Toxicological Impact of Malachite Green on Freshwater Fish: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Triarylmethane dyes, such as malachite green, are widely used in the culinary, pharmaceutical, textile, and other sectors for a variety of purposes, including aquaculture parasiticides. It controls fungal attacks, protozoan infections, and some other diseases caused by helminthes on a wide range of fish and aquatic organisms. Nonetheless, the dye's purportedly harmful effects have raised a lot more questions about its usage. The exposure time, temperature and the concentration all raise the dye's toxicity. It has been linked to chromosomal breaks, mutagenesis, cancer,teratogeneity, and pulmonary toxicity. Multi-organ tissue damage is one of malachite green's histopathological consequences. Fish exposed to malachite green have notable changes in their blood's biochemical characteristics. Malachite green and its reduced form, leucomalachite green, have been found in a variety of tissues, including eggs and fries, as well as serum, liver, kidney, and muscles. Despite a wealth of information about malachite green's toxicity, several developing countries still utilize it as a parasiticide in aquaculture and other industries. Hence, there is a significant likelihood of malachite green disposition in the food chain. To counteract its toxicological effect, it is crucial to identify a substitute because of its high toxicity.