Associated Risks and Pathogenic Effects of Consumption of Calcium Carbide-Ripened Banana Before and/or During Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Livers

Calcium carbide (CaC2) is a commonly used ripening agent, although its primary use is in welding. Use of CaC2 in ripening fruits is considered harmful because it contains traces of phosphorous and arsenic. Aim of this study was to investigate associated risks and pathogenic (biochemical and histological) effects of consuming CaC2-ripened banana as a meal, before and/or during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal livers of adult female wistar rats. 36 healthy-looking, nulliparous, adult female wistar rats weighing between 150-200g were utilized. Rats were divided into 2 groups namely Group A and Group B. Each group had 4 subgroups (A1, A2, A3 and A4) for Group A as well as (B1, B2, B3 and B4) for Group B. Rats in group A received CaC2-ripened banana blended into their meal before and during pregnancy while group B rats received the same meal during pregnancy only. Subgroups A1 and B1 (positive control) received a naturally ripened banana with 0% CaC2, subgroups A2 and B2 received 1% CaC2-ripened bananas whereas subgroups A3 and B3 received 2% CaC2-ripened bananas. Subgroups A4 and B4 received CaC2-ripened bananas (bought from the market) randomly. The two groups A and B had one common negative control group which did not receive any banana (CaC2-ripened or non-CaC2-ripened) blended meal. Liver enzyme assay for group A showed that the positive control subgroup (A1) had mean AST (26.00±2.00 iu/L), ALT (33.00±3.00 iu/L), albumin (3.80±0.20 g/dL), direct (conjugated) bilirubin (1.10±0.10 mg/dL), and total bilirubin (1.95±0.15 mg/dL). These values were not significantly different (p≥0.05) compared with their respective values in the negative control subgroup except for ALT (p<0.05). Group B showed that subgroups B2, B3, and B4 had mean AST, ALT, albumin, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin values which were not significantly different (p≥0.05) compared with their respective values in the negative control subgroup. Histological findings confirm a damaging effect on the liver’s histoarchitecture of both mother and neonate. Consumption of CaC2-ripened banana before and/or during pregnancy has associated risks and pathogenic effects on maternal and neonatal livers.