ASSESSMENT OF MALATHION INDUCED TOXICITY IN DATTAPHRYNUS MELANOSTICTUS TADPOLES: A BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION

Environmental pollutants apart from other factors like habitat loss and interventions of invasive species, is regarded as a likely cause towards a worldwide decline in amphibian population. The present study attempts to elucidate the toxicity of commercially formulated malathion (MAT) by investigating biochemical aspects in Dattaphrynus melanostictus tadpoles. Three sublethal concentrations of MAT (1.0, 1.8, and 2.5 mg/l) were considered to which the tadpoles (Gosner stage 27) were exposed for five days. The outcome of the present investigation revealed a significant decline (P<0.05) in activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase while suggesting a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation. The inhibition acetylcholinesterase activity confirmed MAT as anticholinesterase product. The overall outcome of the present investigation suggests the toxic potentials of MAT; which could have possibly resulted in compromised antioxidant status and neurobiochemical makeup of the exposed tadpoles. Thus, based on the results obtained, it could be ascertained that the commercial grade MAT may pose a potential threat to the tadpoles of D. melanostictus under the selected sublethal concentrations. The study further validates the feasibility to measure the intensity of aquatic pollution in the course of regulatory surveillance and monitoring the waters with suspected organophosphate contamination.