Insecticides induced biochemical changes in freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas mexicana

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2016-01, Vol.23 (2), p.1091-1099
• Main Authors: Kumar, Muthukannan Satheesh, Kabra, Akhil N, Min, Booki, El-Dalatony, Marwa M, Xiong, Jiuqiang, Thajuddin, Nooruddin, Lee, Dae Sung, Jeon, Byong-Hun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acephate; Algae; Antioxidants; Aquatic microorganisms; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Carbohydrates; Carotenoids; Carotenoids - metabolism; Catalase; Catalase - metabolism; Chemicals; Chlamydomonas; Chlamydomonas - drug effects; Chlamydomonas - genetics; Chlamydomonas - growth & development; Chlamydomonas - metabolism; Chlamydomonas mexicana; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll - metabolism; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014) Conference: Environmental Pollution and Remediation; Ecotoxicology; Endocrine disruptors; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental stress; Enzymes; fatty acid composition; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Fresh Water - analysis; freshwater; Imidacloprid; Imidazoles - toxicity; Insecticides; Insecticides - toxicity; Land pollution; Microalgae; Microalgae - drug effects; Microalgae - growth & development; Microalgae - metabolism; Neonicotinoids; Nitro Compounds - toxicity; Oxidative stress; Phenols; Photosynthetic pigments; pigments; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; proline; Proline - metabolism; Protein composition; Proteins; Remediation; Selected Papers from the 2nd Contaminated Land; Superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - genetics; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Toxicity; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4681-6

The effect of insecticides (acephate and imidacloprid) on a freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas mexicana was investigated with respect to photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrate and protein contents, fatty acids composition and induction of stress indicators including proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). C. mexicana was cultivated with 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg L⁻¹ of acephate and imidacloprid. The microalga growth increased with increasing concentrations of both insecticides up to 15 mg L⁻¹, beyond which the growth declined compared to control condition (without insecticides). C. mexicana cultivated with 15 mg L⁻¹ of both insecticides for 12 days was used for further analysis. The accumulation of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), carbohydrates and protein was decreased in the presence of both insecticides. Acephate and imidacloprid induced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and increased the concentration of proline in the microalga, which play a defensive role against various environmental stresses. Fatty acid analysis revealed that the fraction of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased on exposure to both insecticides. C. mexicana also promoted 25 and 21 % removal of acephate and imidacloprid, respectively. The biochemical changes in C. mexicana on exposure to acephate and imidacloprid indicate that the microalga undergoes an adaptive change in response to the insecticide-induced oxidative stress.