Physiological responses and histological alterations induced by pollution in the Nile tilapia from the Rosetta branch of the River Nile, Egypt Sally M. Salaah, Ayat Taha, Fareda Medhat, Marwa M. El-Naggar Scientific Reports, 2025 The Nile River is the primary source of freshwater in Egypt and supports nearly all the anthropogenic activities in the region and, consequently, it is highly susceptible to pollution from diverse sources. Aquatic ecosystems in the Nile basin face increasing threats originated from pollution and seasonal fluctuations, both of which can profoundly affect the health and resilience of fish populations. Hence, addressing this issue is a must. This study investigated the impact of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr and Cd) on key physiological and biochemical parameters for the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus sampled from two sites on the Rosetta Branch of the River Nile: El-Qanater (reference site) and El-Qatta (polluted site) during summer and winter of 2023. In addition, histological analysis was conducted on vital organs covering the winter season. Both site and season were detected with impacts on the hormonal concentrations in the fish samples. Compared to the reference site, fish individuals from the polluted site exhibited pronounced alterations in hormonal balance, with elevated cortisol levels and a marked decline in thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), while TSH levels were increased, particularly during winter. Elevated serum glucose, total protein, and albumin levels were evidenced for metabolic stress. Liver enzyme activity (ALT and AST) and kidney function biomarkers (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) were significantly increased, especially in winter. Profound responses to pollution were recorded with higher levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST, aligned with a substantial decline in GSH levels. Moreover, higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected in winter. For fish organs histologically examined, a severe damage was remarkably observed in liver, gills, and kidney of fish from El-Qatta site. This study reveals the combined impact of pollution and seasonal changes on the Nile tilapia health, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and effective pollution control. Implementing targeted water quality programs in the Rosetta Branch is recommended to preserve fish health, biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries.
Decolorization of Methylene Blue Using Chitosan, Aspergillus caespitosus, and a Fungal Biomass–Chitosan Composite: Toxicity Assessment using Daphnia magna Taha et al. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2025 . Therefore, it is essential to eradicate the dye and protect the environment from its contamination. This work evaluated the efficacy of removing MB utilizing chitosan, fungal biomass, and a fungal biomass–chitosan composite as biosorbents, along with the subsequent ecotoxicity assessment. The fungal isolate was obtained from water and identified as Aspergillus caespitosus (PV449101) using morphological and molecular features. The decolorization process was investigated under optimized conditions, including pH, MB dye concentration, incubation times, and biosorbent dosage. The results indicated that fungal biomass attained 95.58% decolorization of MB at pH 8 within 60 minutes, while chitosan obtained 91.23% at pH 8 and the composite reached 94.18% at pH 10, equilibrating in 120 and 30 minutes, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were employed to assess the biosorbent properties prior to and following the sorption process. This study demonstrated also a considerable reduction in dye zoo-toxicity, as measured by Daphnia magna . Acute toxicity was assessed using LC₅₀ and calculated toxicity unit (TU) values. Untreated MB was highly toxic. Chitosan reduced toxicity from Class IV to Class III, while fungal biomass achieved Class I status. Notably, the chitosan–biomass composite demonstrated superior detoxification (LC₅₀: 1345 ppm; TU: 0.07), reclassifying MB as slightly toxic. This study presents a novel approach by using A. caespitosus and its biomass-chitosan composite for the first time to remove MB from aqueous solutions. Our results proved high decolorization efficiency, combined with eco-friendly and cost-effective properties, and their promising potential in wastewater treatment.
Fungal Bioremediation: A Sustainable Strategy for Microplastic Removal from Polluted Water Gouda et al. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2025 Microplastic (MP) pollution is an escalating global concern, posing serious threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. These small plastic particles (1µm to 5mm), originating from synthetic products, industrial activities, and the degradation of larger plastic debris, are now ubiquitous in both freshwater and marine environments. MPs enter water bodies through multiple pathways, including wastewater discharge, atmospheric deposition, and agricultural runoff. Once present, MPs can act as vectors for toxic substances such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), contributing to ecological imbalance, bioaccumulation within food webs, and potential health risks to humans. Addressing this issue requires sustainable and effective remediation strategies. Among emerging solutions, fungi have attracted increasing attention due to their unique biological capabilities. Certain fungal species produce extracellular enzymes—such as laccases and peroxidases—capable of breaking down synthetic polymers. Furthermore, their extensive mycelial networks and biofilm structures provide large surface areas that facilitate the adsorption and physical entrapment of MPs from contaminated waters. Fungal-based bioremediation thus represents a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable alternative to conventional MP removal methods. This review examines the ecological impacts of MP contamination and explores the potential of fungi as natural allies in mitigating this form of pollution. Advances in fungal biotechnology could play a significant role in integrated water management strategies, supporting cleaner aquatic ecosystems while reducing long-term risks to biodiversity and public health.
Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Oreochromis niloticus from the Rosetta Branch of the River Nile, Egypt El-Naggar et al. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2024 During the last three decades, an annual proliferation in the levels of heavy metals was detected in the River Nile due to sewage, industrial and agricultural wastewater discharged into the river waters. Thus, the current study was set with the aim of investigating the possible health risks associated with water use and the consumption of Oreochromis niloticus via comparing and determining various exposure pathways and potential health risks corresponding with heavy metals in surface water and fish off the River Nile using a number of indices. S1: El-Qanater El-Khayria site (S1; reference clean site) prior to the bifurcation, S2: El-Rahawy drain discharge point into the Rosetta Branch, and S3: El-Qatta site (about 7 km from S2) were the three locations covered by the present investigation throughout winter and summer of 2023. Heavy metals’ levels were addressed (Fe, Cr, Cd, Zn, and Cu). Among the metals under research, Fe had the highest concentration, followed by Zn> Cu> Cr> Cd, and S2 had the highest heavy metal load over the course of the study. In contrast to the FAO guidelines for irrigation water and the USEPA guidelines for drinking water, water samples from S1 of the River Nile were suitable for both uses during the study, despite the fact that the heavy metal evaluation index (HMEI) of water samples taken from S2 and S3 of the Nile indicated that both sites are unsuitable for irrigation and drinking. O. niloticus off site S3 was monitored for non-carcinogenic health concerns in accordance with USEPA recommendations. However, chromium in fish at S3 exhibited higher lifetime potency of cocarcinogenic risks, particularly for habitual consumers. The current findings confirm the necessity of rapid water quality management planning, especially in heavily polluted areas, to secure safe water usage and maintain ecological balance and human well-being. These results also emphasize the importance of understanding the site-specific cancerogenic risks related to exposure to heavy metals in different locations and consumption patterns to appraise aquatic food safety and health risk assessments.
Bioindicators: A Promising Tool for Detecting and Evaluating Water Pollution Shaymaa Ahmed Gouda et al. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2024 The aquatic environment has various living resources, making it unique among other environments and economically significant. The lack of guidance, environmental awareness, and health control has decreased water quality, impacting living organisms and humans along the food chain. This is due to the increasing number of pollutants, including physical, chemical, radioactive, and infectious microscopic biological substances, that infiltrate water resources, raising concerns about the aquatic environment. Traditional chemical and physical assays for pollution detection have some limitations, such as providing information only during sampling and requiring expensive analysis for sensitive detection of contaminants when present in very low concentrations. In contrast, biological communities (bioindicators) offer reliable and cost-effective tools for assessing toxic pollutants. Various bioindicators, such as plants, plankton, animals, and microorganisms, are considered vital indicators for detecting water pollution compared to their benefits and drawbacks. Using indicator species as ecological indicators is a reliable and cost-effective way to assess environmental changes and reflect the overall water quality by integrating the effects of various stressors over time. Therefore, bioindicators are considered a valuable model for predicting the presence and extent of pollution (acting as an early warning system) before the onset of pollutant effects and characterizing ecosystem health.
Reproductive cycle of the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Chiroptera: Petropodidae) in northern Egypt Ayat Taha, Sohail Soliman Zoology in the Middle East, 2024 The reproductive patterns of both sexes of the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, were studied in a population inhabiting a roost within Giza Governorate, northern Egypt. Bat specimens were collected over a period of 13 months extending from June 2017 to June 2018, inclusive. The reproductive cycle of males consisted of four consecutive phases, namely the active phase in autumn and the early winter months (October to January), the regressing phase in late winter and early spring months (February to April), the regressed phase in late spring and summer (May to August), and the recrudescence phase in early autumn (September). No active sperms were observed in smears of the cauda epididymis during the regressed phase (June–August) and males were considered to be sexually inactive during this phase. Varying percentages of reproductively active females (pregnant, lactating, pregnant and lactating) were collected in all months, with peaks in summer (June–July) and late autumn and early winter (November–January).
