Acute Toxicity and Histopathological Changes in Gill and Liver of Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Juvenile Exposed to 2, 4-D Amine (Herbex D Sl®)

The acute toxicity and histopathological changes in the gill and liver of Clarias gariepinus juvenile exposed to Herbex-D SL ®, a herbicide containing 720g/l of 2, 4-D amine were investigated. In a static renewal bioassay, the fish were exposed to 0.00, 1.40, 1.44, 1.48 and 1.52mg/l of 2, 4-D amine. The 96 hours lethal concentration (LC50) of 2, 4-D amine to juvenile of Clarias gariepinus was 2g/l. The fish exposed to 2, 4-D amine showed toxicological signs of erratic swimming, loss of reflexes and lethargy. Histopathological changes in the gill architecture were characterized by lifting of epithelia layer, vacuolization, inter-lamella hyperplasia and mild desquamation of the epithelia lining. There was an evidence of advancing phase of hepatic necrosis in the liver of fish exposed to 2, 4-D amine. 2, 4-D amine is highly toxic and its use in or near aquatic environment should be monitored. Key words: 2,4- D amine (Herbex D SL®), Clarias gariepinus, Acute toxicity, Histopathology

Haematological changes in the blood of Clarias gariepinus fed Chrysophyllum albidum seedmeal replacing maize

This study was conducted to investigate growth response of C. gariepinus fed diets containing C. albidum seed-meal replacing Five isonitrogenous diets containing maize which was replaced by C. albidum at a rate of 0,25, 50, 75 and 100% were made. Without C. albidum seed-meal served as the control, experimental diets were assigned randomly to the tanks and each group was fed 5% body weight in equal proportion per day. The fish fed diet 1 had the highest PCV while the fish fed diet 3 had the PCV. There was significant difference (p0.05) in the PCV of the fish fed diet 2, diet 3, diet 4, diet 5. A similar trend as observed for PCV was also Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the WBC of the blood of the fish fed various treatments so also were neutrophyls and lymphocytes

Effect of Cooking and Roasting on Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Factors in Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) Seed Meal.

The effect of cooking and roasting on levels of nutrients and anti-nutritional factors in Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) seed meal was investigated. Significant (p < 0.05) variation existed in the nutrient levels among the raw, cooked and roasted kenaf seed meal. Roasting resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in crude protein and mineral composition. The processing methods had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the phytic acid but significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the tannin content of the kenaf seed meal. While cooking significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the trypsin inhibitors, roasting did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter the trypsin inhibitory activities in Kenaf seed meal  when compared with the unprocessed kenaf seed meal. Key words: Hibiscus cannabinus; Kenaf seed meal; Cooking; Roasting; Nutrient; Anti-nutritional factor