Survey of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) (EBDC) fungicides

Ethylenethiourea (ETU) has been recognized as a compound with adverse toxicological properties. It may occur in ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) (EBDC) fungicides as a by-product and/or a degradation product. Restrictions have been issued by the Italian Health Authority to keep the level of ETU in EBDC formulations under 0.5% (on an EBDC technical product basis). A survey was carried out on 85 samples of commercial formulations from the Italian market to verify compliance with the above limitation. ETU was extracted by methanol and determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Three of the 85 samples (3.5%) exceeded the limit of 0.5% established by the Italian legislation for ETU.     

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of the Herbicide Benzofenap (Taipan 300) to Chironomus tepperi Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) and Isidorella newcombi (Adams and Angas) (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)

Acute and chronic toxicity tests were conducted on the herbicide benzofenap (Taipan 300) using two Australian freshwater invertebrates. The commercial formulation of benzofenap and a blank formulation containing only the adjuvants of Taipan 300 were tested against final instar larvae of the midge Chironomus tepperi and adults of the aquatic snail Isidorella newcombi. In 24-h acute bioassays the midge larvae did not show significant mortality at a nominal concentration of 1.2 mg/L active ingredient (AI), double the maximum notional concentration expected in rice fields after application of Taipan 300 at the permit rate of 2 L/ha. No significant snail mortality was recorded in acute bioassays (24-h exposure, 48-h recovery) at nominal concentrations up to 76 mg/L AI, which is over 120 times the maximum notional field concentration. In chronic assays, the pupation and emergence of C. tepperi was monitored after a 4-h pulse exposure of final instar larvae to Taipan 300 (nominal concentrations 0.001 to 0.1 mg/L AI) and adjuvant-only (0.1 mg/L equivalent) treatments. No statistically significant effects were observed, although emergence appeared to be delayed by higher benzofenap concentrations and by the adjuvant-only treatment. During snail bioassays, egg and feces production were monitored for 21 days after 24-h exposure to Taipan 300 (nominal concentrations 1.2 mg/L to 60 mg/L AI) and adjuvant-only treatments (60 mg/L equivalent). No significant chronic effects were proven against I. newcombi, despite a decline in egg mass production following exposure to all treatments and a reduction in the total numbers of eggs produced at the highest nominal concentrations tested (60 mg/L AI and adjuvant-only treatments). Similarly, feces production by snail pairs exposed to the majority of treatments declined, but these differences were not statistically significant. It is concluded that Taipan 300 does not represent a significant risk to mature C. tepperi larvae or adult I. newcombi in downstream environments when applied to rice fields at the permit rate of 2 L/ha.     

Synthesis and anti-mycobacterial activity of (E)-N'-(monosubstituted-benzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide derivatives

A series of 22 (E)-N'-(monosubstituted-benzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv using Alamar Blue susceptibility test and the activity expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in mug/mL. Compounds 2f, 2g, 2j, 2k and 2q exhibited a significant activity (0.31-0.62 microg/mL) when compared with first line drugs such as isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIP) and could be a good starting point to develop new lead compounds in the fight against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.     

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in the Marche region (1997-2003)

As referral centre for the Marche region, within the national acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance program, coordinated by the National Institute of Health, the Department of Hygiene of the University of Ancona, launched its surveillance activities in February 1997, by involving pediatric, neurology and infectious disease departments of 20 hospitals. The expected number of AFP cases in the Marche region is 2 per year. Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 16 cases were reported, 2 of which in 1997 (yielding an incidence rate of 1/100000), 4 in 1998 (incidence rate 2/100000), 2 in 1999 (incidence rate 1/100000), 1 in 2000 (incidence rate 0.5/100000), 6 in 2001(incidence rate 3/100000), 2 in 2002 (incidence rate 1/100000) and no cases in 2003. These results are very encouraging and point to active participation of all the hospital centres involved.     

