Impact of secondary microplastics high-density polyethylene in fish feed and its possible adsorbent monocrotophos in aquatic media on tissue protein and catalase activity in Anabas testudineus

Abstract

The aquatic pollution has increased manifold in recent years due to various sources like pesticides from agricultural runoff and the disintegration of plastics into various types of microplastics (MPs). In the current study, the Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is exposed to Monocrotophos (MCP) (36% S.L.) and fish feed contaminated with secondary MPs high-density polyethylene or HDPE (>10%) for 3 days (72 hours). The biochemical parameters like the levels of protein and the enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) in the liver and muscle tissues of the fishare evaluated. The results of the treatment as compared to the control reveal that there is a decreasing trend in the protein content and increased CAT activity. The results statistically suggest HDPE as an adsorbent of MCP and that tissue protein level and CAT activity can be used as potential biomarkers to examine the toxicity level of MPs in water and its effect in combination with contaminants like pesticides on fishes.