Determination of the curative effect of probiotics on malathion toxicity in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by some biochemical parameters

Probiotics can be defined as digestive tract microorganisms beneficial to the health of host organisms. Pesticides are synthetic or natural products used to combat pests in order to obtain more product per unit area in order to meet the food requirements of the increasing population. Pesticide use has some direct and indirect damage to the ecosystem. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of malathion active ingredient pesticide on zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), which is a non-target aquatic organism, with biomarkers, and to determine the protective effect with the use of probiotics with biomarkers. The LC50 value of D. polymorpha exposed to malathion was calculated as 120.11 ± 19.32 mg/L. D. polymorpha individuals treated with probiotics and D. polymorpha individuals directly were exposed to sublethal concentrations of malathion active ingredient pesticide LC50 value (1/5, 1/10 and 1/20) for 24 and 96 hours. In the tissue supernatants taken from the experimental groups, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reducte glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities were determined. In addition, the histopathological response was evaluated in the samples taken from the experimental groups. It has been determined that D. polymorpha exposed to malathion causes an increase in TBARS levels, a decrease in GSH levels, SOD, CAT, and GPx enzyme activity. Severe lesions were detected in the administration groups compared to the increased concentration in the groups in which the histopathological response was investigated. Statistically significant differences were found in all groups treated with the probiotic compared to direct exposure. It was determined that the groups treated with probiotics showed an ameliorative effect on the histopathological responses as mild and moderate lesions compared to the direct application groups. In the experimental study, it was determined by biochemical and histopathological analyzes that the biomarkers used in the application of malathion in D. polymorpha were useful. The curative effect of the use of probiotics in aquatic organisms has been confirmed by both biochemical and histopathological biomarkers.