Clinical characteristics and follow-up analysis of 12 patients of acute phosphine poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with acute phosphine poisoning, and to follow up and evaluate the prognosis of patients. Methods: In May 2022, 12 patients with phosphine poisoning by respiratory inhalation in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital of Capital Medical University were analyzed. The patients were treated with symptomatic support therapy. Three months later, patients were re-evaluated the symptoms of poisoning, pulmonary function and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to understand the prognosis of the phosphine poisoning. Results: The main symptoms of 12 patients were respiratory and central nervous system symptoms with hypoxia. The symptoms of poisoning improved after treatment. Follow-up found that the patients had different degrees of residual symptoms. Pulmonary function showed increased airway resistance. Airway challenge test was positive in some patients. MRI of the head of some patients showed small ischemic focus in bilateral frontal lobes. Conclusion: Acute phosphine poisoning may cause persistent damage to the respiratory system and central system, and residual symptoms after 3 months.

Intoxicación por fosfuro de aluminio / Aluminum phosphide poisoning

Resumen En la industria agrícola se ha implementado el uso de plaguicidas lo que ha aumentado la cantidad y calidad de los productos agrícolas en varios países en desarrollo, su objetivo es mejorar la calidad de vida y sustento de los consumidores, sin embargo, el uso inadecuado puede causar graves intoxicaciones tanto por ingestión accidental, ocupacional o ingestión con fines suicidas u homicidas, lo cual los hace un tema de relevancia médico legal. El fosfuro de aluminio es un rodenticida, insecticida y fumigante sólido usado como una sustancia ideal para la conservación de los granos, ya que es altamente tóxico contra los insectos que invaden los granos en todos sus estadios sin afectar como tal las semillas y su germinación, es un compuesto accesible y económico lo que hace que su uso con fines suicidas y homicidas sea elevado, ante la intoxicación con fosfuro de aluminio se han descritos síntomas bastante inespecíficos como lo son dolor en el epigastrio, vómitos, diarrea, mareos, disnea y en algunos casos acompañado de un olor a ajo que es característico de ésta intoxicación lo que aumenta la sospecha clínica. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en diferentes bases de datos, de los artículos publicados referentes al tema de los últimos doce años, con el objetivo de profundizar en las características del fosfuro de aluminio, su mecanismo de acción y toxicidad. Se concluye que es fundamental conocer los diferentes plaguicidas y sus efectos en la salud, principalmente de aquellos con una alta letalidad, que se podrían estar utilizando clandestinamente y que al ser sumamente económicos son de fácil acceso para emplearse con fines delictivos.

Abstract The agricultural industry has implemented the use of pesticides, which has increased the quantity and quality of agricultural products in several developing countries, its objective is to improve the quality of life and livelihood of consumers, however, improper use can cause serious intoxications both by accidental ingestion, occupational or ingestion for suicidal or homicidal purposes, which makes them an issue of medico-legal relevance. Aluminum phosphide is a rodenticide, insecticide and solid fumigant used as an ideal substance for the preservation of grains, since it is highly toxic against insects that invade the grains in all their stages without affecting the seeds and their germination, it is an accessible and economic compound which makes its use for suicidal and homicidal purposes high, In the face of aluminum phosphide poisoning, quite unspecific symptoms have been described, such as pain in the epigastrium, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, dyspnea and in some cases accompanied by a garlic odor which is characteristic of this poisoning, which increases clinical suspicion. A bibliographic review was conducted in different databases, of the articles published on the subject in the last twelve years, with the aim of deepening in the characteristics of aluminum phosphide, its mechanism of action and toxicity. It is concluded that it is essential to know the different pesticides and their effects on health, those with a high lethality, which could be used clandestinely and which, being extremely cheap, are easily accessible to be used for criminal purposes

