Agriculture Cluster

Permanent URI for this community

http://dspace.alquds.edu:4000/handle/20.500.12213/58

Browse

Now showing 1 - 16 of 16

Analysis of phenolic and flavonoids of wild ephedra alata plant extractsby lc/pda and lc/ms and their antioxidant activity
(PKP, 2017-01-15) Fuad Al-Rimawi; Imad Odeh; Jehad Abbadi; Saleh Abu Lafi
Background: Ephedra is among Palestinian medicinal plants that are traditionally used in folkloric medicine for treating many diseases. Ephedra is known to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The goal of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activity of different extracts from the Ephedra alata plant growing wild in Palestine, and to analyze their phenolic and flavonoid constituents by HPLC/PDA and HPLC/MS. Materials and Methods: Samples of the Ephedra alata plant grown wild in Palestine were extracted with three different solvents namely, 100% water, 80% ethanol, and 100% ethanol. The extracts were analyzed for their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (AA), as well as phenolic and flavonoids content by HPLC/PDA/MS. Results: The results revealed that the polarity of the extraction solvent affects the TPC, TFC, and AA of extracts. It was found that both TPC and AA are highest for plant extracted with 80% ethanol, followed by 100% ethanol, and finally with 100% water. TFC however was highest in the following order: 100% ethanol > 80% ethanol > water. Pearson correlation indicated that there is a significant correlation between AA and TPC, but there is no correlation between AA and TFC. Simultaneous HPLC-PDA and UHPLC-MS analysis of the ethanolic plant extracts revealed the presence of Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide flavone, Myricetin 3-rhamnoside and some other major polyphenolic compounds that share myricetin skeleton. Conclusion Ephedra alata extract is rich in potent falvonoid glycosidic compounds as revealed by their similar overlaid UV-Vis spectra and UHPLC-MS results. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that Ephedra alata constitutes a natural source of potent antioxidants that may prevent many diseases and could be potentially used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products.
Assessment of Groundwater Pollution with Heavy Metals in North West Bank/Palestine by ICP-MS
(Scientific Research, 2014-01-06) Malassa, Husam; Hadidoun, Mohamad; Al-Khatib, Mahmoud; Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Al-Qutob, Mutaz
Groundwater of North West Bank in Palestine was assessed for pollution with trace metals by ICP/MS. The samples were analysed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and different trace metals content. The pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids of all water samples were found to be within the US Environmental protection Agency limits. Results showed that the concentration of nine trace metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Pb, Cd, and Al) is within the WHO limits in drinking water (50, 500, 20, 2000, 3000, 70, 10, 3, and 200 ug/L, respectively), however six metals of them (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Mo, and Al) were detected in 100% of the samples, while Pb, Cd, and Zn were detected in 80%, 60%, and 20% of the samples, respectively. On the other hand, Tl which is a very toxic heavy metal with allowed WHO limits of 0.01 - 1 ug/L is detected in 100% of the water samples analysed with a range of 0.02 - 0.12 ug/L. It indicates that such concentration levels of Tl would be harmful to the human being drinking the water. In general, 82% of all samples analysed contained one or more of the 12 metals studied each in varying concentration. Results of this study suggest a possible risk to the people of the study area given the toxicity of heavy metals, and the fact that for many people in the study area, groundwater is a main source of their water supply.
