RESUMO
The water quality in Karachi (Pakistan) is uncertain due to the occurrence of fungi and other microorganisms. A total of twenty-five water samples were collected from public places, educational institutes, hospitals, water supply systems and surface water of the canal of Karachi (Pakistan). The different fungal species including Acremonium sp., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. sulphureus, Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Clonostachys (Gliocladium) sp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Mucor racemosus, Paecilomyces sp. Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P. commune, P. expansum, Rhizoctonia sp. and Stachybotrys sp. were isolated from these drinking water samples. However, the bacteria, microalgae and some other microorganisms were present in low concentrations. The reason for fungi infection and production of mycotoxicity depends upon various factors and the availability of their nutrients in filtration plants. The major threats to human health are fungal mycotoxicity which is responsible for carcinogenic and other lethal diseases. Mostly, the genus Aspergillus was dominated and isolated with a maximum of 88-98% of occurrence in the different samples of drinking water by the direct plate-spread method. For the control of fungi, various Physico-chemical coagulation treatments were used, but Potassium alum, clay pot, and hot water treatment disinfected effectively 69-70% removal of the fungi and its spore or mycelia from the water. In addition, it is concluded that drinking water purifications such as chlorination, filtration and lime did not eliminate thermophilic fungal spores or mycelia including Penicillium, Paecilomyces and Mucor from the water.
RESUMO
Introduction: The utilization of fauna and fauna-based byproducts in ethnomedicinal usages has been a longstanding human activity, practiced across various cultures worldwide. This study focuses on investigating the utilization of animal-based traditional medicine by the people of Pakistan, specifically in the Gujranwala area. Methods: Data collection took place from January to September 2019 through interviews with local communities. Ethnomedicinal applications of animal products were analyzed using several indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), Folk Use Value (FL), and Relative Occurrence Percentage (ROP). Results: The study identified the use of different body parts of 54 species of animals in treating various diseases and health issues. These include but are not limited to skin infections, sexual problems, pain management (e.g., in the backbone and joints), eyesight issues, immunity enhancement, cold, weakness, burns, smallpox, wounds, poisoning, muscular pain, arthritis, diabetes, fever, epilepsy, allergies, asthma, herpes, ear pain, paralysis, cough, swelling, cancer, bronchitis, girls' maturity, and stomach-related problems. Certain species of fauna were noted by informers with high "frequency of citation" (FC), ranging from 1 to 77. For instance, the black cobra was the most frequently cited animal for eyesight issues (FC = 77), followed by the domestic rabbit for burn treatment (FC = 67), and the Indus Valley spiny-tailed ground lizard for sexual problems (FC = 66). Passer domesticus and Gallus gallus were noted to have the highest ROP value of 99. Discussion: The findings of this study provide valuable preliminary insights for the conservation of fauna in the Gujranwala region of Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, screening these animals for medicinally active compounds could potentially lead to the development of novel animal-based medications, contributing to both traditional medicine preservation and modern pharmaceutical advancements.
