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A survey for the presence
of microcystins in aquaculture ponds in Zaria,
Northern-Nigeria: Possible public health implication
Chia, A. M.1,3*,
Oniye, S. J.1, Ladan, Z.2, Lado,
Z.1, 1Pila, A. E.1, Inekwe,
V. U.1 and Mmerole, J. U.2
1Department
of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,
Nigeria.
2National
Research Institute for Chemical Technology,
Zaria, Nigeria.
3Departamento
de Botanica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde,
Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
chia28us@yahoo.com.
Tel: +551692852535.
Abbreviation:
BS,
Biological Sciences;
PN,
Prof Nok; LH, Limi Hospital;
RRGRA,
Rock Road, Government Reserved Area.
Accepted
2 October, 2009 |
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Aquaculture
ponds in Zaria, Nigeria, were screened for the occurrence of
the hepatotoxic microcystins using an ELISA method. Four
genera of cyanobacteria (Microcystis, Nostoc,
Planktothrix and Anabaena) were recorded from
11 aquaculture ponds screened. These cyanobacteria are
generally known to produce microcystins and other bioactive
substances. Six of the 11 aquaculture ponds had detectable
concentrations of microcystins (ranging from 0.6 to 5.89
µg/L). This means that there is the possibility of
bioaccumulation of microcystins in fish. The implication of
this is that people that feed on contaminated fish from
these ponds stand the risk of microcystins poisoning.
Key words:
Aquaculture, ponds, microcystins, Zaria, Nigeria. |