Analysis of the Distribution of Total Phosphine and the Characteristics of Phosphine Poisoning in 29 Victims / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the distribution of total phosphine in phosphine poisoning victims and summarize the characteristics of phosphine poisoning cases.@*METHODS@#The phosphine and its metabolites in the biological samples of 29 victims in 16 phosphine poisoning cases were qualified and quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.@*RESULTS@#Five victims among 29 were poisoned by ingestion of aluminium phosphide and 24 by inhalation of phosphine gas. Phosphine metabolites were detected in the biological samples of 23 victims, and the concentrations of total phosphine in blood ranged 0.5-34.0 μg/mL. The total concentration of phosphine in liver tissue was up to 71.0 μg/g. Phosphine was not detected in the blood of the other six survived victims, which may be related to the small amount of phosphine exposure and the delay in blood sampling.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The total concentration of phosphine in blood and tissues caused by aluminum phosphine ingestion is higher than that caused by phosphine gas inhalation. The death cases of phosphine inhalation are characterized by long exposure time, repeated exposures and age susceptibility.

Review of Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning

Agricultural revolution and increasing pesticidal use have brought its share of downsides in the form of pesticidal poisoning. Every year approximately 300,000 deaths happen worldwide due to pesticide poisoning. Organophosphates, chlorates, and aluminum phosphide are the commonly used pesticides. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is the most lethal among the available pesticides and no antidote is available and aptly called as suicide poison. The common use and easy availability of ALP is causing acute and chronic health effects which have reached major proportions in Asian and Middle Eastern countries such as India, Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, and Sri Lanka. Toxicity of ALP is related to prompt release of lethal phosphine gas as ALP tablet absorbs moisture. Phosphine gas mainly affects cardiovascular system gastrointestinal tracts, lungs, and kidneys. The clinical features of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pulmonary edema, cyanosis shock arrhythmias, and alter sensorium. Diagnosis of ALP poisoning largely depends on history and clinical setting and treatment is usually initiated without waiting for silver nitrate paper test or gastric aspirate analysis. Treatment includes early gastric lavage symptomatic supportive therapy and palliative care. There has been greater understanding about the mechanism and pathophysiology of ALP toxicity over the years, although that cannot be commented about the treatment modalities. Government efforts to restrict sale have been offset by the lack of strict enforcement by regulatory agencies. Case fatality rates from ALP poisoning have shown some decline over the years due to early supportive management. Different treatment modalities and protocols have been tried at various centers with variable success; however, further research for an antidote is the need of the hour.

A retrospective study of clinical profile and outcome of patients with rodenticide poisoning in tertiary care teaching hospital, Mandya, Karnataka, India

Background: Poisoning is the major health problem in developing countries like India. Rodenticides are one of the commonest substances used for poisoning in India. Rodenticides are the substances used to kill rats. They differs from chemical composition and toxicity profile. Prognosis mainly depends on chemical content of poison.Methods: This retrospective record-based study was conducted between October 2018 to September 2019 at MIMS tertiary care teaching hospital, Mandya, Karnataka, India. Data regarding age, sex, marital status, occupation, socioeconomic status, type of poison, route of exposure, clinical presentation, complications and outcome of poisoning and associated comorbid conditions were collected from the hospital records and documented in the pre-structured proforma. Descriptive analysis was carried out by the mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, frequency and proportion for categorical variables.Results: Out of 126 study subjects, 77 (61.11%) were female, 49 (38.89%) were male. Most common age group was 21 to 30 years (45.23%), followed by 31 to 40 years (26.19%) group. Most common poison was zinc phosphide (52.39%), followed by yellow phosphorous (30.16%). Mode of poisoning was suicidal (94.4%) followed by accidental (5.6%).Most common symptom at presentation was nausea, vomiting (62.6%) followed by pain abdomen (52.4%).Most common complication was hepatitis 34 (26.98%) patients, followed by hepatic encephalopathy in 6 (4.76%) and cardiogenic shock in 6 (4.76%) patients. Total mortality was 8 (6.3%).Conclusions: Among rodenticides zinc phosphide was most common consumed poison in present study. Yellow phosphorous was most toxic poison and Aluminium phosphide was most lethal poison. Even though there is no specific antidote, early symptomatic treatment is the key in reducing the mortality.

