Microbiological And Physicochemical Assessments of Selected Fish Pond Water Sample in South-West, Nigeria

Pathogenic organisms have the ability to reduce or delay fish output. The physicochemical characteristics and microbial population of fish pond water, play great roles in affecting the growth and development of fish. This study aims to assess the microbiological quality and physicochemical quality of fish pond water in Ijebu-North local government of Ogun state, Nigeria. Fish pond water samples were collected from three different locations, which include Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-igbo and Awa. Physicochemical analysis of fish pond water samples were achieved by standard procedures and all parameters were subjected to World Health Organization standards (WHO). The microbiological examination was determined by different selective agar media and biochemical identification was achieved by conventional analysis. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples such as temperature, pH and conductivity ranged from 33.9-44.20C, 6.70-7.87 and 163-196 respectively. The presence of trace and toxic heavy metals such as calcium, zinc, copper, iron, lead and so on were detected in this study. The sample from Ijebu-Igbo had the highest bacteria count of 4.28x102 cfu/ml. Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus species have the highest occurrence among the isolates identified. Therefore, there is need for adequate treatment of fish pond water to reduce the risk of fish exposure to pathogens and heavy metals. This is to ensure that environmental parameters of water are in the optimum range that will enhance healthy fish production

In vitro ethno-toxicology of Hunteria umbellata methanol seed and stem extracts against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its molecular implication on swarming and adhesion genes

Abstract Background Hunteria umbellatta (HU) is a predominant plant with a share of therapeutic properties against various human diseases with no scientific report of its in vitro ethno-toxicology coupled with molecular implication in the literature. This study, therefore, evaluated in vitro toxicological activity and quantification of expression of specific swarming gene, lateral flagellar (Laf A) and adhesion gene (ExsE) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) treated with methanol seed and stem extracts of HU at 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.625, 7.8125, 3.90625 µg/µL concentrations. Results The toxicological results of all the eight tested concentrations from as low as 3.90625 µg/µL to as high as 500 µg/µL of HU seed and stem extracts revealed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) uninhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner compared to controls (positive and negative). The quantity of Laf A and ExsE genes’ expressions in VP was significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) at 500 µg/µL of HU seed and stem compared to control while at 125 µg/µL of the same extract (seed and stem) showed significantly lowered (p ˂ 0.05) expression of swarming and adhesion genes in VP relative to control. Comparative to control, adhesion gene (ExsE) expression in VP significantly increased (p ˂ 0.05) at 250 µg/µL of HU seed and stem extracts. Conclusions The results obtained suggest toxicity at varying concentrations and higher concentration dosing of HU seed and stem is harmful as it could lead to increased expression of the gene colonization factor of VP as a major contributory agent of gastroenteritis