Reproduction study of grape colour extract in rats

The effect of Welch's Special Grape Color Powder Type BW-AT on reproductive performance was studied through two generations of Sprague-Dawley rats and a subchronic study was carried out on the F1 animals. The grape colour powder at dietary levels of 7.5 and 15.0% (w/w) had no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Body weights for F0 and F1 generation pups at both dose levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than those of control pups at 21 days after birth. During the 13-wk subchronic feeding study of F1 rats, the body-weight gain of female rats in the high-dose group was reduced compared with the controls (P less than 0.05). Food conversion data was comparable among groups, thus the decrease in body-weight gain during this phase was most likely the result of the lower calorific value (w/w) of the feed supplemented with the grape colour powder compared with the control feed. No toxic effects or pathological changes were noted in rats fed grape colour powder.

Clastogenic activity of dried fruits

The clastogenic activities of several commercially-dried fruits, including black and golden-seedless raisins, medium-sized California prunes, table dates, bananas, California black mission figs and breakfast apricots, were examined using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as the test organism and chromosome aberrations as the endpoint. Treatment of the CHO cells with water extracts of these dried fruits significantly increased the frequencies of metaphase plates with 1 chromosome break or exchange as well as the average number of chromosome exchanges per metaphase plate. A liver microsomal S9 mixture reduced this clastogenic activity. Dried fruits represent an example of widely consumed food products with strong genotoxic activities.

Prediction of agricultural worker safety reentry times for organophosphate insecticides

Concepts and current methods of determining worker safety reentry times are reviewed. Comparison of human monitoring studies, factors in a worker reentry episode and exposure estimation methods illustrate the advantages of estimation methods. Research needs for worker reentry times are discussed. A systematic view of the worker reentry situation is suggested.

Toxicity of pokeberries (fruit of Phytolacca americana large) for turkey poults

Fresh pokeberries were picked from the cluster and liquified in a blender for 3 to 5 minutes. The liquified berries were mixed into a standard turkey starter at the rate of 0, 2-1/2, 5 and 10%. Addition was at the expense of the total diet. Two separate experiments were conducted with day old Broad White turkeys. Weight gain, mortality and gross lesions were observed to 3 weeks of age. Growth rate was reduced with each increase in level of pokeberries. In Experiment 1, 3-week gains were 376, 354, 314 and 205 g. for 0, 2-1/2, 5 and 10% pokeberries. Weight gains in Experiment 2 were 339, 317, 254 and 172. Mortality was 33 and 43% in the two experiments when 10% pokeberries were fed. Lower levels produced erratic mortality results. Poults fed 5 and 10% pokeberries exhibited ataxia and occasional inability to walk. The hock joints frequently became enlarged and crooked. Ascites was observed in some birds at all dietary levels of added pokeberries. The gall bladder of dead birds was frequently much enlarged and filled with brownish fluid rather than normal bile.