Transformation of the herbicide methyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-carbamate (Swep) in soil

Summary In soil, the herbicide methyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-carbamate (Swep) was transformed to 3,4-dichloroaniline, 3,3,4, 4-tetrachloroazobenzene and other unidentified compounds. The rate of Swep degradation was found to be slower than that of acylanilide herbicides. Under identical conditions 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (Diuron) and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea (Linuron) remained unchanged for 40 days.This paper of the Journal Series, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station was supported in part by USPHS research grant ES-16.     

Toxicity of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) to the earthworm Eisenia fetida

The effects of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on the survival, behavior, and morphology of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida, in water at pH 6, 7, and 8 and their toxicity in 10 different soils and an organic substrate have been assessed. A decrease in the pH of water resulted in increased toxicity of Cr to the earthworm. In water, both Cr species produced behavioral changes and morphological symptoms. The 48-h LC(50) values of Cr(III) at pH 6, 7, and 8 were 1.93, 2.55, and 2.78 mg/L, and those of Cr(VI) were 0.47, 0.61, and 0.63 mg/L, respectively. The 14-day median lethal concentrations (LC(50)) of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) for earthworm range from 1656 to 1902 mg/kg for Cr(III) and from 222 to 257 mg/kg for Cr(VI) in soil. In the organic substrate, the LC(50) values of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were 1635 and 219 mg/kg, respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analysis predicted that clay content of soils accounted for 92% and 88% of the variation in the LC(50) values of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively.     

Effect of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV) (BMOV) on selenium nutritional status in diabetic streptozotocin rats

The role of V as a micronutrient, and its hypoglycaemic and toxicological activity, have yet to be completely established. The present study focuses on changes in the bioavailability and tissue distribution of Se in diabetic streptozotocin rats following treatment with V. The following four study groups were examined: control; diabetic (DM); diabetic treated with 1?mg V/d (DMV); diabetic treated with 3?mg V/d (DMVH). V was supplied in the drinking water as bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV). The experiment had a duration of 5 weeks. Se was measured in food, faeces, urine, serum, muscle, kidney, liver and spleen. Glucose and insulin serum were studied, together with glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver. In the DM group, we recorded higher levels of food intake, Se absorbed, Se retained, Se content in the kidney, liver and spleen, GSH-Px and GST activity, in comparison with the control rats. In the DMV group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, Se absorbed, Se retained and Se content in the liver and spleen, and in GSH-Px and GST activity, while fasting glycaemia and MDA remained unchanged, in comparison with the DM group. In the DMVH group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, glycaemia, Se absorbed, Se retained, Se content in the kidney, liver and spleen, and in GSH-Px and GST activity, and increased MDA, in comparison with the DM and DMV groups. We conclude that under the experimental conditions described, the treatment with 3?mg V/d caused a tissue depletion of Se that compromised Se nutritional status and antioxidant defences in the tissues.     

Spanish smoked meat products: Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) contamination and moisture

Traditional direct smoking is used for drying and flavouring foodstuffs, although carcinogenic compounds are added during this process, namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The maximum permissible content of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) (a current marker for the occurrence and effect of PAH in foods) in smoked meat products was reduced from 5 to 2 μg/kg on 1/09/2014, in compliance with European Regulation No. 835/2011. In this study, an analytical method has been developed to determine BaP content consisting of PAH extraction assisted by sonication followed by solid-phase extraction sample clean-up and analytical determination using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sixteen commercial chorizo samples from 16 different Spanish producers from the Principality of Asturias were studied. Five of the samples exceeded the 2 ppb BaP limit. The relationship between moisture and BaP content in chorizo was examined, in order to verify the quality of the manufacturing process. Moisture content did not correlate with BaP content in chorizo.     

