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UPV Theses and Dissertations

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    Mud crab (Scylla serrata) shells for the removal of humic acids from Santa Barbara well water
    Asdillo, Reina Jean A. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2010-04)
    The chemical contamination of drinking water from a wide range of contaminants such as humic acids can potentially lead to health-related in living organisms, especially humans. In rural areas of the Philippines, the use of low cost methods to remove water pollutants is, therefore, of great interest. In this study, osterized mud crab (Scylla serrata) shells or exoskeletons from cooked crab wastes were used to remove humic acids from the Santa Barbara well water. Adsorption experiments were done to evaluate its capacity to remove humic acids from the well water. Adsorption Isotherms and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were employed to study the characteristics of the adsorption of humic acids onto the OSSE (osterized Scylla serrata exoskeletons). Adsorption experiments showed that at an average 1.0010 g of OSSE and after six hours of agitation, an average 74.95% of humic substances were removed from 50 mL of Montinola, Santa Barbara well water sample. Isotherm experiments showed that the experimental data can be fitted in both Langmuir and Freundlich models with low K values of 0.0235 L/mg and 0.4450 (mg/g)(L/mg), respectively. Based on the results of the above experiments, OSSE is a good adsorbent for humic acids in well waters (although more research need to be done on the removal of the substances remaining in the water after OSSE treatment) and the U-OSSE (used osterized Scylla serrata exoskeletons) can possibly be recycled.
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    Comparison of the length-weight relationship between starved and fed Scylla tranquebarica crablets
    Arroyo. Ritchel B. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2003-04)
    This study aimed to determine the length-weight as well as the width-weight relationships of the Scylla tranquebarica crablets when starved and fed during the intermolt and premolt stages. Molt stages were identified and then the crablets were subjected to feeding or starvation for 36 days. Regression analysis showed the length-weight relationship of the Scylla tranquebarica crablets, including carapace length, carapace width, and body weight when fed and starved. Regression lines for each category differed from one another. Results showed that the fed crablets in intermolt and premolt stages showed greater body weight gain per unit carapace length and carapace width. The intermolt fed gave the highest weight gain per unit length and unit width among the treatments. Equations for interconversions of length and weight and for length and width are reported for the premolt and intermolt stages when fed and starved.
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    Comparison of protein quality of three seaweed species (Sargasum polycystum, Sargasusum oligocystum and Ulva pertusa) from Panay and Guimaras Island, Philippines for potential use in milkfish feed
    Arnaiz, Regina Marielle T. (Division of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2016-06)
    Aquafeed production is the largest expenditure in intensive aquaculture operations, contributing to about 40-60% of total costs (Yildrim et al., 2009; Akiyama et al., 1992 cited in Ali et al., 2009). This is mostly due to the ingredients being used, particularly the protein source fishmeal (Millamena, 2002). The variable and finite supple of fishmeal, however, result in high costs, prompting the search for cheaper alternative ingredients as a priority in cost reduction practices regarding the production of aquafeeds (Attala and Mikhail, 2008). Seaweeds have known nutritional values, and are naturally abundant in Philippine waters, thus their potential could be tapped to reduce costs in aquaculture and could therefore maintain the sustainability of the industry (Shields and Lupatsch, 2012; Trono, 1999). In this study, the protein quality of two brown seaweeds (Sargassum polycystum and Sargassum oligocystum) and one green seaweed (Ulva pertusa) was evaluated by determining their crude protein content, inhibitory activities against trypsin and chymotrypsin, and in vitro protein digestibility. Among the three species, the green seaweed U. pertusa has the highest crude protein content at 23.43%. The obtained crude protein content was 8.28% for S. polycystum and 9.22% for S. oligocystum. Trypsin inhibition of the seaweeds ranged from 54-57%, and chymotrypsin inhibition was from 57-64%. Total phenolic content (TPC) was highest in S. polycystum, and lowest in S. oligocystum. In vitro protein digestibility action of milkfish gut enzyme was highest in S. oligocystum (92.30 ± 2.80), followed by the observed digestibility in U. pertusa (75.01 ± 2.14), and lowest in S. polycystum (64.99 ± 8.11). Determination of Pearson's correlation (r) showed a negative correlation (r=-0.99, p=0.08) existing between the TPC and %RPD values. Based on the results, among the threes species, U. pertusa with 23.43% crude protein content and a %RPD of 75.01% has a potential for partial inclusion in aquafeeds to reduce costs.
