Browsing by Author "Aragona, Francesca"

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    Pubmed
    Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination in Commonly Used Fertilizers for Polyculture Fish Ponds and Its Implications for Human Health: A Comprehensive Investigation.
    (2024-10-12) Naz, Saira; Arshad, Madeeha; Majeed, Saima; Maqaddas, Sawera; Habib, Syed Sikandar; Kesbiç, Osman Sabri; Al-Rejaie, Salim S; Mohany, Mohamed; Bottari, Teresa; Aragona, Francesca; Fazio, Francesco
    Over-fertilizing fish ponds can cause pollution, introducing heavy metals into the food chain and posing health risks. The present study investigated the incidence of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr) in commonly applied fertilizers, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), triple superphosphate (TSP), and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and their association with heavy metals in water, sediment, and cultured fish species (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, and Cyprinus carpio) in polyculture fish ponds. The study was conducted over 4 months, with four groups in triplicates: control (no fertilizer), group 1 (NPK), group 2 (TSP), and group 3 (DAP). Heavy metal analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometry before and after fertilizer application. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of heavy metals were observed in water and sediment after applying fertilizers, with the most pronounced results in group 3 (DAP) followed by group 2 (TSP). The concentration of heavy metals was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in group 3 (DAP) fertilizers compared to other groups. Compared to the control, the concentration and bioaccumulation of heavy metals were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the fertilizer-applied groups, with notably higher levels in group 3 (DAP). Cluster analysis and the correlation matrix did not show any significant association between the heavy metals and the fertilizers, indicating a complex interplay between the biotic and abiotic factors of the system. The health index (HI) value was < 1 in fish muscles of all studied groups, indicating the fish are safe for consumption. The study recommends monitoring and regulating fertilizer use, especially DAP, to prevent heavy metal contamination, and exploring sustainable alternatives to minimize environmental and health risks.
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    Pubmed
    Toxic element (As, Cd, Pb and Hg) biodistribution and blood biomarkers in Barbaresca sheep raised in Sicily: One Health preliminary study.
    (2024-06-24) Doğan, Elif; Fazio, Francesco; Aragona, Francesca; Nava, Vincenzo; De Caro, Salvatore; Zumbo, Alessandro
    The health of humans, animals and the environment is interconnected. Adopting a One Health approach means intervening promptly to prevent the main diseases that affect animal health to guarantee the safety of livestock production. Exposure to toxic trace elements in sheep can lead to increased accumulation in different biological substrate, developing both acute and chronic diseases in humans and livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in Sicilian Barbaresca sheep using the following biological substrates: milk, blood and fleece. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used for As, Cd and Pb, and a direct mercury analyser (DMA-80) was used for Hg determination. In addition, the role of the haematological parameters as possible indicators of different biodistribution was evaluated. A statistically significant value was observed from our analysed metals in the substrates: arsenic (p < 0.001), cadmium (p < 0.01), lead (p < 0.001) and mercury (p < 0.0001). The correlation analysis showed a relationship between milk and blood for arsenic (p < 0.0001) and lead (p < 0.0001), and no correlation for the metals was observed between milk/blood and the haematological parameters analysed for the low concentration observed in the present study comforting the final consumer.