Toxicity effect of calcium carbide coerced ripened pawpaw on the liver mass of the wistar rats

The liver, which is one of the largest organs of the body with varying degree of functions is prone to diverse ailments. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of Calcium Carbide coerced ripened Pawpaw on the Liver mass of the Wistar rats. Mature unripe Pawpaw’s were plucked off from the parent plant and were dividing into two groups; The first group was kept to rip at normal room temperature while the second group was induced with Calcium Carbide to rip. 10gram of Calcium carbide was placed in a bowl containing 5ml of water for dissolution in a closed metal bucket containing 1kg of the fruit (pawpaw) rapped with black nylon and was allowed for two days. After ripening, sampled fruits were washed and juiced. 600g of both the naturally ripened and calcium carbide ripened pawpaw were peeled separately and blended in an electric blender with 350ml/1L of deionized water. The juice was filtered and poured into clean bottles labeled (CaC2 induced ripened juice and naturally ripened pawpaw juice). A total of 21 adult Wister rats of both sexes weighing between 126.9- 214.3g were used. The Wistar rats were divided into three groups based on the body weight and then different concentrations of naturally ripened and calcium carbide induced ripened Pawpaw were administered orally. LD50 was carried out using Lorke, 1983 method. Group 1: Normal control group of 4 rats (2 males and 2 females) receive normal water and feeds only as placebo. Group 2 : Treatment Group (1) of 4 rats (2 males and 2 females). Group 3: Treatment Group (2) of 4 Wistar rats (2 males and 2 females) received Calcium Carbide ripened pawpaw for 4 weeks. 5ml/kg for both the natural fruit and the CaC2 ripened fruits were administered against each body weight of the adult Wistar rats. The Wistar rats were weighed and one Wistar rat was sacrificed weekly in groups. Blood and organ(liver) were collected from the three groups for histopathological analysis. The results showed Hepatocyte Hypertrophy, focal inflammation, Sinusoidal Dilation and amongst other. In conclusion, the consumption of fruits ripened with Calcium carbide pose detrimental effect on the liver, which could lower its functionality and integrity.