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

ABSTRACT

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