Spirulina - a "Green" Chelating Agent in Lead-Intoxicated Freshwater Fish

Abstract

Our work mainly focused on highlight the histological alterations induced by experimental lead poisoning on Carassius gibelio Bloch species and lead-detoxifying ability of spirulina powder added 2% in fish diet. 90 1 year old Prussian carps, were divided in 3 groups as follow: C (control group), E1 group (75 ppm Pb into water as Pb(NO3)2 x ½H2O), E2 group (75 ppm Pb into water+2% spirulina powder in feed), according to the experimental protocol. Fish tissue (gills, intestine, liver, kidney and gonads) were sampled and histologically processed at the end of a 21-day trial period. Histological sections analyzed with an Olympus microscope have revealed the lead-harmful effects to the fish tissues, while spirulina powder has showed an ameliorating effect on the tissue structural changes caused by lead.

Keywords

• freshwater fish
• histological alterations
• lead intoxication
• spirulina powder