Biosorption of Cadmium from Polluted Waters Using Dead Biomass of the Fungus Alternaria tenuissima and its Toxicological Effects on Male Albino Rats Shaymaa A. Gouda et al. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2023 It is important to find and identify more biological adsorbents that can effectively remove metals from water instead of using the traditional approach. In the present study, a fungal strain resistant to cadmium was isolated from polluted sites. It was identified morphologically and molecularly as Alternaria tenussemia, with an accession number of OQ691600. Heat-inactivated biomass of A. tenussemia was evaluated for cadmium (Cd) biosorption. The biosorption process was conducted at a temperature of 28±2°C to remove Cd from water at an initial concentration of 92 mg/ L, under different conditions, such as pH (4–6), biosorbent dose (1–3 g/L), and sorption time (15–60 min). The obtained results demonstrated that the dead biomass of A. tenussemia effectively removed Cd, with maximum significant biosorption efficiency of 99.95±0.003% and capacity of 92.33±0.21 mg/g, which were achieved at a pH value of 6 for 30 min and a biosorbent dose of 1 g/L. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in the functional groups present on the surface of A. tenussemia biomass through the biosorption process. Following the biosorption process, three groups of male albino rats were used. The negative control group received only double-distilled water through oral administration. The Cd-polluted water group received a Cd aqueous solution (92 mg/L) through oral administration for 30 days. The treatment group received Cd aqueous solution (92 mg/L) through oral administration after treatment with A. tenuissima as the biosorbent material for a period of 30 days. The results showed that Cd caused a significant drop in weight gain and testicular index weight, as well as total protein, albumin, semen count, and motility. There were significant increases in abnormal sperm, the spleen, and brain index weight, as well as biochemical parameters, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and uric acid, showed notable changes. The liver, kidney, testis, and epididymis of male albino rats showed several histopathological changes along with bioaccumulation of Cd traces in liver and kidney tissues. However, in the treatment group, all these findings were noticeably improved. Based on our findings, the dead biomass of A. tenuissima has the potential to be a very effective biosorbent for removing cadmium from water, without causing any hazardous effects on animals.
Sustainable methylene blue dye removal via bio-derived micro/micron-sized porous particles Zygophyllum coccineum and Calotropis procera : A machine learning … H Fakry, E Salama, A Taha, M Ossman, G Bonanomi, AM Abd-ElGawad, ... Scientific Reports 16 (1), 10984 , 2026 2026
Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain ES222 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain EM612: A novel approach to Colon Cancer therapy in rat models E Mohammed, A Taha, HM Gebreel, HAE Sayed Journal of Functional Foods 138, 107204 , 2026 2026
Physiological responses and histological alterations induced by pollution in the Nile tilapia from the Rosetta branch of the River Nile, Egypt SM Salaah, A Taha, F Medhat, MM El-Naggar Scientific Reports 15 (1), 43015 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Optimization of Hybrid Machine Learning Approach for Unemployment Rate Forecasting WA Shrief, A Taha, R Elstohy, N Nagy, EM Ali Applied Computational Intelligence and Soft Computing 2025 (1), 3817650 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
An Experimental Study on Durability Properties of Reactive Powder Concrete Containing Silica Fume and Fly Ash as Supplementary Cementitious Materials AMH Taha, MHA Makhlouf, KM El-Sayed, GI Khaleel Mansoura Engineering Journal 50 (3), 8 , 2025 2025
Eco-friendly dye removal: Impact of dyes on aquatic and human health and sustainable fungal treatment approaches A Taha, S Gouda Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 29 (1), 2733-2763 , 2025 2025 Citations: 21
Reproductive cycle of the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Chiroptera: Petropodidae) in northern Egypt A Taha, S Soliman Zoology in the Middle East 70 (4), 281-292 , 2024 2024
Bioindicators: A Promising Tool for Detecting and Evaluating Water Pollution. SA Gouda, H Hesham, A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 28 (4) , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Evaluating the Anti-fertility Potentials of 3-Monochloropropane-1, 2-diol (Alpha-Chlorohydrin) and Testosterone in Adult Male Wild Nile Grass Rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) for … M Ashry, Z Hassan, M Wilson, M Moustafa, A Taha Iranian Journal of Toxicology 18 (1), 29-38 , 2024 2024
Biosorption of Cadmium from Polluted Waters Using Dead Biomass of the Fungus Alternaria tenuissima and its Toxicological Effects on Male Albino Rats AT Shaymaa A. Gouda1* , Doaa Mahmoud Eid2 , Toka Mahmoud Fathy Elsharkawy2 ... Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, 23-58 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Evaluating the effects of quinestrol on the reproductive organs of the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) for use in the rat control SSAT Shrook Omar, Hala El-Tantawi EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SC 10 (issue 1), 875-893 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Immunological Responses and Host-Parasite Dynamics in Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Diplostomum Metacercariae in Kenyan Aquaculture Environments M Ololade, F Medhat, A Taha 2023
Biosorption of Heavy Metals as a New Alternative Method for Wastewater Treatment: A Review SAGA Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 27 (2), 135 – 153 , 2023 2023 Citations: 60
Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Wastewaters: A Concise Review WHSAG Ayat Taha1,* Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Biosorption of heavy metals as a new alternative method for wastewater treatment: a review. Egypt J Aquat Biol Fish 27 (2): 135–153 SA Gouda, A Taha 2023 Citations: 9
