Impact of distillery effluent on Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala

Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala was exposed to sublethal concentration (1.5%) of distillery effluent for up to 72 hours to evaluate haematological and biochemical changes in some tissues. The LC50 value of distillery effluent was 3.0% (v/v) for 96 hours to Cirrhinus mrigala. The haematological parameters like RBC counts, WBC counts and haemoglobin %, were decreased whereas lymphocytes increased in distillery effluent exposed fishes. During exposure, level of free amino acids increased in liver, kidney, muscles and gills but there was gradual decrease in protein and glycogen content distillery effluent exposed fish with reference to control levels. The significant alteration in the levels of free amino acids, protein and glycogen contents in different tissues of distillery effluent exposed fish was due to break down of glycogen and protein to fulfill additional energy requirement during stress conditions. The fish species is therefore recommended as a good bio indicator for the risk assessment of aquatic environmental pollution.