Browsing by Author "Botheju, W.S.M."

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Daily intake of essential minerals through drinking water in a chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology prevalence area, Sri Lanka
(Proceedings of the Research Conferenc e in Health Sciences 2021, 2021) Botheju, W.S.M.; Liyanage, J.A.; Kannangara, S.D.P.
Background: Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is increasing at an alarming rate in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Based on previous observations, CKDu has a profound relationship with drinking water quality. The contribution of drinking water to the total dietary intake of essential minerals is pronounced. Essential minerals are required for humans in limited quantities, and excessive or insufficient intake of vital minerals can cause various chronic effects such as CKDu. Objective: This study aimed to assess the essential mineral intake of human body via drinking water obtained from a CKDu endemic area in Sri Lanka. Method: Thirty drinking water samples were randomly collected from dug wells in Girandurukotte grama niladhari division, Badulla District, Sri Lanka. The collected water samples were stored in pre-cleaned containers, sealed, and transported to the laboratory at a refrigerated temperature. They were filtered through 0.45 μm membrane filters. Selected essential minerals, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), ferrous (Fe), and manganese (Mn), were analyzed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-Agilent-7800). Mean Oral Daily Intake (ODI) for an adult human was determined in triplicates using the concentrations of essential minerals. Results: The results obtained for Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 1.1±0.1 mg/L, 20.3±0.8 mg/L, 1.1±0.0 μg/L, 18.4±1.0 μg/L, 108.3±12.6 μg/L, and 143.0±21.6 μg/L respectively. Mean ODI value (μgkg−1day−1) for Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 0.04, 0.74, 3.89x10-5, 0.07x10-2, 0.04x10-1, and 0.01 respectively. Mean concentrations of selected essential elements in drinking water complied with WHO standards except for Mg. Conclusion: The reported chronic ODI values indicate low potential harmful health risks to the people of the study area. However, long-term use of this water may pose a hazard to human health. Therefore, regular monitoring and taking all necessary precautionary measures before using this water can be recommended.
Formulation and stabilization of Trichoderma spp. in selected carrier materials.
(International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Botheju, W.S.M.; Hewavitharana, N.,; Kannangara, S.D.P.; Abeywickrama, K.
Trichoderma spp. are one of the major biocontrol agents which have the ability to act against large numbers of foliar and soil borne pathogens and are eco-friendly good plant growth promoting agents. Present investigation was carried out with an attempt to determine 1) the best organic carrier material in which the viability and antagonistic activity retain for a sufficient duration and 2) optimum temperature at which the product can be stored without losing the viability and antagonistic activity. In the present study, three Trichoderma spp. (T. asperellum, T. harzianum and T. virens) were formulated in three carrier materials - coir dust, saw dust and waste of polished rice, which were rich in lignocellulosic organic compounds, nitrogen and mineral salts. In the preparation procedure, glucose and starch were added as carbon sources and cow dung was also added as a source of nitrogen as Trichoderma spp. require sufficient amounts of carbon and nitrogen sources for their growth and development. Three Trichoderma spp. were then inoculated separately (ten mycelial blocks with 1cm diameter from 7-day old cultures) into the carrier materials in sterilized polypropylene bags aseptically. Each treatment comprised of six replicates. Shelf life of these formulated products were studied along with viability tests, using spread plate method from which colony forming units were observed at three week intervals. Mean values of measurements were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s pair wise test (Minitab 16). Antagonistic activity of three Trichoderma spp. against three post-harvest pathogens (Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium oxysporum, Pestaliopsis microspora) were monitored using dual culture method at room temperature (30°C) and 4°C where growth inhibition was measured. All three types of carrier materials were good media for the formulation of all three Trichoderma species and when reisolated, the highest Colony Forming Units were observed in waste of polished rice formulations, at 4°C; [T. asperellum (6.23 log CFU/g), T. harzianum (5.92 log CFU/g) and T. virens (6.04 log CFU/g)] compared to other two carrier materials. Optimum temperature for the storage of formulated products was 4°C that maintained the viability and antagonistic activity of Trichoderma propagules for 130 days compared to the storage at room temperature. However, the values for CFUs of all three Trichoderma spp. in three carrier materials were slightly reduced after storage at 4°C which was not significant. The growth of all three post-harvest pathogens were inhibited by the three Trichoderma spp. and the inhibition values ranged from 36.5% – 83.6%. Growth inhibition values obtained at room temperature (30°C) and 4°C were not significantly different. Among the cost effective three carrier materials at two different temperatures, waste of polished rice at 4°C was found to be significantly effective in retaining the viability and antagonistic ability of the tested Trichoderma species. This may be due to the presence of optimum C contents (35%), C:N ratio (28.42) and pH (6.7) which enhance the production of sufficient propagules of three Trichoderma spp.
The Role of Fluoride, Cadmium and Water Hardness in Drinking Water: A Critical Study of Potential Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in the Prevalence Area, Sri Lanka
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Botheju, W.S.M.; Liyanage, J.A.
Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a major public health problem in North Central Region in Sri Lanka, and it is receiving global attention due to the absence of clear evidence to determine the causative factors. Although indisputable epidemiological data are lacking, high concentrations of water hardness, fluoride, cadmium, and other heavy metals in drinking water could be major causes for the prevalence of CKDu. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to assess the role of fluoride (F), cadmium (Cd) and water hardness in drinking water sources as potential risk factors for CKDu in a prevailing area of Sri Lanka. Drinking water samples were randomly collected from 30 dug wells in Girandurukotte Grama Niladhari Division (GND), Badulla District and Buddhangala GND in Ampara District (as reference sampling site) in the dry season (June 2019), Sri Lanka. Cd and F contents of the collected drinking water samples were analyzed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Fluoride meter respectively according to the standard procedures. Total water hardness values were calculated based on calcium and magnesium contents which were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Each analysis was performed in triplicates. Results were statistically analyzed using MINITAB 17 software. Inverse distance weight (IDW) and spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s Index - MI) tools in ArcMap 10.2.2 software were used to interpolate the spatial distribution patterns of F, Cd and total hardness in collected water samples. According to the results, mean F, Cd, and total hardness values of analyzed water samples in Girandurukotte GND were 1.64±0.04 mg/L, 0.124±0.074 μg/L and 83.60±4.02 mg/L respectively. Mean F content of the analyzed water samples in the CKDu prevalence area exceeded the maximum permissible levels of SLS standards (SLS 614: 2013, F - 1.0 mg/L) whereas the total water hardness values indicated the ‘moderately hard water’ (60 to 120 mg/L). As per the results, mean Cd concentration in Girandurukotte GND consented with SLS standard limits (Cd - 3.00 μg/L). Furthermore, mean F, Cd and total hardness values in reference sampling site were 0.504778±0.076 mg/L, 0.018±0.006 μg/L and 30.76±8.06 mg/L respectively and those results complied with SLS standard limits. Mean water hardness values in the reference sampling site indicated the ‘soft water’ (0 to 60 mg/L). According to the statistical analysis, F, Cd and total hardness values in Girandurukotte GND were significantly higher compared to the reference site (P<0.05). Moran’s indices of F, Cd and total hardness in Girandurukotte GND were -0.013, -0.006, and -0.011 respectively as per the Moran’s Index Tool. Based on the results, it can be concluded that high concentrations of fluoride, water hardness and long term exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium can lead to the occurrence of CKDu prevalence. Therefore, utilization of treated water can be recommended as a preventive measure of CKDu in the study area and these findings can be used as a benchmark in the water supply design processes in CKDu affected areas.