Additive and Interactive Associations of Environmental and Sociodemographic Factors with the Genotypes of Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes in Relation to the Blood Arsenic Concentrations of Children in Jamaica

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid that has been classified as a xenobiotic with toxic effects on human beings, especially on children. Since the soil in Jamaica contains As, dietary intake is considered the main source of As exposure in Jamaicans. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTM1, play an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics including As in humans. Using data from 375 typically developing children (2–8 years) in Jamaica, we investigated the environmental and sociodemographic factors, as well as their possible interactions with the children’s genotype for GST genes in relation to having a detectable level of blood As concentration (i.e., >1.3 μg/L). Using multivariable logistic regression, we have identified environmental factors significantly associated with blood As concentrations that include a child’s age, parental education levels, and the consumption of saltwater fish, cabbage, broad beans, and avocado (all p < 0.01). Based on the multivariable analysis including gene x environment interactions, we found that among children with the Ile/Ile genotype for GSTP1 Ile105Val, children who consumed avocado had higher odds of having a detectable blood As concentration compared to children who did not eat avocado.

Lactic Acid Bacteria From Saltwater Fish Samples: Probiotic Potential Characterization and Clustering Using Unsupervised Algorithms

This research aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the bowl of saltwater fish to assess their probiotic properties. Nineteen isolates of LAB including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Pediococcus lolli were recognized using molecular tools. All the isolates survived in the simulated conditions of the GI tract. Auto-aggregation ranged from 01.3 ± 0.5% to 82.6 ± 1.4% and hydrophobicity with toluene ranged from 3.7 ± 1.6% to 69.4 ± 1.3%, while the range of hydrophobicity with xylene was from 02.2 ± 1.6% to 56.4 ± 2.1%. All the isolates of lactobacilli, pediococci, enterococci, and lactococci indicated variable sensitivity and resistance towards clinical antibiotics. Non-neutralized cell free supernatant of isolates F12 and F15 showed antimicrobial activity against all the 8 evaluated enteric pathogens. Cluster analysis of identified potential probiotic bacteria based on heat-map and PCA methods also highlighted the priority of isolates F3, F7, F12, and F15 as bio-control agents in fishery industry. The findings of this study may essentially contribute to the understanding of the probiotic potential of LAB in saltwater fish, in order to access their probiotic characterization for use as biocontrol in fishery.

Fish Sellers Knowledge on Exposure of Mercury from Fish in the Kenjeran Beach Area, Surabaya

The development in industrialization and human activities causing public health problems related to the safety of fish consumed in areas where industrialization is taking place especially in Surabaya city. One of the concerns on food safety especially in fish is the contamination of mercury. This study aimed to measure and identify the mercury contamination in fish especially in freshwater and saltwater fish and to assess the mercury contamination knowledge level among fish sellers in Kenjeran Beach area, Surabaya. A number of 36 sellers from eight traditional markets located near Kenjeran Beach area were randomly selected and 72 fish were taken to the laboratory to assess the mercury concentration. The sellers were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge of mercury pollution in fish. The result showed that 55.5% of saltwater fish were contaminated with mercury (mean=0.00686 ppm). The mean score of questionnaires was 7.69 out of 19. There was no significant association between the questionnaire score and fish’s mercury concentration. This study highlights the association between sellers buying fish from Kenjeran Beach and fish’s mercury contamination. The increased risk of contamination from food can occur due to the low awareness among citizens and food sellers. Therefore, direct and indirect strategies to empower people who live near Kenjeran Beach Area to choose low mercury concentrated fish are needed.

THE EFFECT OF SALTWATER FISH NANOPARTICLE POWDER CONSUMPTION ON TOOTH ENAMEL DENSITY In Vivo Study of Mice (Mus musculus)

