Effects of Biopolymers from Cassava Implanted with Rodent Bait on Wistar Rats

Abstract

The increase in the use of plastic-based materials has resulted in the generation of large volumes of plastic wastes that are non-biodegradable, and this is of public health concern. Hence, there is a need to adopt an eco-friendly technology that is capable of producing plastics that are biodegradable, and less hazardous to man and the environment. The study focuses on the conversion of biopolymer to bioplastic rodent bait and its toxicological effects. The toxicological effect of the product was tested on forty-five male Wistar rats randomly distributed into 9 groups after acclimatization period of two weeks. The groups include: Group 1 (Bioplastic alone); Group 2 (Bait meal + 1.5 g zinc phosphide); Group 3 (Bait meal + 3 g zinc phosphide), and Group 4 (Bait meal + 6 g zinc phosphide). Rats were fed ad libitum for 5 days in which their body weights, morphological changes, and time of death were recorded daily. After exposure experimental to diets, histopathological, biochemical, and haematological parameters were determined. Morphological observations such as reduced activities, fur loss in toxicant fed rats in comparison to the control were observed. The results showed that serum Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transferase (ALT) activities were highest in test groups compared to the control. The histopathological analysis revealed high levels of inflammatory cells, necrosis and haemorrhage within the test groups when compared with the control. Bioplastics produced from cassava residues as rodent bait were highly effective. These bioplastics can be used for the control of household rodents. Therefore, this technology can be adopted for domestic eradication of rodents.