George, U.U and Ajayi, O.O and Okorie, C.C and Agbara, Amaka Cecilia and Edelduok, E.G and George, I.E and Umaha, M.N and Udi, I.E (2026) From agricultural waste to aquaculture feed: Acute toxicity, behavioural responses, water quality alterations and histopathological effects of ethanolic extract of unripe banana peels (Musa acuminata) on Juvenile Clarias gariepinus. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 14 (7). pp. 49-62.
![[img]](https://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
GEORGE 113.pdf Download (1MB) |
Abstract
This study evaluated the acute toxicity of ethanolic extract of unripe banana peels (Musa acuminata) on the survival, behaviour, water quality parameters, and histopathology of the gills and liver of juvenile African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Juveniles were exposed for 96 hours to five concentrations of the extract: 0 (control), 20, 25, 30, and 35 mg/L under laboratory conditions. Water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity) were monitored using standard analytical procedures, while histopathological examinations of gill and liver tissues were conducted following established histological techniques. No mortality was recorded in the control and 20 mg/L treatments, resulting in 100% survival. At 25 mg/L, 20% mortality was observed, leaving 80% survival after 96 hours. Mortality increased with concentration, reaching 50% and 60% at 30 and 35 mg/L, respectively, indicating a concentration-dependent toxic response. Behavioural abnormalities, including erratic swimming, frequent surfacing, gulping of air, and attempts to jump out of the exposure tanks, were more pronounced at higher concentrations. Significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed in dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductivity across treatment concentrations and exposure periods, suggesting deterioration of water quality with increasing extract concentration. Histopathological assessment revealed mild to moderate pathological alterations in the gills and liver, including tissue distortions and degenerative changes, with severity increasing alongside extract concentration. The findings demonstrate that eth anolic extract of unripe banana peels possesses toxic properties capable of inducing mortality, behavioural stress responses, histopathological lesions, and alterations in water quality parameters in juvenile Clarias gariepinus, highlighting potential ecological risks associated with its release into aquatic environments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies |
| Depositing User: | Uchenna Eneogwe |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Nov 2026 11:51 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Nov 2026 11:51 |
| URI: | http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/6373 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
