Control of carbendazim toxicity using banana peel powder in rats.

Carbendazim (CBZ) is a steady benzimidazole fungicide broadly exploited in cultivation for pre- and post-harvest treatment to dominate microorganisms infection on several plants. CBZ causes toxic effects in the different tissues of rat via influencing biochemical and hematological factors causing histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney of rats. Banana peel (BP) makes up about 38% of the whole banana weight, BP is usually disposed of as waste that is considered as an environmental problem. BP comprise bioactive a lot of compounds that can be exploited for their unique biological and pharmacological attributes. The current study was carried out to determine the protective effect of dried banana peels consumption against carbendazim toxicity in rats. The results indicated that banana peels had the ability to counteract the toxic effect of carbendazim on rats which was evident by the improvement in liver and kidney functions, lipid profile and histopathological examination.

Exposure assessment of heavy metal residues in some Egyptian fruits.

Heavy metals are considered a main public health hazards, they are known to accumulate in fruits, which are heavily consumed by humans because of their unique sweet taste and potential health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the possible contamination levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in some selected fruits obtained from four Egyptian governorates and to compare the contamination levels with those of the recommended permissible limits. Results revealed that Pb and Cd were absent in all fruit samples, while Cr was only detected in grapes obtained from Cairo and Fayoum governorates and exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.10 mg kg-1). Nickel and Cu were detected in all fruit samples. Nickel was reduced more than copper after washing process of grapes especially in samples obtained from Alexandria and Giza governorates. After peeling process, Cu was extremely reduced in orange samples obtained from the following governorates in descending order Cairo, Alexandria, El-Fayoum and Giza. Estimated daily intake of heavy metals in fruit samples were found to be higher than that of the tolerable daily intake, indicating potential risk to human health. Therefore, to decrease the risk to human health, fruits must be washed well before eating to decrease heavy metal concentrations.