African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

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.1and 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.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 02 October 2009
  •  Published: 16 November 2009

Abstract

 

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.

Abbreviation

BS, Biological Sciences; PN, Prof Nok; LH, Limi Hospital; RRGRA, Rock Road, Government Reserved Area.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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