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Shweta Sharma ¹, Subhasini Sharma ¹, Arvind Pareek ², Pushpa Srivastava ², Ruby Grover ², K. P. Sharma ²

Affiliations
1 Departments of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, IN
2 Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, IN

Abstract

Spirulina has the highest protein content among plants on earth. Therefore, it is favoured as a good diet supplement for growth and weight gains of malnourished children and adults, ruminants, weaning piglets, silkworm, fish Tilapia and Broiler chicks. Along with maximum protein content, Spirulina also contains lipids, vitamins, minerals and β carotene. The antioxidant property of β carotene is known to have anti-tumour effects in most animals and human beings. Spirulina feeding therefore prevented oral cancer in rats, whereas its blue pigment (phycocyanin) increased survival rate of mice injected with liver tumour cells, hence improved their immune system. Therapeutic properties such as lowering of cholesterol level in humans as well as alleviating premenstrual syndrome have been documented on Spirulina platensis. Spirulina has also been found effective against deadly viruses such as Herpes simplex virus type-1 and AIDS virus.

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Neha Upreti ¹, Shweta Sharma ², Subhasini Sharma ², K. P. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, IN

Abstract

Aluminium and fluoride were found toxic to phytoplankton, periphyton and zooplankton in the microcosms raised in the greenhouse. The toxicity of aluminium was relatively higher than fluoride, more particularly, during winter season. There were significant reduction in counts of phytoplankton (49-80%), periphyton (algae = 40-68%, zooplankton = 35-75%) and zooplankton (5-77%) in the treatments in comparison to controls. As a result, Reciprocal Simpson index, Equitability index and Shannon- Weiner index decreased. Such changes will affect energy flow in the microcosms.

Keywords

Aluminum, Fluoride, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Microcosms.

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Shraddha Jain ¹, Shweta Sharma ², Aruna Rajawat ¹, Neha Upreti ¹, Subhasini Sharma ², K. P. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 055, Rajasthan, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 055, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

During acute toxicity study of aluminium fluoride, Daphnia similis L. was found to be the most sensitive organism (EC₅₀ = 108.06 ppm) followed by Gambusia affinis Baird and Gerard (LC₅₀ = 354.0 ppm) and Lemna aequinoctialis L. (EC₅₀ for chlorophyll = 358.7ppm). The exposure (60 days) of producers and consumers at its sub-lethal concentration (35.4 ppm) casted toxic effects on them in artificial microcosms raised in the greenhouse. There was reduction in chlorophyll content (19-39%), dry weight (16%), acid phosphatase (ACP) (56%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (14%) and protein content (53%) of Ceratophyllum demersum L. The reduction in species richness (40%) and phytoplankton counts (counts = 47-54%) was significant during the study period while zooplankton counts (30%) in the first half of the study (day-30). Snail mortality was found nil while that of fish was moderate (37%). Their tissue biochemistry (ACP, ALP and protein content) was, however, altered significantly suggesting them to be under stress. AlF₃ also had cytotoxic effects in fish decreasing RBC counts (19%) and causing morphological abnormalities. From these findings, we conclude that there are significant toxic effects of aluminium fluoride to organisms in the food web of aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords

Acute and Chronic Toxicity, Aluminum Fluoride, Microcosm, Plankton, Snail, Fish.

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