Sublethal Toxicity of Zinc Chloride on Antioxidant Enzyme activity of Catla catla (Hamilton)

Fishes are extensively used for the assessment of the health of the aquatic ecosystem as their enzymes serve as pollution biomarkers. Heavy metals are one of the major pollutants discharged to the aquatic ecosystem as industrial effluents. The present study determined the alteration in enzyme activities in different tissue of Catla catla exposed to sublethal concentrations of zinc chloride. Catla catla were exposed to different concentration of zinc chloride and control were maintained without the zinc chloride. After 96 hour exposure, brain and muscle tissue from both control and experimental group were selected for enzyme assay. The biochemical studies show that acetylcholinesterase and catalase activity in both brain and muscle tissue were reduced after exposure, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity in both tissues were increased. Heavy metal pollution causes detrimental effects on fishes and constitutes potential risks for human health through consumption of contaminated fishes.