Parasite Contamination of Freshly Harvested Vegetables from Selected Markets Located within Kano Metropolis

Nigeria is among the countries with the highest population cases of infections with intestinal parasites in sub-Saharan Africa. The increase in consumption of leafy and root vegetables by population in Kano metropolis necessitated the need for a study to assess the types and scope of these parasitic organisms in vegetables consume in urban Kano. Vegetables produce obtained from most markets within Kano metropolis are mostly sourced from nearby irrigation farms that used relatively contaminated waters which provides suitable growth condition for disease causing organisms. This research study determines the presence of parasites of health importance and their level of contamination in selected vegetables (cabbage, lettuce Cucumber, carrot and onions) sold at various markets in Kano metropolis. Vegetable samples were purchased randomly under normal purchased conditions and about 200g each was weighed and washed according to the generally used method for washing vegetables. The samples were eluted followed by sonication in an already prepared buffered solution, filtered and examined for the presence of cysts, oocysts, and helminthes eggs and larvae. The eggs/cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba species, Giardia intestinalis and Trichuiris species were observed. Among all the four markets involved in the study, “GanaKwari market recorded the highest number of eggs/cysts, been present in all the samples, followed by Kwa-kwaci Market with the presence of eggs/cysts in all the samples excluding cabbage. These are followed by Kofar Naisa market with all the samples contaminated but with less number of eggs/cysts. However, Sharada market recorded the lowest level of contaminants with only three of the samples containing eggs/cysts. However, among all the (5) samples collected, onions recorded the highest contamination, followed by cabbage and lettuce having the same, then cucumber and lastly carrots. The variation in the level of contamination among these markets may be attributed to the market type and the different water sources and means of display of these vegetables.

Effect of Sublethal Dose of Dichlorvos on the Biochemical Parameters of African Catfish

The present study investigated the effects of sublethal concentrations of dichlorvos on liver marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase), acid phosphatase (ACP), serum total protein (STP), bilirubin, urea and creatinine in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles at sub acute period under laboratory conditions. A total of 90 juveniles of Clarias gariepinus with average weight and length of 200.15 ± 0.09g and 26.00 ± 0.00cm respectively were kept in three experimental groups of 30 per group in triplicate of 10 fishes. Groups 1 and 2 were exposed to dichlorvos at dosages of 21 and 43mg/l respectively and group 3 served as control for 15 experimental days. Analyses were carried out on days 1, 5, 10 and 15. From the results, there was no significant changes in the biochemical parameters tested on day 1 of the experiment but levels of the liver enzymes, ACP and bilirubin increased significantly (p<0.05) on other experimental days when compared with the control group. However, there was insignificant increase in the urea level and also a non-significant decrease in the creatinine and Serum total protein (STP) levels of the experimental groups when compared with the control group. From the analyses and observations made, we conclude that the administration of sublethal concentrations of dichlorvos to African catfish induced some damages to the liver which affected the levels of the liver enzymes and the increase in ACP level is indicative of carcinogenicity.

Transcriptional Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Buchholzia coriacea in Acetaminophen-Induced Sub-Chronic Renal and Hepatic Toxicity

The aim of this research was to evaluate the possible renal and Hepato-protective effects of ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed compared to N-acetylcysteine, on gene expression in the liver and kidneys of Wistar rats subjected to sub-chronic dose of paracetamol. Forty wistar rats were divided into eight groups of five rats in each group. Group 1 received only normal diet as control (CTRL). Groups 2-6 received 14.28 mg/kg body weight of Paracetamol (PM). After 6 hours, 200 mg/kg body weight of extract (E1) was given to group 3, 400 mg/kg body weight extracts (E2) given to group 4, 70 and 150 mg/kg body weight of N-acetylcysteine was administered to group 5 and 6 respectively. Groups 7 and 8 received only 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of extract (E1 and E2) respectively. This schedule was maintained for 90 days.