Assessment of some selected pharmacutical residues from Wastewater Treatment Plant in Palestine
(Al-Quds University, 2024-05-19) Mohammad Sobhe Samhan; محمد صبحي عبد القادر سمحان
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) around the world, including those in Palestine, are typically not designed to remove micro-pollutants such as pharmaceuticals. This can lead to STPs being a significant source of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment, including surface waters, coastal waters, and ground waters. The presence of these compounds, combined with their potential adverse ecological effects, makes them a problematic pollutant. A study was conducted to analyze the distribution of pharmaceutical residues in five conventional STPs of varying sizes in Palestine. The study also aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of treatment processes such as activated sludge and conventional wetlands, as well as advanced treatment processes called Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Wetland systems, which can be used as post-treatment secondary treatment steps to complement existing STP configurations. The study found significant variability in the removal of pharmaceuticals in the five STPs. The targeted pharmaceuticals were Atenolol, Carbamazepine, Caffeine, Cotinine, Erythromycin, Lidocaine, Metronidazole, Paracetamol, and Ranitidine. The removal of pharmaceuticals in the Al-Bireh treatment plant ranged from 0% for Lidocaine to 99.9% for Caffeine. In the Nablus treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 5.5% for Lidocaine to 99.8% for Caffeine. In the Misilya treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 47.5% for Ranitidine to 100% for Caffeine. In the Al-Aroub treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 19.6% for Erythromycin to 91.0% for Metronidazole. In the Kharras treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 16.4% for Atenolol to 91.8% for Metronidazole. The study found that STPs show only moderate removal of pharmaceuticals at best, and that the conventional treatment processes applied cannot achieve satisfactory removal of pharmaceuticals. Although the literature presents optimization measures that can enhance pharmaceutical removal in conventional processes, it still does not result in effective removal of pharmaceuticals. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of implementing advanced treatment processes such as NbS and Wetland systems as post-treatment steps in existing STP configurations to improve the removal of pharmaceuticals. Further research is needed to optimize these treatment processes and to better understand the ecological effects of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment.
Biotechnology for conservation of palestinian medicinal plants
(2012-07-03) Alkowni, Raed; Sawalha, Khaled
Many plants of Palestinian flora are facing the risk of endanger, due to agricultural practices, environmental threats and consumption changes. In the absence of National program to conserve the Palestinian heritage of plant diversity, a tentative research work aimed in trial usage of available biotechnology’s methods for conserving several popular plants of medical, cultural and economical importance's. Tissue culturing of anise (Pimipnella anisum), sage (Salvia palestina), fenugreek (Trigonella sps), wild peppermint (Mentha spicita L.) and akoub (Gandelia tournefortii); using MS-media with specific plant growth regulators were successfully applied. Protocols for enhancing callus culturing, organogenesis and micropropagation of these tentatively threatened wild plants were developed and optimized in this research work. Based on the successfulness of propagation in vitro of these plants, a call for establishment of a Palestinian germplasm collection to conserve the Flora Palestina had been reported.
Cinnamon bark water-infusion as an in-vitro inhibitor of β-hematin formation
(Academic Journals, 2015-10-10) Attieh, Hanadi A.; Abu Lafi, Saleh; Jaber, Suhair; Abu-Remeleh, Qassem; Lutgen, Pierre; Akkawi, Mutaz
Malaria remains one of the prominent public health problems that lead to severe morbidity and mortality in many developing countries around the globe. New antimalarial drugs are urgently needed due to the emergence of antimalarial-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. In previous studies, we tested several plants extracts that are capable of inhibiting β-hematin formation, with efficiency similar to chloroquine. In the current study, the effect of cinnamon ethanol and water extracts on inhibiting β- hematin formation was studied. Powdered cinnamon extracts and bark in a stick form were investigated using various extraction methods. A semi-quantitative in vitro method, based on the inhibition of ferriprotoporphyrin IX (FP) bio-crystallization developed by Deharo et al. (2002) was utilized. Water extracts of cinnamon revealed potential activity even at low concentration of infusions, which was manifested by a high capability to inhibit β-hematin formation in vitro.
Determination of trace heavy metals in harvested rainwater used for drinking in Hebron (south West Bank, Palestine) by ICP-MS
(Springer, 2014-07-26) Malassa, Husam; Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Al-Khatib, Mahmoud; Al-Qutob, Mutaz
Rainwater samples harvested for drinking from the west part of Hebron (south of West Bank in Palestine), the largest city in the West Bank, were analyzed for the content of different trace heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Bi, and Pb) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). This study was conducted to determine the water quality of harvested rainwater used for drinking of south West Bank (case study, Hebron area).A total of 44water samples were collected in November 2012 from 44 house cisterns used to collect rainwater from the roofs of houses. The samples were analyzed for their pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and different heavy metal contents. The pH of all water samples was within the US Environmental Protection Agency limits (6.5–8.5), while some water samples were found to exceed the allowed WHO limit for total dissolved solids (TDSs) in drinking water. Results showed that concentrations of the heavy metals vary significantly between the 44 samples. Results also showed that the concentration of five heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Ag, and Pb) is higher than the WHO limits for these heavy metals in drinking water. Overall, our findings revealed that harvested rainwater used for drinking of this part of south West Bank is contaminated with heavy metals that might affect human health.
