Asian Journal of Food Research and Nutrition

Oxidative Stress Markers and Toxic Metals Assessment in Albino Wistar Rat fed with Vigna unguiculata Expose to Biopesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, Neem Azadirachta) and Agrochemical

Oguh Collins Egwu *

Department of Subnatinal, Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria.

Alexander Ikechukwu Ajai

Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Osuji Chigoziri Akudo

Department of Biochemistry, Gregory University Uturu Abia State, Nigeria.

Ugwu Chukwuebuka Victor

Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Adinnu Chiamaka Maria-Goretti

Department of Food Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Okeke Chioma Blessing

Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Ugwu Obiora Celestine

Department of Pharmacology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Obasi Glory Otuomasirichi

Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Umezinwa Ogochukwu Jennifer

Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Ugoeze Ucheoma Elele

Department of Chemistry, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Dickson Achimugu Musa

Department of Biohemistry, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Makun Husseini Anthony

Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

The study aimed to determine the Oxidative Stress markers and Toxic metals risk assessment in Albino Wistar rat fed with Vigna unguiculata expose to biopesticides Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Neem seed oil Azadirachta (Aza) and agrochemical (Lambda_cyhalothrin 15g/l and Dimethoate 300g/l) use for pest control. Dried mature Vigna unguiculata seed was randomly collected from four different field locations where Biopesticide (Bt, and Aza), agrochemical, and control were used to manage pest. Standard procedures were used to determine the physicochemical parameters of the soil samples and oxidative stress on the Albino Wistar rat fed. Phytate and oxalate contents were evaluated using the titrimetric method, while cyanogenic glycoside, tannin, and alkaloid concentrations were determined using the Pearson method. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was used to determine the concentrations of toxic metals. Standard formulas were used to estimate the health risk assessment. The results shows that agrochemical led to a significant (P< 0.05) increased in lipid peroxidation in the rat blood sample, antinutrient factors, heavy metals and a significant decrease in the activities of the antioxidants enzymes: Superoxide dismutase, catalase and xanthine oxidase activities in the blood and cowpea seed compared to the biopesticides. Heavy metal contamination in seeds of cowpea controlled with agrochemicals had a hazard quotient and Hazard Index greater than 1, which indicates unsafety especially to children. The study concludes that biopesticides such as Bt and Aza have shown to be an alternative method in cowpea pest control with very less effect.

Keywords: Agrochemical, antinutrient, biopesticides, heavy metal, oxidative stress, risk assessment

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