COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF RED PALM OIL AND REFINED PALM OIL AGAINST ZINC PHOSPHIDE (Zn3P2) TOXICITY ON MICE (Mus musculus)

Abstract

This work was undertaken in order to evaluate palm oil protective effects components (red palm oil and refined palm oil) against toxicity due to zinc phosphide (Zn3P2). 90 Swiss albino mice weighing between 18-24 g, teams up in six with 15 groups were used for research for four weeks (28 days). Adult mice group (n=6) were administered rodenticide zinc phosphide ranking from 0.4%; 0.2%; 0.1% and 0% in diet containing grilled maize powder + fish powder + red palm oil or refined palm oil or distilled water. Control groups (T1; T2; T3) received ad libitum red palm oil or refined palm oil or distilled water in the diet for four weeks but were not exposed to the toxic Zn3P2. Six groups of mice (L14; L15; L24; L25; L34; L35) were fed ad libitum with a diet containing a percentage of zinc phosphide (0.4%; 0.2%; 0.1 %) the day after the four weeks. Nine groups of mice (L11; L12; L13; L21; L22; L23; L31; L32; L33) received a diet (one day) containing a percentage (0.4; 0.2; 0.1 %) of zinc phosphide. Zinc phosphide caused 100% mortality in each variation of the experiments at 0.4% and 0.2% in diet. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of mortality observed at 0.1% in diet containing red palm oil or refined palm oil. Our result suggested that red palm oil and refined palm oil are not capable of protecting against toxicity caused by zinc phosphide.