Antioxidant activity of Carica Papaya juice in diabetic rats

Diabetes the Killer disease known worldwide has been implicated to generate oxidative stress and Carica papaya has been suggested to manage this effect. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of C. papaya juice in diabetic rats with a view of proposing a management scheme. Adult male Wister rats (n = 8) were divided into three groups: Two experimental groups; group 1(diabetic treated with C. papaya juice), group 2 (diabetic untreated) and control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed 14 days after treatment with C. papaya juice. The blood glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, vitamin C and MDA concentrations were estimated. The results showed that the blood glucose concentration significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 1 (diabetic treated with C. papaya juice) compared to group 2 and 3. The total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations were highest in the control group compared to the experimental groups (1 and 2). Group 1 showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C  concentrations compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated). Group 1 (diabetic and treated with C. papaya juice had the highest MDA concentration compared to groups 2 and 3). The present study suggests that C. papaya juice has antioxidant activity that could be beneficial in the management of diabetes. However, C. papaya intake must be rationed since its consumption increases blood glucose concentration and invariably lipid peroxidation.Keywords: Antioxidant, Carica papaya, Diabetes, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stres

Estimation of residual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration in fish species: Implication in reciprocal corollary

The scientific evidence that aquatic animal’s model bio-concentrate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in their tissue has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The worry is how much of these contaminants bio-concentrate in food and fish. This research investigates whether and to what extent residual PAHs bio-concentrate in—atlantic crocker (Micropogonias undulates), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and yellow tail (Seriola lalandi). Twelve samples points were collected covering four kilometers along the Qua Ibeo river. They were quantitatively and qualitatively screened for PAHs concentration in water and in fish samples using gas chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy technique. Bio-concentration factor (BCF) was calculated via finding the ratio of mean PAHs concentration in fish to mean PAHs concentration in water. Results showed variable concentration of individual PAHs in water and in fish samples. Most apprehensively is the elevated concentration of some PAHs beyond permissible limit. And this call for worry or concern for public health and safety. The sixteen priority PAHs listed by the United State Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogenic were detected as: Naphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benzo (a) anthracene, Triphenylene, Benzo (e) pyrene, Benzo (a) pyrene, Indeno (1,2,3,cd) pyrene, Benzo (g,h,i) perylene, Dibenzo (a,h) anthracene, and 000053-70-3-benzo (e) pyrene, respectively