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    Spatial variations of Benthic meiofauna communities from Palompon Bay, Northern Leyte
    Balasa, Melvy June (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2013-04)
    Meiofauna play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance in marine ecosystems especially in the dynamics of the seagrass meadows. The meiofauna links the upper trophic level with detritus-feeding organisms. Only few studies have been conducted in the Philippines, while no studies have been. This study was conducted in Palompon, northern Leyte in November 2011, to determine the spatial distribution of meiobenthic fauna in the area and to compare community structure in terms of species composition, species density, and species diversity among five stations included in the survey. Twenty taxa were identified with nematodes being numerically dominant, followed by harpacticoid copepods. It also showed the highest mean abundance for the entire habitat type. The overall mean density was 194585.1528 ind. m2, with the highest population at station 4. And the lowest population was recorded at station 2. Soft bottom habitat showed the highest recorded mean density among the 5 stations, Harpacticoids mostly dominated sandy substrate while nematodes were widely distributed.
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    Assessment of heavy metal traces (Copper and lead) in the soft tissue of Oysters Crassostrea virginica
    Balboa, Dexter G. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2010-04-05)
    The bivalve mollusk Crassostrea virginica is abundant in Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo and Brgy. Bacong, Dumangas; and are widely consumed by the residence as food. Bioaccumulation of Copper and Lead in the soft tissues of C. virginica from Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo and Brgy. Bacong, Dumangas were measured and checked if they are still within the permissible levels of Copper and Lead in food based on Median International Standards for metals compiled by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Metal concentrations (μg/g) were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Mean concentrations of the heavy metals in C. virginica from Calaparan, Arevalo- Cu 27.829, Pb 1.2133; Bacong, Dumangas- Cu 57.834, Pb 0.1338. These levels of Copper and Lead in oyster tissue from both sites are within the the range of Median International Standards for metals and are safe for human consumption. Statistical analysis through one- way ANOVA (F > Fcrit, showed significant difference between sites (Fcrit = 18.51282) for Copper (F value, 215.06569) but not for Lead (F value, 2.25151). The study also provided further solid evidence that bivalve like Crassostrea virginica can recover and concentrate environmentally derived and anthropogenic traces of heavy metals.
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    As the rivers flows: A history of laws and politics affecting the Iloilo River from the 1970's to the present
    Baliao, Martin Earl D. (Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2013-04)
    This paper attempts to examine the history of national and local river laws and policies that pertain to changes in the ecology of the Iloilo River since the 1970s. Furthermore, this paper seeks to investigate the reasons for the laws and policies and the actions taken by different administrations across the decades that affected the ecology of the river. Library research and one interview was used to gather the necessary data for this research paper. This paper will conclude by discussing the effects of the different laws, policies, and plans on the ecology of the Iloilo River.
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    Fungal pathogen associated with Rhizophora stylosa: A comparative study between oiled and unoiled sites within Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMAR), Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
    Balanga-an, Kristoffer (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2009-03)
    Mangroves, refer to an assemblage of trees and shrubs that inhabit the coastal intertidal zone in tropical and subtropical regions. They help in the soil formation, protection, and stabilization of our coastal environment as well as serve as shelter and breeding grounds for some of our marine organisms. A mangrove habitat represents the borderline between land and sea and is considered as one of the principal places where spilled oil and associated impacts converge. Oil spill threaten mangroves by predisposing the plants to fungal attacks thereby reducing their resistance to stress and diseases. Studies also show that certain fungi species are able to utilize oil in contaminated mangrove species. This study generally aims to compare the fungal population found on the diseased leaves of Rhizophora stylosa between oiled and unoiled sites in the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMAR). It also aims to isolate, characterize and identify fungi present in diseased leaves of Rhizophora stylosa using potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture media and determine their frequency of occurrence. Leaf samples were collected from two sites in TINMAR, one of which was contaminated by oil and the other one was not. Three trees were selected to represent each of the two sampling sites (oiled and unoiled), and to each of the selected trees, three diseased leaves were collected. The results of this study showed the dominance of some species of fungi namely, Aspergillus (40%), Penicillium (20%), Cladosporium (13.33%), Monilia (6.67%), Mycelia (6.67%), Humicola (6.67%), and Pestalotiopsis (6.67%). Five out of these seven genera were isolated from the unoiled site while six of these were isolated from the oiled site. Generally, the fungal population was observed to be greater in the oiled site than in the unoiled. This preliminary data indicate that R. stylosa might still be undergoing stress due to the remaining components of the spilled oil in the area. However, this can only be resolved by further monitoring.
