Growth response and toxic effects of three antibiotics on Selenastrum capricornutum evaluated by photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll biosynthesis

• Published in: Journal of environmental sciences (China) 2011-01, Vol.23 (9), p.1558-1563
• Main Authors: Liu, Binyang, