaya) Fruits on Biochemical Parameters of Wistar Rats
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research was aimed at assessing calcium carbide and natural ripened pawpaw (Carica papaya) fruit on the biochemical parameters of the Wistar rats. Twenty four (24) adult Wistar rats weighing between 126.9- 213.3 g was used for this study. The experimental Wistar rats were grouped into three and were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks at libitum. Five (5) ml/kg of natural and calcium carbide ripened pawpaw fruit juice were administered orally. At the end of the four weeks feeding period, the rats were sacrificed through cervical dislocation. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture, using 5ml syringes and 23G needles into blood sample containers for biochemical analysis using the standard biochemical methods. The renal, hepatic, cardiac, heart and lipid profile parameters analyzed were albumin, total protein, urea, creatinine, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total cholesterol and were compared with the naturally ripened pawpaw fruit group. All mean values of total protein, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine levels of calcium carbide ripened pawpaw fruit juice fed group were significantly higher when compared with the natural ripened pawpaw fruit juice. Meanwhile, albumin, total bilirubin, urea, ALT, AST and ALP levels of calcium carbide ripened fruit juice fed group were lower when compared with the natural ripened pawpaw fruit juice. Statistically, there were no significant differences of albumin and total protein parameters at 95% confidence level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the elevated levels of creatinine, total cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase may result to kidney injury, cardiovascular and heart diseases. There is therefore need for institutional and legislative strengthening as well as enforcement to prevent the use of calcium carbide in the ripening of pawpaw and other fruits.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
I. Bhattarai, U. K. and Shrestha, K. Use of calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruit –its applications and hazards, Journal of Food and Science and Technology, 8 (2005), 84-86.
II. Dhembare, A. J. Eating artificially ripened fruits is harmful, Current Science, 99 (2013), no. 12, 1664-1668.
III. Dhembare, A.J. The bitter truth about fruits with reference to artificial ripeners. Archives of Applied Science Research, 5 (2013), no. 5, 45-54.
IV. Siddiqui, M.W. and R.S. Dhua, Eating Artificial Ripened Fruits is Harmful, Current Science, 99 (2010), no. 12, 1664-1668.
V. Orisakwe, O.E., Nduka, J.K., Amadi, C.N., Dike, D.O. and Bede, O. Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria, Chemistry Central, 6 (2012), no. 1, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153x-6-77.
VI. Vijay Y, Pradeep KG, Chetan SC, Anju GBV. Carica papaya Linn: an overview. Int J Herbal Med. 2014;2:1-08.
VII. FAOSTAT Crop Production.
http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/default.aspx#ancor;2012.
VIII. Akah PA, Enwerem NM, Gamaniel KK. Preliminary studies on purgative effect of Carica papaya root extract. Journal of Fitoterapia. 2007;12(6):327-331.
IX. Barger GO, Finar L, Hormick CA. Papaya extract. Macmillan Publisher, New York. 2009;711.
X. Hasheen FM. Antibacterial activity of Carica papaya extract. Oxford University Press, New York. 2007;15-25.
XI. Pragati J, Bharati J. Medicative properties of Carica papaya – an overview. Int J Pharm Res. 2018;13:10-17.
XII. Ruchitha, G. (2008). Effects of diluted ethylene glycol as a fruit-ripening agent. Global Journal Biotechnology and Biochemistry; 3:8-13.
XIII. National Research Council, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition, The National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001, 2011. https://doi.org/10.17226/12910.
XIV. Lorke, D. (1983) A New Approach to Practical Acute Toxicity Testing. Archives of Toxicology, 54, 275-287.
XV. Reitman S, Frankel SA (1970) Colorimetric method for the determination of serum glutamate-oxaloacetate and pyruvate transaminases. Am J Clin Pathol 28:56–63.
XVI. Roy AV (1970) Rapid method for determining alkaline phosphatase activity in serum with thymolphthalein monophosphate. Clin. Chem 16(5):431–6.
XVII. Fossati P, Prencipe L, Bert G (1980) Use of 3,5-dichloro- 2-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid/4-aminophenazone chromogenic system in indirect enzymatic assay of uric acid in serum and urine. Clin Chem 26:227–31.
XVIII. Skeggs LT (1957) An automatic method for colorimetric analysis. American J Clin. Pathol 28(3):311–22.
XIX. Gornall AG, Bardawill CJ, David MM (1949) Determination of serum proteins by means of the Biuret reaction. J Biol Chem 177:751.
