Biochemical Changes in Subcellular Fractions of Lamellidens marginalis after Oil Exposure and Recovery

Aquatic pollution caused by different industrial effluents and anthropogenic activities is a serious problem for aquatic inhabitants and has a negative impact on life of animals. Sub-cellular fractions (cytosolic and microsomal) were prepared from the tissues (foot, gill and digestive gland) of freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis and were examined to investigate the modulation of biochemical components (protein, carbohydrate and lipids) after exposure of sub-lethal concentrations of 1/4th (11.88 ppt) and 1/10th (8.55 ppt) of 96-hr LC 50 of oil effluent, and recovery period (depuration-without oil effluent) after seven days interval i.e., 1st, 8th, 15th 22nd and 30th days. Protein is one of the most important and complete groups of biological materials comprising the nitrogenous constituent of the body and performing different biological functions. The tissues of mussels were examined at the conclusion of the 30th day for biochemical components during both the exposure and depuration phases. When subjected to sub-lethal quantities of oil effluent, the accumulation of oil effluent in the tissues grew gradually, and levels of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid were found to be considerably and steadily decreasing in the sub-cellular tissues of mussels. During recovery period (without adding oil effluent), all depleted biochemical contents were recovered, increased, gradually, significantly from 30th day to Ist day (P<0.05) and one-way ANOVA showed progressive positive regression coefficient values (P<0.05) in all days. The increased and recovered levels of biochemical components in oil-exposed mussels show a well-established mollusc defense mechanism, and this response has the potential to be used as a biomarker for the early detection of oil pollution.