丙硫菌唑对斑马鱼的安全性评价及其生物富集行为研究

丙硫菌唑是一种市场前景非常好的新型广谱杀菌剂。本文研究了丙硫菌唑对水生生物斑马鱼的急性毒性和生物累积风险。通过斑马鱼的急性毒性试验获得丙硫菌唑对斑马鱼的96 h-LC₅₀为2.06 mg a.i. L^-1。随后,采用0.02 mg L^-1 (1/100LC₅₀)和0.2 mg L^-1 (1/10LC₅₀)2个浓度的丙硫菌唑,通过8 d实验,获得其在斑马鱼体内的生物累积效应。在0.02 mg L^-1组中,第8天时,斑马鱼体内的浓度达到0.733 mg kg^-1,生物富集系数(BCF_{8 d})缓慢增长到34.36。而在0.2 mg L^-1组,第8天时,斑马鱼组织内丙硫菌唑浓度为4.198 mg kg^-1, BCF_{8 d}值为19.72。结果表明,丙硫菌唑对斑马鱼的毒性等级为中毒,同时其在斑马鱼体内具有中等生物累积效应。因此,在使用过程中,需要考虑其对水生生物的毒性和水生食物链的放大效应。     

啶氧菌酯对斑马鱼的安全性评价及其生物富集行为研究

啶氧菌酯是一种新型的内吸性杀菌剂,本研究对其水生生物的毒性和累积风险进行了评估。啶氧菌酯原药对斑马鱼的急性毒性试验结果显示,96 h-LC₅₀为0.0509 mg a.i. L^-1。设置0.005 mg L^-1(1/100LC₅₀)和0.05 mg L^-1(1/10LC₅₀)2个浓度8 d生物累积试验。在0.005 mg L^-1组,第8天斑马鱼体内啶氧菌酯浓度达到0.48 mg kg^-1,生物富集系数(BCF_{8 d})缓慢增长到80.00。而在0.05 mg L^-1组,第8天斑马鱼体内的啶氧菌酯浓度为5.27 mg kg^-1,BCF_{8 d}值为99.42。研究表明,啶氧菌酯对斑马鱼为有剧毒,同时具有中等生物累积效应。因此在使用过程中,需要考虑其对水生生物的毒性和水生食物链的放大效应。     

碳纳米管影响无机砷(As(III)和As(V))对大型蚤毒性的研究：特定砷形态的作用

作为一种新兴的纳米材料,羟基多壁碳纳米管(OH-MWCNTs)可能与其他污染物在水环境中共存,并进一步影响它们的毒性、输移和归趋。因此,评价碳纳米管存在下砷的毒性变化需要得到更多的关注。该试验探索了在不同pH值条件下,OH-MWCNTs诱导砷(As(III)和As(V))对水生生物大型蚤的毒性变化的潜在机制。发现了H₂AsO₃^-和H₂AsO₄^-是对大型蚤毒性最大的As(III)和As(V)。比较As(III)和As(V)的结果,发现pH值是影响砷毒性最重要的因素。此外,OH-MWCNTs影响砷对大型蚤毒性的结果表明,OH-MWCNTs的存在可以提高砷的毒性。通过吸附实验进一步研究了砷与OH-MWCNTs的相互作用。OH-MWCNTs 对As(V)吸附容量高于As(III)。总而言之, OH-MWCNTs对某些形态砷的吸附是解释砷毒性增强的可靠证据。
精选自Xinghao Wang, Ruijuan Qu, Ahmed A. Allam, Jamaan Ajarem, Zhongbo Wei, Zuoyao Wang. Impact of carbon nanotubes on the toxicity of inorganic arsenic [As(III) and As(V)] to Daphnia magna: the role of the certain arsenic species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 7, pages 1852–1859, July 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3340
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3340/full
     

