Effect of Heavy Metals on some Metabolically Important Enzymes of Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract

The effect of sublethal levels of heavy metals like zinc and mercury on the activities of the enzymes, acid phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase in Oreochromis mossambicus was investigated. The activities of the enzymes varied depending on the duration of exposure to the toxicants. The feasibility of measuring the enzyme activities for monitoring sublethal metal poisoning is also discussed.