Effect of sulphide in Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei under varying oxygen and pH levels

Abstract

Sulphide is one of the known environmental stressors, which potentially binds to cytochrome C oxidase (COX), a key enzyme in the electron transport chain, thereby blocking oxygen transport and ATP production. To ascertain the toxic effects of sulphide on Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, two distinct exposure experiments were carried out with varying concentration of sulphide (0–1 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (normoxia and hypoxia) and pH values (8.2, 6 and 5). The activity of enzymes viz COX, superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenoloxidase and lactate accumulation was investigated. Outer membrane integrity and COX monomer separation were also done with the isolated crude mitochondrial preparations. Results indicated a significant reduction (p ≤ .05) in COX enzyme activity in sulphide exposed treatments when compared to control. The reduction was more intense when pH levels were reduced under hypoxia condition. Lactate accumulation as a result of anaerobic metabolism was found to be higher in hypoxic treatments. No significant difference (p ≥ .05) was observed in superoxide dismutase activity between the treatments, whereas phenoloxidase activity significantly decreased at higher concentration sulphide. Separation of mitochondrial proteins resulted in the identification of ~205 kDa of COX monomer, and significant damage was found in outer membrane integrity under hypoxia and pH treatments. From this study, it is evident that at a given concentration, sulphide is toxic to P. vannamei, and in association with hypoxia and low pH, they further intensify sulphide toxicity. Our results indicated that sulphide toxicity should not be considered as a single factor, rather it should be a considered as combination of factors.