Assessment of Malathion-Induced Toxicity in Mystus seenghala Using Biochemical Biomarkers

Abstract

The massive use of organophosphate pesticides in agriculture has caused the contamination of freshwater ecosystems, which is a serious threat to non, target aquatic organisms. Malathion, an organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used, is classified as moderately safe for mammals but highly toxic to fish even at very low concentrations. The present investigation is aimed at determining the biochemical changes induced by sublethal exposure of malathion in the freshwater catfish Mystus seenghala by using selected biochemical biomarkers. Healthy adult fish were exposed to malathion at the concentration of 1/10 of the 96, h LC for different time intervals (1-60 days). Serum lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL) and renal biomarkers (urea and creatinine) were analyzed. Outcomes showed that with the increase in duration of exposure, the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, urea, and creatinine increased while the level of HDL decreased significantly which means that lipid metabolism was severely disturbed and there was renal dysfunction. All in all, these results confirm that biochemical parameters are very sensitive, early indicators of malathion poisoning and thus, may be utilized as an effective means of pesticide pollution surveillance in freshwater habitats.