Abstract

Puffer fish intoxication is one of the most common fish intoxications along the coasts of Asia.Lagocephalus lunaris is the most commonly available species in the South Indian coast and it is eaten by the locals. This study was undertaken to assess the risk of poisoning due to consumption of L. lunaris collected along the Southeast Indian coast. Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally injected daily with liver and muscle extracts of L. lunaris (1 ml/100 g of body weight), for 10 days. Control mice received injections of NaCl (0.9%). No mortality was recorded. The treatment led to: (1) decrease in body weight and increase in organ (liver and kidney) weights; (2) oxidative stress evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities in tissues (blood cells, liver, and kidney); (3) a decrease in alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities in serum; and (4) development of mydriasis. The study suggests that L. lunaris collected from Southeast Indian coast is toxic, particularly, the muscle and therefore, it is not fit for consumption.

Key words: Fish toxins, food safety, antioxidant activity, toxicology, risk assessment.