Study of impact of clinical and biochemical parameters in aluminium phosphide poisoning

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between clinical and biochemical parameters with outcome of aluminium phosphide toxicity.Methods: Total 46 patients with aluminium phosphide poisoning admitted to the Hospitals attached to BMCRI between November 2018 and April 2019 were prospectively studied. After adequate history was obtained and immediate first aid measures given, clinical and biochemical parameters such as liver enzymes, serum creatinine, serum potassium and magnesium levels were studied. The patients were then followed up until outcome. Data was analysed using Descriptive statistics like mean, Standard deviation and percentages were calculated. Inferential statistics like Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the parameters between the two outcome groups (discharged and death) using SPSS software.Results: Among the study population, between the two outcome groups males were 80.6% and females were 19.4%. the outcome was death in 10 patients and 36 patients were discharged. Tachycardia and hypoxia at presentation, Low Serum Magnesium and higher levels of serum creatinine at admission were found to be associated with higher mortality in patients with aluminum phosphide toxicity and were statistically significant.Conclusions: These clinical and laboratory parameters can be considered as manifestation of hemodynamic compromise and are hence associated with poorer prognosis. Serum magnesium levels, can be used in prognostication of aluminium phosphide toxicity, owing probably to their effects of cardiotoxicity. Increased serum creatinine levels as a result of acute kidney injury, could also indirectly point to circulatory compromise. Hence these clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation have important implications.

Aluminium phosphide induced pancreatitis

Aluminium Phosphide (AlP) is a commonly used agricultural pesticide. It is cheap, effective, and easily available. Aluminium Phosphide is used as a rodenticide, insecticide, and fumigant to preserve stored cereal grains, also known as "Wheat pills". In Iran, it is known as the rice tablet. There, have been frequent incidents of accidental or intentional deaths. There have been only a few case reports on aluminum phosphide-induced pancreatitis in the literature available. In this report, we present the case of a young man who developed acute pancreatitis following ingestion of aluminum phosphide pellet in the absence of the usual risk factors and after exclusion of other possible causes of pancreatitis. 35-year-old male came to the ER of SGT Hospital, Gurugram, one hour after ingestion of a single 3 g tablet of Aluminium Phosphide (Celphos) at home, with a suicidal intent. He had three episodes of Vomiting on the way to the hospital. On Day 1 of admission, USG abdomen showed heterogeneity of head and the body of pancreas with minimal peri-pancreatic fluid, suggestive of Pancreatitis. Serum Amylase and lipase levels were raised throughout the hospital course. CT images were suggestive of pancreatitis. The signs and symptoms of Acute AlP Poisoning are non-specific, dose dependent and evolve with time. After ingestion, toxic features usually develop within a few minutes. The major lethal consequence of AlP ingestion is profound circulatory collapse, secondary to direct effects of toxins on cardiomyocytes, fluid loss, and adrenal gland damage. Our patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in first 24hours of admission with high suspicion of pancreatitis and managed well with iv fluids and supportive treatment and was discharged after 3 weeks of in hospital stay.

Predictable factors for intervention with heparin free plasmapheresis in impending liver cell failure due to consumption of phosphorus rodenticide

Background: Yellow phosphorus containing rodenticide poisoning are common in Adult critical care. They cause coagulopathy and liver cell failure in humans. Till date, only liver transplants had been advocated as the final treatment of fulminant liver failure occurring as a complication of rodenticide poisoning. In this study, an innovative Treatment approach was given to liver cell failure cases who had consumed yellow phosphorus paste.Methods: Retrospective analysis of case records of liver cell failure cases due to the consumption of phosphorus containing Rodenticide poisonings, were analysed for a period of 1 year from January 2018 to January 2019 in a public hospital. Medical case records were obtained from records department and Postmortem registers. Symptoms, signs, investigations, treatments, complications, and outcomes were tabulated.Results: Total 11 cases were studied. 8 cases of liver cell failure and coagulopathy in whom therapeutic heparin free plasmapheresis was given, recovered completely from liver cell failure. A significant drop in Haemoglobin, platelet count, PT INR Ratio and rise in serum alkaline phosphatase, were the predictable factors used for the intervention of therapy with 5 cycles of heparin free plasmapheresis to eliminate toxic effects of phosphorus on liver cells and in the blood. A comparative analysis of untreated cases (n=3) vs treated with plasmapheresis (n=8), showed a significant statistical difference (P <0.005) in outcomes with a degree of freedom=2.Conclusions: Plasmapheresis can be a therapeutic treatment for liver cell failure caused due to the consumption of yellow phosphorus.  Predictable factors for impending liver cell failure in whom plasmapheresis will be of benefit are dependent upon prothrombin time, INR ratio, Liver enzymes and time interval between consumption and onset of liver cell failure.

