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The indiscriminate use of calcium carbide to force-ripe fruit is a threat to consumers' health. This study evaluates the haematological changes induced by ingestion of industrial grade calcium carbide on rats. The rats were randomly assigned to a control group which received only food and water and a test group which, in addition to food and water, were fed calcium carbide daily for a period of 4 weeks. After the initial two weeks, three rats from each group were separated into other corresponding cages where exposure to calcium carbide was discontinued for another two weeks. The animals from each group were sacrificed after the fourth week and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for haematological analysis. Results obtained showed lowered values of red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and neutrophil (p<0.05) with increase in mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and lymphocyte (p < 0.05). White blood cell count (WBC) and mean cell volume fluctuated between reduced and increased values when compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed in the assessed parameters after withdrawal of calcium carbide. Ingestion of industrial grade calcium carbide is toxic to the blood of laboratory rats and may be deleterious to human health following long-term exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oils from the fruit peels of Citrus sinensis (Orange), Citrus limetta (Lime) and Citrus limon (Lemon) were extracted and investigated for their antimicrobial activities against some selected microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans). Phytochemical analysis of the oil extracts shows the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates (reducing sugar) and phenol. Flavonoids occurred in the highest amount in C. sinensis. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the various functional groups present in the extracted oils.. antimicrobial studies showed that the extracted oils had antimicrobial effect on the test organisms, which is attributed to the phytochemicals and functional groups of the oil. The oils in combination showed synergistic antimicrobial effects on the organisms tested. With C. sinensis essential oil (1.5 ml), the zone of inhibition was highest on Staphylococcus aureus. With C. limetta (1.0 ml), the inhibition zone (27 mm) was also highest on S. aureus. Concentration of 2.0 ml gave the highest inhibition (15.5 mm) on S. aureus. The zones of inhibition with different quantities of orange peel oil, against the selected microbes were not significantly different (P-Value - 0.013). There was also no significant difference in the zone of inhibition of microbes at different concentrations of lime and lemon essential oils, with PValues of 0.0956 and 0.01225 respectively. It may be concluded that essential oils of C. sinensis, C. limetta and C. limon have antimicrobial properties and may be applied in the treatment of diseases induced by the pathogens. Further research is needed to achieve appropriate formulation into dosage forms, of the test oils. The superior antimicrobial properties demonstrated by the oil blends can be exploited further with a view to generating new effective antimicrobial compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indiscriminate use of calcium carbide to force fruits to ripen is a threat to consumers' health. This study evaluates some biochemical changes in liver and kidney induced by ingestion of calcium carbide in rats. The rats were randomly assigned to a control group which received only food and water and a test group which, in addition to food and water, were fed calcium carbide daily for a period of 4 weeks. After the initial two weeks three rats from each group were separated into other corresponding cages where exposure to calcium carbide was discontinued for another two weeks. The animals from each group were sacrificed after the fourth week and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Results obtained showed significant (p<0.05) increase in values of ALP, AST and creatinine after four weeks of administration and after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in ALT after four weeks of administration and after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide was also observed. There was no significant (p>0.05) change in the value of urea after four weeks of administration of calcium carbide, however, the values fluctuated significantly after two weeks withdrawal of calcium carbide. Ingestion of calcium carbide is toxic to the liver and kidney of laboratory rats and may be deleterious to human health following long-term exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]