Evaluation of the fungicide manganese-zinc ethylene bis(dithiocarbamate) (mancozeb) for sublethal and acute toxicity to Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)

This article describes the outcome of laboratory experiments to determine the acute and sublethal effects of the fungicide mancozeb on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Apart from a standardized acute test, young worms, 25 days old, were exposed to mancozeb mixed into a urine-free cattle manure substrate. Five groups of 10 worms each were used per concentration level (0, 8, 44 mg/kg substrate). The following life-history parameters were measured: growth in consecutive weeks over a 6-week period, survival rate, maturation time, cocoon production, hatching success of cocoons, number of hatchlings per cocoon, and incubation time of cocoons over another 4 weeks. The results indicated that mancozeb had no significant detrimental effect on either growth or reproduction of E. fetida at the recommended dose (8 mg/kg) or at an estimated environmental concentration (44 mg/kg). The findings do not support the hypothesis that avoidance response to mancozeb could serve as an indication of toxicity.     

Long-term exposure of European flounder (Platichthys flesus) to the flame-retardants tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are widely used flame retardants that have increasingly been found as contaminants in the aquatic environment. In the present study, European flounder (Platichthys flesus) were chronically exposed to TBBPA; (105 days) and HBCD (78 days), in a wide range including environmentally relevant concentrations. TBBPA was administered via the water, whereas HBCD was administered in food and sediment, or in sediment alone. Chemical analysis of muscle showed an average increase in internal concentrations of approximately two orders of magnitude for both compounds tested. Animals exposed to HBCD via sediment alone (8000 microg/g total organic carbon, TOC) showed a proportional increase of alpha-HBCD in muscle compared to animals exposed via food and sediment. In both studies, exposure to the test compounds did not affect general health and toxicity parameters (behavior, survival, growth rate, relative liver and gonad weight). Hepatic microsomal enzyme activities (TBBPA: EROD; HBCD: EROD, PROD, and BROD) were not induced by any of the tested chemicals. Aromatase activity in male gonads showed a mild increase with rising TBBPA levels. There were no morphological and immunohistochemical indications for increased production of the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG) in animals exposed to TBBPA and HBCD; immunochemical analysis of plasma VTG levels showed no dose response in animals exposed to TBBPA. In animals exposed to TBBPA, levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxin (T(4)) increased with internal concentrations of the test compound, possibly indicating competition of TBBPA for plasma protein binding. Triiodothyronin (T(3)) levels were not affected and histology showed no signs of altered thyroid gland activity. Other organs investigated (liver, gills, kidney, skin, and gonads) revealed no histological changes related to TBBPA or HBCD exposure. Overall, the present results indicate limited endocrine effects of these widely used flame retardants in a test species representative of European estuaries at environmentally relevant exposure levels and at internal levels up to 4300 ng TBBPA/g wet weight, and 446 microg HBCD/g lipid weight in flounder muscle.     

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) exposure of voluntary plasma and platelet donors

Each year thousands of healthy volunteers undergo apheresis procedures to donate blood components and safe lives. However, many disposables used in apheresis contain di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). This way, donors are exposed to DEHP, which is a reproductive and developmental toxicant in animals and a suspected endocrine modulator in humans. We quantified the DEHP exposure of six plasma donors, six discontinuous-flow platelet donors and six continuous-flow platelet donors by determining three specific metabolites in urine (5OH-MEHP: mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate; 5oxo-MEHP: mono(2-ethyl-5-oxo-hexyl)phthalate and MEHP: mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate). We found maximum concentrations in urine samples after the discontinuous-flow plateletpheresis procedure with 826 microg/l for 5OH-MEHP, 774 microg/l for 5oxo-MEHP and 266 microg/l for MEHP (mean of the six volunteers). Metabolite excretions were found to be significantly (p<0.0001) higher for both plateletpheresis techniques compared to plasmapheresis and controls. Continuous-flow plateletpheresis led to significantly higher (p<0.0001) excretions than discontinuous-flow plateletpheresis. Mean absolute DEHP exposures were 1.2 mg for discontinuous- and 2.1 mg for continuous-flow plateletpheresis. Exposure for plasmapheresis (0.37 mg) was in the range of the controls (0.41 mg). Mean DEHP doses for both plateletpheresis techniques (18.1 and 32.3 microg/kg/day) were close to or exceeded the reference dose (RfD) of the US EPA and tolerable daily intake (TDI) value of the EU on the day of the apheresis. Therefore, margins of safety might be insufficient to protect especially young men and women in their reproductive age from effects on reproductivity. At present, discontinuous-flow devices should be preferred to avert conceivable health risks from plateletpheresis donors. Strategies to avoid DEHP exposure of donors during apheresis need to be developed.     

