Metabolic Changes in Clarias gariepinus Juvenile Induced by Benzalkonium Chloride
Abstract
Benzalkonium Chloride, a commonly used disinfectant, has been implicated in a myriad of adverse effects on aquatic organisms. This study therefore investigated changes in some metabolites in the plasma of Clarias gariepinus exposed to Benzalkonium Chloride. A total of 150 juvenile of C,gariepinus (mean length 12.85±7.88cm and mean weight 251.97±30.78g) were exposed to different concentrations (0.00mg/L-control; 0.05; 0.10; 0.15 and 0.20mg/L) of benzalkonium chloride for 96 hours. During the experiment, some physico-chemical parameters of the water in the exposure tanks were evaluated. Blood was taken from the exposed fish at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours and analyzed for changes in its metabolic profiles. The results indicated a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the values of dissolved oxygen from 6.680.77 in the control to 4.990.54 at 0.20mg/L concentration of the chemical. Also, significant (P<0.05) increase with increasing concentration of the chemical were recorded in the values of nitrite and ammonia. While other parameters such as temperature and pH were within the same range comparable to the control in all concentrations of the chemical. At zero hour the values of all the metabolites (Urea, Creatinine, Total bilirubin, Albumin, and Total protein) in the plasma of the exposed C. gariepinus were within the same range with no significant difference (p>0.05). At 24, 48. 72, and 96 hours of exposure of C. gariepinus to varying concentrations of Benzalkonium Chloride, there was significant reduction (P<0.05) in the values of total bilirubin, creatinine, albumin and total protein. While the values of urea increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the chemical. This chemical caused some changes in the metabolic profiles of the fish metabolites. Hence, caution should be exercised when applying this chemical in aquatic medium.