Calcium carbide as an artificial fruit-ripening agent and its physiological effects on Wistar rats

摘要

This study examined the possible effect of selected fruits ripened with calcium carbide on some hormonal parameters, oxidative stress enzymes, haematology indices, histopathology of male and female Wistar rats and semen analysis of male rats. Three fruits (pawpaw, mango and plantain) were ripened using calcium carbide. Fifty-six Wistar rats (28 males, 28 females) were used for this experiment and were in groups of four with male and female separated. The animals were fed 2ml per body weight with both natural and artificially ripened fruit juice orally for 30 days. Hormonal assay results for the female animals showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in estrogen levels of rats fed with artificially ripened mango, while that of the male rats showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in testosterone concentration of rats fed with artificially ripened mango. Oxidative stress enzymes for both male and female rats showed a significant increase in reduced glutathione concentration of animals fed with artificially ripened mango. Superoxide dismutase enzyme was significantly decreased in rats fed with artificially ripened mango. Haematology results showed that there was a significant increase in total white blood cell count of female rats fed with artificially ripened mango while platelet count was significantly increased in rats fed with artificially ripened plantain. Degeneration of germ cells was observed in the testes of male rats fed with artificially ripened mango. This study suggests that consumption of fruits ripened with calcium carbide could lower the body's potential to resist infection by weakening the immune system, affect hormonal balance which could lead to infertility.