EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM FIELD APPLICATIONS OF ACROLEIN AND 2,4-D (DMA) ON FLAVOR OF THE FLESH OF RAINBOW-TROUT

Two herbicides that have been frequently employed to control unwanted algae and rooted macrophytes in the Western US's irrigation and reservoir systems are acrolein (2-propenal) and 2,4-D (DMA) (dimethylamine salt of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). Since edible fish may be present in reservoirs or connecting canals where acrolein or 2,4-D (DMA) are applied, it was of interest to determine if a short term field application of these chemicals would produce an off flavor in the flesh of a representative fish, the rainbow trout. The study described here has demonstrated that the experimental concentrations of both acrolein (0. 1 mg/L) and 2,4-D (0. 5 mg/L) can significantly taint the flesh of experimental fish to make them unpalatable.