The Assessment of Heavy Metal and By-Product on Fried Food Sold by Roadside Vendors in Calabar; Nigeria

The assessment of heavy metals (lead and mercury) and by-product (sulphur) on fried food sold by roadside food vendors in Calabar; Nigeria were investigated. The food samples which were covered and uncovered after frying were obtained randomly from 20 street food vendors. The food samples were obtained from 10 busy roads and 10 non- busy roads in Calabar; Nigeria. The busy roads were those roads that recorded more than 20 cars per minute; while the non-busy roads recorded less than 10 cars per minute. The result showed that the busy roads had significant (P0.05) higher depositions of heavy metals and by-products than the non-busy roads. Lead deposits on the food samples was significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of mercury and significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of sulphur deposit. The amount of sulphur deposit on the food samples was significantly higher (P0.05) than mecury. The food samples that was uncovered after frying had a significantly higher (P0.05) deposit of heavy metal and by-product than the food samples that were covered after frying. This result suggest that fried foods vended in calabar by the road-side have a serious public health concern

Evaluation of Heavy Metal on Canned Meat and Fish Sold in Calabar; Nigeria

The evaluation of heavy metals in canned meat and fish foods sold in Calabar; Nigeria was investigated. Ten samples from six different brands of canned meat and fish sold in Calabar were obtained from randomly selected markets and grocery shops. Each of the different sample types were then pooled together brand-wise and then evaluated for heavy metal deposits; lead; Mercury; Arsenic and cadmium; using standard techniques. Lead level in canned fish (0.988mg/kg); (0.816mg/kg) in meat were significantly higher (P

Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Fried Plantain Sold by Roadside Vendors in Calabar; Nigeria

The chemical and biological evaluation of fried plantain sold by roadside vendors was investigated. Twentyone male wister albino rats weighing between 35g to 80g were divided into three groups of seven rats each. Group 1 (control) rats were fed with plantain fried with fresh vegetable oil (FVO); Group 2 rats were fed plantain fried with 7 days used oil (degraded oil; DO); and Group 3 rats were fed with plantain fried with degraded oil but treated with antioxidant vitamin C (TDO). After 11 wks of feeding; the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and dissected. The livers were removed; weighed; crushed and centrifuged in normal saline to obtain homogenates that were used for analysis of total protein and total lipids. The results showed a significant decrease (p

Consumer Awareness of Safe Food Handling by Food Service Establishments in Calabar; Nigeria

Consumer awareness of safe food handling in food service establishments was investigated. The survey was carried out using 500 questionnaires administered at different food establishments in Calabar; Nigeria. The return rate of questionnaires was 74. The survey result revealed that people who eat out regularly claimed that the standard of food hygiene in food establishments was important to them when deciding where to dine. 67of respondents had concerns/ complaints about the hygiene standards of food establishments they used. 78of consumers believed that they have the right to receive information on hygiene standards of eating places. Most would welcome a reliable system to help them judge hygiene standards. About 65thought there was inadequate consumer information on hygiene standard of eating places. If access to information was made easier; 59of respondents claimed they would eat out more often. Respondents preferred the use of scores to inform them on hygiene standards. Generally; consumers claimed to be unaware of food safety standards in food service establishments. The result therefore showed that the Nigerian consumer basically judged food safety in terms of sensory perception and lacked any form of judgment based on microbiological safety

Serum protein and enzyme levels in rats following administration of antioxidant vitamins during caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.

The effects of caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol administration, with or without vitamins A and E supplementation on the protein and enzyme levels in Wistar albino rats were investigated using caffeinated paracetamol and paracetamol as caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol respectively, and water soluble acetic acid derivatives of vitamins A and E. Serum AST, ALT and ALP levels (u/l) significantly increased [P < 0.05] following paracetamol administration. Caffeination as well as administration of vitamins A and E caused significant decreases[P < 0.05] in AST and ALP levels in all test groups when co-administered with paracetamol and in ALT level except in the caffeinated paracetamol + Vitamin E group in which ALT and ALP level except in the caffeinated paracetamol + vitamin E group in which ALT and ALP levels significantly increased [P < 0.05]. Total serum protein level (g/100ml) significantly increased following caffeination as well as during co-administration of caffeinated paracetamol and Vitamin E; and significantly decreased during co-administration of paracetamol and vitamin A. Paracetamol administration without caffeination or supplementation with vitamin A and E can therefore cause increases in serum liver enzymes that is suggestive of liver necrosis which can be ameliorated to varying degrees by caffeine, vitamin A and E.