A study on outcome of rodenticide poisoning patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in relation to the chemical content of that poison

Background: Poisoning is the major health problem in India. Rodenticides are the commonest poisoning in Asian countries like India. Rodenticides are the substance used to kill rats. Prognosis mainly depends on chemical content of poison.Methods: This retrospective record-based study was conducted between January 2017 to December 2017 at government hospital department of general medicine, MIMS, Mandya, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Data regarding age, sex, marital status, occupation, type of poison, route of exposure, and outcome of poisoning and associated co-morbid conditions were collected from the hospital records and documented in the pre-structured proforma. Descriptive analysis was carried out by the mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, frequency and proportion for categorical variables.Results: Out of 56 patients 33 (59%) were female 23 (41%) were male. Most common age group was 20 to 30 years, followed by 31 to 40 years group. Most common poison was yellow phosphorous (41%), followed by aluminium phosphide (29%). Most common complication was hepatitis (20%),followed by cardiogenic shock (9%).Total mortality was 3 (5%).Conclusions: Among rodenticides yellow phosphorous was most common consumed poison in present study. Aluminium phosphorus was most lethal poison. Even though there is no specific antidote, early symptomatic treatment is the key in reducing the mortality.

Progress in treatment of acute aluminum phosphide poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is frequently used for grain conservation despite its high toxicity. In some developing countries increased utilization of ALP has resulted in increment of ALP-attributed poisoning numbers. The mortality of ALP poisoning is extremely high and no effective antidote is available so far. However, the astute survey of potential misconceptions in the course of acute toxicity has led some scientists to introduce novel therapeutic approaches. Meanwhile, some new antioxidants were discovered and expected to be used in the management of ALP poisoning. In addition, the progress in intensive care has promoted technologies such as CRRT, IABP and ECMO for the treatment of ALP poisoning with reported success in alleviating severe toxicity. Recent studies on the therapy of ALP poisoning are reviewed in this article.

Mortality from aluminum phosphide poisoning in Kermanshah Province, Iran: characteristics and predictive factors / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Aluminum phosphide (ALP), also known in Iran as rice tablets, is one of the most effective rodenticides used to protect stored grain. However, ALP poisoning regularly causes mortality in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and predictive factors of mortality from ALP poisoning.METHODS: This study evaluated all patients with ALP poisoning referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Kermanshah Province, Iran from 2014 to 2015. For each patient, the following information was recorded: age, sex, the number of tablets consumed, the number of suicide attempts, the time elapsed from consumption to treatment, blood pressure, blood pH, HCO3 levels, and PCO2. Differences between the survivors and non-survivors of ALP poisoning were analyzed using univariate logistic regression and multivariate analysis.RESULTS: In this study, 48 patients were male and 29 patients were female (total: 77 patients). The average age of the survivors and non-survivors was 28.7 and 31.3 years, respectively. All cases (100%) of ALP poisoning were intentional, with the goal of committing suicide. The main predictive variables of mortality from ALP poisoning were blood pressure, blood pH, and time elapsed from consumption to treatment.CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of mortality in patients with ALP poisoning can be predicted using blood pressure, blood pH, and time elapsed from consumption to treatment. These findings may help healthcare providers take more effective measures to treat patients with ALP poisoning.

Mortality from aluminum phosphide poisoning in Kermanshah Province, Iran: characteristics and predictive factors / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Aluminum phosphide (ALP), also known in Iran as rice tablets, is one of the most effective rodenticides used to protect stored grain. However, ALP poisoning regularly causes mortality in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and predictive factors of mortality from ALP poisoning. METHODS: This study evaluated all patients with ALP poisoning referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Kermanshah Province, Iran from 2014 to 2015. For each patient, the following information was recorded: age, sex, the number of tablets consumed, the number of suicide attempts, the time elapsed from consumption to treatment, blood pressure, blood pH, HCO3 levels, and PCO2. Differences between the survivors and non-survivors of ALP poisoning were analyzed using univariate logistic regression and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 48 patients were male and 29 patients were female (total: 77 patients). The average age of the survivors and non-survivors was 28.7 and 31.3 years, respectively. All cases (100%) of ALP poisoning were intentional, with the goal of committing suicide. The main predictive variables of mortality from ALP poisoning were blood pressure, blood pH, and time elapsed from consumption to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of mortality in patients with ALP poisoning can be predicted using blood pressure, blood pH, and time elapsed from consumption to treatment. These findings may help healthcare providers take more effective measures to treat patients with ALP poisoning.

