This study examined catalase enzyme activity in relation to metal pollutant bioaccumulation in various body parts of Labeo rohita collected from different fishing sites along the Indus River, including Sukkur Barrage (SB), Guddu Barrage (GB), and Kotri Barrage (KB). A total of ten fish samples were captured from each site. The selected fish were dissected on-site to collect the liver, gills, muscle tissue, and kidneys. The extracted organs were stored in labeled polythene bags placed in crushed ice and transported to the laboratory for further analysis. Water samples from each site were also collected to measure the concentrations of heavy metals, including nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), and mercury (Hg). The collected organ samples were prepared to assess catalase enzyme activity using a spectrophotometer at 240 nm. Both water and tissue samples were analyzed for metal content following standard procedures. Catalase activity in the liver, kidney, gills, and muscle tissues was highest in samples from SB, followed by GB, and lowest in KB. The concentration of heavy metals in both water and fish organs followed the order: Ni > Pb > Co > Cd > Hg. The findings suggest that measuring antioxidant enzyme activity and heavy metal bioaccumulation in fish tissues can serve as an early indicator of environmental pollution, helping to detect contamination levels before they reach thresholds that could harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystem health. Monitoring enzyme activity in local fish populations can thus provide valuable insights into the ecological status of riverine systems.

Modern diets for aquaculture are highly complex and utilize a broad range of ingredients, including animal and plant byproducts. This study focused on the rationale of obtaining primary nutritional responses of tilapia evaluating two major ingredients, namely soybean meal and maize gluten meals by replacing fishmeal at set levels of incorporation. A two-onth investigation evaluated selected plant protein sources compared to fish meal protein in scientifically formulated diets for fingerling tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Six nutritionally balanced diets: one reference (control) diet (fish-meal based diet), three selected plant proteins (solvent extracted soybean, full-fat soybean, and maize gluten) were substituted for the LT (Low Temperature dried) fish-meal-based control diet protein at 50% respectively, and the remaining diets were replaced with 75% inclusion of solvent extracted soybean and maize gluten meals. Results showed that solvent extracted soybean meal, 50 (SESB50), Full fat soybean, 50% (FFSB50) and Maize gluten, 50% (MG50) fed tilapia did not appreciably differ in their growth performance (percent weight gain of 279.36, 249.23, and 194.13% respectively) with a final mean weight of 14.95g being significantly superior (<0.05) for the fishmeal control (CO) group. Substitution of fish meal with solvent-extracted soybean and maize gluten at levels of 75% gave the poorest growth performance and Feed Efficiency (FE) (7.01g final weight, 51% FE). However, the MG50 diet also showed inferior feed utilisation performance. However, tilapia fed on a full-fat soybean diet (FFSB50) did not vary significantly from the control (CON) diet in terms of protein utilisation (ANPU) at 34.20% and 37.53% respectively. Whilst this preliminary study concluded that limitations on the use of the selected plant proteins in diets for tilapia are apparent, several approaches that could result in the future improvement of the nutritional value of soybean and maize gluten products for use in fish diets are also stated.

Medicinal plants are rich in diverse nutrients and antioxidants that promote growth and have immunostimulating activities for fish. In aquaculture phytomedicines have gained importance worldwide because they are easily available, non-toxic to aquatic life. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is among the most suitable natural ingredient due to its biological effects. Therefore, a study has been conducted to determine the effect of turmeric on the growth performance, hematology and immunity of common carp Cyprinus carpio. For this purpose, 180 fingerlings of common carp with average initial weight (30.23±0.04 g) were divided into six groups containing five treatment groups. Each tank was stocked with 10 fingerlings. Treatments were maintained in triplicates. Fish were fed with basal diet supplemented with graded level of turmeric at different concentrations i.e. TE0 (control), TE1 (1.0%), TE2 (2.0%), TE3 (3.0%), TE4 (4.0%) and TE5 (5.0%). Fish were fed twice a day at 3% body weight for 12-week. Results showed that fish growth was higher in all treatments as compared to the control group. The feed efficiency ratio (FER), feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR) and condition factor (K), of fish fed with turmeric enriched diet were found to be better than the control group. TE4 diet exposed to 4% Turmeric, showed maximum growth in terms of growth performance and feed utilization. Moreover, haematology profile (MCH, MCHC, MCV, PCV) and immunity parameters (WBCs) were also improved by turmeric supplementation. The result of the present study clearly shows that turmeric enhances the growth, improved haematological indices and boost up the immunity of common carp. Therefore, turmeric can be effectively used as natural dietary supplement in fish feed to improve overall fish health.

