ABSTRACT
@# Introduction: The culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has become wide spread because of its high productivity over a short period of time. Its production partially fulfills the demand for food in rural people in Bangladesh. However, the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the human body through consumption of fish contaminated by it causes various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation of five heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) in cultured Nile tilapia in the Noakhali region of Bangladesh. Methods: Fish were collected from three different fish farms in the Noakhali region and samples of gill, muscles and liver of tilapia were assayed for Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cu using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Proximate composition of the tilapia was also determined. Results: Metal accumulation in different tissues was as follows: liver > gill > muscle. The accumulation of metals in the muscle, gill and liver was Ni > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd, Pb > Ni > Cu > Cr > Cd and Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd, respectively. The bioaccumulation of lead was significantly increased in liver and gill while muscle showed the lowest value. Conclusion: It can be concluded that bioaccumulation of Pb, Cr and Ni in Nile tilapia in this study exceeds the permissible limits set for heavy metals by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-407. This is potentially risky for consumers.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the elemental composition of the leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) due to the plant's wide application in the indigenous medicinal system and its chemical constituents' importance. Methods: The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for quantitative analysis of various elements. Results: Total 13 important elements were analyzed in leaves and flowers of C. roseus. Results indicated the presence of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cr, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Mn in both leaves and flowers. The most important finding of the work was that, leaves of C. roseus showed high concentration of all elements except K and Zn while flowers of C. roseus showed higher concentration of K and Zn. Conclusions: The elemental composition in both leaves and flowers of C. roseus were found to be different. Therefore, different parts of this medicinal plant are enriched in some micro and macro nutrients like Fe, Ca, Na, K, Zn, which are very important for biological metabolic system as well as human health.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the reproductive health rights, women empowerment and gender equity in a rural area of Bangladesh. Three hundred married women of reproductive age [15-49 years] in Meherpur District, Bangladesh were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and purposing sampling techniques. The logistic regression analysis was used to determine the dominating factors affecting reproductive health rights. To fulfill the objectives of the study the two main factors, age at marriage and family planning acceptance of the respondents, were regarded as the determinants. The study results revealed that almost all the respondents were housewives [82.3%], one-third [31.0%] did not avail any modern facility, and their yearly income was very low. Moreover, about half of the women [52.7%] were very young [