Efficient Water Splitting Catalyzed by Cobalt Phosphide Nanobead-chain Like Nanoarrays Supported on Three Dimensional Nickel Foam / 分析化学

The research for efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts for water splitting are essential for the exploitation and application of hydrogen energy. Transitional metal phosphides are considered as one of the most promising bifunctional water splitting electrocatalysts. Herein, we reported a facile two-step method (firstly hydrothermal preparation, then phosphorization under low temperature) to synthesize the bead-chain like nanoarrays of CoP supported on three dimensional Nickel foam (CoP/NF). The as-prepared CoP/NF could act as an efficient bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting. The catalyst exhibited remarkable activity for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media,delivering a current density of 10 mA/cm2at an overpotential of 281 mV for OER and 95 mV for HER, respectively. Efficient water splitting in alkaline system was realized by applying a two-electrode system with the CoP/NF acting as both the anode and cathode. The applied potential was 1.63 V to obtain the current density of 10 mA/cm2,and good stability was also testified.

Trend of blood lactate level in acute aluminum phosphide poisoning / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning is common in the developing countries. There is no specific antidote for the treatment of acute AlP poisoning. Early diagnosis of poisoning and outcome predictors may facilitate treatment decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the trend of blood lactate level in acute AlP poisoning to evaluate its role as a prognostic factor. METHODS:This was a prospective study on acute AlP intoxicated patients during one year. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory data on admission, and outcome were recorded in a self-made questionnaire. Blood lactate levels were analyzed every two hours for 24 hours. RESULTS:Thirty-nine (27 male, 12 female) patients were included in the study. The mortality rate was 38.5％. The mean blood pressure, pulse rate, blood pH and serum bicarbonate level were significantly different between the survivors and non-survivors groups. Blood lactate level was significantly higher in the non-survivors group during 8 to 16 hours post ingestion. CONCLUSION:Blood lactate level could be used as an index of severity of acute AlP poisoning.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy of continuous gastrointestinal decompression after gastric lavage with edible oil for treatment of patients with oral aluminum phosphide poisoning / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To observe the curative effect of continuous gastrointestinal decompression after gastric lavage with edible oil on saving patients with oral aluminum phosphide poisoning.Methods Seventy-eight patients with oral aluminum phosphide admitted to the Department of Internal Emergency of the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from October 2009 to October 2016 were divided into a mild poisoning group (39 cases), a moderate poisoning group (26 cases) and a severe poisoning group (13 cases) according to clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations, all the patients were treated with continuous gastrointestinal decompression after early gastric lavage with edible oil, including scavenging toxicant, correcting intracellular oxygen intake and metabolic disturbance, and inhibiting and eliminating inflammatory mediators. The difference of remission times of clinical symptoms, recovery times of abnormal indexes and hospitalization times were compared among patients with different disease severities. Results With the aggravation of disease, the remission times of clinical symptoms (hours: from mild to severe were 24±12, 54±18, 84±12), recovery times of abnormal indexes (hours: from mild to severe were 18±6, 72±0, 108±12) and hospitalization times (hours: from mild to severe 48±24, 120±24, 144±24) were all gradually extended. Of the 13 patients with severe poisoning, 2 patients died of multiple organ functional failure (MOF) after 28 hours of treatment because they were incapable of cooperating with continuous gastrointestinal decompression. There were 76 patients were clinically cured, the cure rate being 97.4%. In the follow-ups at 1 month and 6 months after the treatment, no abnormalities were seen.Conclusion Continuous gastrointestinal decompression after early gastric lavage with edible oil for saving patients with oral aluminum phosphide poisoning is an effective therapy worthwhile to be popularized.

