Bixa orellana seed powder is used as a natural food colorant in many locally prepared foods of northern Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary exposure to B. orellana whole seeds on liver and kidney parameters in male rats. Twelve male Wistar rats (4 rats/group) were fed diet mixed with B. orellana seed powder at 0, 0.5 and 5% for four weeks. Animal body weight, food consumption, absolute liver and kidney weights, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total protein, total bilirubin, albumin, urea and creatinine concentrations were determined. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum total protein concentration, but no significant (p > 0.05) changes in other measured parameters were observed. These results suggest that dietary exposure to B. orellana seed powder may have no adverse effect on the liver and kidney of Wistar rats.

Keywords: Bixa orellana; Seed; Toxicity; Liver; Kidney; Rat