STM Article Repository

The study aimed to determine the Oxidative Stress markers and Toxic metals risk assessment in Albino Wistar rat fed with Vigna unguiculata expose to biopesticides Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Neem seed oil Azadirachta (Aza) and agrochemical (Lambda_cyhalothrin 15g/l and Dimethoate 300g/l) use for pest control. Dried mature Vigna unguiculata seed was randomly collected from four different field locations where Biopesticide (Bt, and Aza), agrochemical, and control were used to manage pest. Standard procedures were used to determine the physicochemical parameters of the soil samples and oxidative stress on the Albino Wistar rat fed. Phytate and oxalate contents were evaluated using the titrimetric method, while cyanogenic glycoside, tannin, and alkaloid concentrations were determined using the Pearson method. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was used to determine the concentrations of toxic metals. Standard formulas were used to estimate the health risk assessment. The results shows that agrochemical led to a significant (P< 0.05) increased in lipid peroxidation in the rat blood sample, antinutrient factors, heavy metals and a significant decrease in the activities of the antioxidants enzymes: Superoxide dismutase, catalase and xanthine oxidase activities in the blood and cowpea seed compared to the biopesticides. Heavy metal contamination in seeds of cowpea controlled with agrochemicals had a hazard quotient and Hazard Index greater than 1, which indicates unsafety especially to children. The study concludes that biopesticides such as Bt and Aza have shown to be an alternative method in cowpea pest control with very less effect.