Imidachloprid and chloropyrifos pesticides impact on some anti-oxidant enzymes of earthworm, Eisenia fetida in semi-arid tropical regions of Medak district

Abstract

The present study found that worms, Eisenia fetida exposed to imidachloprid and chloropyrifos pesticides showed elevated levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase, which prevent oxidative damage. Elevated levels of SOD activity levels were 36.08, 31.24 were observed in worms exposed to imidachloprid and chloropyrifos respectively, it was be 28.74 units/mg proteins in the control Catalase “enzyme activity in the control worm”, E. fetida, was 25.71 units/mg proteins; 31.42 and 28.91 from pesticide exposed worms. Glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities of 13.24 and 11.51 μmoles of formazan liberated/mg protein/hour, while the control worm had enzyme activities of 6.9 μmoles of formazan liberated/mg protein/hour.