Effects of Sub-Lethal Concentrations of Akee Apple,<i> Blighia sapida</i> and Sausage Plant,<i> Kigelia africana</i> on Tissue Chemistry of African Catfish,<i> Clarias gariepinus </i>(L)

Abstract

The effects of sublethal concentrations (4 mgl-1 and 2 mgl-1) of the water extracts of Akee apple, Blighia sapida, and sausage plant, Kigelia africana, on African catfiish, Clarias gariepinus, were studied using static tanks. The exposure period lasted 10 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), packed cell volume (PCV) and histological study of gills, liver and kidney were the tissue chemistry parameters investigated. The control tanks contained no plant water extracts. Result revealed increase in ESR and PCV value of the fish exposed to all sublethal concentrations. Damage to liver and gills was noticed in all sublethal concentrations of all extracts. Normal situation was observed in all the examined tissues of fish from the control tank and all kidneys of fish from all tanks except 4 mgl-1 of bark extract of K. africana. The water extracts of the floral and bark of B. sapida and the bark of K. africana were toxic on C. gariepinus.


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Volume 15, April 2000, pp. 47-50



KEY WORDS:

Toxicity, Kidgelia africana, Blighia sapida.