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    Treatment of Vibrio harveyi-infected Penaeus monodon using Alibutbut (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir.) plant powder
    Bacaling, Marivic T. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)
    The cytotoxicity test of crude methanolic leaf extract using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay revealed that Alibutbut (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir.) is safe to use in treating vibrio-infected penaeid shrimps. The effectiveness of the alibutbut powder against vibriosis was examined through the determination of the post-larvae 20 (PL 20) penaeid shrimp mortality and the water microbial assay after 48 hours. Percent penaied shrimp mortality (0-6.67%) and microbial count (2.91 x 10^4- 3.26 x 104 cfu/mL) of the plant treatments were significantly lower compared to the negative control (no treatment) that exhibited 50% penaeid shrimp mortality and a microbial count greater than 6.00 x 10^4 cfu/mL. The results of the experiment showed that Alibutbut plant powder is indeed effective in controlling Vibrio harveyi bacteria.
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    Economic analysis and adaptation measures of small-scale aquaculture in Roxas City, Capiz
    Baes, Marla May A. (Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2015-06)
    This research was conducted to find out the contribution of the aquaculture industry to the city and to the small-scale farmers of Roxas City. It also determined the socio-economic impacts brought by the hydrometeorological events and identified the adaptation measures employed by the local government and the aquaculture operators. This study used cost and returns analysis, market based approaches and OLS regression to analyze the data gathered from the 187 small-scale milkfish, mussel, and oyster farmers in Roxas City. The findings showed that the aquaculture industry significantly contributed to revenue, employment, production and profit. However, the industry was affected by hydrometeorological events which brought about significant damage cost. Most of the aquaculture operators employed various adaptation strategies to cope with these hydrometeorological occurences. Some of them, however, did not find it necessary to adapt because either they do not have enough money to finance adaptation strategies or they perceive that the impacts are not that significant. This study recommends that the government should provide other alternative climate-resilient livelihoods to the small- scale operators. It should also employ sustainable adaptation measures aside from providing trainings and seminars about aquaculture operation such as by integrating climate change adaptation techniques to aquaculture farming.
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    Determination of heavy metal (Cu, Cd, and Pb) concentration in musclemeat of fish from different areas in Batan Bay, Aklan
    Bagarinao, Cathrina F. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2014-04)
    Food safety is of utmost importance but it is usually compromised by the presence of pollutants in the environment such as heavy metals. This study was conducted to investigate heavy metals concentrations in fish musclemeat collected from different areas of Batan Bay, Aklan. A total of 22 fish species were analyzed for Cu, Cd and Pb using Flame Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy. Pb concentration in the musclemeat of fish ranged from 0.0292 ± 0.2070- 2.09 ±1.15 mg/kg wet weight and was found to be highest in Mugil cephalus (flathead grey mullet), while Cd concentration ranged from 0.0075 ± 0.0016-0.157 ± 0.209 mg/kg wet weight with highest value in Megalops cyprinoides (Indo-pacific tarpon), and Cu concentration ranged from 0.0605 ± 0.0667-2.76 ± 0.05 mg/kg wet weight, with highest concentration in Leiognathus equulus (common ponyfish). Among the metals, only Pb concentration in flathead grey mullet exceeded the maximum permissible concentration in food as indicated by the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius (1984). Assessment of Noncarcinogenic Hazard Quotient (NHQ) gave NHQ values less than 1, indicating that the risk of developing adverse effects due to fish intake is low.