Effects of Supplementing Feed with Irradiated Tomatoes on Liver Biochemicals and Antioxidant Activities of Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Irradiation of tomatoes has been found to delay ripening, extend shelf-life and inhibit microbial growth. However, little is heard about the consequence of consuming irradiated tomatoes. Thus, this study supplements low-dose irradiated tomatoes into animal feed and then evaluates its effects on liver biochemicals and antioxidants of male Wistar rats. Tomatoes of RF variety were irradiated with x-ray doses of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Gy and thereafter mixed with the animal feed at 30% of tomatoes to 70% of the feed and grouped accordingly. Control and non-irradiated tomato groups were also made for the study. The rats were fed with the prepared feed for six weeks and later sacrificed; samples of blood and liver were collected, and thawed to obtain serum and tissue homogenate which were later used for laboratory analysis of the biochemicals and antioxidants. There was a significant increase in the activities of the hepatic enzymes, with a significant decrease in the activities of serum proteins of the animals fed with the irradiated tomatoes mixed feed compared to those of the control at p < 0.05. A significant decrease was also obtained in the activity of the antioxidants with a concomitant increase in the level of MDA activity of the rats fed with the irradiated tomato mixed-feed at p < 0.05. The study observed hepatotoxicity following the consumption of the irradiated tomatoes mixed feed. Hence, the use of irradiation in preserving and extending tomato shelf-life and quality needs thorough reconsideration.