आईएसएसएन: 2329-6674
Henry E Peters, Aniekan S Henshaw, Christine A Ikpeme, Ima-obong Williams
Aim: This study investigated the impact of Sudan II adulteration of palm oil on serum enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), bilirubin and renal function biomarkers (creatinine, urea) of albino wistar rats.
Methods: A total of sixty (60) 750 mL bottles of red palm oil were purchased from random markets in Nigeria. Sixty (60) male albino rats weighing 150-180 g were divided into 5 groups of 12 rats each. Group 1 served as normal control. Groups 2 to 5 were fed 90% rat chow supplemented with 10% red palm oil. The Sudan II dyes were co- administered with the red palm oil with the diet (rat chow) to provide levels of 0.025% (PO/0.025) (group 3), 0.03% (PO/0.03) (group 4) and 0.04% (PO/0.04) (group 5) for a period of 30 days (short term) and 90 days (long term). Animals were sacrificed and blood was collected via cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Calorimetric methods were used to determine the bilirubin, urea and creatinine concentrations while standard methods were used for the kinetic determination of ALT, AST, ALP. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Key findings: Result showed that the serum enzymes activities and functional biomarkers increased significantly (P<0.05) in both short-term and long-term feeding conditions. Intentional addition of Sudan II dye to palm oil had adverse effects.
Significance: The significant increase of the parameters in this study is indicative of an adverse effect of the dye on health and therefore a major public health concern. It is pertinent to create awareness and the need for enforcement of regulatory acts and food safety procedures.