Assessment of toxic effects of triclosan on the terrestrial snail (Achatina fulica)

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used in personal care products, and as a result, is widespread in the environment. Toxicity tests of TCS on aquatic organisms have been reported, but limited toxicity data on terrestrial species are available. In this study, the 28-d chronic toxicity of TCS on the biomass, shell diameter growth, and total food intake of the terrestrial snail Achatina fulica were tested. Moreover, biochemical responses, including changes in the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), were examined after 14-d and 28-d exposure. Results showed that TCS had toxic effects on the biomass, shell diameter growth, and total food intake of A. fulica with no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values of 24mgkg−1. As for the antioxidant enzymes, TCS caused significant oxidative stress even at the low concentration of 24mgkg−1. The CAT and POD activities at the high concentrations of 200 and 340mgkg−1, respectively, were significantly inhibited. The SOD and CAT activity in treatments below 118mgkg−1 and the MDA content in all treatments showed dose–effect relationships. This study demonstrated that TCS caused adverse effects on terrestrial invertebrates, and provided valuable information for the risk assessment imposed by TCS in the terrestrial environment.