Journal of Coastal Life Medicine

91-93

Authors: Shola Gabriel Solomon, Victor Tosin Okomoda, Victoria Makeri

Objective: To determine the parasite prevalence in Bagrus filamentosus (B. filamentosus) and Citharinus citharus (C. citharus) from lower River Benue in Makurdi. Methods: A total of 100 specimens each of both B. filamentosus and C. citharus were collected from River Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria and were examined for parasites after measuring basic morphometric parameters. Results: A total of 198 parasitic organisms comprising Eustrongylides africanus (nematode), Diphyllobothrium latum (cestode), Microsporidium sp. (fungi) and Clinostomum complanatum (trematode) were isolated and identified in B. filamentosus while 16 parasitic trematode (Clinostomum complanatum) were found in C. citharus. There was high correlation between total parasites and length as well as weight of the sample (r = 0.945 and r = 0.727 respectively). Conclusions: The result suggests that carnivorous/omnivorous fish species harbor more heterogeneous communities of parasites than herbivorous species do. This implies that the feeding habit is a major factor associated with parasitic infestation.

98-103

Authors: Kumar Mohan, Sadasivam Giji, Pachaiyappan Abirami, Muthuvel Arumugam

Objective: To explore the neurotoxic agent tetramine and characterized with cytotoxicity studies from the chief constituents of sea food Trochus radiatus (T. radiatus) and Thais rudolphi (T. rudolphi) for coastal people of India. Methods: Extraction was performed by following the method of Hashizume et al. (1987) with apposite modification. The extracted aqueous layer was chromatographed on a column of diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex and Sephadex LH-20. To analysis the toxic compound of T. radiatus and T. rudolphi has been done by high performance thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, and the spectral data was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectrum spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity studies of the purified samples were assessed by hemolytic assay, brine shrimp assay and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide – cell proliferation assay. Results: The tetramine content was estimated as 0.4 µg/g and 1.2µg/g respectively (w/w). The maximum haemolytic activity in T. rudolphi was found to be 256 haemolytic unit and 16 haemolytic unit in T. radiatus against human erythrocytes when compared to chicken erythrocytes. The samples exhibited lethality against brine shrimps at 60 and 7 µg/100 mL, respectively. The tetramine from T. rudolphi and T. radiatus showed 54.2% and 70.8% of cytotoxicity against human lymphocyte at 2 mg/ml concentration. Further in the cell morphology studies, cell showed condensed chromatin, cytoplasmic blubbing and detachment from the surface. Furthermore, the presence of tetramine was confirmed based on the Rf values and it was chemically identified as Tetramethylammonium chloride (Pub Chem CID: 6379) through the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. Conclusions: From the human health point of view, though the residue levels of N,N,N'- trimethyl-1,2-ethanediamine, Tetramethylammonium chloride and N,N-dimethylglycine detected in this study are well below the maximum residue limits of consuming level, the continuous intake may probably have side effects at the later stage. The field of marine gastropods toxin-ology is still in its infancy but the potential yields should attract more interest in the coming years and this report has been a significant development in the stoppage; control and even suppression of human hazards.

108-113

Authors: Maheswaran Murugan, Narendran Rajendran, Sundaravarman Kasirajan, Pravinkumar Moorthy, Gunalan Balakrishnan

Objective: To study the echinoderms diversity in Mudasalodai and Pazhayar landing centers during November 2012 to December 2014. Methods: All the collected echinoderm samples were stored at 4 °C until further use. Results: As many as 19 species of echinoderms were recorded in both stations and it belongs to 10 families, three classes such as Asteroidea, Echinoidea and Ophiuroidea. The percentage composition varied from 0.15% to 73%. The species diversity ranged from 1.031 to 2.6; species richness was from 1.02 to 4.06 and species evenness ranged from 0.93 to 0.99. K-dominance curve drawn paralleled the trend of diversity indices. Cluster and multidimensional scaling showed the similarity in echinoderms composition within the stations. Conclusions: The present investigation is evident that the echinoderm occurrence was predominant during the summer season and proved statistically by using SPSS Primer 6.0.

121-127

Authors: Amira Rekik, Zohra Ben Salem, Habib Ayadi, Jannet Elloumi

Objective: To compare the composition of the phytoplankton classes during the two spring studies, to study whether the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton is stable or not between spring 2010 and spring 2011 and to estimate the abiotic factor that mostly affects the structure and the richness of phytoplankton. Methods: Phytoplankton sub-samples were counted under an inverted microscope using the Utermöhl method. Phytoplankton identification was made from morphological criteria after consulting various keys. Results: Results showed a significant difference from spring 2010 to spring 2011 regarding nitrate/phosphate ratio, with high value in spring 2010 (30.19 ± 25.70). Relatively low nitrate/phosphate ratio (1.13 ± 0.53) during spring 2011 might result from phosphogypsum. Phytoplankton was characterised by the proliferation of Bacillariophyceae (46%–78% of the total microphytoplankton) and by the large number of Euglenophyceae. Thirty two Bacillariophyceae species were identified at every station, represented essentially by Amphora sp., Navicula sp., Coscinodiscus sp. and Grammatophora sp. The results advise that Bacillariophyceae are usually adapted to particular ecological environment. Conclusions: This study shows that hydrological conditions in the south coast of Sfax present a high spatial and seasonal variability. The phytoplankton community distribution showed clear variations along the coastal stations during a spring cruises conducted in May 2010 and May 2011. The phytoplankton community found along the coast was dominated by opportunistic Bacillariophyceae species.