2,4-Dichlorophenyl-p-Nitrophenyl Ether (TOK)

In a two-generation reproduction study, rats were fed dietary levels of 0, 20, 100, and 500 ppm of 2,4 dichlorophenyl-p-nitrophenyl ether (TOK) (1.8 to 1.1 mg/kg/ day, 9.2 to 5.2 mg/kg/day, and 46 to 26 mg/kg/day, respectively). The survival of the offspring was not affected at the 0 and 20 ppm dietary levels. At the 100 ppm dietary level the survival of the offspring to weaning was reduced and at the 500 ppm dietary level no offspring survived the neonatal period in the two breedings of the first generation.

In further studies rats were dosed during pregnancy either by stomach tube or by adding TOK to the diet. The reduction in the number of surviving litters was caused by poorly developed lungs in the exposed groups. Technical TOK had the same effect as 99% pure TOK. Furthermore, 2,7-dichlorodibenzodioxin, which may be a contaminant of TOK, does not affect the maturation process of the lungs when given at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg/day on days 7 to 15 of gestation.     

Natural Antioxidants: Piper sarmentosum (Kadok) and Morinda elliptica (Mengkudu)

The antioxidant activity of two edible medicinal plants commonly used in Malaysian traditional medicine i.e. Piper sarmentosum (kadok) and Morinda elliptica (mengkudu) were tested for antioxidant activity. The methanolic leave extracts of kadok and mengkudu, at 250ug/ml, were tested using the Xanthine/Xanthine Oxidase (X/XOD) Superoxide Scavenging assay. Both extracts showed high superoxide scavenging assay, 88% and 80% respectively compared to superoxide dismutase (SOD) standard. The crude extracts were further fractionated using column chromatography and tested for superoxide scavenging activity, to obtain antioxidant active fractions. Two active fractions were obtained from kadok, PsFr6-71.3%, PsFr7-71.3%, and one active fraction from mengkudu, MeFr3-86.6%. These active fractions were compared against 14 phenolic compound standards. After a series of HPLC analysis of samples and standards, a natural antioxidant compound was identified in kadok and mengkudu i.e. Naringenin (4',5,7-Trihydroxyflavanone) with 75.7% superoxide scavenging activity. Naringenin is a highly potent natural antioxidant that has been reported in the raw materials of larch and grapefruit extracts. Thus, kadok and mengkudu which contain Naringenin, could be used as antioxidant dietary supplements.     

Patterns of antibody response in humans to the anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) primary (six-dose) series

The antibody profile during and after the six-dose primary vaccination series with anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA, Biothrax) was characterized in 86 human volunteers. Ninety-three percent of recipients developed IgG antibodies to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) after two doses, and 100% were seropositive after dose #3. Geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of IgG to PA measured before and after each dose were significantly lower after injection #3 (peak GMC=146.65 microg/mL, trough GMC=15.16 microg/mL) than after injections #4 (peak GMC=430.46 microg/mL, trough GMC=94.57 microg/mL), #5 (peak GMC=415.05 microg/mL, trough GMC=81.94 microg/mL), or #6 (peak GMC=401.16 microg/mL, trough GMC=96.19 microg/mL) (por=0.7923 for each). Decay rates for IgG to PA were significantly faster after injection #3 (half life [T1/2]=39.21 days) than after injections #4 (T1/2=72.03 days), #5 (T1/2=70.14 days), and #6 (T1/2=74.59 days) (p相似文献   

Darstellung von 5-Amino-4-chlor-3(2H)-pyridazinon-(4,5-14C) durch mikrobielle Dephenylierung von 5-Amino-4-chlor-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinon-(4,5-14C) (Pyrazon) im Boden

