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3. Assessment of trace elements (Cu, Fe, and Zn) in Limnothrissa miodon from Lake Kariba, Zambia: implications for ecological and human health.

Author

Hasimuna, Oliver J., Jere, Wilson W.L., Mtethiwa, Austin H., Yabe, John, Chibesa, Moses, Mphande, Joseph, Mumbula, Inyambo, Phiri, Chisomo J., Siavwapa, Sillah, Nawanzi, Kundananji, and Simfukwe, Kingdom

Subjects
ENVIRONMENTAL health, MICROWAVE plasmas, HEAVY metals, POLLUTION, FOOD safety
Abstract

This study examined Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) levels in Limnothrissa miodon fish from Lake Kariba in Zambia and their potential impact on human health. Two-gram samples from each stratum underwent a 12-hour digestion, and concentrations were determined using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. Results indicated that Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations fell within Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization safety limits. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for males and females remained under recommended thresholds, suggesting minimal health risks from consumption. Element concentrations followed the order Fe > Zn > Cu, all below Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs). THQ values, with Zn posing the highest potential risk followed by Fe and Cu, were under one. Overall, the Hazard Index (HI) was 0.02, signifying a low non-carcinogenic risk from fish consumption. Despite safety, ongoing monitoring of heavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem is advisable for long-term safety. In conclusion, trace element levels in Limnothrissa miodon from Lake Kariba are safe for human consumption with low associated health risks. Nonetheless, continued monitoring of heavy metal levels is vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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9. Assessment of trace elements (Cu, Fe, and Zn) in Limnothrissa miodonfrom Lake Kariba, Zambia: implications for ecological and human health

Author

Hasimuna, Oliver J., Jere, Wilson W.L., Mtethiwa, Austin H., Yabe, John, Chibesa, Moses, Mphande, Joseph, Mumbula, Inyambo, Phiri, Chisomo J., Siavwapa, Sillah, Nawanzi, Kundananji, and Simfukwe, Kingdom

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examined Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) levels in Limnothrissa miodonfish from Lake Kariba in Zambia and their potential impact on human health. Two-gram samples from each stratum underwent a 12-hour digestion, and concentrations were determined using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. Results indicated that Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations fell within Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization safety limits. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for males and females remained under recommended thresholds, suggesting minimal health risks from consumption. Element concentrations followed the order Fe > Zn > Cu, all below Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs). THQ values, with Zn posing the highest potential risk followed by Fe and Cu, were under one. Overall, the Hazard Index (HI) was 0.02, signifying a low non-carcinogenic risk from fish consumption. Despite safety, ongoing monitoring of heavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem is advisable for long-term safety. In conclusion, trace element levels in Limnothrissa miodonfrom Lake Kariba are safe for human consumption with low associated health risks. Nonetheless, continued monitoring of heavy metal levels is vital.

Published
2024
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13. Effects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) and the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) on growth and reproductive performance of native tilapia Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger, 1896).

Author

Chirwa, Elias R., Mtethiwa, Austin, Jere, Wilson Lazaro, and Kassam, Daud

Subjects
*CLARIAS gariepinus, *CARP, *CATFISHES, *FISH populations, *WEIGHT gain, *TILAPIA
Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the effects of common carp and the African catfish on growth and reproduction of the native tilapia Oreochromis shiranus in Malawi. The study was done from 1 May to 1 October 2018 at the National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Zomba. Four triplicated treatments were used: O. shiranus + carp (T1), O. shiranus + catfish (T2), O. shiranus + carp + catfish polyculture (T3) and O. shiranus monoculture (T4). Fish were stocked at uniform density of 0.8 fish/m2. Data collection was done once every month. Results showed that O. shiranus mean weight gain (%), specific growth rate (% body weight/day), average daily gain (g fish−1 day−1) and condition factor (g/cm3) were highest in T3 and lowest in T1 and T4 treatments. T3 had better water quality regime and higher tilapia biomass than T1 and T4 treatments. Tilapia fry production (no. fry pond−1 day−1) was highest in T4 but did not significantly differ (p >.05) between T2 and T3 treatments. It is concluded that the farming of common carp in aquatic ecosystems containing the African catfish may not adversely affect growth and reproduction of O. shiranus and that the polyculture of the African catfish, common carp and tilapia can be adopted to mitigate the potential adverse effects of carp on the environment and improve tilapia growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020
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14. Extent of morbidity associated with schistosomiasis infection in Malawi: a review paper

Author

Mtethiwa, Austin H N, Nkwengulila, Gamba, Bakuza, Jared, Sikawa, Daniel, and Kazembe, Abigail

Subjects
Pathology, medicine.medical_specialty, Population, Scoping Review, Schistosomiasis, Burden, Logistic regression, Environmental health, Quantification, Epidemiology, medicine, 10. No inequality, education, Medical attention, education.field_of_study, business.industry, Public health, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, General Medicine, Odds ratio, medicine.disease, 3. Good health, Infectious Diseases, Risk factors, Extent, Tropical medicine, Morbidity, business
Abstract

Data on the extent of the burden due to schistosomiasis is sparse in most Sub-Saharan African countries. However, this data is crucial for triggering medical attention. A review of extent of morbidity and determinants associated with schistosomiasis in Malawi was therefore conducted to quantify the infection in order to concretise the need for medical intervention. A systematic and traditional search strategy was used to find literature for the review, whilst exclusion and inclusion criteria were used to identify appropriate articles. Logistic regression curves of epidemiological model Y = (a + bxc)/(1 + bxc) and the recommendation that schistosomiasis prevalence can be used to estimate morbidity were employed to quantify morbidity at various infection stages. Morbidity was quantified as a direct proportion of the population and the respective national schistosomiasis prevalence. Findings showed that both S. mansoni and S. haematobium are present in Malawi with the latter highly prevalent (50%). Furthermore, out of the estimated population of 16,829 million, approximately 8.4 million have schistosomiasis, with about 4.4 million of these aged 18 years and below. The most frequent manifestation is Katayama syndrome, while ascites is the lowest, impacting about 3.0 million and 960 individuals, respectively. Localised studies on association of schistosomiasis infection to risk factors such as occupation, age and gender found odds ratio (OR) ranging from 1.29 to 5.37. Morbidity due to schistosomiasis is high in Malawi. It is therefore recommended that a more detailed study on the determinants of high schistosomiasis and re-evaluation of the current control measures be conducted if the current morbidity statistics are to be remarkably reduced. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0053-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Published
2015

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