Trace metals and nutrient analysis of marine fish species from the Gwadar coast.

Trace metals are naturally occurring metals found in very small concentrations in the environment. In the context of fish flesh, metals such as copper, calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, and manganese are absorbed by fish and play vital roles in various physiological functions. However, if these metals exceed the recommended limits set by WHO/FAO, they are termed 'toxic metals' due to their harmful impacts on both the fish and its consumers. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the levels of protein, lipids, and certain metals-Aluminum (Al), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), and Calcium (Ca) in three commercially important marine fishes i.e. Rastrelliger kanagurta, Sardinella abella, and Otolithes ruber. The study also aims to assess their potential impact on human health. The macro-Kjeldhal method and Soxhlet apparatus were used to estimate protein and lipid contents, while atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to estimate trace metals found in fishes. The study found that these fish species are valuable sources of protein, lipids, and certain essential minerals. The protein content (CP) in these three species ranged from 63.35 to 86.57%, while lipid content was from 21.05 to 23.86%. The overall results of the trace metal concentrations analyzed in the present study revealed that Aluminum (Al), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), and Calcium (Ca) were found in low concentration or traces and also within suitable ranges as set by WHO/FAO. However, Iron (Fe) was absent in all three species. Moreover, both copper and potassium were found in all three species, while Zinc was present in Rastrelliger kanagurta and Sardinella abella, calcium in Sardinella abella, and sodium in Otolithes ruber only. Titanium was recorded for the first time in S. abella. However, the total health risk assessment associated with these fish food consumption was measured by THQ and TTHQ and found to be less than 1, which shows no potential risk related to trace metals found in these fishes on human health upon their consumption. In conclusion, these commercially important marine fish species were found valuable sources of protein, lipids, and essential trace minerals that are necessary for human health. Thus, the current study provides useful information for the local population to make informed decisions about their daily diets and highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices to maintain these valuable marine resources by periodical monitoring of their ecosystem.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Aspiculuris tetraptera (nematoda: Heteroxynematidae) from Mus musculus (rodentia: Muridae) in Saudi Arabia.

Aspiculuris tetraptera a pinworm of mice, is an important parasite in institutions with mice colonies for both research and teaching purposes. Infection with this parasite has impact on biomedical research. This is likely due to the availability of the parasite's eggs in the environment, therefore can easily be transmitted and infection is generally asymptomatic. No information regarding the prevalence, morphology or phylogeny is available on A. tetraptera from Saudi Arabia. A group of 50 laboratory mice were investigated for the presence of A. tetraptera. Worms were described morphologically and molecular characterization was attempted using 18S rRNA and Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I genes. The prevalence of A. tetraptera infestation in the laboratory mice examined was found to be 46%. Morphological description indicated that the worms belong to A. tetraptera and this was confirmed by molecular characterization. Both regions studied have shown that the worm under investigation grouped with A. tetraptera. 18S rDNA sequences obtained in the present study showed high identity with sequences from A. tetraptera while Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences showed intraspecific variation resulted into two haplotypes from the isolates in the present study. A. tetraptera was recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia. Molecular characterization has shown, based on the COI sequences, that the Saudi isolates of A. tetraptera are distinct.