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Toxicological effect of Parthenium hysterophorus and milk processing industry sludge on earthworms, Eisenia fetida

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Abstract

Production of large quantities of organic waste all over the world poses major environmental and disposal problems. The present study was conducted to explore the deleterious effects of Parthenium hysterophorus and milk processing industry sludge on the health of earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Earthworms were allowed to grow in the mixture of cow dung:Parthenium hysterophorus (75:25) and cow dung:milk processing industry sludge (60:40) for 60 days. The biochemical markers viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histological changes in earthworm’s intestine were assessed after 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of exposure. The results revealed increased MDA level, while SOD, CAT, and GPx activities showed variation in both treatments. Furthermore, histopathological changes revealed damage in the intestinal tissue in both treatments during all intervals. More severe effects were registered in P. hysterophorus treatment. Obtained results may contribute to the understanding of P. hysterophorus and milk processing industry sludge induced toxic effects on earthworms and to identify defense mechanism of Eisenia fetida.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the facilities provided by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, to pursue the research work.

Funding

This work received financial aid extended by UGC in the form of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for minority students.

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  1. Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India

    Harsimran Kaur, Suman Sharma & Puttaganti Vijaya

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  1. Harsimran Kaur
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Correspondence to Harsimran Kaur.

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Kaur, H., Sharma, S. & Vijaya, P. Toxicological effect of Parthenium hysterophorus and milk processing industry sludge on earthworms, Eisenia fetida. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 33464–33473 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05222-x

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