Calcium carbide-induced alterations of some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of wistar rats

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the possible effect of the consumption of fruits ripened with calcium carbide on some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of wistar rats. Three fruits (banana, apple and oranges) were ripened using calcium carbide.. These were fed to the animals orally and by mixing with their feed for six weeks. Haematological and serum biochemical analyses were carried out on whole blood and plasma respectively. The haematology result shows that there was a very high statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the total white blood cell count (WBC) of the rats mostly in group C (orange peel), H (orange juice) and F (banana juice); when compared with the control. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed in the lymphocyte (LY) and granulocyte (GR) counts. There was a general transient elevation in the levels of +creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, Na , + - - K , HCO3 and Cl. The creatinine levels of the rats fed on banana peel increased significantly (p<0.004). Also, chloride levels of rats fed on apple juice and orange (pulp) juice were significantly raised (p<0.05). On the contrary, the level of potassium ions in 
rats fed on whole orange was found to have declined significantly (p<0.05). Consumption of fruits or skin of fruit ripened with carbide may cause some inflammatory effect, trigger some allergic reactions and have an adverse effect on the kidneys.