This study will serve as guide in the assessment of potential health risk to the fish-consuming communities in Lake Lanao.This will serve to inform and forewarn the Maranao lakeshore communities and their respective local governments about possible bacterial contamination of fishery resources in Lake Lanao and its potential risks to public health.
Moreover, major advances in microbial ecology now enable more accurate quantification of the roles of bacteria and other microorganisms in food chains and biogeochemical cycles. For a better understanding of their role in a culture system, the activities and productivities of each functional group of bacteria need to be studied. Knowledge of the precise relationships between water column bacteria and those growing in or on the animals is essential for making informed decisions on management and operational procedures.
Mindanao State University - Marawi
NRCP-GIA
DOST National Research Council of the Philippines
The general objective of this study is to investigate the bacterial load and species composition in commonly consumed fish collected in Lake Lanao and to identify bacterial fish pathogens particularly those with probiotic/antimicrobial and zoonotic potential.
Specifically, the study is aimed to;
1. To quantify the bacterial load in the lake water, and samples of commonly consumed fish from Lake Lanao;
2. To isolate, characterize, and identify the bacterial microbiota associated with the lake water and samples of commonly consumed fish from Lake Lanao;
3. To measure the physico-chemical parameters (temperature, DO, pH, TDS, conductivity, salinity, water transparency, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity) of the lake water
This study is expected to come up with a scientific manuscript in publishable format that will describe the assessment of bacterial microbiota of commonly consumed fish of Lake Lanao environment. Likewise, this study will involve and support at least two (2) undergraduate research studies which will be undertaken by MSU undergraduate students/researchers who will also be encouraged to publish their respective works.
This study is expected to come up with a scientific manuscript in publishable format that will describe the assessment of bacterial microbiota of commonly consumed fish of Lake Lanao environment. Likewise, this study will involve and support at least two (2) undergraduate research studies which will be undertaken by MSU undergraduate students/researchers who will also be encouraged to publish their respective works.
Bacterial isolates that will be isolated and identified will be stored as stock cultures for future use. Intellectual property for the said isolates will be under the university and DOST-NRCP.
Monograph: A guide to bacterial microbiota in fish from Lake Lanao.
6 trained personnel: 2 project staff and 4 student assistants to be trained in microbiological and molecular methods.
MOA will be drafted for partnerships with BARMM-MAFAR and Marawi LGUs involved in the study.
Policy recommendations: Draft of local ordinance to support existing regulations/guidelines on good practices in farming and set up or strengthen inter-agency mechanisms that are responsible for making food security a high priority that involves affecting policy reforms/legislations and programs to mitigate further contamination in the Lake.