Monsoon Effect on Heavy Metal and Chemical Composition in Parastromateus niger of the Oman Sea: Health Risk Assessment of Fish Consumption

Deciphering the seasonal dynamics of microplastic morphotypes and associated co-contaminants along the northwest coast of India

In the present study, the northwest coast of India, bordering the Arabian Sea, was selected to evaluate the microplastic (MP) abundance. This is the first study to emphasize the effects of different seasons on MP distribution. The collected MPs were dried, segregated, and evaluated based on their morphotype, size, color, and polymer type. A total of 1756.6, 7326.6, and 202 particles/kg of sand were estimated in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively, with a dominance of polypropylene (PP) type of plastic in the pre-monsoon and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. HDPE and PP collected MPs during the monsoon season were further characterized for associated contaminants. Metal absorbance was detected using SEM-EDX mapping and ICP-MS. The presence of organic compounds (OCs) was analyzed using GC-MS. MPs exhibit distinct associations with metals, among which the HDPE pellet morphotype exhibits a higher range of metal adsorption. Total 61 different OCs were associated with MPs. The HDPE pellets contained the highest amounts of hydrophobic organic compounds. PP pellets were found to contain triglycerides, fatty aldehydes, and alkaloids, along with HOCs. Among morphotypes, pellet forms of MPs were found to adsorb more contaminants. These co-contaminants infiltrate the study area through sewage runoff and shoreline debris deposition, subsequently interacting with MPs. Furthermore, the MP diversity was studied by employing the MP diversity integrated index, which suggests that most of the MP diversity was observed in the pre-monsoon period. The pollution load index employed an MP risk assessment, which presented a low degree of MP contamination. In contrast, the polymer hazard index was calculated as 21650.3 in post-monsoon, placing the area under the extreme danger category. It is evident from the data that the types of MP is more important than their number. Thus, MP morphotypes have importance in the adsorption of co-contaminants.

Recent advances in inspection technologies of food safety health hazards for fish and fish products

The development of reliable and sensitive detection methods is essential for addressing the escalating concerns surrounding fish and fish products, driven by increasing market demands. This comprehensive review presents recent advances in detection approaches, specifically focusing on microplastic, biological, and chemical hazards associated with these products. The overview encompasses 21 distinct detection methods, categorized based on the type of hazard they target. For microplastic hazards, six methods are visual, spectroscopic, and thermal analyses. Biological hazard identification relies on six approaches employing nucleic-acid sequence, immunological, and biosensor technologies. The investigation of chemical hazards encompasses ten methods, including chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunological, biosensor, and electrochemical techniques. The review provides in-depth insights into the basic principles, general characteristics, and the recognized advantages and disadvantages of each method. Moreover, it elaborates on recent advancements within these methodologies. The concluding section of the review discusses current challenges and outlines future perspectives for these detection methods. Overall, this comprehensive summary not only serves as a guide for researchers involved in fish safety and quality control but also emphasizes the significance of staying abreast of evolving detection technologies to ensure the continued safety of fish and fish products in response to emerging food safety hazards.

Evaluation of water quality and bioaccumulation of metals in commercially important fishes: a human health concern

The present study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties of the coastal water and metal concentration in the muscle tissues of five commercially important fish species (Leiognathus equulus, Lates calcarifer, Sillago sihama, Scolopsis bimaculatus, Lutjanus fulviflamma) along Thondi coast, as well as the potential human health risks on consumption of these species were also studied. Water quality parameters, such as mean temperature (31.3 ± 1.86 °C), salinity (28.35 ± 0.79‰), pH (7.95 ± 0.22), TDS (12840 ± 1.49 mg L-1), TSS (310 ± 0.51 mg L-1) and DO (5.99 ± 0.14 mg L-1) were obtained. Various nutrients such as calcium (300.0 ± 36.05 mg L-1), inorganic phosphate (0.186 ± 0.02 μg L-1), magnesium (1077.6 ± 107.01 mg L-1), nitrate (1.584 ± 0.31 μg L-1), nitrite (1.179 ± 0.34 μg L-1), silicate (29.717 ± 1.93 μg L-1) and total phosphorus (0.153 ± 0.08 μg L-1) were also analysed. The concentration of metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the muscle tissue was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Arsenic, Cu and Pb were found to be highest in S. sihama; 1.2364 ± 0.12, 1.6102 ± 0.28 and 1.0103 ± 0.21 μg/g respectively. Cadmium and Zn were found maximum in S. bimaculatus; 0.0876 ± 0.04 and 1.0564 ± 0.16 μg/g respectively, whereas Cr was found highest in L. Calcarifer; 1.6781 ± 0.18 μg/g. Compared our results with FAO/WHO/EU regulations. The estimated daily intake (EDI) specifies that there is no risk of consuming these species. However, the target hazard quotient (THQ) in As is found to be > 1 in these fish species, which implies a possible danger to consumers.

Effects of Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane on Reproductive Systems in Female Rats

The female reproductive system becomes fertile through the action of hormones involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, estrogen-like endocrine disruptors released into the environment come into contact with humans by various routes and affect the reproductive system. Exposure to these chemicals can cause problems with the reproductive process, from egg ovulation to implantation, or cause female reproductive diseases. These reproductive problems cause infertility. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) is used for lubrication in silicone polymers, households, and personal care products. In the case of D5, it is discharged through factory wastewater and can bioaccumulate. Therefore, it accumulates in the human body. In this study, D5 was administered orally for four weeks to determine the effects of D5 on the reproductive process. As a result, D5 increases the number of follicles in the ovary and suppresses the expression of genes related to the growth of follicles. In addition, it increases the gonadotropin hormone, inducing estradiol enhancement and progesterone reduction. Because of these changes in the reproductive system when exposed to D5, the industry should reconsider using D5.