The use of calcium carbide in food and fruit ripening: Potential mechanisms of toxicity to humans and future prospects

Okeke, Emmanuel Sunday; Okagu, Innocent Uzochukwu; Okoye, Charles Obinwanne; Ezeorba, Timothy Prince Chidike

doi:10.1016/j.tox.2022.153112

Cited by 34 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Indeed, increased levels of AST in the current study further shows the possibility of CaC 2 -induced toxicity in other organs such as the heart; given that AST is ubiquitously distributed in other major organs of the body. Recently it has been reported that cardiovascular dysfunction due to CaC2 is associated with inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress [14]. Indeed, this findings imply that exposure to CaC 2 can result in a high risk of heart diseases This is a significant and profound phenomenon that warrants further investigations especially on the histopathological analysis of the heart.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Calcium carbide–induced derangement of hematopoiesis and organ toxicity ameliorated by cyanocobalamin in a mouse model

et al. 2022

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Background Calcium carbide (CaC2) is a chemical primarily used in the production of acetylene gas. The misuse of CaC2 to induce fruit ripening is a global challenge with a potential adverse effects to human health. Additionally, CaC2 is known to contain some reasonable amount of arsenic and phosphorous compounds that are toxic and pose a danger to human health when ingested. The current study sought to characterize CaC2 toxicity and elucidate any protective effects by cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), a well-established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bio-molecule. Female Swiss white mice were randomly assigned into three groups; the first group was the control, while the second group was administered with CaC2. The third group received CaC2 followed by administration of vitamin B12. The mice were sacrificed at 60 days post treatment, hematological, biochemical, glutathione assay, cytokine ELISA and standard histopathology was performed. Results CaC2 administration did not significantly alter the mice body weight. CaC2 administration resulted in a significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs) and RBC indices; indicative of CaC2-driven normochromic microcytic anaemia. Further analysis showed CaC2-driven leukopenia. Evidently, vitamin B12 blocked CaC2-driven suppression of PCV, Hb, RBCs and WBCs. Monocytes and neutrophils were significantly up-regulated by CaC2. CaC2-induced elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin signaled significant liver damage. Notably, vitamin B12 stabilized AST, ALT and bilirubin in the presence of CaC2, an indication of a protective effect. Histopathological analysis depicted that vitamin B12 ameliorated CaC2-driven liver and kidney injury. CaC2 resulted in the depletion of glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver; while in the brain, kidney and lungs, the GSH levels were elevated. CaC2 administration resulted in elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ. Vitamin B12 assuaged the CaC2-induced elevation of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions These findings demonstrate for the first time that oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can protect mice against CaC2-mediated toxicity, inflammation and oxidative stress. The findings provide vital tools for forensic and diagnostic indicators for harmful CaC2 exposure; while providing useful insights into how vitamin B12 can be explored further as an adjunct therapy for CaC2 toxicity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Calcium carbide–induced derangement of hematopoiesis and organ toxicity ameliorated by cyanocobalamin in a mouse model

et al. 2022

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“…Common adulterants in fruits and vegetables include oxytocin, saccharin, wax, calcium carbide, and copper sulfate. Calcium carbide is used to quickly ripen green fruits artificially, such as bananas, mangoes, guavas, papayas, tomatoes, and pineapple (Okeke et al, 2022).…”

Section: Fruits and Vegetablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selected food items adulteration, their impacts on public health, and detection methods: A review

Haji,

Desalegn,

Hassen

2023

Food Science & Nutrition

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Every living thing requires food to survive. Clean, fresh, and healthy foods are important to human health. Today, food is affected by various counterfeits. Adulteration of food is the intentional deterioration of the quality of food offered for sale by either the addition or substitution of an inferior substance or by the omission of a valuable ingredient. Economically motivated adulteration is the intentional adulteration of food for financial gain, and has enormous public health implications, making it an important issue in food science. Almost every food, including milk and dairy products, fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, grain foods, coffee, tea, honey, etc., is susceptible to adulteration. It is difficult to find food that is free from adulteration. Consumption of adulterated food contributes to numerous diseases in society, ranging from mild to life threatening. Therefore, detection of adulteration in food is essential to ensure the safety of the food we consume. To provide consumers with food that is free of adulterants, various detection methods such as physical, chemical, biochemical, and molecular techniques are used to identify adulterants in food. This review aims to provide up‐to‐date information on food adulteration, its impact on health, and the analytical techniques used to detect adulteration in food.

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“…More so, setting up enforcement and monitoring agencies to foster adherence to the laws by food vendors is a step in the right direction. Some other toxicants of foods, such as calcium carbide for fruit-ripening and some azo-dyes in food products, have been successfully banned in many developed and developing countries [ 95 ]. Adopting strategies that ensured the successful ban of other well-known toxicants could yield similar results in enforcing the ban on the abusive use of APAP by food vendors.…”

Section: Strategies For Mitigating the Abuse Of Acetaminophen By Food...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Meat tenderization using acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP): A review on deductive biochemical mechanisms, toxicological implications and strategies for mitigation

Ezugwu¹,

Anaduaka²,

Chibuogwu³

et al. 2023

Heliyon

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The use of calcium carbide in food and fruit ripening: Potential mechanisms of toxicity to humans and future prospects

Cited by 34 publications

References 92 publications

Calcium carbide–induced derangement of hematopoiesis and organ toxicity ameliorated by cyanocobalamin in a mouse model

Calcium carbide–induced derangement of hematopoiesis and organ toxicity ameliorated by cyanocobalamin in a mouse model

Selected food items adulteration, their impacts on public health, and detection methods: A review

Meat tenderization using acetaminophen (paracetamol/APAP): A review on deductive biochemical mechanisms, toxicological implications and strategies for mitigation

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