Dried eye lens weight as an indicator of age in Rousettus aegyptiacus: Comparison with some other tools of age determination in bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) S SOLIMAN, A TAHA Lynx, series nova 54 (1) , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Bioremoval of lead from polluted waters using the fungus Talaromyces stipitatus and its impact on male albino rats A Taha, S Mohamed, MA Mahmoud, E Saeed, M Fathy, N Mohamed, ... Egypt. J. Aquat. Biol. Fish 27 (5), 429-462 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Assessment of non-target toxicity of profenofos insecticide on the aquatic bird; the white egret, Egretta alba A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 26 (2), 263-276 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
Antifertility potential of n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Penicillium oxalicum OM282858 in male albino rats as biological control agents. A Taha, SA Gouda 2022 Citations: 4
Applications of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles in fish aquaculture. M El-Naggar, F Medhat, A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 26 (1) , 2022 2022 Citations: 33
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Biosorption of Heavy Metals as a New Alternative Method for Wastewater Treatment: A Review SAGA Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 27 (2), 135 – 153 , 2023 2023 Citations: 60
Applications of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles in fish aquaculture. M El-Naggar, F Medhat, A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 26 (1) , 2022 2022 Citations: 33
Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Wastewaters: A Concise Review WHSAG Ayat Taha1,* Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Eco-friendly dye removal: Impact of dyes on aquatic and human health and sustainable fungal treatment approaches A Taha, S Gouda Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 29 (1), 2733-2763 , 2025 2025 Citations: 21
3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (alpha-chlorohydrin) disrupts spermatogenesis and causes spermatotoxicity in males of the Egyptian fruit-bat ( Rousettus aegyptiacus ) YI Mahmoud, A Taha, S Soliman Biotechnic & Histochemistry 93 (4), 293-300 , 2018 2018 Citations: 17
Biosorption of heavy metals as a new alternative method for wastewater treatment: a review. Egypt J Aquat Biol Fish 27 (2): 135–153 SA Gouda, A Taha 2023 Citations: 9
Bioremoval of lead from polluted waters using the fungus Talaromyces stipitatus and its impact on male albino rats A Taha, S Mohamed, MA Mahmoud, E Saeed, M Fathy, N Mohamed, ... Egypt. J. Aquat. Biol. Fish 27 (5), 429-462 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Assessment of non-target toxicity of profenofos insecticide on the aquatic bird; the white egret, Egretta alba A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 26 (2), 263-276 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
Biosorption of Cadmium from Polluted Waters Using Dead Biomass of the Fungus Alternaria tenuissima and its Toxicological Effects on Male Albino Rats AT Shaymaa A. Gouda1* , Doaa Mahmoud Eid2 , Toka Mahmoud Fathy Elsharkawy2 ... Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, 23-58 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Effect of α-Chlorohydrin water-bait on the fertility of captive males of the Egyptian fruit-bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and the proper time for controlling its free-ranging … A Taha, S Soliman Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 23 (4), 227-237 , 2019 2019 Citations: 8
Physiological responses and histological alterations induced by pollution in the Nile tilapia from the Rosetta branch of the River Nile, Egypt SM Salaah, A Taha, F Medhat, MM El-Naggar Scientific Reports 15 (1), 43015 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Bioindicators: A Promising Tool for Detecting and Evaluating Water Pollution. SA Gouda, H Hesham, A Taha Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 28 (4) , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Antifertility potential of n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Penicillium oxalicum OM282858 in male albino rats as biological control agents. A Taha, SA Gouda 2022 Citations: 4
Evaluating the effects of quinestrol on the reproductive organs of the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) for use in the rat control SSAT Shrook Omar, Hala El-Tantawi EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SC 10 (issue 1), 875-893 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Evaluating the efficacy of the male chemosterilant alpha-chlorohydrin on three Egyptian wild rodent pests under laboratory conditions S Soliman, Y Mahmoud, A Taha Egyptian Journal of Zoology 66 (66), 71-84 , 2016 2016 Citations: 2
Optimization of Hybrid Machine Learning Approach for Unemployment Rate Forecasting WA Shrief, A Taha, R Elstohy, N Nagy, EM Ali Applied Computational Intelligence and Soft Computing 2025 (1), 3817650 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Dried eye lens weight as an indicator of age in Rousettus aegyptiacus: Comparison with some other tools of age determination in bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) S SOLIMAN, A TAHA Lynx, series nova 54 (1) , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Notes on House Fly Dispersion in. Egypt. AM Taha 1963 Citations: 1
Sustainable methylene blue dye removal via bio-derived micro/micron-sized porous particles Zygophyllum coccineum and Calotropis procera : A machine learning … H Fakry, E Salama, A Taha, M Ossman, G Bonanomi, AM Abd-ElGawad, ... Scientific Reports 16 (1), 10984 , 2026 2026
Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain ES222 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain EM612: A novel approach to Colon Cancer therapy in rat models E Mohammed, A Taha, HM Gebreel, HAE Sayed Journal of Functional Foods 138, 107204 , 2026 2026