Determination of some heavy metals in Mastacembelus mastacembelus (Banks & Solander, 1794) in terms of public health.

In this study, the accumulation of some heavy metals in spiny eel (Mastacembelus mastacembelus Banks and Solander, 1794) living in Karakaya Dam Lake was determined and human health risk of this fish when consumed as food was examined. For this purpose, the amounts of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium(Cd), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) in water samples and in the muscle tissues of the fishes were determined. The amounts of heavy metals showed differences in the muscle tissues of Mastacembelus mastacembelus according to weight, length, sex and age groups of fish. In conclusion the amounts of heavy metals in the flesh of spiny eels were found lower than that recommended by EPA, WHO, FAO and TFC.

Some Antioxidants and Malondialdehyde Levels in the Flesh of Rainbow Trout, (Oncorhynchus mykiss W., 1792) from Various Feeding Habitats.

The present study was aimed to find the effect of feeding habitats on the amounts of some antioxidants (vitamin A, E, C, ß-carotene and selenium) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the flesh of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). For this purpose, vitamins (A, C and E), ß-carotene amounts and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by HPLC and selenium amount was determined by fluorometric method in the flesh of rainbow trout obtained from various feeding habitats. The highest amounts of vitamins (A, C and E), ß-carotene and selenium were found in the flesh of wild rainbow trout (WRT), followed by cage reared rainbow trout (CRRT) and pond reared rainbow trout (PRRT). However, the levels of MDA in the flesh of PRRT were the highest, followed by CRRT and the lowest in WRT.

Analysis of toxic effects of Alternaria toxins on esophagus of mice by light and electron microscopy.

In this study, the possible toxic effects of Alternariol Methyl Ether (AME) and Tenuazonic Acid (TeA) produced by Alternaria species on esophagus of mice were investigated by using light and electron microscopy techniques. Mice were orally fed daily with AME or TeA for 10 months and at the end of this period, the effects of these chemicals on the esophageal mucosa were determined. By light microscopic examination, moderate and severe dysplasia characterized by loss of polarity, nuclear pleomorphism, and hyperchromasia were observed in TeA-treated animals. Electron-microscopic examination of TeA-treated mucosal epithelial cells revealed pyknosis in some nuclei, granulation and increase in chromatin mass, irregularities in the nuclear contours, vacuolization in nucleoplasms. and marked pleomorphism in the nuclei. In conclusion, our results suggested that TeA has higher toxicity as evidenced by dysplastic transformation.

The effect of egg size on yolk utilization and growth of rainbow trout alevins (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum).

Changes in body weight and yolk weight were studied in rainbow trout alevins derived from large eggs (diameter >4 mm) and small eggs (egg diameter <4 mm) from the same female. Maximal body weight was reached later, and was higher, for alevins derived from large than from small eggs. The yolk was absorbed more quickly by the alevins of small eggs. Percentage of body water increased in alevins during fasting up to a limit of 91%. Although the limit was the same for both groups of alevins, it was reached more quickly by alevins from small eggs. Relative water content of the yolk did not seem to be influenced by egg size. These results suggest that original egg size had both a quantitative and qualitative effect on the early development of alevins.