Detoxification of groundwater pollutants from Al Jifara plain (Libya) using naturally synthesized chitosan: Histological and antioxidant status in Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT To evaluate the efficiency of naturally derived chitosan as a bio-adsorbent to improve water quality in Jefara plain and health condition, male Wistar rats divided into 7 groups: group I (drinking unpolluted water), group II (drinking untreated water from aquifer 1), group III (drinking water from aquifer 1 treated with 0.5gm/L chitosan), group IV (drinking water from aquifer 1 treated with 1 gm/L chitosan), group V (drinking with untreated water from aquifer 2), group VI (drinking water from aquifer 2 treated with 0.5gm/L chitosan, group VII (drinking water from aquifer 2 treated with 1 gm/L chitosan) for 30 days. Adsorptive ability of chitosan was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray after the exposure processes. The recorded antioxidant biomarkers showed marked elevations superoxide dismutase, glutathione reduced and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in groups II and V. The application of chitosan, significantly (P< 0.05) reduced the TBARS level compared to untreated groups indicating the improvement of antioxidant status. Severity of structural damages of all recorded alterations in renal and hepatic tissues was more pronounced in the rats groups that were exposed to untreated water. While, chitosan intervention is significantly reduced the above recorded alterations.