Author(s): Desai TH and Bhilave MP

Abstract: Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that alternately catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide (O₂^−) radical into two less damaging species: either molecular oxygen (O₂) or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Superoxide is produced as a by-product of oxygen metabolism and, if not regulated, causes many types of cell damage. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Methanol on the Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity on freshwater fish, Cirrhinus mrigala. Alteration in fish anti-oxidant enzyme i.e., SOD concentration was measured in tissues exposed to lethal and sublethal concentration of Methanol for 4(acute) and 30(chronic) days. LC₅₀ was measured and was observed to be 12.50 ml/l. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity tend to increase in different tissues of exposed fish in order of Liver > Muscle > Gill > Brain at both the lethal and sublethal concentrations of Methanol. The increased SOD activity in Cirrhinus mrigala reflects a toxicant induced damages in fishes.

Pages: 20-22  |  881 Views  184 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here