Abstract
Ectoine (ECT) is a compatible solute synthesized mostly by halophilic microorganisms subjected to various stressful factors. Its protective properties in bacteria and some populations of isolated cells subjected to different stressors are reported; however, little is known on its effects against a commonly used compound, ethanol (ETH). The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of ETH alone (at 20 and 60 g/L) and in the combination with various concentrations of ECT (5, 10, and 25 mg/L) at various times of exposure on behavioural, physiological, and biochemical parameters of a model invertebrate Daphnia magna. In the present study, we determined the following parameters: immobilisation, heart rate, thoracic limb movement, catalase (CAT) activity, and nitric oxide species (NOx) level. Our study revealed that both concentrations of ETH alone induced immobilisation and decrease of swimming velocity, heart rate, and thoracic limb activity; however, catalase activity and NOx levels were increased. On the other hand, the animals exposed to the combinations of ETH + ECT showed a reduced immobilisation and alleviated inhibition of heart rate and thoracic limb activity, lower increase of CAT activity, and NOx level when compared to the crustaceans subjected to ETH alone. The most distinct alleviation of toxic effects was noted in the combinations in which the highest concentration of ECT were used. The results suggest that ETH may induce oxidative stress in daphnids and attenuating effects of ECT probably result from its antioxidative properties.
Highlights
Ethanol (ETH) is an organic compound used as the main ingredient of alcoholic beverages and as a solvent for perfumes, various drugs, and as a fuel additive in some countries (Zucotti and Fabiano 2011)
Studies on acute toxicity of pure ETH were previously performed in Daphnia magna (Takahashi et al 1987; Lilius et al 1995; Dom et al 2012), very few results are available on its effects on behavioural and biochemical parameters in cladocerans
Results obtained by Zhang et al (2003) in Daphnia magna indicated the increased toxicity of 4-nonylphenol when it is dissolved in ethanol
Summary
Ethanol (ETH) is an organic compound used as the main ingredient of alcoholic beverages and as a solvent for perfumes, various drugs, and as a fuel additive in some countries (Zucotti and Fabiano 2011). Some results indicate that ETH is a neurotoxic compound with a potential to induce neurodegenerative diseases resulting from oxidative stress (Song et al 2014) and it may act as a teratogen (Randall 1987; Kietzman et al 2014). Since ETH is used as a fuel additive in the United States and Brazil, the risk of contamination of surface water has increased (Barros 2013). It is generally accepted that the breakdown of ETH in surface waters by biological and chemical processes results.
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