ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic exposure to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution (PHC) on some biochemical parameters of the fruit juice of Citrus sinensis. Place and Duration of study: This study was carried out at Ebocha-Egbema and Uvuru Mbaise in Imo state (Niger Delta Area), Nigeria between October 2008 and October 2011. Methodology: Acidity (pH), concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), citric acid, glucose and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the juice of just-ripe orange fruits (Citrus sinensis) from the two environments were investigated by standard methods. The estimated values were analyzed using student t-test and the results expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: The results obtained revealed that there was no significant (p≥0.05) difference in the mean pH values, ascorbic acid and glucose concentrations of the fruit juice from the two areas studied. Mean concentrations of glutathione and citric acid in the juice from Ebocha (0.44±0.09 and 18.80±1.14mg/l) were significantly (p≤0.05) lower than the values in the juice from Uvuru (0.66±0.10 and 21.43±2.02 mg/l), respectively. The results also showed that the mean activity of lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher in the juice from Ebocha (7.033+/-1.73 U/l) than in that from Uvuru (5.344±1.74 U/l). Conclusion: The findings of this study are suggestive of a possible alteration in the metabolic activities of Citrus sinensis trees evident in its fruit juice due to the PHC pollution in Ebocha in the Niger Delta.