EFFECT OF CYANIDE CONTAINING FOOD (WHITE GARRI) ON THE SURVIVAL/MORTALITY OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted with the sole aim of evaluating the effect of cyanide containing food (white garri) on the survival/mortality of Drosophila melanogaster. White Garri was purchased from an open market in Iwu community, Edo State while the flies were provided by the laboratory team at Biomedical and Chemical Safety (BIOTOXCS) Research Laboratory [Central Research Laboratory] located within the premises of the University of Benin. Cyanide content was determined in the garri samples and extracts were prepared which was then incorporated into prepared fly meal and feed to flies for a period of 20 days. The experimental setup was made of flies in six groups designated as Group 1 (Control: 10g Drosophila meal), Group 2 (9.8g of Drosophila meal and 200µl of Garri extract), Group 3 (9.6g of Drosophila meal and 400µl of Garri extract), Group 4 (9.4g of Drosophila meal + 600µl of Garri extract), Group 5 (9.2g of Drosophila meal + 800µl of Garri extract) and Group 6 (9.0g of Drosophila meal + 1000µl of Garri extract). The results obtained in the course of the study revealed that the highest average mortality rate (1.333) in flies in group 1 was recorded in day 5 and day 10. The highest mortality rate (2.00) of flies in group 2 occurred at day 8 and day 9.  The highest mortality rate (3.000) of flies in group 3 was observed to occur in day 8. Flies administered with 600µl of Garri extract (Group 4) via meal in group 4 had highest mortality rate (3.6667) at day 10. Also flies treated with 800µl of Garri extract in group 5 had highest mortality rate (3.6667) at day 10.  The highest mortality rate (6.000) was obtained at day 15. Biochemical assay revealed that malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione Reductase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration in the garri extract ranged from 2.137-2.403 mmol/mL, 0.367-0.856 µg/dl and 8.757-9.252 mmol/mL respectively. Result findings indicated that cyanide content of the garri extract contributed significantly to the mortality of D. melanogaster. The observation made in this study can be used to further evaluate the cyanide impact on humans and hence implement possible preventive food processing for effective removal of cyanide in processed food products consumed regularly.