International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2020; 9(4): 104-111 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijnfs doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20200904.12 ISSN: 2327-2694 (Print); ISSN: 2327-2716 (Online) Toxicological Effects of Sudan III Azo Dye in Palm Oil on Liver Enzyme and Non Enzyme Markers of Albino Rat Nwachoko Ndidi 1, * , Odinga Tamuno-boma 1 , Akuru Udiomine Brantley 1 , Ibanibo Tamunomiebam Emmanuel 2 1 Department of Biochemistry, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 2 Department of Chemistry (Biochemistry Option), Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Nwachoko Ndidi, Odinga Tamuno-boma, Akuru Udiomine Brantley, Ibanibo Tamunomiebam Emmanuel. Toxicological Effects of Sudan III Azo Dye in Palm Oil on Liver Enzyme and Non Enzyme Markers of Albino Rat. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Vol. 9, No. 4, 2020, pp. 104-111. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20200904.12 Received: June 16, 2020; Accepted: July 1, 2020; Published: July 30, 2020 Abstract: The economic and nutritional value of palm oil has made its utilization to be on the increase especially in Nigeria, thereby making it expensive, hence the temptation to adulterate it by bulk buyers with the wrong assertion of retaining the quality. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the effect of adulterated palm oil on the activity of liver enzymes and non-liver enzymes markers of albino rats. Twenty rats divided into five groups of four rats each were used for this investigation for fourteen (14) days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Biochemical indices of liver enzymes makers and non-liver markers were determined. Liver enzymes ALP and ALT concentrations showed significant increase (p<0.05) when compared with group 1 and 2, also non-liver markers albumin, conjugated and total bilirubin showed significant increase (p<0.05) when compared to group 1 and 2. Histopathological examination showed mild inflammation of the liver for group 3, while histological features for groups (4 & 5) administered with higher dosage showed intense periportal and intraparenchymal inflammations. A compromise in liver function in rats administered with adulterated palm oil was observed. Keywords: Sudan III Dye, Palm Oil, Bilirubin, Albumin, Liver Function Biomarkers 1. Introduction Colorants (dyes and pigments) are important industrial chemicals. According to the technological nomenclature, pigments are colorants which are insoluble in the medium to which they are added, whereas dyes are soluble in the medium [1]. Sudan dyes are the azo dyes which when eaten can be split into amines that are carcinogenic [1]. Sudan dyes are in the family of azo-dyes which are industrial dye used in the manufacture of plastics [2]. Azo colorants are the most important class of synthetic dyes and pigments, representing 60 - 80% of all organic colorants [2]. The use of Sudan dyes in food is to enhance and maintain its colour constitutes which has been a major public health concern [3]. These dyes include Sudan I, II, III, and IV which are weak acids classified as category 3 carcinogens due to the induction of some types of cancer related to bladder and liver in animals [4]. Sudan dyes I, II, III, IV, and their degradation products are considered harmful to human health due to their teratogenicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity [4]. Azo dyes comprise one or more nitrogen-nitrogen double bonds which are referred to as azo groups [3]. Azo dyes under reductive conditions could be cleaved [5]. The azo group when cleaved results in aromatic amines. A proportion of these amines have been classified as being potentially carcinogenic to humans. Sudan dyes have genotoxic effects and that ingestion of food products contaminated with Sudan I, II, III, and IV and Para Red could lead to exposure in the human gastrointestinal tract [5]. Although azo dyes can be