Gas–liquid chromatography for fenvalerate residue analysis: alterations in the ionic concentration and associated adinosine triphosphatases in fish, Cirrhinus mrigala (hamilton)

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to quantify the fenvalerate accumulated in different tissues (gill, muscle and liver) and observe changes involved in the levels of sodium, potassium and calcium ions and Na+–K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities in the freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala on short-term and long-term exposure to the median lethal and sublethal concentration of fenvalerate. Residue analysis using gas–liquid chromatography (GLC) technique revealed that fenvalerate accumulated in highest quantity in gill followed by liver and muscle under median lethal concentration (6 µg L−1). Whereas in sublethal concentration (0.6 µg L−1), muscle accumulated highest quantity followed by gill and liver, which might be due to the fact that fenvalerate is highly lyphophilic. The ion concentration and ATPase activity were found effected in fish exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of fenvalerate. Concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions decreased in gill, muscle and liver on being exposed to median lethal concentration to a significant level. Whereas the changes were not highly pronounced at sub lethal level indicating low concentration of fenvalerate and its non-toxic effect at chronic exposure. Na+–K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ATPases activity were also found decreased in correspondence to the ionic change under median lethal and sub lethal concentrations in target tissues. This might have lead to behavioural changes and create wide-spread disturbance in the normal physiology, ultimately causing the death of the fish. The results suggest that in biomonitoring programmes, ions and associated ATPases can be a good diagnostic tool for fenvalerate toxicity.