Haematogical parameters of rats fed on prolonged crude oil contaminated cassava-based diet.

Abstract

The toxic effect of consumption of crude oil contaminated cassava-based rations was evaluated in animal model experiment. The contents of some cassava based food commonly consumed in the sample locations ranged between 0.62+0.28 to 0.76+0.12 for total cyanide and 0.11+0.02v to 0.48+01mg/CN/100g DM for free cyanide. The total hydrocarbon content of raw cassava (700.36 x 10.3) ppm was high (in relations to standard normally encountered in cassava) and observed to reduce with processing. However, values obtained for the polyaramatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents of raw cassava and gari were not significantly different. Only three major peaks: naphthalene. 2-methyl naphthalene and accenaphtene were identified in all feed samples. Serum parameters, which included glucose, cholesterol, protein and creatinine levels were observed to be high in animals fed the contaminated diet in spite of the level of processing. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels obtained from blood of rats fed on the diets were elevated except in the control. Histopathological lesions were observed in the liver of rats that died during the course of the experiment. The most significant finding of this work is that the hydrocarbon probably suppressed the immune response of the rats which resulted in increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels. This may aid diagnosis when crude oil contaminated foods are consumed.