Phytochemical assessment of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Nigeria

Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive, free floating aquatic herb with adventurous root system. They constitute nuisance in the water ways. This study evaluated the qualitative phytochemical concentration of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Nigeria. The study found that tannins and alkaloids are high present, glycosides and saponins and flavonoids are moderately present in most of the samples. This study confirms that Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun could be used for antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic agent

Water quality and proximate analysis of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Amassoma Axis, Nigeria

Surface water harbors several useful aquatic plants. Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive plant found in several aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta including rivers, creeks and creeklets. This study investigated the physicochemical and proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Amassoma axis, Nigeria. Standard analytical methods were employed for both water quality and proximate analysis. Results showed that the physicochemical properties ranged from 6.910 – 7.350 (pH), 25ºC (temperature), 0.000 – 0.017 mg/l (salinity), 10.333 – 34.333mg/l (total dissolved solid), 25.700 – 40.533 NTU (turbidity), 0.903 - 3.333 mg/l (total hardness), 3.4333 – 5.466 mg/l (total suspended solid), 33.167 – 68.000 µS/cm (conductivity), 0.500 – 3.466 mg/l (chloride), 0.566 – 0.866 mg/l (sulphate), 0.117 – 0.394 mg/l (nitrate), 0.800 – 2.333mg/l (calcium), 0.333 – 0.816mg/l (potassium), 0.533 – 1.310mg/l (sodium), 0.390 – 1.466 mg/l (magnesium), 0.023 – 0.463 mg/l (iron) and 0.003 – 0.023 mg/l (manganese). Proximate composition including moisture content, ash, protein, lipid, fiber and dry matter ranged from 82.733 – 87.760%, 6.216 – 7.700%, 3.656 -5.036%, 1.836 -3.023%, 5.700 – 7.166% and 12.283 -17.300% respectively. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant variations (P<0.05) in all the parameters across the sample batches.  The proximate composition of Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun provide vital information that indicates that the plant could be used for the production of value added products such animal feeds and purification of water

Effects of dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate on the sodium, potassium and calcium content in the kidney and liver of Clarias gariepinus

Dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate is an organophosphorus insecticide used in the control of several plant and animal pests. This study evaluated the effects of dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate on the electrolytes (calcium, sodium and potassium) in the kidney and liver of Clarias gariepinus. The fish samples were purchased from private farm in Aluu Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The fishes were carefully housed to prevent contamination and three different concentrations of the toxicant were prepared i.e. 0.00ppm, 0.10ppm and 0.20ppm. At the end of the experiment (four days), the fishes were dissected and the internal organs i.e. liver and kidney were collected and 0.5g of each macerated, and a few drop of physiological saline added before centrifuging at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. The calcium, sodium and potassium content were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that calcium, potassium and sodium ranged from 0.80 – 1.40mg/l, 3.80 – 7.10mg/l and 10.20 – 16.40mg/l respectively (Kidney) and 1.00 – 1.13mg/l, 10.60 – 17.73mg/l and 6.80 – 12.80 mg/l respectively (liver). With the exception of calcium there was significant variations (P<0.05) among the various concentrations of sodium and potassium. The study confirms that dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate can alter the electrolytes balance of Clarias gariepinus

Bioconcentration of Mercury, Lead and Cadmium in the bones and muscles of Citharinus citharaus and Synodontis clarias from the Amassoma Axis of River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria

 Fish is a major source of animal protein to humans and an input in the production of value added products such as animals feed. Activities of man on the environment, and natural processes, often contaminate the aquatic ecosystem causing pollution and subsequent bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of fishes. This study evaluated the bioconcentration of some toxic heavy metals in the muscle and bone of Citharinus citharaus and Synodontis clarias from the Amassoma Axis of River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Standard analytical procedure was employed. The concentration of cadmium and lead from Synodontis clarias ranged from 0.014 - 0.015mg/kg and 0.005 - 0.007 mg/kg respectively in    the muscle and 0.017 - 0.020mg/kg and 0.015 - 0.019mg/kg respectively in the bones. On the other hand, in Cithrinus citharus, the cadmium, lead and mercury concentration ranged from 0.015 - 0.016mg/kg, 0.005 - 0.007mg/kg and 0.001 - 0.002mg/kg respectively in the muscles and 0.024 - 0.030mg/kg, 0.024 - 0.028mg/kg and 0.001 - 0.002mg/kg respectively in the bones. The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among most of the fish samples studied. The heavy metals were in the order of mercury<lead <cadmium in both the muscles and the bones of both fishes. The consumption of these fishes therefore, may pose little or no health threat with regard to heavy metal contamination

Cadmium and Lead level in Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive plant with adventitious root system and constitute nuisances in the waterways. In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, they have remained underutilized. This study assessed the level of cadmium and lead in Eichhornia crassipes from River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The samples were collected from five locations in three batches within six weeks and analyzed using standard analytical methods. Results showed that pH, temperature, cadmium and lead of the water samples ranged from 5.51 – 6.68, 27.60 – 29.57ºC, 0.003 – 0.167mg/l and 0.002 – 0.063 mg/l respectively. While the concentration of cadmium and lead in Eichhornia crassipes ranged from 0.022 – 0.045 mg/kg and 1.095 – 2.450 mg/kg respectively. Analysis of variance showed that there significance difference (P<0.05) across the three batches the samples were collected. The concentration of lead and cadmium in Eichhornia crassipes in relation to the water samples suggests that the plant is aiding the removal of these heavy metals (cadmium and lead) from the water. This study confirms the remediation potentials of Eichhornia crassipes in the purification of water

Bioaccumulation of Chromium, Lead and Cadmium in the bones and tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias camerunensis from Ikoli creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

 The discharge of wastes materials into the aquatic ecosystem could alter the physicochemistry of the water. This study evaluated the bioconcentration of heavy metals against two fresh water fish (i.e Clarias camerunensis and Oreochromis niloticus) from Ikoli Creek, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Samples were obtained from the creek between April and May 2012. The samples were analyzed using standard protocol. Results showed that in Clarias camerunensis, the concentration in bone and tissue are 0.028±0.001mg/kg and 0.018±0.000mg/kg respectively (cadmium), 0.625±0.004mg/kg and 0.218±0.006mg/kg (lead) and 7.776±0.006 mg/kg and 0.793±0.002mg/kg (chromium). While in Oreochromis niloticus the concentration in bone and tissue were 0.044±0.002mg/kg and 0.016±0.001mg/kg (cadmium), 0.525±0.001mg/kg and 0.486±0.006 mg/kg (lead) and 3.628±0.001mg/kg and 2.520±0.008mg/kg (chromium). The bioconcentration were in the order; cadmium<lead<chromium, which were highest in bones. The concentrations in this fishes were above the limit recommended by WHO. The high concentration of chromium in these heavy metals in the fishes suggests the occurrence in the Ikoli Creek