Applications in environmental risk assessment of biochemical analysis on the Indian fresh water fish, Labeo rohita exposed to monocrotophos pesticide

Pesticides are widely used in modern agriculture to aid in the production of high quality food. However, some pesticides have the potential to cause serious health and environmental damage. Repeated exposure to sub-lethal doses of pesticides can cause physiological and behavioral changes in fish that reduce populations such as abandonment of nests and broods, decreased immunity to disease and increased failure to avoid predators. Monocrotophos is one of the organophosphorus pesticide used in this study. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of Monocrotophos to fish L. rohita for 96 h was found to be 45.1 ppm. In sublethal concentration (1/10th of LC50 96 h value, 4.51 ppm) fishes were exposed for 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 10, 20 and 30 days. Organs of fishes were sacrificed and tested for biochemical analysis. A significant decrease in protein, carbohydrate and lipids were observed throughout the study period when compared to the control. It is essential for assessing the ecological risk of these pesticides.