Lepidopteran larvae are one of the most destructive pests in agricultural ecosystems. To assess the yield loss caused by lepidopteran larvae, Spodoptera frugiperda was reared in the laboratory and daily food consumption, total feed intake, pupal weight and percentage of pupal emergence were calculated. The larvae of S. frugiperda were provided with maize and brinjal as a diet. Per day food consumption was calculated by subtracting remaining food and evaporative loss from total provided food. The entire experiment was conducted at 25°C ± 5°C temperature, 60 ± 5 relative humidity and 16: 8 light and dark period. Larvae of S. frugiperda consumed 16.1 ± 2.50 g of maize and 8.85 ± 1.73g of brinjal. 0.61 ± 0.01g was maximum pupal weight of S. frugiperda on maize while on brinjal pupal weight was 0.32 ±0.03g. Food consumption by each instar was also calculated. The 6th instar stage was most damage causing stage. The rate of adult emergence was highest in maize (89%). Adults of S. frugiperda attained longevity of 14 days on maize and 9 days on brinjal. This life table study could be valuable in assessing the damage caused by the disastrous lepidopteran pest. The results could help to formulate pest management strategies for sustainable crop production.

The present study was aimed to prepare clove oil nanocapsules (PEG-ClO NCs) and to investigate their insecticidal potential against stored grain pests including Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum. Nanocapsules were synthesized by the melt dispersion method. The 10% PEG-ClO NCs formed the most stable nanocapsules with 270.30 nm size, 0.25 PDI, and 90.03% encapsulation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy images showed slightly irregularly shaped nanocapsules in a good dispersion. The major phytochemicals identified in GC-MS analyses of pure clove oil were eugenol, phenol, and caryophyllene. Contact toxicity bioassay revealed that clove essential oil nanocapsules showed 100% mortality against Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus oryzae after 3 and 7 days of exposure, respectively. The LC50 values for nanocapsules were 2260.89 and 10498 mg/kg against S. oryzae and T. castaneum. The residual contact toxicity of pure oil was reduced gradually and after 4 weeks it showed 61.67 % and 58.36 % mortality upon exposure as compared to PEG-ClO NCs that showed 95.67 % and 93.33% mortality against Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum respectively. The results of this study suggested that PEG-based nanocapsules prevented the clove essential oil evaporation and rapid degradation while allowing a persistent and slow release. It is concluded that PEG nanocapsules loaded with clove essential oil are feasible to be used as bioinsecticide against stored grain pests for a long time.

The experimentation was designed to investigate the harmful effects of the widely used insecticide lufenuron on freshwater fish Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The objective of this experimental study is an “analysis” of histopathological abnormalities in the liver and kidney of Grass carp. The research was accomplished in the Aquaculture, genetic toxicity, and molecular biology laboratory, Department of Zoology at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. A total of 40 fish, with an average weight of 50-100g, were isolated to lufenuron at concentrations of 0µg/L, 2µg/L, 3µg/L, and 4µg/L, respectively, for 33 days. Three samplings were done at 11, 22, and 33 days, respectively. The liver tissues of affected fish under the microscope show various alterations, including hepatocellular vacuolization, eccentric nuclei, severe vacuolation, vascular dilation, eccentric nuclei, and hepatocyte hypertrophy. At the same time, the tissues in the control group were unaffected. Light microscopic studies revealed various histological changes in the kidney, such as vacuolar degeneration, (MGC) mild glomerulus congestion, (TD) tubular degeneration, (MMC) melano macrophage centers, (DGC) degenerated glomerulus capillaries and necrosis.