Biochemical Toxicity of Organophosphate Compounds in Fishes

Organophosphorus compounds have replaced organo-chlorines to a greater extent and are frequently sprayed on agricultural crops. These xenobiotics primarily find their way into aquatic ecosystems thereby induce toxicity to non-target species. Among the various harms caused to fishes by organophosphates, alteration in their biochemical indices is important as it induces severe damage to various vital metabolic processes in fish. The primary effect of organophosphate toxicity, which is their mechanism of action as well, is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in synapses which leads to severe morbidity and loss of balance and motion or even paralysis. Various other biochemical metabolisms like protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and liver enzymes get severely impaired due to the toxicity induced by organophosphates. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the natural water bodies from getting contaminated with pesticides to allow fishes to grow healthier and harmless for human consumption. The present paper reviews the work done on biochemical toxicity of organophosphorus compounds in fish.