Vitamins & Minerals

Fish species, surface water, bottom water, epipellic and benthic sediments were collected from Oworonshoki, Lagos lagoon, to determine their trace metal levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The fish species collected were Tilapia guineensis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Liza grandisquamis and Psettias sebae. The results indicated that the highest concentrations of trace metals were present in the fish species, followed by benthic sediments, epipellic sediments, bottom water, and surface water. Levels of trace metals found in males and females of fish species showed significant differences. The female species, except Tilapia guineensis, accumulated higher Fe and Zn values. The female species of Psettias sebae was a good bio-indicator of trace metal contamination in the lagoon. Cd and Ni were not detected in any of the fish species. Pb levels in the fishes were above the maximum acceptable limit for human consumption, and could have been sourced from the discharge of industrial wastes into the lagoon. The levels of Fe and Zn in the water, sediment and fishes were all within acceptable limits. The highest condition factor of 2.76 was observed in the female of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, while the female, Psettias sebae, had the least condition factor of 0.57, correlating with its high metal contamination.

Fish species, surface water, bottom water, epipellic and benthic sediments were collected from Oworonshoki, Lagos lagoon, to determine their trace metal levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The fish species collected were Tilapia guineensis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Liza grandisquamis and Psettias sebae. The results indicated that the highest concentrations of trace metals were present in the fish species, followed by benthic sediments, epipellic sediments, bottom water, and surface water. Levels of trace metals found in males and females of fish species showed significant differences. The female species, except Tilapia guineensis, accumulated higher Fe and Zn values. The female species of Psettias sebae was a good bio-indicator of trace metal contamination in the lagoon. Cd and Ni were not detected in any of the fish species. Pb levels in the fishes were above the maximum acceptable limit for human consumption, and could have been sourced from the discharge of industrial wastes into the lagoon. The levels of Fe and Zn in the water, sediment and fishes were all within acceptable limits. The highest condition factor of 2.76 was observed in the female of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, while the female, Psettias sebae, had the least condition factor of 0.57, correlating with its high metal contamination.

This study addresses a matter of importance for: healthy infants; sick infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units; infants fed expressed human milk and infants who receive milk from Human Milk Banks. Current storage parameters for freezing of mother’s milk are not well established and are often contradictory. Pooled fresh human milk was stored raw, in nitrogen gas and following Holder pasteurization for 6 days at 4oC and for 6 months at -20oC and at -80oC. Contents of linoleic (LA), α−linolenic (ALA), arachidonic (ARA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, riboflavin and total vitamin C were analyzed under these conditions and during these storage times as they are sensitive to oxidation. The results of this study confirm the general appropriateness of freezing human milk at either -20oC or at -80oC, for preservation of two vitamins and four fatty acids. These storage recommendations are applicable also for the storage of human milk which underwent Holder pasteurization. Both the exclusion of oxygen and freezing at -80oC may be redundant for nutrient preservation and in some cases even detrimental. Recommendations for human milk storage while based on bacteriological safety appear to be appropriate for preservation of vitamins C and riboflavin and LA, ALA, DHA and ARA. As vitamin C is highly susceptible to oxidation, its addition to human milk or direct supplementation of the infant is recommended, if the milk had been frozen for longer than 2 weeks or had been pasteurized. We recommend supplementation of the infant with vitamin C at the Adequate Intake (AI) level in these cases.