Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity as a biomarker in ecological risk assessment of pesticide contaminated environment

The behaviour and fate of pesticides in the environment will determine their impact on both humans and non-target organisms. Biochemical biomarkers are increasingly used in ecological risk assessmentto identify the incidence of exposure to and effects caused by xenobiotics. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential toxic effect of a locally produced insect powder called “Rambo” (whichcontain 0.6% permethrin) on non-target organisms exemplified with albino rats. The results obtained showed that glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the newly-weaned rats (NWR) and middle-agedrats (MAR) groups were found to increase significantly (

Oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase activity in brain of rats fed with diet containing permethrin

Many pesticides have been reported to cause a lot of health problems in workers, users and non-target organisms in the environment. Permethrin containing insect pesticide has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms. However, the underlying mechanism involved inthe toxicity is not well understood. The present study was envisaged to investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in permethrin neurotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates of Wistar rats. Oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups compared with their parallel controls. Concomitantly, the activity of SOD was found to decrease or increase significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared with their controls. Our result also showed that activity of SOD was aged and concentration dependent. Hence, the newly weaned ratsappear to be more susceptible to the pesticide contaminated diet because the SOD activity decreased more in the brain homogenates compared with the middle aged rats or aged rats. Observed aggressive behaviour was noticed in the pesticide exposed rats, hence a possibleneurobehavioral effect. The result demonstrated that the pyrethroid insect powder exerts its toxic effect by promoting oxidative stress in the brain and this may affect normal brain functioning and growth

An Integrated Environmental Biotechnology for Enhanced Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Agricultural Land

An enhanced in situ bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soil samples was carried out by manipulating a natural bioremediation process. In this approach, the soluble microbial products (SMPs) released during the metabolism of the polluting crude oil by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria exemplified by Pseudomonas sp; NS50C10, were assimilated as growth substrates by the surviving/compatible aerobic, free-living diazotrophs exemplified by Azotobacter vinelandii. The utilization of the SMPs by diazotrophs was coupled to growth, nitrogen fixation and cometabolism of solubilized petroleum hydrocarbons. The two species of mutualistic hydrocarbonoclastic and diazotrophic bacteria used as consortium for the bioremediation project, were isolated from the same previously crude oil – polluted soil. Bioremediation was deemed successfully completed based on about 85% germination and seedling development obtained for sorghum grains planted in the treated soil, relative to untreated controls. This degree of success in the bioremediation effort suggests a significant soil fertility recovery to warrant immediate cultivation. Key Words: Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, cometabolism, nitrogen fixation, bioremediation, crude oil, sorghum, germination Bio-Research Vol.1(2) 2003: 51-6

Effects of rambo inset powder on Glutathione S-Transferas (GST) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity in rats

No Abstract. Bio-Research Vol. 4(1) 2006: 51-5

Superoxide Dismutase (Sod) Activity And Serum Calcium Level In Rats Exposed To A Locally Produced Insecticide “Rambo Insect Powder”

No Abstract. Animal Research International Vol. 2 (1) 2005 pp. 261-26