ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Evaluating the Consequences of Fluoride Poisoning on Proximate Compositions of Amaranthus dubius

The effect of fluoride on proximate compositions such as contents of protein, carbohydrate and fat from leaves, stems, roots and seeds were studied using various concentrations of sodium fluoride in the water used to irrigate the plant Amaranthus dubius. The results showed that Amaranthus dubius which receives only water (control) had higher amount of protein (10.04µg/g) in its leaves and low amount of protein (0.63 µg/g) in the roots of Amaranthus dubius watered with 50ppm of sodium fluoride on the 55^th day of growth. The amount of protein decreases when concentration of sodium fluoride increases. The amount of carbohydrate (µg/g) in leaves of all experimentally challenged Amaranthus dubius varied from 2.0µg/g - 42.3µg/g (minimum in roots to maximum in leaves) when estimated from 15 to 55 days. Amaranthus dubius watered with 50ppm concentration of sodium fluoride showed higher amount of carbohydrate which is much higher than the carbohydrate content present in the leaves of Amaranthus dubius grown as control. The maximum presence of fat was found in the leaves of Amaranthus dubius watered with 50ppm of sodium fluoride from day 15 to 55 (1.4µg/g-0.52 µg/g).