Amelioration and Depuration of Bioaccumulated Chromium in Flesh of Cyprinus carpio L.

Aims: To monitor accumulated chromium in the flesh of the fingerlings of common carp following a chronic exposure to two sublethal concentrations of chromium, with and without supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid. Also, to check depuration in chromium free water for 14 days. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology and Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (30.5407°N and 75.4829°E) during year 2019. Methodology: The fingerlings of common carp were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of chromium, with and without supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid for 28 days. Following that, accumulated chromium in the flesh of the fingerlings of common carp was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (ICAP- AES) in the Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Also, depuration experiment in tap water alone was conducted for 14 days using surviving chromium exposed fishes without dietary supplementation. Results: It was found that the concentration of accumulated chromium in all the groups was more than the maximum allowable limits of chromium in fish food. Further, the groups with ascorbic acid supplementation recorded decreased accumulation of chromium. In the depuration experiment, complete elimination of chromium was recorded after 10 days in both the concentrations to which the fingerlings were exposed. Conclusion: In conclusion, ascorbic acid acts as an ameliorative agent against toxicity of chromium in common carp and the accumulated chromium can be eliminated from the fish flesh by keeping the exposed fishes in chromium free water.