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This study assessed organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) residues in the muscle of frozen Atlantic herrings (Clupea harengus) and compared with the maximum residue limits set by European Union (EU), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Frozen fish samples were purchased from Oke Ado market in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria and weighed per batch. Fish sample averaged 300grams were wrapped in aluminum foil paper and placed in cooler and taken to the Laboratory for analysis. OCPs were tested in C. harengus in February, March and April, 2023. The mean concentration and standard deviation of OCP congeners detected (concentration in ng/g) for February, March and April were 1368.74±47.49, 546.07±18.45, 788.40±35.36 respectively for a-HCH. p,p'-DDT had 0.14±0.06 with other values having b-HCH 0.36±0.15, d-HCH 0.52±0.23 in February, 0.00±0.00 in March and 0.20±0.08 in April. Aldrin and Endrin aldehyde concentration were 9.11±3.65 and 42.08±16.82 respectively for February only. Methoxychlor however recorded 1.12±0.47, 0.38±0.14 and 0.25±0.06 for February, March and April accordingly. The levels of OCPs detected exceeded Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), indicating potential risks to human health. It is recommended that regulatory measures, public awareness and continuous monitoring should be undertaken to stem the effects of this pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global disapproval on the adverse effects of synthetic drugs necessitated research into efficacious alternatives that will enhance growth of food fish. This study was conducted to examine the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings on diets fortified with tamarind pulp and leaf. The fingerlings (n = 900, 5.73±0.1 g) were randomly distributed into 10 groups of 100 L tanks with borehole water in a static renewal system. Fish were fed test diets fortified with 0.0% (positive control), 2 g oxytetracycline kg-1 diet (negative control) and four varying levels (5, 10, 15, 20 g.kg-1 diets) each of tamarind pulp or leaf meal at 3% body weight daily for 84 days. Fortification of the diets with tamarind significantly enhanced (P=0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, nitrogen metabolism and survival rate, with the best performance at 20 g pulp and 10 g leaf. The highest apparent nutrient digestibility, profit index and benefit cost ratio were also obtained at these two treatments. Feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced (P=0.05) while protein efficiency ratio increased in fish fed tamarind-fortified diets. Thus, inclusion of tamarind pulp and leaf promoted digestibility of nutrients, and consequently the growth performance, in Clarias gariepinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]