EFFECT OF A MILK PRESERVATIVE ON BLOOD CELL INDICES AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAME TERS OF MALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

In view of the scarcity of studies carried out on the toxic effects of orally administered formaldehyde (HCHO) and the wide use of this aldehyde as a preservative in dairy products in addition to its existence in milk of cows

fed formaldehyde-treated feeds, the present study was suggested. Hence, the Q aim of this work was the study of the possibly occurring toxic effects of

subchronic administration (for 5 weeks) of HCHO on different hematological and biochemical parameters of male albino rats. The use of dose levels lying within the range of dairy product preservation was taken into account depending on the review and survey carried out on the markets.

From the survey carried out on milk samples collected from: (I) private farms in some Egyptian Governorates, (2) large companies, and (3) milk peddlers and dairy shops, data obtained showed that all samples contained formaldehyde at widely different levels (22-177 ppm). In addition, soft cheese samples collected from local market contained formaldehyde at randomly different levels ranging between 13 and 164 ppm. Overall, the survey revealed that the level ofHCHO increased in milk and cheese samples collected during summer months.

Formaldehyde was not only detected in fresh milk and soft cheese but also it was found in the imported milk powder (range 80-122 ppm). Moreover,