RESUMO
Carbendazim (CBZ) is a widely used, systemic, broad-spectrum benzimidazole fungicide. It is used worldwide against fungal diseases on a wide range of agricultural products and in domestic gardens. The activities of brain oxidative stress biomarkers and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in juvenile African Catfish Clarias gariepinus exposed to CBZ were investigated. Juveniles were exposed to sublethal concentrations of 0.22, 0.43, and 0.64 mg/L CBZ, which corresponded to 5, 10, and 15% of the 96-h LC50 (the concentration that was lethal to 50% of the test organisms over the first 96 h) of CBZ fungicide for 21 d. Individuals were allowed an extra 7-d recovery period. The brain tissues were sampled and analyzed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 (including the 7-d recovery period). The results indicated significant concentration-dependent inhibition of the brain AChE activities in all exposed groups. The lipid peroxidation was significantly elevated while the antioxidant enzymes and protein values were significantly inhibited by CBZ exposure. However, the values of catalase on days 7, 14, and 21 were significantly higher than day 1 values. Overall, CBZ altered brain oxidative stress parameters and led to the inhibition of AChE. This fungicide should be used with utmost caution to protect and safeguard fish, ensuring that fish production and survival in the environment remain unaffected.
