Acute Toxicity of Tuber Peels of Tacca leontopetaliodes on the Biochemistry and Histology of Gills and Liver of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

Abstract

Background: Increased rate of water pollution has detrimental effects on the health of fish and other aquatic organisms. This invariably affects humans by causing food insecurity, hunger and poverty. In an effort to curb this menace, this study investigated the effects of crude tuber peel extract of Tacca leontopetaliodes on the biochemical and histological parameters of Clarias gariepinus. Methods: Acute toxicity (96 hr . LC50) test was conducted after a range finding test from which definitive test concentrations of 5.00, 4.00, 3.00, 2.00, and 1.00 g/L were obtained with 0.00 g/L as control. One hundred and twenty (120) mixed sex C. gariepinus fingerlings (mean weight, 12.5 g ± 0.5; length, 13.2 cm ± 0.5) were administered definitive concentrations of crude tuber peel extract in duplicate replication. Water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity), tissue enzymes (Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and histopathological assessments were analysed using standard procedures. Results: Physico-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide and alkalinity) of test tanks containing graded concentrations of T. leontopetaliodes were significantly altered (p<0.05) compared to the control tank. Similarly, the profile of hepatic enzymes (ALP, AST and ALT) displayed marked progressive dose-dependent increase levels relative to the control. Histopathological examination revealed graded deterioration of gills and liver architecture with increase in the strength of the extract T. leontopetaliodes Conclusion: The crude tuber peel extract of T. leontopetaliodes is toxic to fish, thus, washing, processing and discard of T. leontopetaliodes in and around riparian systems should be discouraged.

Acute Toxicity Effect of Crude Leaves Extract of Thevetia peruviana on Full Blood Count and some Organs of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

“…Abalaka et al [21] reported hyperemia and severe oedema with lamellae fission of the gills of C. gariepinus exposed to stem bark ethanol extract of Adenium obesum. Audu et al [22] reported an increase in gills histopathological alterations (mild, moderate to severe lamellae cell depletion) in C. gariepinus juveniles with increased concentration of tuber peel extract of Tacca leontopetaliodes. Similar histopathological changes have been reported in the gills of O. niloticus fingerlings after exposure to acute concentrations of B. aegyptiaca [23].…”