Summary Synthesis of 5-amino-4-chloro-3(2H)-pyridazinone-(4,5-¹⁴C) by microbiological dephenylation of 5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone-(4,5-¹⁴C) (Pyrazon) in soil.Earlier experiments have shown (1,2) that pyrazon (5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone), the active ingredient of the herbicide PYRAMIN^®, is dephenylated in soil to form the metabolite 5-amino-4-chloro-3(2H)-pyridazinone (metabolite B). More recent investigations into the decomposition of pyrazon in the soil have shown (4,5) that soils with extreme degradation-capacity can be obtained by repeated additions of active ingredient to the soil, while keeping both temperature and humidity at an optimum. Soils conditioned by this method in the laboratory were capable of completely metabolizing up to 5 000 ppm pyrazon within 10–14 days.Obviously strains of micro-organisms are selected in the soil, which use the phenyl-ring of pyrazon as their main carbon source. Dephenylation proceeds with good yield and is therefore suitable for preparation of the metabolite. Since chemical synthesis of the radioactive metabolite is rather difficult and costly, the biochemical degradation of pyrazon-(4,5-¹⁴C) was used to obtain the labelled metabolite. Recovery from soil was 53,1 % of the theoretical amount. The metabolite obtained was both chemically and radiochemically pure.     

Adsorption Characteristics of Cadmium(II) onto Functionalized Poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-Grafted Coconut Coir Pith

This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a novel adsorbent, poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-grafted coconut coir pith with carboxyl functionality (PGCP-COOH) for the removal of cadmium(II) from water and wastewater. Maximum removal of 99.9% was observed for an initial concentration of 25 mg/L at pH 6.0 and adsorbent dose of 2.0 g/L. The first-order reversible kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model were resulted in high correlation coefficients and described well the adsorption of Cd(II) onto PGCP-COOH. The complete removal of 22.4 mg/L Cd(II) from fertilizer industry wastewater was achieved by 2.0 g/L PGCP-COOH. The reusability of the PGCP-COOH for several cycles was demonstrated using 0.1 M HCl solution.     

25(OH)D(3) and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Female Nonhuman Primates

Abstract Objective: To determine if interindividual differences in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25(OH)D(3)) have pathophysiologic significance, we evaluated a cohort of female monkeys, seeking to identify associations with clinically relevant cardiovascular risk factors, including age, abdominal obesity (waist circumference), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Methods: One hundred fifty-five female vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) aged 3-25 years consumed a typical western diet for 7-8 weeks that provided a woman's equivalent of approximately 1000?IU/day of vitamin D(3). Measurements of vitamin D(3) and HDL-C concentrations, as well as waist circumference, were obtained. Results: Among young monkeys (aged 3-5 years), compared to older monkeys (aged 16-25 years), the mean plasma 25(OH)D(3) concentrations were 82.3±3.2?ng/mL and 58.6±2.9?ng/mL (p<0.0001), respectively. Plasma 25(OH)D(3) concentrations had a range of 19.6-142.0?ng/mL (mean±standard error [SE] 66.4±1.7?ng/mL). 25(OH)D(3) concentrations were inversely associated with age (p<0.0001) and waist circumference (p=0.016) and were positively correlated with HDL-C (p=0.01). However, when statistically controlling for age, none of these relationships remained significant. Conclusions: Higher plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D(3) were associated with more favorable cardiovascular risk factors, with inverse associations observed between 25(OH)D(3) and abdominal obesity, HDL-C, and age. These associations were no longer significant when controlling for age.     