Development and validation of a simple reversed phase HPLC-UV method for determination of oleuropein in olive leaves
(Elsevier, 2014-09-04) Al-Rimawi, Fuad
A simple, precise, accurate, and selective method is developed and validated for the determination of oleuropein, which is the main phenolic compound in olive leaves. Separation was achieved on a reversed-phase C18 column (5 mm, 150 4.6 mm inner diameter) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/phosphate buffer pH 3.0 (20:80, v/v), at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minute and UV detection at 280 nm. This method is validated according to the requirements for new methods, which include accuracy, precision, selectivity, robustness, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, linearity, and range. The current method demonstrates good linearity over the range of 3e1000 ppm of oleuropein, with r2 > 0.999. The recovery of oleuropein in olive leaves ranges from 97.7% to 101.1%. The method is selective, in that oleuropein is well separated from other compounds of olive leaves with good resolution. The method is also precisedthe relative standard deviation of the peak areas of replicate injections of oleuropein standard solution is <1%. The degree of reproducibility of the results obtained as a result of small deliberate variations in the method parameters and by changing analytical operators has proven that the method is robust and rugged. The low limit of detection and limit of quantitation of oleuropein when using this method enable the detection and quantitation of oleuropein at low concentrations.
Development and Validation of an HPLC-UV Method for Determination of Eight Phenolic Compounds in Date Palms
(AOAC International, 2015-05-03) Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Odeh, Imad
A simple, precise, accurate, and selective method was developed and validated for determination of eight phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) in date palms. Separation was achieved on an RP C18 column using the mobile phase methanol–water with 2% acetic acid (18 + 82, v/v). This method was validated according to the requirements for new methods, which include accuracy, precision, selectivity, robustness, LOD, LOQ, linearity, and range. The method demonstrated good linearity over the range 1–1000 ppm of gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, and syringic acid with r2 greater than 0.99, and in the range of 3–1000 ppm for p–coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid with r2 greater than 0.99. The recovery of the eight phenolic compounds ranged from 97.1 to 102.2%. The method is selective because adjacent peaks of phenolic compounds were well separated with good resolution. The degree of reproducibility of the results obtained as a result of small deliberate variations in the method parameters and by changing analytical operators proved that the method is robust and rugged.
Development and Validation of an HPLC-UV Method for Determination of Eight Phenolic Compounds in Date Palms
(AOAC International, 2015-09-06) Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Odeh, Imad
A simple, precise, accurate, and selective method was developed and validated for determination of eight phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) in date palms. Separation was achieved on an RP C18 column using the mobile phase methanol–water with 2% acetic acid (18 + 82, v/v). This method was validated according to the requirements for new methods, which include accuracy, precision, selectivity, robustness, LOD, LOQ, linearity, and range. The method demonstrated good linearity over the range 1–1000 ppm of gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, and syringic acid with r2 greater than 0.99, and in the range of 3–1000 ppm for p–coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid with r2 greater than 0.99. The recovery of the eight phenolic compounds ranged from 97.1 to 102.2%. The method is selective because adjacent peaks of phenolic compounds were well separated with good resolution. The degree of reproducibility of the results obtained as a result of small deliberate variations in the method parameters and by changing analytical operators proved that the method is robust and rugged.
Effect of Harvesting Date and Variety of Date Palm on Antioxidant Capacity, Phenolic and Flavonoid Content of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera)
(Science and Education Publishing, 2014-08-20) Odeh, I.; Al-Rimawi, F.; Abbadi, J.; Obeyat, L.; Qabbajeh, M.; Hroub, A.
