Bioaccumulation and Enzyme Activity Inhibition of Profenofos in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes Temminck and Schlegel, 1846)
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Abstract
Effects of the organophosphate pesticide (OP) profenofos on acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity inhibition were investigated using brain samples from Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes Temminck and Schlegel, 1846). River water samples from six sampling sites along the Dalaguete River, Cebu, Philippines were tested for pesticide concentrations, the results of which were used as the basis for the Range-Finding and Exposure Tests. Japanese medaka of approximately the same weight and length were grouped into five (n=6 per group) for the RFT and were exposed to different concentrations of profenofos. For the exposure test, a total of 96 medaka were used, grouped into four groups (n=24 per group). Profenofos showed a positive, dose-dependent, and exposure-time-dependent relationship in inhibiting AChE activity. The highest concentration was already causing significant inhibition of AChE activity on Day 2. On Day 5, all concentrations were significantly different from Control. Increasing the concentration of profenofos leads to greater bioaccumulation of the pesticide in fish tissues, reaching a point of equilibrium on Day 5. The amount of pesticide accumulation declined in the fish tissues with longer exposure periods. Periodic water sampling is recommended to establish levels of profenofos and other pesticides in the river, with due consideration for the wet and dry seasons. Further studies on degradation, fate, and transport are also recommended.
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