Toxicity of Parkia biglobosa pod extract on Clarias gariepinus juveniles

RO Ojutiku, E P Avbarefe, RJ K

Abstract

The toxicity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Parkia biglobosa pods (95, 85, 75, 65 and 55 mg/l) on Clarias gariepinus was investigated under laboratory condition over a 96 h exposure period. Fish exposed to both extracts exhibited clinical signs including eventual death but was not observed in the control fish. Weight change in fish was observed as well as the effect of the plant on the water parameters. However, clinical signs and death were more in fish exposed to the ethanolic extract. It was concluded that aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. biglobosa pods are toxic to C. geriepinus juveniles with the ethanol extract being more toxic, which shows that apart from the bark of P. biglobosa, the pods has piscicidal property and can be put into use in the control and management of fish ponds to eradicate predators by farmers.