Effect of curacron toxicity on the total serum protein content of Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio to study the effect of the pesticide curacron on total serum protein. Curacron is an organophosphate pesticide and used by the farmers to protect their crops. This pesticide reaches the aquatic ecosystem by direct or indirect means and affects aquatic fauna. LC50 for curacron for C. carpio was calculated by the log-dose/probit regression line method and found to be 0.38 ppm at 96 h. Three sub-lethal concentrations (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mL L⁻¹) were selected to expose the fish for 1, 7, 14, and 21days. Changes in total serum protein were observed at all pesticide concentrations and exposure periods. Total serum protein was decreased from control. At 1 and 7 days, the decrease was quantitative at all concentrations, while at 14 and 21 days, the fall was significant at all concentrations. Hence, human population may be at risk by consuming these contaminated fish.

Keywords:

• Cyprinus carpio
• organophosphate
• pesticide
• curacron
• LC50
• total serum protein