EVALUATION OF DNA DAMAGE BY SINGLE CELL GEL ELECTROPHORESIS IN GILLS OF FRESH WATER CLAM

ABSTRACT

This study used the comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) method to investigate the genotoxicity of a carbonated soft drink company's effluent on fresh water clams [Egera radiata LAM (BIVALVIA, DONACIDAE)]. The tissue samples from the clams' gills were used to conduct a comet assay analysis after they had been subjected to sub-lethal quantities (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.5%, and 2.5%) of the carbonated soft drink company's effluent for 96 hours and a control. Results obtained from the 96 h acute toxicity test showed the fresh water clams responded differently to varying concentrations of the effluent: no movement, and death at higher concentrations of the effluent. The comet assay results showed that in comparison to the control, there was a predominant substantial increase in DNA damage (single-strand breaks) in the gills. Results obtained from this study has shown that the comet test appears to be a very useful technique to assess potential impacts of effluent obtained from the nonalcoholic industry on the gills of fresh water clams.