Effect of oral intake of sodium benzoate on some haematological parameters of wistar albino rats

Abstract

The in vivo effects of oral administration of varying concentrations (30, 60 and 120 mg/kg body wt) of sodium benzoate (a commonly used food preservative) on haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell (WBC) count, total plasma protein and some plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3-) levels of wistar albino rats were investigated. The oral intake was done at 48-hourly intervals for 14 days. The rats were fed normal diet ad libitumand blood samples for the determinations were obtained at zero, 2-, 6-, and 14-days following intake. The results obtained for Hb (g/l) showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in a dose-dependent manner for the three concentrations of sodium benzoate. For WBC, significant (p<0.05) decreases were noted for 60 and 120 mg/kg body weight but no significant change occurred with 30 mg/kg body weight of sodium benzoate. The preservative did not significantly affect the total plasma protein concentrations. Significant increases (p<0.05) were obtained at the two concentrations of sodium benzoate from the 6th day for Na+, K+ while HCO3- showed no significant change. No significant change was noted for Cl- at the various concentrations of the preservative. These findings suggest possible changes in blood chemistry due to the preservative. Key words: Sodium benzoate, haemoglobin, white blood cell, plasma proteins, electrolytes.