Genetically highly divergent RNA virus with astrovirus-like (5′-end) and hepevirus-like (3′-end) genome organization in carnivorous birds,European roller (Coracias garrulus)

Astroviruses (family Astroviridae) and hepeviruses (family Hepeviridae) are small, non-enveloped viruses with genetically diverse +ssRNA genome thought to be enteric pathogens infecting vertebrates including humans. Recently, many novel astro- and hepatitis E virus-like +ssRNA viruses have been described from lower vertebrate species. The non-structural proteins of astro- and hepeviruses are highly diverse, but the structural/capsid proteins represent a common phylogenetic position shed the light of their common origin by inter-viral recombination. In this study, a novel astrovirus/hepevirus-like virus with +ssRNA genome (Er/SZAL5/HUN/2011, MK450332) was serendipitously identified and characterized from 3 (8.5%) out of 35 European roller (Coracias garrulus) faecal samples by RT-PCR in Hungary. The complete genome of Er/SZAL5/HUN/2011 (MK450332) is 8402 nt-long and potentially composed three non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs): ORF1a (4449 nt/1482aa), ORF1b (1206 nt/401aa) and ORF2 (1491 nt/496aa). The ORF1ab has an astrovirus-like genome organization containing the non-structural conserved elements (TM, CC, NLS, VPg) and enzyme residues (trypsine-like protease, RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase) with low amino acid sequence identity, 15% (ORF1a) and 44% (ORF1b), to astroviruses. Supposedly the ORF2 is a capsid protein but neither the astrovirus-like subgenomic RNA promoter (sgRNA) nor the astrovirus-like capsid characteristics have been identifiable. However, the predicted capsid protein (ORF2) showed 26% identity to the corresponding protein of hepevirus-like novel Rana hepevirus (MH330682). This novel +ssRNA virus strain Er/SZAL5/HUN/2011 with astrovirus-like genome organization in the non-structural genome regions (ORF1a and ORF1b) and Rana hepevirus-related capsid (ORF2) protein represent a potentially recombinant virus species and supports the common origin hypothesis, although, the taxonomic position of the studied virus is still under discussion.     

United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Safety Review of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is marketed in the U.S. as a dietary supplement. USP conducted a comprehensive safety evaluation of GABA by assessing clinical studies, adverse event information, and toxicology data. Clinical studies investigated the effect of pure GABA as a dietary supplement or as a natural constituent of fermented milk or soy matrices. Data showed no serious adverse events associated with GABA at intakes up to 18 g/d for 4 days and in longer studies at intakes of 120 mg/d for 12 weeks. Some studies showed that GABA was associated with a transient and moderate drop in blood pressure (<10% change). No studies were available on effects of GABA during pregnancy and lactation, and no case reports or spontaneous adverse events associated with GABA were found. Chronic administration of GABA to rats and dogs at doses up to 1 g/kg/day showed no signs of toxicity. Because some studies showed that GABA was associated with decreases in blood pressure, it is conceivable that concurrent use of GABA with anti-hypertensive medications could increase risk of hypotension. Caution is advised for pregnant and lactating women since GABA can affect neurotransmitters and the endocrine system, i.e., increases in growth hormone and prolactin levels.     

Accumulation of Some Heavy Metals Seasonally in Hysterotylacium aduncum (Nematoda) and Its Host Red Sea Bream,Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae) from Gulf of Iskenderun (North-Eastern Mediterranean)

The Red Sea Bream’s nematode and Sparus aurata, sampled from the Iskenderun Bay, North-eastern Mediterranean in March 2008 were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) for their some heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mg, Pb and Zn) levels. The metal concentrations of the parasites were compared to different organs (liver, muscle, swimbladder, intestine and skin) of the fish hosts. The highest Cd (0.303 mg/kgg ww) concentrations were found in the muscle, highest Cr (4.932 mg/kg ww), Hg (2.350 mg/kg ww) Pb (22.82 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the parasite, highest Cu (7.608 mg/kg ww) and Fe (176.7 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the liver, highest Mn (31.24 mg/kg ww) Zn (78.51 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the swimbladder for parasitized fish. The highest Cd (0.612 mg/kg ww), Cu (8.261 mg/kg ww) Fe (261.1 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the liver, highest Cr (6.123 mg/kg ww) and Pb (9.125 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the intestine, highest Hg (2.013 mg/kg ww) Zn (83.30 mg/kg ww) and Mn (41.24 mg/kg ww) concentrations were found in the swimbladder for un-parasitized fish.