The effect of date palm variety and harvesting date on total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of seven varieties of date palm fruits collected at different maturation stages obtained from date palm farms located in the Jericho area of the Jordan valley was investigated in this study. During different harvesting times (from June to September 2011), total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity varied between 13.75-231.40 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE), 1.72-9.6 mg catechin equivalents, and 142.0-719.3 μmol Trolox equivalents per 100 g dry weight sample for the seven varieties of date palm, respectively. Pearson correlation indicated that there is a strong significant correlation between antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content, as well as between antioxidant capacity and total flavonoid content for all date palm varieties investigated in this study. It is expected that these results will be useful to farmers particularly in their selection of harvesting time of the date palm fruits with high content of the bioactive compounds to meet the increasing demand on such healthy products.
The effects of COX-Inhibitors (Diclofenac and Ibuprofen) on growth rate, mortality and sexreversal in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
(Bioflux - bimonthly, 2009-10-30) Al-Qutob, Mutaz A.; Nashashibi, Tharwat S.
Several studies have been conducted to detect the direct effect of inhibiting the aromatase activity, the rate limiting enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens needed for ovarian differentiation in fish to overcome the immediate need for a more environmentally friendly substitute of methyl testosterone. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibitors are potent and irreversible inhibitors of the COX pathway and since studies on human breast cancer cells shows that they decrease aromatase messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression at the transcriptional level we tested the hypothesis of possible aromatase inhibition by the non-selective COX-inhibitors in fry fish tilapia. The effects of supplementation of COX-inhibitors (diclofenac and ibuprofen) in the diets of tilapia on growth rate, mortality and sexual differentiation have been studied. 20 Genetically females (XX) (O. niloticus) larvae were stocked in triplicates in a closed system and each were given control diet (C group) and control diet supplemented with (10 mgKg-1) diclofenac (1% diclofenac group), (5 mgKg-1) ibuprofen (0.5% ibuprofen group), and (5 mgKg-1) (0.5% diclofenac group) respectively for 4 weeks. After the 4th week all diets were changed to control diet. At the end of 12-weeks, no significant differences were found in growth rate (GR) between diets (p>0.05). Mortality ranged from 1.67% +- 2.89 (SD, n=3) in control group to 58.3% +- 14.4 (SD, n=3) in the 1% diclofenac group during the experimental feeding and from 6.67+-2.89 (SD, n=3) to 63.3%+-10.4 (SD, n=3) at the end of 12-weeks period. 7% In the control group, 36% in the 1% diclofenac group, 17% in the 0.5% ibuprofen group, and 22.2% in the 0.5% diclofenac group respectively never produced egg during the entire experimental period. Macroscopically all the nonspawning fish in the experimental groups were females with apparently larger ovaries and full of eggs compared to control. Microscopically they were full of apparently normal eggs with morphology similar to those of control. Postulated mechanisms of action of the supplemented COX-inhibitors are discussed. Based on the above it can be concluded that the use of COX-Inhibitors during the crucial period could modulate aromatase activity and affect reproduction in Nile tilapia.
Formulation and evaluation of a moisturizing day cream containing olive leaves extract
(Elsevier, 2014-10-25) Al-Rimawi, F.; Yateem, H.; Afaneh, I.
The purpose of the current work is to investigate the incorporation of olive leaves extract standardized for oleuropein which have antioxidant, anti inflammatory, skin protectant and antiaging properties into stable topical moisturizing day cream formulations. The physiochemical and rheological properties, and accelerated stability tests of three cream formulas containing different concentrations (0.1%, 0.4% and 1.0% w/w) of olive leaf extracts were assessed and compared with commercial cream product containing no olive leaf extract. A questionnaire was distributed to 100 volunteers to use the prepared creams containing olive leaf extracts and to compare with the commercial cream containing no olive leaves extract. All physical and rheological properties of the prepared formulations were found to be the same as the commercial cream product. Stability studies showed a stable homogenous appearance and effective cream during three months of storage at room temperature. Most of the volunteers are satisfied with the creams containing olive leaves extract, and have noticed significant differences between these creams and the cream containing no olive leaves extract.
