Ascorbic acid supplementation of diet for reduction of deltamethrin induced stress in freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus

Static bioassays were made to evaluate efficiency of supplementation of ascorbic acid to remove stress of pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin from freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus. Clarias gariepinus exhibited several symptoms of stress when treated with deltamethrin (0.005 mg/l) for 24 h. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, ascorbic acid of blood, liver, and kidney decreased while plasma glucose levels increased. Fish previously fed for 60 days with a diet supplemented by a high level of ascorbic acid (100 mg/100 g) could remove most of the stresses. Low levels of ascorbic acid supplement did not remove the stress. Dietary supplement of ascorbic acid at also appropriate level appeared to be a good way to counter toxicity of deltamethrin to the catfish. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.