ABSTRACTBackground: Dental caries is rarely found in children who eat saltwater fish. Overfished fish can be used as powder of saltwater fish nanoparticles, which is useful as an alternative material for the prevention of dental caries in dentistry can be used as a powder for saltwater fish nanoparticles, which is useful as an alternative material for preventing dental caries in dentistry. A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), commonly known as a μ-CT Scanner, is a device used to quantify the increase in tooth enamel density Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of saltwater fish nanoparticle powder consumption on tooth enamel density of Mus musculus. Method This study used an experimental research method with a randomized posttest only control group design. The research subjects were 16 mice taken from 2 pregnant female mice which were divided into two groups, namely the treatment group with 2.17 mg / 0.5 mL of saltwater fish nanoparticle powder and the control group which was given distilled water. Administration was carried out during the intrauterine period until the teeth of the mice grew, then observed the tooth enamel density with CBCT OP 3D Pro (KaVo, Germany). The data obtained were analyzed by Levene and continued with the Independent T-test. Result: The average value of enamel density in mandibular incisors in the treatment group was greater than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: Saltwater fish nanoparticle powder can increase tooth enamel density of Mus musculus. Keywords: CBCT, CT nanoparticle powder, saltwater fish, tooth enamel density,

Histamine Limits by Country: A Survey and Review

Histamine is a biogenic amine and a food safety hazard, and it is the only biogenic amine regulated by statute or HACCP Guidance. This paper reviews the regulations for histamine levels in fish in countries around the world, including maximum limits or levels and sampling procedures in different fish preparations. The maximum histamine levels, sampling plans, and fish products are listed. The country-by-country regulations for maximum histamine acceptance levels in some food products vary by a factor of 8, from 50 ppm in some countries to a maximum of 400 ppm in other countries. For similar food products, the maximum histamine levels vary by a factor of 4 (from 50 ppm to 200 ppm) in, for example, fresh tuna. The country-by-country sampling plans vary widely as well and these, too, are covered in detail. Molecules of histamine are formed from L-histidine molecules, an amino acid, by a decarboxylation reaction caused by a bacterial enzyme, histidine decarboxylase. Histamine can form in many different species of saltwater fish that have elevated levels of free L-histidine. Histamine formation is completely preventable, and these methods are described as well. Although there are multiple maximum histamine acceptance levels, rapidly chilling the fish immediately after harvest by any means available is the only method to stop the formation of histamine. Fishermen should rapidly chill the fish using ice, chilled seawater, dense cold brine, or air blast freezers as quickly as possible.

Association of Urinary and Plasma Levels of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) with Foods

Introduction: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) may play a key mediator role in the relationship between the diet, gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in people with kidney failure. The aim of this review is to evaluate which foods have a greater influence on blood or urinary trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels. Methods: 391 language articles were screened, and 27 were analysed and summarized for this review, using the keywords “TMAO” AND “egg” OR “meat” OR “fish” OR “dairy” OR “vegetables” OR “fruit” OR “food” in December 2020. Results: A strong correlation between TMAO and fish consumption, mainly saltwater fish and shellfish, but not freshwater fish, has been demonstrated. Associations of the consumption of eggs, dairy and meat with TMAO are less clear and may depend on other factors such as microbiota or cooking methods. Plant-based foods do not seem to influence TMAO but have been less investigated. Discussion: Consumption of saltwater fish, dark meat fish and shellfish seems to be associated with an increase in urine or plasma TMAO values. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship between increased risk of cardiovascular disease and plasma levels of TMAO due to fish consumption. Interventions coupled with long-term dietary patterns targeting the gut microbiota seem promising.

Saltwater fish consumption pattern and incidence of hypertension in adults: A study on the population of Gresik coast, Indonesia

Background: Hypertension is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the Indonesian population, characterized by an increasing number of sufferers each year. Curtailing saltwater fish consumption pattern is an optional effort to prevent hypertension, as most users tend to attribute little or no attention to this possibility. Design and Methods: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to analyze the correlation between saltwater fish consumption pattern and the incidence of hypertension in adults, using analytic research design with cross sectional approach. Results: The analysis showed the dominance of female respondents (63%), aged 36-45 years (60%), graduated from senior high school (33.8%), working as housewives (32.5%), monthly income above the average (63.6%), absence of hypertension history (80.5%), eat sea fish often as a side dish (59.7%), and pre hypertension (59.1%). Furthermore, data analysis showed a Pvalue of 0.000, indicating the presence of a significant relationship between the consumption pattern of sea fish and the incidence of hypertension. Conclusions: The results of this study show the high consumption of saltwater fish by most people living in Kebungson, Gresik Village. This correlates with the incidence of hypertension in indigenous adults, as the majority was classified with prehypertension levels.