Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticide Residue in Phaseolus vulgaris Purchased in Igbara-oke, Ondo State, Nigeria.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Preservation of agricultural products remains a hallmark of all farmers as a result, both pesticides and herbicides are being applied during planting and after harvesting with the sole aim of maximizing profits. Research had shown the various degree of toxicity of organochlorine pesticides residues, the objective of the research was to identify the organochlorine pesticide residues, analyze their risk assessment vis-a-vis, Hazard Index (HI), Estimate Dietary Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and compare the results with Acceptable Dietary Intake (ADI), Reference dose standard (Rfd) and Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) and characterized the identified organochlorine pesticides residue for their toxicological properties. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> were purchased in a local market in Igbara -Oke, Ondo state Nigeria, the sample was powdered using a grinder (Sumeet CM/L 2128945) and solid phase extraction techniques were employed, the extract was subjected to fractionation into two fractions of aliphatic hydrocarbons and the pesticides. The pesticide extract was subjected to characterization using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer. <b>Results:</b> Total 4 organochlorine pesticide residues were identified and the contaminant rates (mg kg¹) were less than 1. Furthermore, EDI values were lower than the ADI, MRL, also, the THQ values were less than 1, an indication that the <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> was safe for consumption. <b>Conclusion:</b> The research had shown no toxicity of the <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> purchased from the local market and it shows compliance by the local farmers on the application of pesticides to the food crop by obeying the recommended dose.

Toxicological Characterization of Pesticide Residue in Phaseolus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The health implications associated with consumption of food crops preserved with pesticides such as diarrhea, food poisons have been a major challenge to health practitioners and the concerned authorities, the objective of the research was to analyze the pesticide residues and compare the contamination rate with Acceptable Dietary Intake (ADI) and Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phaseolus vulgaris were purchased in two different locations, the samples were powdered using a grinder (Sumeet CM/L 2128945). Fifty grams of powdered flour were soaked in 200 mL of Methanol and the crude extracts were concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The extracts were Characterized using GC-MS and percentage compositions of identified pesticide residues were converted into mg/g as contamination rate and the toxic analysis was done by using the Osiris Online server. RESULTS: In chromatogram A, identified pesticides residue include Dieldrin (96.1 mg g-1), Indolizine (67.9 mg g-1), permethrin (99.4 mg g-1) and compounds identified in chromatogram B include dichlorvos (8.2 mg g-1), Diazinon (52.3 mg g-1), fenitrothion (17.8 mg g-1) and permethrin (122.0 mg g-1). These pesticide residues exhibited various toxicological effects, such as; mutagenic, tumorigenic effects. Moreover, the contamination rates of the identified residues were higher than both MRL and ADI. CONCLUSION: The research work had shown that the two samples had contamination rates higher than both the ADI and MRL, this could pose health hazards to the populace if consumed and it is recommended that the applications of pesticides in foods should be regulated and MRL and ADI should be adhered to.

Cocoa powder extracts exhibits hypolipidemic potential in cholesterol-fed rats.

INTRODUCTION: Hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the hypolipidemic effect of cocoa powder extract (CPE) in an experimental model of hypercholesterolemia, using Questran as a reference. METHODS: Hypercholesterolemia in rats was induced by oral administration of 30 mg/kg cholesterol for eight weeks. Three groups concurrently received Questran (0.26 g/kgb) and CPE (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) respectively. Hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia were assessed by lipid profile. Reduced glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also assessed to evaluate the antioxidant status of rats. RESULTS: There was 56% and 97% increase in total and LDL-cholesterol and 59% decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels on cholesterol administration. Concurrent administration of CPE (100 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased total cholesterol (19%) and LDL-cholesterol (22%) and increased HDL-cholesterol (286%) levels while at 200 mg/kg, 55% and 64% reductions in total and LDL-cholesterol and 250% increase in HDL-cholesterol levels were observed. No significant changes were observed in phospholipid levels. Body weights of rats were not significantly different among groups and CPE (100 mg/kg) ameliorated the cholesterol-induced enlargement of the liver and heart by 14% and 15% respectively and at 200 mg/kg by 21% in the heart. GSH and CAT were significantly depleted, and MDA and SOD significantly elevated in liver and heart of Cholesterol-fed rats. No significant changes in GST, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases occurred among groups. CPE treatment modulated these changes. CONCLUSION: Cocoa powder possesses hypolipidemic potential and may be relevant in treating pathologies with dyslipidemia as an underlying cause.