XX. Ogidi, O.I., Ogoun, T.R., Njoku, C.O., Charles, E.E., Amgbare, E.B., and Omotehinse, E.T. (2020). Toxicity Studies on the Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Wistar Albino Rats. Elixir Pharmacy International Journal. 149: 55010-55014.
XXI. Doumas BT, Watson WA, Biggs HG (1971) Albumin standards and the measurement of serum albumin with bromocresol green reaction. Clin Chem 22:616–22.
XXII. Trinder P (1969) Quantitative determination of triglyceride using GPO-PAP method. Annals Clin Biochem 6:24–7.
XXIII. Ogundele, O. M., Awolu, O. O., Badejo, A. A., Nwachukwu, I. D., & Fagbemi, T. N. (2016). Development of functional beverages from blends of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and selected fruit juices for optimal antioxidant properties. Food science & Nutrition, 4 (5), 679-685.
XXIV. Kardum, N., Milovanović, B., Šavikin, K., Zdunić, G., Mutavdžin, S., Gligorijević, T., & Spasić, S. (2015). Beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice consumption on blood pressure level and lipid status in hypertensive subjects. Journal of medicinal food, 18 (11):1231-1238.
XXV. Zhang, S., Hu, C., Guo, Y., Wang, X., & Meng, Y. (2021). Polyphenols in fermented apple juice: Beneficial effects on human health. Journal of Functional Foods, 76:104294.
XXVI. Essien, E. B., Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M., & Onyema, J. O. (2018). Calcium carbide as an artificial fruit-ripening agent and its physiological effects on Wistar rats. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 6 (1):47-61.
XXVII. Okeke, E. S., Okagu, I. U., Okoye, C. O., & Ezeorba, T. P. C. (2022). The use of calcium carbide in food and fruit ripening: potential mechanisms of toxicity to humans and future prospects. Toxicology, 468 (28) 153112.
XXVIII. Zimmerman HJ (1984) Function and Integrity of the Liver. In: Henry, J.B., Ed., Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods, 17th Edition, W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 217-250.
XXIX. Ogidi, O.I., Frank-Oputu A., Shonubi O. O. and Anani, R.O. (2022). Biochemical study on the effects of Ruzu Herbal Bitters Formulation on Wistar Albino Rats. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 41(1): 32434-32439. DOI: https://www.doi.10.26717/BJSTR.2022.41.006558
XXX. Ogoun, T.R., Ogidi, O.I. and Aye, T. (2022). Toxicity studies of Yoyo Cleanser Bitters Poly-herbal formulation in Albino Rats. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(1): 1-11. DOI: https://www.doi.10.20959/wjpr20221-22534
XXXI. Ogoun, T.R., Ogidi, O.I. and Frank-Oputu A. (2022). Safety Evaluation of Dr. Iguedo Goko Cleanser Poly-Herbal Formulation in Wistar Albino Rats. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(2): 41-51. DOI: https://www.doi.10.20959/wjpps20222-21145
XXXII. Gbakon S. A, Ubwa T. S., Ahile U. J., Obochi O. G., Nwannadi I. A., Yusufu M. I. (2018). Studies on Changes in Some Haematological and Plasma Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats Fed on Diets Containing Calcium Carbide Ripened Mango Fruits. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Engineering, 8(2): 27-36. DOI: 10.5923/j.food.20180802.02
XXXIII. Treasure, C. B., Klein, J. L., Weintraub, W. S., Talley, J. D., Stillabow, M. E., Kisonski, etal,(1995). Beneficial effects of cholesterol lowering therapy on thecoronary endothelium in patients with coronary heart disease.TheNew England Journalof medicine;332: 481-87.
XXXIV. Rang, H. P., Dale, M. M. & Ritter, J. M. (1995).Pharmacology. (3rd ed) Churchill Livingstone, New York.
XXXV. Yakubu, M.T., Akanji, M.A. & Oladiji, A.T. (2008). Alterations in serum lipid profile of male rats by oral administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia argrestis stem. Research Journal of Medicinal Plant: 2: 66-73.
XXXVI. Pauline N. I., Eugene N. O., Benjamin A. A. (2019). Lipid Profile and Haematological Indices of Wistar Albino Rats fed Riped, Unripe and Artificially Riped Mangifera indica (Mango) Pulp Formulated Diets. European Scientific Journal, 15(15): 30-45. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2019.v15n15p30