Inland Treatment of the Brine Generated from Reverse Osmosis Advanced Membrane Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Epuvalisation System
(MDPI, 2013-07-03) Qurie, Mohannad; Abbadi, Jehad; Khamis, Mustafa; Karaman, Rafik
The reverse osmosis (RO) brine generated from the Al-Quds University wastewater treatment plant was treated using an epuvalisation system. The advanced integrated wastewater treatment plant included an activated sludge unit, two consecutive ultrafiltration (UF) membrane filters (20 kD and 100 kD cutoffs) followed by an activated carbon filter and a reverse osmosis membrane. The epuvalisation system consisted of salt tolerant plants grown in hydroponic channels under continuous water flowing in a closed loop system, and placed in a greenhouse at Al-Quds University. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants were selected, and underwent two consecutive hydroponic flowing stages using different brine-concentrations: an adaptation stage, in which a 1:1 mixture of brine and fresh water was used; followed by a functioning stage, with 100% brine. A control treatment using fresh water was included as well. The experiment started in April and ended in June (2012). At the end of the experiment, analysis of the effluent brine showed a remarkable decrease of electroconductivity (EC), PO4 3−, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and K+ with a reduction of 60%, 74%, 70%, and 60%, respectively, as compared to the influent. The effluent of the control treatment showed 50%, 63%, 46%, and 90% reduction for the same parameters as compared to the influent. Plant growth parameters (plant height, fresh and dry weight) showed no significant difference between fresh water and brine treatments. Obtained results suggest that the epuvalisation system is a promising technique for inland brine treatment with added benefits. The increasing of channel number or closed loop time is estimated for enhancing the treatment process and increasing the nutrient uptake. Nevertheless, the epuvalisation technique is considered to be simple, efficient and low cost for inland RO brine treatment.
Method development and validation of simultaneous determination of seventeenmetals in water by ICP/MS
(Council for Innovative Research, 2013) Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Kanan, Khalid; Qutob, Mutaz
A simple, precise, accurate, and sensitive method is developed and validated for simultaneous determination of seventeen metals (Li, Sr, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi, Al, K, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, and Cd) in water by ICP-MS. The optimum conditions of the ICP-MS are as follows: nebulizer gas (argon) flow rate: 0.9 L/min, auxiliary gas (argon) flow 0.3 L/min, plasma (argon) gas flow: 15 L/min, reaction gas flow (helium) 4mL/min. This method is validated according to the requirements for new methods, which include linearity and range, accuracy, precision, selectivity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quntitation (LOQ). The current method demonstrates good linearity over the range of 1-1000 ppb with r2 greater than 0.999 for the seventeen metals. The recovery of the metals from water samples ranges from 97.5 to 101.7%. The method is selective where minimal interferences between the metals is observed (CeO/Ce = 1%, and Ce+2/Ce+1 = 1%), and with good resolution (0.8 amu at 10% height). The method is also precise where the RSD of the responses (cps) of replicates of the metals at three concentration levels is less than 1%. Low LOD and LOQ of metals using this method enable the detection and quantitation of these metals at low concentrations. Real water samples from West Bank in Palestine (groundwater) were analyzed for their trace metals content using this method.