A case report of aluminium phosphide poisoning

Aluminium phosphide (ALP) is highly toxic and poisoning can result in high mortality rates. A 26-year-old female who allegedly ingested a toxic dose of ALP presented with vomiting and diarrhoea. She developed cardiac arrest with refractory pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Despite aggressive resuscitation, she succumbed to death seven hours following ingestion. In cases like this, a better outcome can be achieved with early arrival, prompt diagnosis, aggressive resuscitation and intensive monitoring.

Near Fatal Accidental Organophosphate and Phosphine Poisoning Of a Family of Eight: Case Report.

We describe a near fatal poisoning in a family of eight caused by accidental ingestion of Aluminium Phosphide (A1P) and Dichlorvos (DDVP), common and readily available pesticides used to kill rodents and insects in stored farm products. Management challenges in a rural hospital, where most accidental agricultural based poisoning cases are likely to present are also discussed.

Serie de casos de intoxicación fatal por ingesta intencional de fosfuro de aluminio: case reports with fatal evolution / Aluminium phosphide poisonings: case reports with fatal evolution

El fosfuro de aluminio (AlP) es un plaguicida fumigante de bajo costo, cuyo único uso permitido es el control de plagas en granos almacenados. En contacto con la humedad del aire libera gas fosfina (PH3), altamente tóxico, inflamable y explosivo, pero que se disipa rápidamente. En todas las presentaciones, 3 g de la formulación genera 1 g de gas fosfina. La exposición a 1000 ppm durante 30 minutos es fatal. Presentamos una serie de casos de intoxicación severa por ingesta intencional de fosfuro de aluminio, con desenlace fatal, con el objetivo de asesorar e informar sobre los mecanismos de intoxicación y el manejo adecuado del paciente intoxicado.

Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a fumigant pesticide inexpensive; whose only permitted use is for stored grain pest control. On contact with moisty air, it releases phosphine gas (PH3), highly toxic, flammable and explosive, but that quickly dissipates. For all presentations, a 3 g formulation generates 1 g of phosphine gas. Exposure to 1000 ppm for 30 minutes is lethal. We present a series of cases of severe poisoning with AlP, in order to advise and inform on the mechanisms of toxicity and proper management of the poisoned patient.

Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning.

Aluminium phosphide poisoning is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in northwest and central India. It liberates lethal phosphine gas when it comes in contact either with atmospheric moisture or with hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The mechanism of toxicity includes cellular hypoxia due to the effect on mitochondria, inhibition of cytochrome C oxidase and formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. In India, most of the patients who come with Celphos poisoning succumb to its toxicity because of the considerable time gap between the ingestion of the poison and the initiation of proper treatment. This has led to widely prevalent scepticism among physicians while managing cases of Celphos poisoning. Due to no known specific antidote, management remains primarily supportive care. In most of the studies, poor prognostic factors were presence of acidosis and shock. The overall outcome improved in the last decade due to better and advanced intensive care management.

Effects of Phosphide-powder Residue Contaminated Cowpea on Serum Magnesium and Trace Elements in Rats.

Cowpea, a major source of vegetable protein for millions in Africa is mostly preserved using synthetic chemicals e.g. phosphide. Because a large number of people who carry out grain fumigation are largely untrained, sometimes contamination of fumigated grain with spent or unspent phosphide does occur. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if phosphide powder residue is capable of inducing alteration in serum concentrations of Mg, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, Cr in female rats. Methods: Six rats were assigned to each of the three experimental groups. While the rats in the first group were fed untreated cowpea and served as control, the rats in the second and third groups were exposed to phosphide-powder residue contaminated and uncontaminated cowpea respectively. Results: Estimation of elements in the serum of these rats revealed significant decreases (p<0.05) in the levels of Zn, Cu, Mn, Mg, Cr and Mo but non-significant (p>0.05) change in levels of Co, Se and Fe in the contaminated group. In the uncontaminated group, Mn and Mo were significantly decreased all other elements were not significantly changed. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that phosphide residue contamination of cowpea can induce serum Mg and trace element alteration in a mammalian species.