Lead biosorption and histological changes in gills and liver of juvenile african catfish (Clarias gariepinus) treated with neem (Azadirachta indica) and mango leaves (Mangifera indica)

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is non-biodegradable in nature, thus accumulate in the environment especially the aquaculture. This study was aimed at investigating lead biosorption and histological changes in gills and liver of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) treated with neem (Azadirachta indica) and mango leaves (Mangifera indica). A total of 180 healthy juveniles of Clarias gariepinus were used for the period of six (6) weeks of this experiment. They were divided into two groups of pulverized neem and mango leaves with ninety (90) in each. They were further divided into three groups of thirty (30) with each comprising of two experimental groups of 10mg/L and 15mg/L of Pb and control. Experiment of biosorption was conducted in muscle, gills and liver while the histology was conducted in the gills and liver only. The results of pulverized neem showed a significant difference (P<0.0001) of biosorption of 15mg/L Pb in muscle, gills and liver with higher value (0.0017) in muscle while in pulverized mango, both 10mg/L and 15mg/L appeared statistically significant (P<0.0001) with liver (0.003) and gills (0.003) respectively had higher statistical values. There was irreversible histological damages of the gills in PNL and 15mg/L of Pb and PNL and 10mg/L Pb and a reversible histological damage in PML and 15mg/L Pb and PML and 10mg/L Pb groups. The histology of the liver appeared irreversibly damage in groups PNL and 15mg/L of Pb and PML and 15mg/L and reversibly damage in PNL and 10mg/L Pb and PML and 10mg/L Shows fatty degenerated parenchyma with focal necrosis with slight sinusoidal distortion. In conclusion, biosorption of lead is more effective with PML since the damage to the tissues are minimal and reversible.