四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对两种海洋桡足类动物的毒性效应

为了研究四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对海洋桡足类的毒性效应,以太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤为受试生物,依据急性毒性实验96 h-LC₅₀值,设置5个浓度组和1个对照组,测定摄食率、滤水率、耗氧率、排氨率和抗氧化防御系统中SOD、GST、GPx活性以及GSH含量。结果显示：BDE-47对太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤的96 h-LC₅₀分别为
57和851 μg·L^-1,后者明显高于前者。2种桡足类在BDE-47作用下,其能量摄入和代谢均受到不同程度的诱导或抑制。太平洋真宽水蚤在中浓度(1.425 μg·L^-1)下摄食率和排氨率受到促进,高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率明显抑制;日本虎斑猛水蚤高浓度下(170.20 μg·L^-1)摄食率受到抑制,中浓度(21.28 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率受到促进,各个浓度的BDE-47对其排氨率均有明显促进作用。太平洋真宽水蚤SOD活性在BDE-47暴露96 h过程中均低于对照组(P<0.05),受到明显抑制;GST活性随暴露时间延长先升高后降低;GSH含量和GPx活性低浓度(0.7125和1.425 μg·L^-1)下随时间先升高后降低,而高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下则相反。日本虎斑猛水蚤SOD活性随BDE-47浓度的升高先降低后升高再降低;GST活性和GSH含量在低浓度(10.64和21.28 μg·L^-1)BDE-47中与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05),而高浓度(85.10和170.20 μg·L^-1)
BDE-47下,GST活性随时间先升高后降低,GSH含量则先降低后升高再降低;GPx活性呈现先降低后升高趋势。由此可见,BDE-47与这2种桡足类的能量摄入、代谢和抗氧化防御系统存在一定时间及剂量效应,并具有明显的物种差异性。     

BDE-47对斑马鱼胚胎-幼鱼的急性毒性及氧化应激作用

为研究2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对斑马鱼胚胎-幼鱼急性毒性、氧化应激及细胞凋亡的影响,以受精后3 h的斑马鱼胚胎为染毒对象,用概率单位法计算BDE-47对斑马鱼胚胎-幼鱼的96 h-LC₅₀;再参照96 h-LC₅₀按一定比例级差设置0.25、0.5、1.0、2.0 mg·L^-1 4个浓度组和1个对照组(0 mg·L^-1)进行96 h半静水式毒性试验,检测斑马鱼超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量和细胞凋亡情况。结果表明,BDE-47对斑马鱼96 h的急性毒性LC₅₀为3.77 mg·L^-1(95%可信区间1.93～10.27 mg·L^-1);2.0 mg·L^-1剂量组与对照组相比,SOD活性和MDA含量显著增加,且CAT活性与BDE-47染毒浓度之间存在明显的剂量-效应关系;0.5 mg·L^-1 BDE-47染毒96 h后,即观察到斑马鱼幼鱼出现明显细胞凋亡,主要集中于神经管和脑部。研究表明,BDE-47可以影响斑马鱼体内抗氧化防御系统,并能诱导细胞凋亡;BDE-47导致神经组织的氧化损伤可能在动物神经毒性中起重要作用。     

化学物质水体归趋与影响数据库(CAFE)，一种用于评估水环境中化学物质溢出水平的工具

化学物质水体归趋与影响 (简称CAFE)数据库是一个允许快速并无限制访问数据的集中式数据库。CAFE将现有的32 377种化学物质的归趋数据和4 498种化学物质的毒性效果数据整合至用户友好的工具中,以物种敏感度分布(SSD)的形式总结毒性数据,并提供了相关的1%和5%危害浓度(HC₁和HC₅)。为探究CAFE数据与报道的化学事故之间的联系,一项数据可用性评估显示,2000年至2014年间在美国国家应急中心呈报的55种化学物质中,32种物质的归趋和20种物质的毒性在CAFE中均有记录;2003年至2014年间由美国海洋及大气管理局呈报的205种化学物质中,86种物质的归趋和103种物质的毒性在CAFE中也均有记录。我们假设2种化学物质在环境中溢出(丙烯腈,溢出量为625桶 ;变性乙醇,溢出量为857桶),根据模型对其环境浓度进行模拟,进而说明CAFE在实际中的应用。在24 h时程的SSD中,大多数物种很可能分别在溢出后最初的35 min内和15 h内受到丙烯腈和变性酒精的影响。丙烯腈浓度在溢出后45 min已低于HC₅(17 mg?L^L-1),变性酒精浓度在溢出后60 h已低于HC₅(2 676 mg?L^L-1)。将100种化学物质以CAFE数据为基础得出的HC₅与发表的HC₅进行对比,我们发现超过一半的数值都在2倍差异以内,较少的一部分数值则超过了10倍差异。CAFE的发展提高了获取相关环境信息的能力,并可能应用于水体环境污染物溢出分析之外的更多领域。
精选自Adriana C. Bejarano, James K. Farr, Polly Jenne, Valerie Chu, Al Hielscher. The chemical aquatic fate and effects database (CAFE), a tool that supports assessments of chemical spills in aquatic environments. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 35, Issue 7, pages 1576–1586, July 2016. DOI: 10.1002/etc.3289
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3289/full
     

