GENE EXPRESSION STUDIES ON THE GENOTOXIC EFFECTS OF A CARBONATED BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the genotoxic effects of varying treatments of carbonated beverage industry effluent on the expression of juvenile Clarias gariepinus genes. Tissue samples were extracted from juvenile C. gariepinus liver followed by RNA isolation, quantification and normalization of the isolated RNA, synthesis of complementary DNA, and agarose gel electrophoresis. This procedure followed standard guidelines. The results obtained from the study showed the varying expression levels of the following genes: IL-1β, CYPIIA, HSP70, DMRTI, HSD17B, FOX12, MEL1C, CAMKIIg and GH at concentration levels of 1%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. The statistically significant correlation of the expression levels of the genes at various concentrations with the equivalent controls revealed that the increase in the expression of the genes in response to carbonated beverage effluent exposure was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The increase in the expression of the genes suggests that C. gariepinus is negatively impacted by carbonated beverage industry effluent. Therefore, standard treatment of carbonated beverage effluent is recommended before disposal in the aquatic environment to avoid any deleterious effect on the genes of C. gariepinus.