Impact of Sublethal Propoxur Exposure on Kidney Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Tilapia mossambica (Peters)

Abstract

The present study examined the detrimental effects of propoxur (2-isopropoxyphenyl N-methyl carbamate) on the kidneys of Tilapia mossambica (Peters) to assess the acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) enzyme and its toxicity on behaviour. Propoxur is extremely toxic to Tilapia mossambica, with a median lethal concentration (LC) of 0.52 ± 0.01 mL/L. The parameters of kidney AChE were analysed after exposure to a sublethal concentration (0.065 ml/L) for periods of 15 and 30 days. Propoxur significantly (P<0.001) inhibited kidney AChE, with reductions of 25.78% and 44.73% observed after 15 and 30 days of exposure, respectively. The changes in behavioural responses underscore the adverse effects of propoxur on fish. These results indicate that propoxur poses a risk to the environment and, by extension, to humans.