评估斑马鱼胚胎毒性试验在农药危害筛选中的应用

考虑到人类社会中大量使用化学物质,想要准确有效地评估这些化学物质对人类和生态受体的潜在风险,研发有效的手段和方法是至关重要的。鱼胚胎急性毒性试验是其中一种工具,已表现出与幼鱼急性毒性标准试验的预测结果高度吻合,而幼鱼试验对资源消耗更多。然而,也有证据表明,对于某些类型的化学物质,包括神经毒素,鱼类胚胎的敏感性低于幼鱼。本文利用已发表的斑马鱼胚胎毒性数据,与3种常用检测用鱼幼鱼(虹鳟鱼、蓝鳃太阳鱼、羊鲷)的半致死浓度50%(LC₅₀)数据进行比较,研究了鱼类胚胎对农药危害评估的效用。在将农药视为单因素的情况下,斑马鱼胚胎和幼鱼毒性数据相关性较差,差异显著(r²=0.28;p2=0.64;p 精选自Glaberman, S., Padilla, S. and Barron, M. G. (2017), Evaluating the zebrafish embryo toxicity test for pesticide hazard screening. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36: 1221–1226. doi: 10.1002/etc.3641
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3641/full
     

双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus dubia)对亚热带虾池Cu和Zn富集的研究

重金属污染是对虾养殖环境主要污染现象之一,查明重金属在环境中的迁移规律对养殖水质调控和对虾健康养殖具有重要意义。本文采用火焰原子吸收分光光度计测定在不同暴露时间下双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus dubia) 对Cu和Zn的富集量,研究了双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn富集动力学,并探讨了温度和盐度对其富集的影响。结果表明：双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集过程均经历了快速、慢速和平衡3个阶段,实验24 h达到富集平衡;双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集动力学参数k_1(Cu)=0.077 < k_1(Zn)=0.272,BCF_(Cu)=0.344 < BCF_(Zn)=2.252,双齿许水蚤对Zn的富集速率和富集能力均大于Cu。温度对双齿许水蚤Cu和Zn富集的影响显著(p <0.05),最适温度范围为15~30 ℃;盐度对双齿许水蚤Zn富集的影响极显著(p <0.01),而对Cu富集的影响不显著(p >0.05),对Cu和Zn适宜的富集盐度范围为5~35。这些研究结果表明,双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn均具有较强的富集能力。基于以上研究结果,在对虾养殖期间,应通过循环过滤设施去除受到重金属污染池塘中的浮游动物,从而减少幼虾对其摄食和量度体重金属的积累,降低食品安全隐患。     

六溴环十二烷(HBCD)对斑马鱼发育早期能量代谢及软骨、肌肉和鱼鳍发育的影响

六溴环十二烷(hexabromocyclododecane, HBCDs)是一种添加型阻燃剂,在环境中广泛存在。由于具有持久性、生物蓄积性和毒性等特征,HBCD很可能在水生生物体内富集并对其生长发育产生影响。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度的HBCD(0.1、0.5和1 mg·L^-1),通过油红O和阿尔新蓝染色观察幼鱼发育状况,并通过能量代谢及发育相关基因探讨可能的作用机制。结果表明,HBCD暴露影响了幼鱼对卵黄囊内生脂肪的吸收,并对幼鱼躯干骨骼肌、头部软骨和鱼鳍的发育产生损害。进一步研究发现,暴露组幼鱼体内ATP含量降低,ATP合成酶及电子呼吸链中还原性辅酶Ⅰ(NOX)和细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)等的活性显著降低;同时,早期发育相关基因如骨形成蛋白bmp、肌肉决定因子myod以及sox9a和wnt等基因的转录水平均受到显著抑制(P<0.05)。上述结果表明,HBCD会影响早期发育阶段的斑马鱼对卵黄囊营养物质的吸收,干扰体内能量代谢,导致能量供应不足,并通过bmp-sox9和wnt-myod等信号通路影响软骨组织、鱼鳍和骨骼肌的正常发育。     