Effect of caffeine-coconut products interactions on induction of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes in Wistar albino rats.

Effect of caffeine-coconut products interactions on induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme in Wistar albino rats was studied. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4.0 ml of distilled water). Groups 2 to 4 were treated for a 14-day period with 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut water, and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine and 50 mg/kg body weight of coconut milk in 4.0 ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the animals were anaesthetized by inhalation of an overdose of chloroform. The blood of each rat was collected by cardiac puncture while the liver of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, i.e., total protein and RNA levels, protein/RNA ratios, and activities of alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST, respectively). The results showed that while ingestion of coconut milk and coconut water increased the values of protein and protein/RNA ratios, it decreased alanine and aspartate amino transferase (ALT and AST) activities. These effects, in turn, enhanced the induction of the metabolizing enzymes and a resultant faster clearance and elimination of the caffeine from the body, there by reducing the toxic effect on the liver.

Effect of alcohol and kolanut interaction on biochemical indices of neuronal gene expression in Wistar albino rats.

Effect of alcohol and kolanut interactions on biochemical indices of neuronal gene expression in Wistar albino rats was studied. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats per group. The control group (1) received via oral route a placebo (4 ml of distilled water). Groups 2-6 were treated for a period of 21-days with (10 % v/v) 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol, 50 mg/kg body weight of kolanut, 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight of kolanut, and 50 mg/kg body weight of alcohol and 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine in 4.0 ml of the vehicle via gastric intubation respectively. One day after the final exposure, the brain of each rat was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters namely total protein, DNA, RNA and protein/RNA ratios. The status of neuronal gene expression was monitored through assessment of these parameters. The results showed that alcohol-kolanut co-administration decreased brain total protein, DNA, RNA levels and protein/RNA ratios, and inhibited gene expression. These effects, in turn, inhibited DNA transcription, MRNA splicing and protein synthesis, and polypeptide expression, which are necessary for the growth, development, differentiation and cell survival.

Comparative effect of carotenoid complex from Golden Neo-Life Dynamite (GNLD) and carrot extracted carotenoids on immune parameters in albino Wistar rats.

The immunomodulatory effect of Carotenoid complex from Golden Neo-Life Dynamite (GNLD) and carrot extracted Carotenoid was assessed using 24 albino Wistar rats. The rats were assigned to 4 groups of 6 rats each consisting of group 1(control group treated with distilled water), group 2 (treated with olive oil), group 3 (treated with carrot extract + olive oil) and group 4 (treated with GNLD Carotenoid complex + olive oil). The concentration of carrot extracted Carotenoid and that of the GNLD Carotenoid complex were 559 mg/kg. The animals were sacrificed after 21 days of treatment and whole blood collected for analysis of immune parameters. The parameters included; percentage lymphocytes, percentage eosinophils, percentage monocytes and platelet count. There were significant increases [P < 0.05]; in groups 3 and 4 which received carrot extract and carotenoid complex supplement when compared to group 1 and 2 which received distilled water and olive oil. This supports the claim that carotenoids have immunomodulatory effects. However, there were significant increases [P < 0.05]; in percentage lymphocytes (40.15 +/- 1.33); monocytes (2.50 +/- 1.31);, neutrophils (60.08 +/- 2.06) and platelet count (7.91 +/- 0.53) in group 4 which received carotenoid complex when compared to that of group 3 which received carrot extract; lymphocytes (33.01 +/- 3.20), monocytes (1.52 +/- 0.52), neutrophils (60.12 +/- 1.50) and platelet count (7.81 +/- 0.52). These significant increases[P < 0.05]; show that both carotenoids have immunomodulatory effects; and that the GNLD carotenoid complex which consists of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol is more potent in its immunomodulatory effect compared to the carrot extracted carotenoid which contained mostly alpha-carotene and beta-carotene alone.