Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

STRESS RESPONSE OF BIOMOLECULES (CARBOHYDRATE, PROTEIN AND LIPID PROFILES) IN FRESH WATER MAJOR CARP CATLA CATLA EXPOSED TO TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE

D. Gayathri and L. Shakila

Abstract

Plasticizers are the xenobiotics which have attracted the attention in recent days due to their extensive use in commercial applications and growing concern of potential threat they pose to human health and ecosystem. Triphenyl phosphate (TPP), is an organophosphate flame retardant widely used as a plasticizer in hydraulic fluids, lacquers and varnishes, which is highly toxic to non – target organisms. Fish has been used as indicator species for aquatic pollution. Catla catla an Indian major carp is an edible fish and is highly sensitive to slight stress. Recently, fish biomarkers are widely used to determine the impact caused to aquatic ecosystem by release of these chemicals. Catla catla were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.25mg/ l , 0.5 mg/l and 1 mg/l) of TPP to determine the alterations in the biomolecules (protein, carbohydrate and lipid profiles) in tissues (gill, muscle and intestine). Significant alterations in the protein, carbohydrate and lipid profiles in tissues were observed which are indications of severe cellular damage in tissues of respective organs of TPP treated fish. The results of the present investigation suggest that gill, muscle and intestine exposed to Sub lethal concentrations (0.25mg/l , 0.5 mg/l and 1 mg/l) of TPP were adversely affected with increasing concentration of toxicant which are highlighted by significant alterations in protein, carbohydrate and lipid profiles. Thus, the study can be effectively used as a potential biomarker for monitoring of organophosphorus plasticizer in aquatic environment. Further, TPP should be used with caution to protect natural waters and aquatic organisms.