Impact of Chronic Paraquat Toxicity on Lipid Peroxidation Activity of Indian Major Carp Cirrhinus Mrigala Ham.

Paraquat Dichloride, a broad-spectrum herbicide, used for the killing of aquatic weeds in aquaculture ponds and reservoirs was tested on extensively cultured Indian Major Carp (IMC) Cirrhinus mrigala Ham.. For this purpose, fingerlings of this economically important fish were exposed to the sub-lethal concentrations (LC1/20th and LC1/10th) of paraquat continuously for 30 days by using the static renewal bioassay method. Post Exposure, the lipid peroxidation activity in 4 vital organs of the fish viz. gill, muscle, liver, and brain were estimated by E. D. Wills's method to rectify paraquat's toxicity. Annotated findings specified, a highly significant (p<0.001) chronological increase in lipid peroxidation activity (LPO) of gill, muscle, and liver tissues respectively in the LC1/10th concentration group, while a moderately significant (p<0.01) increase in LPO activity of brain tissue in the same group. While the gill and the brain tissue of the LC1/20th group showed moderately significant (p<0.01) and significant (p<0.05) increases in the LPO activity respectively. All changes showed their dependency on the time and concentration factor of the toxicant. Concluding the study, it was stated that, chronic paraquat sub-lethal exposure significantly increased the LPO activity in the vital tissues of Cirrhinus mrigala Ham. thus supporting its highly toxic nature and an immediate need to restrict its use as much as possible.