EFFECT OF FENVALERATE ON SUPEROXIDE ANION AND NITRIC OXIDE GENERATION IN THE JUVENILES OF Bellamya bengalensis AN EDIBLE GASTROPOD OF WEST BENGAL

Mollusc represents a vital component of freshwater ecosystem of our country. Bellamya bengalensis is an edible viviparous gastropod constitutes a traditional food item of human, poultry and fish. It demands a special importance in ecology, ethnomedicine and economy. Natural habitat of B. bengalensis is under ecological risk due to indiscriminate and unrestricted use of a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide fenvalerate by Indian farmers. Mollusc in general, depends on hemocytes in elicitation of immunological responses including production of cytotoxic agents like superoxide anion and nitric oxide against environmental xenobiotics and pathogen. Present study is aimed to assess cytotoxic response with superoxide anion and nitric oxide generation in hemocytes of juvenile specimens of B. bengalensis to examine any immune alteration of the edible species.. Present study would provide an important information base of immunotoxicity of fenvalerate in juvenile specimens of B. bengalensis, which can be utilized in formulating a sustainable strategy of conservation and culture of aquatic mollusc in their natural habitat for human consumption.