Research ArticlesHealth & Welfare

ACUTE TOXICITY EFFECTS OF CRUDE SEED EXTRACTS OF DESERT DATE (Balanite aegyptiaca) ON CAT FISH (Clarias gariepinus) JUVENILES

Mohammed Musa Yahaya, Oshibanjo Debola Olusegun,, Ojutiku Rasheed Olakunle,, Oyero Johnson Olusegun,, Audu Bala Sambo, Lamai Solomon Lambuda, Abdullahi Dayyab, Sulaiman Yusuf

Mohammed Musa Yahaya — University of Jos (Unijos) (yahayam@unijos.edu.ng)

Oshibanjo Debola Olusegun, — University of Jos (Unijos)

Ojutiku Rasheed Olakunle, — Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

Oyero Johnson Olusegun, — Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

Audu Bala Sambo — University of Jos (Unijos)

Lamai Solomon Lambuda — Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

Abdullahi Dayyab — University of Jos (Unijos)

Sulaiman Yusuf — Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)

Abstract

This study investigates the toxicity effects of Balanites aegyptiaca crude seed extract on juveniles of Clarias gariepinus, as it affects the water quality and haematological parameters. The fresh fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca were collected from Jos, Nigeria, and processed to obtain a fine powder for analysis. Juvenile Clarias gariepinus, averaging 3g in weight and 9cm in length, were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for one week before exposure to varying concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 g/L) of the extract. Water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and carbon dioxide were monitored daily throughout the experiment. Results indicated that while pH levels remained stable across treatments, significant variations in carbon dioxide levels were observed. Haematological assessments revealed a dose-dependent response in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels at lower concentrations, but a non-linear trend at higher concentrations. Overall, findings indicate that Balanite aegyptiaca extract can influence both water quality and fish health parameters.

Keywords

Water QualityHaematological IndicesClarias gariepinus JuvenilesAcute ConcentrationsBalanite aegyptiaca

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Publication Info

Published in: Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)

Pages: 162 - 174

DOI: 10.xxxxx/jjaases.2026.8044df29

License: CC-BY-4.0

OA
Open Access (CC-BY 4.0)

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Submitted: 7/19/2026

Accepted: 7/19/2026

Published: 9/19/2026

Disclosures

Funding:

No specific funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.