十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)及消油剂对刺参幼参的急性毒性

为探究表面活性剂对海洋棘皮动物的影响,测定了十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和消油剂对刺参(Stichopus japonicas )幼参的急性毒性。结果显示,SDBS对刺参幼参的72 h-LC₅₀和96 h-LC₅₀分别为2.50和1.71 mg·L^-1;消油剂对刺参幼参的96 h-LC₅₀为7 498.94 mg·L^-1。刺参幼参相对于多刺裸腹溞(Moina macrocopa )和脊尾白虾仔虾(Palaemon carincauda )对SDBS的敏感性较高,相对于安氏伪镖水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus annandalei )对SDBS的敏感性则较低,SDBS对刺参幼参的毒性明显大于十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS),消油剂的96 h-LC₅₀ 远远大于SDBS和SDS,毒性非常小,但这仅是对刺参幼参而言,大多数研究忽视了消油剂自身对生物体存在的影响,因此这方面的研究工作还需要继续开展。     

Protective effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) extract against DNA damage induced by mercury chloride in marine fish

Marine organisms are continuously exposed to agents, both exogenous and endogenous, that damage DNA. Consequently, it is important to determine the ability of compounds to provide protection against damaging chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-genotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyceae), collected from the Southeast coast of India. This study focused on possible anti-genotoxic potential of aqueous extract of K. alverazii to interfere with clastogenicity induced by mercury chloride (HgCl₂) in marine fish, Therapon jarbua as measured by cytogenetic endpoints such as cell viability and comet assay. In the first set of experiments, fish were exposed to a single treatment of Hg at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2?ppm along with controls. Mercury exposure produced significant DNA damage in all comet classes, maximum as >79% (Class 4) at 0.5, 1, and 2?ppm exposure in a time dependent manner. Algal extract did not induce genotoxicity when given alone and prevented Hg-induced genotoxicity. The algal extract reduction in genotoxicity was significant but not time- and concentration-dependent. Results suggested that under present experimental conditions, K. alvarezii extract exhibit potent anti-genotoxicity effects in this fish model; and thus these extracts may be recommended as a supplement in fish meal and may benefit humans ingesting Hg-contaminated fish.     

环境激素甲草胺对摇蚊谷胱甘肽硫转移酶的抑制作用

谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)是生物体内重要的解毒酶。为研究环境激素甲草胺对溪流摇蚊GST的抑制作用及机理,采用酶标仪微量法测定甲草胺对溪流摇蚊4龄幼虫GST的抑制活性及抑制类型。结果表明甲草胺在72 h活体染毒和离体状态下均能显著抑制溪流摇蚊GST的活性,且抑制程度随着药物浓度的增大而增大。甲草胺抑制GST活性的反应为可逆性抑制。进一步的酶动力学分析揭示甲草胺对GST的特异底物1-氯-2,4-二硝基苯(CDNB)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)均表现为竞争性抑制,即甲草胺仅影响米氏常数(Km),不改变酶促反应的最大反应速度(Vmax)。以上结果表明农药残留污染物甲草胺在胁迫下对摇蚊幼虫GST酶活性会受到显著影响,甲草胺对GST的抑制机制为可逆性和竞争性抑制。     

染织排水对日本青鳉幼鱼和胚胎的毒性效应

采用日本青鳉幼鱼及胚胎暴露评估染织排水的毒性效应.4个测试水样采自染织工厂排水口.96 h急性毒性试验表明:1和2号水样对幼鱼急性毒性效应不明显,3和4号水样对幼鱼具有急性毒性效应,毒性单位分别为0.47、0.53、9.93和1.68TUa,1和2号水样为微毒,3号水样为中毒,4号水样为低毒.14 d胚胎幼鱼慢性毒性试...     

