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.
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