132-139

Authors: Maria Shuja, Nazia Jamil

Objective: To isolate, screen and analyze bacteria from different areas of Pakistan for the production of antimicrobial compounds, zinc solubilization and bioplastic production. Methods: Isolation and purification was proceeding with streak plate method. Antagonistic assay was completed with well diffusion and thin-layer chromatography. In vivo analysis of bioplastic was analyzed with Nile blue fluorescence under UV and Sudan staining. Results: A total of 18 bacterial strains purified from soil samples while 148 strains form stock cultures were used. Out of 166 only 94 showed antimicrobial activity against each of Grampositive and Gram-negative; cocci and rods. In case of heavy metal (ZnO and Zn3(PO4)2.4H2O) solubilization, 54 strains solubilized ZnO and 23 strains solubilized Zn3(PO4)2.4H2O, while 127 strains grown on polyhydroxyalkanoate detection meedia supplemented with Nile blue medium showed bioplastic production by producing fluorescence under UV light. Four bacterial strains (coded as 100, 101, 104 and 111) were selected for further characterization. Induction time assay showed that strains 101, 104, and 111 showed inhibitory activity after 4 h of incubation while strain 100 showed after 8 h. All four strains were tolerable to the maximum concentration of ZnO. Amplified products of both 16S rRNA and PhaC gene fragments of strain 111 were sequenced and submitted to GenBank as accession numbers EU781525 and EU781526. Conclusions: Bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa-111 has potential to utilize as biofertilize and bioplastic producer.

143-147

Authors: Michael Russelle Alvarez, Francisco Heralde III, Noel Quiming

Objective: To screen for larvicidal activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts (95% ethanol) from Selaginella elmeri, Christella dentata, Elatostema sinnatum, Curculigo capitulata, Euphorbia hirta, Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii), Alpinia speciosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus), Jatropha curcas (J. curcas), Psidium guajava, Gliricidia sepium, Ixora coccinea and Capsicum frutescens (C. frutescens) against Aedes aegypti (A. aegypti) and Aedes albopictus (A. albopictus) 3rd instar larvae. Methods: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts were screened for larvicidal activity by exposing the A. aegypti and A. albopictus 3rd instar larvae (15 larvae per trial, triplicates) for 48 h, counting the mortalities every 24 h. Additionally, phytochemical screening for flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, anthrones, coumarins, indoles and steroids were performed on active extracts using spray tests. Results: Against A. aegypti, the three most active extracts were C. frutescens ethanolic (100% after 24 and 48 h), J. curcas ethanolic (84.44% after 24 h and 88.89% after 48 h) and M. koenigii ethanolic (53.33% after 24 h and 71.11% after 48 h). On the other hand, against A. albopictus, the three most active extracts were C. frutescens ethanolic (93.33% after 24 h and 100% after 48 h), J. curcas ethanolic (77.78% after 24 h and 82.22% after 48 h) and E. globulus ethanolic (64.44% after 24 h and 73.33% after 48 h). Phytochemical screening was also performed on the active extracts, revealing alkaloids, tannins, indoles and steroids. Conclusios: The results demonstrate the larvicidal activities of ethanolic extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, Euphorbia hirta, Ixora coccinea, Gliricidia sepium, M. koenigii, E. globulus, J. curcas and C. frutescens against A. aegypti and A. albopictus 3rd instar larvae. These could be used as potential larvicidal agents for the control of these mosquitoes.

154-156

Authors: Theresa Ibibia Edewor, Stephen Olugbemiga Owa, Adeola Opeyemi Ologan, Franklin Akinfemi

Objective: To determine the phytochemicals, total saponin content and types of saponin present in leaf extracts of Cassytha filiformis. Methods: The leaves were extracted with n-hexane and methanol. The methanol extract was fractionated. The total saponin content of the butanol fraction was determined by colorimetry via a UV spectrophotometer and ginsenoside was used as the standard. Measurements were carried out at 550 nm. The butanol fraction was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. Results: All screened phytochemicals were absent in the n-hexane extract while saponins, steroids, tannins and glycosides were present in the methanol extract. Flavonoids and alkaloids were absent. The total saponin content of the methanol extract is 73.47 μg ginsenoside Rb1 equivalent/g extract. The chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis gave eicosanoic acid, methyl ester as the most abundant compound and the steroidal saponin, cholestan-7-one and cyclic 1,2-ethanedienyl acetal as the most abundant saponin in the butanol fraction. Conclusions: The leaves of Cassytha filiformis are rich in steroidal saponins.

161-166

Authors: Ette Okon Ettebong, Paul Alozie Nwafor

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ingestion of ethanolic whole plant extract of Eleucine indica on haematological and biochemical parameters of Wistar albino rats. Methods: Subchronic toxicity study was carried out by oral administration of different doses (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight) of the extract on alternate-day basis to different groups of rats for 28 days. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for haematological and biochemical analyses. Results: Haematological indices were preserved and the extract showed significant (P < 0.01–0.001) haemostatic potentials. There was significant reduction (P < 0.05–0.001) in total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alanine transaminase (P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001) and blood glucose (P < 0.001) compared to control. The level of total protein increased significantly (P < 0.05–0.001). Kidney functions were, however, intact. Conclusions: The results obtained indicated that ingestion of Eleucine indica whole plant extract for a long period of time reduces both bleeding and clotting times, reduces blood sugar and shows no apparent toxic effect on liver and kidneys. The results of this study may be useful as a basis for clinical trials in humans.