Spent engine oil pollution and its effects on selected antioxidants of Telfairia occidentalis leaves (617.9)

Abstract

Spent Engine Oil (SEO) pollution and its effects on selected antioxidants [Protein oxidation (protein thiol (PSH), glutathione (GSH), and total thiol (TSH)] of Telfaria occidentalis leaves was studied. Soil sample was collected from the farmland in Ohii, Owerri West Local Government Ares of Imo State, Nigeria, weighed and polluted with different volumes of spent engine oil (SEO) to give the various percentage pollutions. The polluted soil samples were poured in several nursery bags. Three viable seeds of Telfaria occidentalis were planted in each. An unpolluted soil sample served as the control for the study. Harvest of the leaves was done after 50 days of planting and taken to the laboratory for the assessment of protein oxidation parameters (protein thiol, glutathione and total thiol) concentrations in each of the sample. Results obtained from protein thiol concentration show that there was a significant difference (P>0.05) between the control sample and the 6% polluted sample. There was a progressive reduction in the protein thiol concentration as the volume of the SEO increased. That obtained for GSH also showed a similar trend. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between control sample and 1% sample pollution but a significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between 0% and 6%. There was also a progressive reduction in the GSH concentration as the volume of the pollutant increased. The same trend was observed for total thiol (TSH) concentration as the SEO volume increased. The mean values obtained for all the parameters (PSH, GSH and TSH) were found not to be significantly different (p>0.05) These results show that increased pollution of soil by spent engine oil have an effect on the protein oxidation parameters of edible fluted pumpkin (T. occidentalis) leaves in areas where there is indiscriminate dumping of spent oil.Grant Funding Source: NIL