对二甲苯对褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)幼鱼的毒性效应研究

采用急性和28 d慢性暴露试验研究了海洋典型危险化学品对二甲苯对褐牙鲆幼鱼的致死效应和生长抑制效应,并测定了遗传毒性、神经毒性以及免疫毒性效应相关的毒理学评价指标。研究结果表明:对二甲苯对褐牙鲆幼鱼的96 h-LC50为45.7 mg·L~(-1),根据国家环保局水和废水监测分析方法编委会规定的化学物质对鱼类毒性分级标准,属于中等毒性,浓度高于2.3 mg·L~(-1)的暴露能显著抑制褐牙鲆幼鱼的生长;4.6和9.2 mg·L~(-1)浓度组观察到对二甲苯暴露28 d后褐牙鲆肝脏中的丙二醛含量与DNA损伤程度显著升高,脑组织中乙酰胆碱酯酶(Ach E)活力被明显抑制;9.2 mg·L~(-1)浓度组暴露28 d后,褐牙鲆幼鱼体内总血细胞数量和溶菌酶活力显著降低。这些结果表明较高浓度的对二甲苯长期作用可导致褐牙鲆幼鱼的氧化胁迫,造成其肝脏毒性损伤并产生神经毒性与免疫毒性。本实验结果为了解对二甲苯对鱼类的毒性作用机制以及对二甲苯的海洋生态风险评估提供了科学依据。     

Studies on the water extracts of medicinal plants grown in copper mining areas and their antioxidant effects

High copper (Cu) accumulation in medicinal plants might favor lipid peroxidation and hence affect antioxidant responses. This effect was studied by determining antioxidant activities in the water extracts of medicinal plants from Cu mining impact site and compared with control samples. Antioxidant activities of the extracted medicinal plants were assayed by measuring (1) total phenolic and flavonoid contents, (2) diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)^? free radical scavenging activity, and (3) inhibition capacities of lipid peroxidation. The total phenolic as well as total flavonoid contents of the mining impact samples and control samples are not significantly different. However, inhibition of lipid peroxidation capacities was significantly less (12–60%) for mining impact samples as reflected by the IC₅₀ values. These anomalies were attributed to high concentrations of Cu (2–4-fold higher) in mining impact samples as measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A positive correlation was observed between Cu levels and IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation for mining impact samples.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on nitrogen uptake,accumulation and assimilation in Porphyra perforata (Rhodophyta)

Porphyra perforata J. Ag. was collected from a rocky land-fill site near Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and was grown for 4 d in media with one of the following forms of inorganic nitrogen: NO ₃ ^- , NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^- plus NH ₄ ⁺ and for 10 d in nitrogen-free media. Internal nitrogen accumulation (nitrate, ammonium, amino acids and soluble protein), nitrate and ammonium uptake rates, and nitrate reductase activity were measured daily. Short initial periods (10 to 20 min) of rapid ammonium uptake were common in nitrogen-deficient plants. In the case of nitrate uptake, initial uptake rates were low, increasing after 10 to 20 min. Ammonium inhibited nitrate uptake for only the first 10 to 20 min and then nitrate uptake rates were independent of ammonium concentration. Nitrogen starvation for 8 d overcame this initial suppression of nitrate uptake by ammonium. Nitrogen starvation also resulted in a decrease in soluble internal nitrate content and a transient increase in nitrate reductase activity. Little or no decrease was observed in internal ammonium, total amino acids and soluble protein. The cultures grown on nitrate only, maintained high ammonium uptake rates also. The rate of nitrate reduction may have limited the supply of nitrogen available for further assimilation. Internal nitrate concentrations were inversely correlated with nitrate uptake rates. Except for ammonium-grown cultures, internal total amino acids and soluble protein showed no correlation with uptake rates. Both internal pool concentrations and enzyme activities are required to interpret changes in uptake rate during growth.     

