Alterations in Haematological Indices of Clarias Garipinus Exposed To Sub Lethal Concentrations of Kola-Pod Mediated Silver-Gold Alloy Nanoparticles

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 NANOTECHNOLOGY

1.2 NANOPARTICLES

1.2.1 PHYSICAL METHODS OF SYNTHESIZING NANOPARTICLES

1.2.2 CHEMICAL METHOD

1.2.3 BIOLOGICAL METHOD

1.3 NANOPARTICLES TOXICITY ON FISH

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 CHARACTERIZATION

2.2 HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF THE AFRICAN CAT FISH, Clarias gariepinus

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF SILVER-GOLD ALLOY NANOPARTICLES

3.1.1 PREPARATION OF SILVER SALT SOLUTION

3.1.2 PREPARATION OF GOLD SALT SOLUTION

3.1.3 PREPARATION OF GOLD-SILVER ALLOY NANOPARTICLES

3.2 COLLECTION OF TEST ORGANISM

3.3 ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH

3.4 BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION FROM FISH

3.4.1 PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV)

3.4.2 HEAMOGLOBIN (HB)

3.4.3 RED BLOOD CELL (RBC)

3.4.4 WHITE BLOOD CELL

3.4.5 MEAN CELL VOLUME (MCV)

3.4.6 MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEAMOGLOBIN (MCH)

3.4.7 MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEAMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION (MCHC)

3.5 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 DISCUSSION

5.2 CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Key Topics

This study aims to evaluate the potential toxic effects of kola nitida-mediated silver-gold alloy nanoparticles on the haematological indices of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) over an exposure period of 42 days. By analyzing specific blood parameters, the research seeks to determine how these sub-lethal concentrations influence the physiological health and immune response of the fish.

• Haematological assessment of Clarias gariepinus exposed to nanomaterials.
• Biogenic synthesis of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles using kola-pod extract.
• Impact of metal nanoparticles on red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and haemoglobin (Hb).
• Evaluation of derived blood parameters like MCV, MCH, and MCHC.
• Comparative toxicity of alloy nanoparticles versus individual silver and gold salts.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER ONE: Provides an introduction to nanotechnology and nanoparticles, their synthesis methods, potential toxicity in aquatic environments, and explicitly defines the study's aims regarding the haematology of Clarias gariepinus.

CHAPTER TWO: Reviews existing literature on nanotechnology applications, the sensitivity of fish as bio-indicators in toxicological studies, and the history of using haematological parameters for diagnostic purposes.

CHAPTER THREE: Details the materials and methodology, including the biogenic synthesis of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles using kola-pod extract, fish acclimatization, and the specific laboratory procedures for blood collection and haematological analysis.

CHAPTER FOUR: Presents the experimental results regarding the weight and haematological variations (PCV, RBC, HB, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC) observed in the fish across different exposure durations and concentrations.

CHAPTER FIVE: Discusses the findings, suggesting that the observed reductions in haematological variables indicate haemolysis and potential anaemia, and concludes that the study provides essential baseline data for monitoring fish health in Nigerian aquaculture.

Keywords

Nanotechnology, Silver-gold alloy nanoparticles, Clarias gariepinus, haematological indices, aquatic toxicology, biogenic synthesis, Cola nitida, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, fish health, environmental stress, sub-lethal toxicity, aquaculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of this research?

The main objective is to evaluate the toxic effects of kola nitida-mediated silver-gold alloy nanoparticles on the haematological profile of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) over 42 days.

What methodology is used to produce the nanoparticles?

The study utilizes a "green synthesis" approach, specifically using kola-pod extract as a capping and reducing agent to synthesize silver-gold alloy nanoparticles.

Why is Clarias gariepinus used as the test subject?

Clarias gariepinus is a widely farmed species in Nigeria and serves as a highly sensitive model for assessing the impacts of anthropogenic pollution and environmental stressors on aquatic health.

Which haematological parameters are measured?

The study measures Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Haemoglobin concentration (HB), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC).

What does the literature suggest about silver nanoparticles in aquatic environments?

Limited research indicates that silver nanoparticles can cause cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in fish, and that their toxicity is often more pronounced in freshwater than in salt water.

How are the blood indices analyzed in this study?

Data are analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple comparisons test, with significance set at P≤0.05 to determine variations among different concentrations and control groups.

Does the study find that alloy nanoparticles are more toxic than individual silver or gold salts?

The results show significant decreases in haematological variables across all treatment groups compared to the control, suggesting that the alloy nanoparticles have the potential to impair physiological activities in the fish.

What role does the kola-pod extract play in the synthesis?

The kola-pod extract acts as a capping and reducing agent, which is an eco-friendly alternative to hazardous chemical methods, facilitating the formation of the alloy nanoparticles.