Toxicity Potential of Lead in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Using Bioaccumulation and Oxidative Stress Indicators
Toxicity potential of lead in fish
Keywords:
Antioxidant, Bioindicator, Bioaccumulation factor, Catalase, Glutathione S-transferase, Lead metalAbstract
This contemporary study was carried out to determine the toxicity potential of lead (Pb) using the fish Oreochromis niloticus as a bioindicator. Further, the study was also undertaken to determine the oxidative stress, bioaccumulation factor, metal pollution index, and antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of CAT, GST, and GSH in different fish organs due to absorption of Pb. A total of 50 fish were exposed for 30 days to graded Pb concentrations (0.08, 0.016, 0.0016, and 0.000016 mg/L) under controlled laboratory conditions. Pb accumulation was organ-specific, with the highest concentrations in muscles (0.409 mg/kg) and gills (0.247 mg/kg), both exceeding the WHO permissible limits for fish tissues. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) followed the order muscle > brain > heart > liver > gills, indicating preferential storage in metabolically active tissues, while the metal pollution index (MPI) reflected an overall low contamination degree. Oxidative stress biomarkers revealed marked alterations in enzymatic activities: catalase (CAT) activity decreased by 41.3 % in liver and 2.0 % in gills, glutathione S-transferase (GST) by 13 % in liver and 27.7 % in gills, and reduced glutathione (GSH) by 12.7 % in liver and 14.7 % in gills, demonstrating a clear Pb-induced oxidative imbalance. The enzyme suppression corresponded with elevated Pb residues in tissues, reflecting compromised antioxidant defense mechanisms. These findings confirm that even low Pb exposure disrupts biochemical homeostasis and promotes oxidative stress in O. niloticus. The results emphasize the utility of oxidative biomarkers as sensitive indicators of heavy-metal pollution and highlight the urgent need for stricter monitoring of aquaculture and freshwater systems to mitigate potential ecological and public-health risks.
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