Circadian rhythm of swimming activity in juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)

The circadian rhythm of swimming activity and the role of the daily illumination cycle in the synchronization of this rhythm were studied in individual juvenile pink salmon. Sixty eight percent of all fish examined (n=38) were day-active when exposed to a 12 h L:12 h D cycle; the remaining fish were nocturnally active. One half of the fish tested under laboratory conditions of continuous, constant light intensity (LL) and constant temperature showed unambiguously endogenous activity rhythms with circadian periods for up to 10 d. The remaining fish were arrhythmic. Mean period length of the free-running activity rhythms for diurnal fish in LL shortened with constant light intensity increasing from 6 to 600 lx, as predicted by the circadian rule. In contrast, mean free-running period for nocturnal fish did not vary significantly with similarly increasing constant light intensity. Mean swimming speed (activity level) of both diurnal and nocturnal fish increased significantly with increasing light intensity. This is suggestive of a positive photokinetic response. When subjected to a phase-delayed LD cycle, the fish resynchronized their daily rhythms of activity with this new LD cycle after only one transient cycle in most instances. Hence, the timing of the daily activity rhythms appeared to occur through the direct masking action of the illumination cycle on activity, rather than through entrainment of an endogenous circadian system.     

In vitro kinetic characterization of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphate and carbamate compounds in food animals

Organophosphate, dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyldimethylphosphate, DDVP), and diazinon (DZN) as well as carbamates are currently found in contaminated water, dust, soil, agricultural waste, and elsewhere in the environment, and can be harmful after accidental or deliberate exposure. Intoxication by these compounds causes a generalized cholinergic crisis due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), whose major physiological role in mammalian tissues is in nervous transmission. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was found to be higher for carbaryl than DDVP and DZN, about 3–4 times in liver and about 4–6 times in muscles. The half time (t _1/2) of inhibition (8?µmol?L^?1 DDVP or DZN; 40?µmol?L^?1 carbaryl) ranged between 4 and 16?min and decreased as follows: pig?>?cattle?>?sheep for liver tissue, and cattle?>?sheep?>?pig for muscle. Rate constants of inhibition (k _i) ranged between 43?×?10^?3 and 168?×?10^?3?min^?1 for liver and from 46?×?10^?3 to 115?×?10^?3?min^?1 for muscles. Very little residual AChE activity (<6.1%) was seen in liver, but more was seen in muscle (<17%).     

Determination of aflatoxin-B1 in poultry feed and its components employing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

A highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay was standardized for aflatoxin B₁ determination in poultry feed and its components using Riedel-de-Haen, ELISA Systems_. A microtitration plate method was optimized using anti-aflatoxin B₁ antibodies and peroxidase – aflatoxin B₁ conjugate, based on competitive enzyme immunoassay principle. Standards of concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500?ng/L aflatoxin B₁, prepared in phosphate-buffered saline, were used. Standard curves showed that as the concentration of antigen decreased, absorbance values increased. Fifty percent inhibition was observed at 37?ng/L. Regression analysis showed that log concentration was inversely related to %B/B₀, with a highly significant negative correlation (?0.980). The lowest detection limit for aflatoxin B₁ was 5?ng/L. Using this standardized ELISA, aflatoxin B₁ was detected in most of the commercially available poultry feed samples and their components.

The data suggest that this test is suitable for the accurate determination of aflatoxin B₁ concentrations in poultry feed and its components.     

The respiratory metabolism of Tilapia mossambica (Teleostei)

Tilapia mossambica (Teleostei) weighing 5 to 80 g were acclimated at 30°C to salinities of 0.4 (tap water), 12.5 (50% sea water) and 30.5 (100% sea water). Their respiration was measured at routine activity and the partial pressure of ambient oxygen gradually reduced from 250 to 50 mm Hg. Respiration is salinity-dependent; the proportionate ability to use oxygen in any one salinity is — above the critical pO₂ —the same in all experimental groups. This ability is a function of temperature and increases from 15° to 30°C, becoming temperature independent from 30° to 40°C as long as the pO₂ remains above 150 mm Hg. At 50 mm Hg pO₂, the limiting effect of oxygen causes a decrease in metabolic rate. This limiting effect is minimal in 80 g fish kept in an isotonic medium (12.5 S), allowing greater scope for activity and a higher rate of oxygen uptake.