Genotoxic assessment of anthracene and benzo [a] pyrene to milkfish Chanos chanos

Abstract

Mutagenic and genotoxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, anthracene and benzo [a] pyrene (BaP), in milkfish Chanos chanos were determined using micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay (CA). Distinct mean frequencies of nuclear abnormalities such as MNs; binucleated micronuclei, nuclear bud, and fragmented apoptotic cells were measured. Significant increase in DNA damage with five classes of damage level was observed and expressed in terms of arbitrary unit (AU). Mean frequencies of total nuclear abnormalities were 0.5 ± 0.25 cells in control; 0.67 ± 0.33 cells in solvent control; 70 ± 9.60 cells in 0.176 mg L⁻¹ anthracene, and 91.83 ± 6.25 cells in 0.031 mg L⁻¹ BaP. The greatest DNA damage of 170AU was observed in 0.176 mg L⁻¹ anthracene-exposed group and 182AU was observed in 0.031 mg L⁻¹ BaP-treated fish. This study confirmed that the CA and MN assays are useful tools in determining potential genotoxicity of water pollutants and might be appropriate as a part of monitoring program.

Keywords:

• anthracene
• benzo [a] pyrene
• Chanos chanos
• comet assay
• DNA damage and micronucleus test

Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge the receipt of partial financial grant from MoES-ICMAM, Chennai, India.