Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Activity in Selected Tissues & Organs of Clarias gariepinus Exposed to Different Levels of Paraquat

Abstract

Analyzing the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in tissues can help detect tissue damage cause by toxicants such as paraquat,The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in some tissues and organs of Clarias gariepinus exposed to various levels of paraquat (2, 4, 6 and 8ppm) were studied for a period of thirty (30) days. The tissues and organs investigated include blood plasma, kidney, liver, gills and muscle. Results showed changes in ALP activity in the treatment group as compared to the control group except in the muscle and plasma where there were no significant changes. ALP activity was highest in the kidney in the control group (511.25+ 291.76 IU/L) while the lowest level of enzyme activity in the control group was observed in the muscle (1146.67+ 173.52 IU/L). Peak enzyme activity in the kidney was observed at 4ppm of paraquat. This later declined at higher treatment concentrations. There was no significant increase in ALP activity in the liver and gills at lower paraquat concentrations but a significant spike in enzyme activity was observed at 8ppm. Analyzing the activities of ALP in tissues can help detect tissue damage cause by toxicants such as paraquat. It can consequently be inferred that ALP activity can be used as a reliable biomarker for diseased condition in the kidney, liver and gills but not the plasma or muscle of Clarias gariepinus.

Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, pollution, Clarias garienpus