Effect of Malathion (An Organophospahte) on Electrophoretic Banding Patterns of Esterase Isozymes in Gill, Liver, Brain Tissue of Fresh Water Fish Channa Punctatus (Bloch)

ABSTRACT: This investigation was conducted to compare the electrophoretetic banding patterns of esterase isozyme in the gill, liver, and brain tissues of the freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours after exposure to Malathion (an Organophosphate) to those at the control group. Quantitative analysis of the esterase isozymes was performed using 7.5 native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) stained with -naphthyl acetate as substrate. The relative mobilities of three esterase Isozyme bands in gill, liver, and brain tissue were determined to be 0.60.05, 0.40.05, and 0.30.05, respectively; these bands were designated Est-1, Est-2, and Est-3, respectively. Control samples from the gill, liver, and brain all had all three esterase bands. Both Est-2 and Est-3 Esterase Isozyme bands in gill and liver tissue were eliminated when fish were subjected to Malathion (an Organophosphate) for 72 and 96 hours, respectively. Malathion induced greater damage in Est-1 and Est-3 brain tissue than in Est-2.  Keywords: Electrophoretic banding patterns, Esterase Isozymes, Channa punctatus, α-naphthyl acetate, PAGE, Malathion (an Organophosphate), different time intervals.