Assessment of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Silver Catfish (Pangasius sp.) as an Assay for Organophosphates and Carbamates

An AChE from the brain tissues from Pangasius sp. was studied for its sensitivity towards insecticides. Bendiocarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and parathion caused a near complete inhibition to AChE activity at 1 mg/l. the AChE from Pangasius sp. is more sensitive to all of the carbamates and organophosphates tested than the commercial E. electricus with the exception of carbofuran and malathion. This suggests that in overall, Pangasius sp. AChE is more sensitive to insecticides compared to AChEs from E. electricus. Heavy metals such as mercury, chromium, cadmium, silver, lead and copper showed complete inhibition oh AChE activity at 10 mg/l. Xenobiotics such as SDS completely inhibited AChE activity while acrylamide, phenol and diesel inhibited 30, 45 and 76% AChE activity, respectively. The results from this work clearly indicate that an alternative source of AChE from local fish could be used to replace E. electricus for biomonitoring works.