Toxicity of Sumithion in Channa Punctatus: Biochemical and Hematological Studies

Owing to their easy availability and accessibility, organophosphate and carbamates are the most commonly used pesticides worldwide in the pest control of crops. Acute toxicity and clinical manifestations of organophosphate pesticide are caused by excessive synaptic accumulation of acetylcholine (AChE).

To analyze the biochemical parameters of serum cholesterol and hematological parameter of absolute erythrocyte count in fish Channa Punctatus exposed under organophosphate pesticide sumithion.

This research study has been done in fish Channa Punctatus, which was exposed 24 to 96 hours to four different concentration of sumithion pesticide. Serum cholesterol was determined as biochemical biomarkers while absolute erythrocyte counts as hematological biomarker. Serum cholesterol was determined by zlatkis method (Zlatkis A; Zak B. and Boyale A. J. 1953)¹⁵. Absolute erythrocyte count was determined by electrical conductivity method of cell counting.

There was significant increase in serum cholesterol in Sumithion pesticide exposed, fish Channa Punctatus, comparative to normal control subject. The maximum rise of 18.93% (80.74 ± 78.56) in serum cholesterol was observed after exposure of 96 hrs at 0.40mg/l Sumithion pesticide. Toxicity of Sumithion resulted in decrease of absolute erythrocyte counts at all concentration of time intervals. Decrease was more pronounced with increasing time of exposures. The lowest erythrocyte count was 57.24% below control at the highest concentration of 0.73mg/L within 24hrs.

Results of our study indicates that hypercholesterolemia & decreased level of erythrocyte count in fish channa punctatus exposed under sumithion pesticide are biochemical & hematological biomarker for human beings also. Therefore it is advised to pesticide workers to take all precautions regarding protection from pesticide exposure and proper use of prophylactic supplementation for their healthy life.