Intestinal response of mussels to nano-TiO2 and pentachlorophenol in the presence of predator

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-04, Vol.867, p.161456, Article 161456
• Main Authors: Chen, Xiang, Huang, Wei, Liu, Chunhua, Song, Hanting, Waiho, Khor, Lin, Daohui, Fang, James K.H., Hu, Menghong, Kwan, Kit Yue, Wang, Youji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Digestive enzymes; Gut microbes; Mytilus edulis; Nano titanium dioxide; Pentachlorophenol
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161456

With the development of industry, agriculture and intensification of human activities, a large amount of nano-TiO2 dioxide and pentachlorophenol have entered aquatic environment, causing potential impacts on the health of aquatic animals and ecosystems. We investigated the effects of predators, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and nano titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on the gut health (microbiota and digestive enzymes) of the thick-shelled mussel Mytilus coruscus. Nano-TiO2, as the photocatalyst for PCP, enhanced to toxic effects of PCP on the intestinal health of mussels, and they made the mussels more vulnerable to the stress from predators. Nano-TiO2 particles with smaller size exerted a larger negative effect on digestive enzymes, whereas the size effect on gut bacteria was insignificant. The presence of every two of the three factors significantly affected the population richness and diversity of gut microbiota. Our findings revealed that the presence of predators, PCP, and nano-TiO2 promoted the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and inhibited digestive enzyme activity. This research investigated the combined stress on marine mussels caused by nanoparticles and pesticides in the presence of predators and established a theoretical framework for explaining the adaptive mechanisms in gut microbes and the link between digestive enzymes and gut microbiota. [Display omitted] •Nano-TiO2 and predators exacerbate PCP damage to the digestive enzymes of mussels.•Exposure to nano-TiO2 and PCP can lead to intestinal dysbiosis and digestive enzyme changes in mussels.•The abundance and diversity of intestinal microorganisms are diminished by PCP >nano-TiO2 > predators.•Nano-TiO2 and PCP and crabs have interactions on intestinal flora and digestive enzymes.