Toxicological Implication of Zinc Oxide Nano-Particles on Nutritional Composition and Depuration Potential of Heterobranchus longifilislis

Abstract

Zinc Oxide nano-particles (ZnO-NPs) are more useful in the production of commercial goods than other nano-particles because of their unique properties. The effluents of ZnO-NPs get into the aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in fish tissues causing serious health consequences. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of ZnO-NPs exposure on the nutritional composition and depuration potential of large African catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis). The nutritional composition evaluated include, proximate composition, mineral content, fatty acids and amino acids profiles after exposing to varying (0.0, 6.00, 8.00, 10.00, 12.00 mg/l) concentrations of ZnO-NPs to juveniles’ catfish (H. longifilis) for 60 days and depurating for 30 days to evaluate recovery using standard methods. The results revealed that proximate composition and amino acid profiles decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after 60 days of exposure to ZnO-NPs, but gradually improved after 30 days of depuration. This implies that ZnO-NPs has a great influence on the nutrient values of H. longifilis, but the fish were able to regain the lost nutrients, however, the ability of H. longifilis to recover from adverse condition is time dependent.

Keywords

• Depuration;
• Heterobranchus longifilis;
• Nutrient composition;
• Zinc oxide nano-particles