Predictive modeling of haloacetonitriles under uniform formation conditions
(Water Research, 2021-05-31) Ersan, Gamze; Ersan, Mahmut S.; Kanan, Amer; Karanfil, Tanju
The objective of this study was to develop models to predict the formation of HANs under uniform formation conditions (UFC) in chlorinated, choraminated, and perchlorinated/chloraminated waters of different origins. Model equations were developed using multiple linear regression analysis to predict the formation of dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN), HAN4 (trichloroacetonitrile [TCAN], DCAN, bromochloroacetonitrile [BCAN], and dibromoacetonitrile [DBAN]) and HAN6 (HAN4 plus monochloroacetonitrile, monobromoacetonitrile). The independent variables covered a wide range of values, and included ultraviolet absorbance, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, SUVA254, bromide, pH, oxidant dose, contact time, and temperature. The r2 values of HAN4 and HAN6 models of NOM, AOM, and EfOM impacted waters were within the range of 60-88%, while the r2 values of HAN4 and DCAN models for both groundwater and distribution systems were lower, in the range of 41-66%. The r2 values for the DCAN model were mostly higher in the individual types as compared to the cumulative analysis of all source water data together. This was attributed to differences in HAN precursor characteristics. For chlorination, among all variables, pH was found to be the most significant descriptor in the model equations describing the formation of DCAN, HAN4, and HAN6, and it was negatively correlated with HAN formation in the distribution system, groundwater, AOM, and NOM samples, while it showed an inverse relationship with HAN6 formation in effluent organic matter (EfOM) impacted waters. During chloramination, pH was the most influential model descriptor for DCAN formation in the NOM. Prechlorination dose was the most predominant parameter for prechlorination/chloramination, and it was positively correlated with HAN4 formation in AOM impacted waters.
Utilization of desalinated brackish water residues for cultivation of the marine fish species,Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata, and Sciaenops ocellatus
(Bioflux - bimonthly, 2013-01-19) Al-Qutob, Mutaz A.; Qubaja, Ra'fat A.; Nashashibi, Tharwat S.
The utilization of brackish water residues from desalination units for fish mariculture in Palestine could represent an environmental friendly alternative of disposing brine water which could have an adverse effect on wild life. In this study, three juvenile marine fish species (Gilt-head bream S. aurata, European sea bass D. labrax, and red drum S. ocellatus) with average weights of 0.7-4.9 g, were acclimated and reared in brine brackish water residues collected from Jericho desalination units with salinities of 6.5 ‰ and 11 ‰ diluted sea water as control for 3-7 months. Fish were fed 56 % rich protein diet. Brine brackish water contained high levels of Cl-1 (3369 mgL-1), Na+1(3735 mgL-1), K+1(300 mgL-1), SO4 -2 (716 mgL-1) with the divalent ions Mg+2 (57.3 mgL-1) and Ca+2 (276 mgL-1).The experimental well showed more than the maximum allowable concentration of Cr (14.49 μgL-1), Ag (5.3 μgL-1) and Mn (27.88 μgL-1) for water quality of fisheries use. The sea bass with an average weight of 0.76 g (at a salinity of 6.5 ‰) showed an acceptable growth performance parameters and reached a percentage weight gain (% WG) of 6345.23 % and a survival rate of 77.5 % compared to control groups at 11 ‰ that reached at the same time a % WG of 6543.78 % and a survival rate of 82 % after 30 weeks. The red drum juveniles reached a % WG of 2661.6 % and 2673.92 % after 15 weeks at 6.5 ‰ and 11 ‰ respectively while sea bream reached a % WG of 241.63 % and 772.44 % after 15 weeks at 6.5 ‰ and 11 ‰ respectively. Survival rate was only 5 % at both salinities for the two species. In a further study sea bass fingerlings with an average weight of 20.5 g were reared in brackish water of 6.5 ‰ salinity for 7 weeks and were fed superior fish meal with fish oil. They received diets of 2.1 %, 3.0 %, and 4.0 % of body weight. Sea bass fingerlings which received diets of 2.1 %, had the highest FCE (0.82) and PER (1.46) with the lowest FCR (1.22). These results confirm that the most suitable fish for cultivation utilizing brackish water from Jericho desalination units with salinity of 6.5 ‰ is sea bass D. labrax, while the other two species need some modification to acclimatize to this water. Furthermore, the best food % for optimum growth of sea bass at this salinity is 2.1 % after 7 weeks. Brackish water from Jericho desalination units are suitable for cultivation of these species, but may need some modification as adding salts to fish diet or water and reducing toxicity of some high trace metals present by a suitable method.