Changes in lipid profile of <I>Clarias gariepinus</I> exposed to ethanolic stem-bark extract of Ackee apple, <I>Blighia sapida</I>

Abstract

Effects of ethanolic stem-bark extract of Blighia sapida was assessed on some lipid profile in catfish. The extract concentrations of 16.g/l, 3.2g/l, 6.4g/l and 12.8g/l were applied to catfish fingerlings to assess effects on some lipid profile status of the fish. Each treatment had three replicates and the exposure time was 21days. The extract reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol in all treated groups when compared with the control. While significantly (p < 0.05) higher values were observed for the HDL-cholesterol of all treated groups when compared with the control. For the atherogenic risk predictor indices a marked increase in HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was observed, while LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and log (TG/HDL-cholesterol) ratio decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in treated groups compared to the control group. The observed effects increased with increase concentration of the extracts. These results may be beneficial to fish consumers particularly in relation to possible risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Key Words: Akee, obnoxious fishing, toxicity, lipoproteins, fish health