Toxic Effect of the Insecticide Mixture Chlorpyrifos and Fipronil on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Authors

Keywords:

Biomarker, Aquatic toxicity, Oxidative stress, Enzymatic analysis

Abstract

The increasing use of pesticides in agriculture has raised great concern due to their toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Among the most commonly used insecticides are chlorpyrifos and fipronil, which are sometimes applied in combination, potentially intensifying their toxic potential. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of acute exposure (96 hours) to a mixture of these insecticides on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by analyzing the enzymatic activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in brain, gill, and liver tissues. Five experimental groups were used, including one control and four different concentrations of the insecticides. The results showed that exposure to the chlorpyrifos and fipronil mixture led to significant changes in the activities of AChE, CAT, and GST. In the brain, AChE activation and a significant increase in CAT activity were observed at lower concentrations, while the liver and gills showed inhibition of CAT and GST at specific concentrations. It was concluded that the chlorpyrifos and fipronil mixture has the potential to intensify damage in fish, representing a significant environmental risk in aquatic ecosystems.

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Author Biographies

Leticia Margarete de Moliner, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil

PhD candidate and Master in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), specializing in Environmental Legislation, Expertise and Auditing, and holding a degree in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering. She has scientific experience in the field of environmental toxicology, with an emphasis on the toxic effects of pesticides on aquatic organisms. In her doctoral studies, she is developing research focused on evaluating the toxic effects of pesticide mixtures, using aquatic organisms as an experimental model. She worked as a resident in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering at the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Catarina, with experience in providing technical support to environmental processes in the criminal and civil spheres, investigating potential environmental crimes, preparing technical reports, monitoring compensatory measures, restoring degraded areas, and overseeing compliance with judicial and extrajudicial agreements.

Indianara Fernanda Barcarolli, University of the State of Santa Catarina, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil

Holds a Bachelor's and Licentiate degree in Biological Sciences from the State University of Londrina (2001), a Master's degree in Biological Oceanography from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2004), a PhD in Biological Oceanography from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2009), and a postdoctoral degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2014). Currently, he is a reviewer for the Journal of the Brazilian Society of Ecotoxicology and a tenured professor at the State University of Santa Catarina. He has experience in the field of Ecology, with an emphasis on Applied Ecology. His main research interests include copper, Excirolana armata, ion regulation, osmoregulation, carbonic anhydrase, and oxygen consumption.

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Published

2025-12-26

How to Cite

de Moliner, L. M., & Barcarolli, I. F. (2025). Toxic Effect of the Insecticide Mixture Chlorpyrifos and Fipronil on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Geama Journal - Environmental Sciences, 11(3), 14–20. Retrieved from https://www.journals.ufrpe.br/index.php/geama/article/view/7844

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2025): Revista GEAMA

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ARTIGOS

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