Evaluation of Health Risks Attributed to Toxic Trace Elements and Selenium in Farmed Mediterranean Mussels from Türkiye and Bulgaria

Farmed mussels accumulate contaminants from their production environment rather than releasing them into water. This study reveals potential health risks associated with selenium, cadmium, mercury, and lead resulting from the consumption of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) cultured along the coasts of Türkiye and Bulgaria. The concentrations of Se and toxic trace metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The detection limits (LOD) were 0.100, 0.015, 0.025, and 0.180 µg/kg for Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively. The mean Se concentrations were between 1.305 and 1.957 µg/g, and toxic metals were below the maximum limits. Due to Turkish and Bulgarian consumers' limited mollusk consumption, mussels could only provide a maximum of 7.35% of the daily Se need. THQ and TTHQ of Se, Cd, and methyl-Hg were below 1, indicating that farmed mussels were safe for consumption. Percent PTWI values were calculated only for Cd and MeHg, as the PTWI value for Pb was discarded by the authorities and not determined for Se. Accordingly, weekly mussel consumption did not pose any risks. The margin of exposure approach was used to evaluate Pb intake. MOE-SBP and MOE-NE were significantly higher than 10, designating no significant health risks. Long-term consumption of mussels also does not pose a carcinogenic risk regarding the TR index calculated between 10-5 and 10-6 for Pb. Positive HBVSe (10.13-37.27) indicated that Se in mussels overcame Hg-related potential health concerns. Consequently, mussels grown in Türkiye and Bulgaria did not pose a risk for human consumption, based on current risk analysis methods.

Effect of Different Plant Extracts on Microbial Population in The Frozen African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Semen

Fish sperm cryopreservation has been attempted on roughly freshwater and marine species since 1953. This study sought to assess the potential of various plant extracts to function as natural antimicrobial agents in the frozen semen of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Diluted sperm was packaged in 0.25ml straws and left for 10min equilibration at 4°C. Following equilibration, the straws were exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 min and plunged into the liquid nitrogen (-196°C) and then thawed in a water bath at 35°C for 20s. Sperm samples were put into sterile 1.5 ml tubes immediately after thawing and the microbial count was detected with classical microbiological culture method. In the results of microbiological analyses, these tree plant extracts especially Echinacea purpurea were found highly effective for decreasing bacterial contamination levels of African catfish (C. gariepinus) semen. These plant extracts may have the potential for antibacterial effect, and they can be useful for the dilution of semen.

Natural Strategies as Potential Weapons against Bacterial Biofilms

Microbial biofilm is an aggregation of microbial species that are either attached to surfaces or organized into an extracellular matrix. Microbes in the form of biofilms are highly resistant to several antimicrobials compared to planktonic microbial cells. Their resistance developing ability is one of the major root causes of antibiotic resistance in health sectors. Therefore, effective antibiofilm compounds are required to treat biofilm-associated health issues. The awareness of biofilm properties, formation, and resistance mechanisms facilitate researchers to design and develop combating strategies. This review highlights biofilm formation, composition, major stability parameters, resistance mechanisms, pathogenicity, combating strategies, and effective biofilm-controlling compounds. The naturally derived products, particularly plants, have demonstrated significant medicinal properties, producing them a practical approach for controlling biofilm-producing microbes. Despite providing effective antibiofilm activities, the plant-derived antimicrobial compounds may face the limitations of less bioavailability and low concentration of bioactive molecules. The microbes-derived and the phytonanotechnology-based antibiofilm compounds are emerging as an effective approach to inhibit and eliminate the biofilm-producing microbes.