Chemical pesticide vs. bio-pesticides: Impact on climbing perch- special reference to biochemical parameters, histology and DNA integrity Chaudhuri Arijit1, Parui Swagata1, Adhikary Pratyusha1, Chattopadhyay Amit1,*, Dey Chiranjeeb2, Mukherjee Sandip3, Paul Tiyesh3 1Vector Molecular Biology Unit Department of Zoology for UG and PG Studies, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India 2Parasitology and Immunology Unit Department of Zoology for UG and PG Studies, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India 3Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology Unit Department of Physiology, Serampore College, Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India *Corresponding author: chattopadhyayamit5@gmail.com
Online published on 26 March, 2025. Abstract This study investigates the comparative effects of the chemical pesticide deltamethrin and the biopesticide neem extract on the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) by assessing biochemical parameters, histological changes, and DNA damage using the comet assay. Deltamethrin, a widely used synthetic pyrethroid, is known for its high efficacy against pests but also poses significant risks to aquatic life. Conversely, neem extract, derived from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), is considered a safer alternative due to its biodegradability and lower toxicity to non-target species. The results of this study indicated that deltamethrin exposure led to significant increases in stress protein levels, liver enzyme activities, along with pronounced histological damage in liver tissue. In contrast, neem extract exposure resulted in comparatively lower biochemical and histological alterations. The comet assay revealed higher DNA damage in fish exposed to deltamethrin compared to those treated with neem extract. These findings suggest that while both pesticides impact the health of climbing perch, neem extract poses a lower risk of biochemical and genetic damage. This study underscores the need for adopting biopesticides like neem extract to mitigate the adverse effects on non-target organisms associated with chemical pesticides. Top Keywords Aquatic Toxicology, Pesticide Impact, Biochemical Analysis, Genotoxicity, Environmental Safety. Top |