A Study of the Toxicants and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Samples from Ebubu and Elele-Alimini Communities in Rivers State

Abstract

Abstract. This study was carried out to assess the levels of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and antioxidants present in pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis), catfish (Clarias anguillarus), and African land snail (Archachatina marginata), obtained from Ebubu and Elele-Alimini communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. The heavy metals and PAHs were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and gas chromatography respectively, while the antioxidants were assayed by conventional methods. Soil samples at Ebubu contained significantly higher Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni contents than that of Elele-Alimini. The pumpkin leaf from Elele-Alimini contained higher Pb, Zn, Cd, and Fe levels. Cr was undetected in the snails from both locations, while Cd and Ni contents of the snails and catfish at both communities were comparable. For the PAHs, the soil samples from Ebubu contained mostly anthracene (93.37 ppm), benzo[k]fluoranthene (74.36 ppm), fluoranthene (72.64 ppm), and acenaphthylene (47.38 ppm), while those from Elele-Alimini contained more of dibenz[a,h]anthracene (38.65 ppm) and naphthalene (20.55 ppm). Pumpkin leaves from Ebubu were mostly composed of naphthalene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and dibenz [a,h]anthracene, which were undetected in pumpkin leaf samples from Elele-Alimini. In the snail and catfish from Ebubu, acenaphthylene and fluoranthene respectively were the most occurring PAHs, whereas pyrene and phenanthrene respectively had the highest occurrences in snails and catfish from Elele-Alimini. Results for the antioxidant enzymes: catalase and superoxide dismutase in both snails and catfish from Elele-Alimini were significantly higher than those from Ebubu whereas samples from Ebubu contained significantly higher glutathione and malondialdehyde levels. The level of toxicants shown in the foods analyzed in this study is suggestive of potentials to pose significant health risks to the populace when consumed.

Toxicities of selected medicinal plants and floras of lower phyla

“…Amadi et al, 70 posited that elevated MDA levels are suggestive of depleted antioxidant enzyme systems, implying that C. portoricensis, D. arborea, D. repens, P. juniperinum, and P. caperata may have induced oxidative stress in the experimental animals. Further, in agreement with the observations of Ogunka-Nnoka et al, 71 and Ogunka-Nnoka et al, 72 the reductions in levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx indicated the presence of toxic substances in the plant extracts, which may have suppressed their activities. Maintenance of intracellular levels of GST and GR is of paramount importance for removal of xenobiotics from the system.…”

Oral Ingestion Risks of Heavy Metal Accumulation at Top Soils of Automobile Workshops in Owerri Capital City of Imo State, Nigeria

“…Low nickel contamination was observed in OMV, NMV and MMY. However there was moderate nickel contamination in NMAV and AMY, but lower than the reports of Ogunka-nnoka et al 33 There was also moderate mercury in OMV, NMV, and NMAV whereas there was low contamination at MMY and AMY. There was moderate silver contamination in MMY and with arsenic in NMV and AMY.…”

Physa acuta snail as a biomonitor for the efficacy of bioremediation treatment of heavy metals (Fe III and Cd II) using the fungus (Eupenicillium lapidosum) in lined and unlined laboratory conditions

“…They indirectly protect cells against the adverse effects of xenobiotics, carcinogens and toxic radicals (Griffith, 1999). Lipid peroxidation has been suggested to play a role in metal toxicity, with numerous studies undertaken using malondialdehyde (MDA) as biomarker of oxidative stress (Steven and Nerishi, 1992;Khalil, 2015 andOgunka-Nnoka et al, 2018).…”