African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (19), pp. 2245-2250, 4 October 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Toxic effects of monocrotophos on Paramecium caudatum

Ujwala Garad, Shanti N. Desai and Prakash V. Desai*

Department of Zoology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa- 403521, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: pvdesai@unigoa.ac.in. Tel: 91-832-2456133.

Accepted 13 August, 2007

Many pesticides are used by agriculturist and monocrotophos (MCP) is one such pesticide used indiscriminately in India to control insect pests. MCP enters surface water and contaminates it. Paramecia have been used in the past for rapid toxicity assessment. Paramecia exposed to 1 to 100 ppm concentrations of MCP exhibit decline in population density, reduction of: overall body length, length and breadth of cytopharynx, rate of feeding and cyclosis. Technical grade MCP is toxic to Paramecium caudatum even at sub lethal concentrations.

Key words: Paramecium caudatum, monocrotophos, cytopharynx, feeding rate, cyclosis, pesticide.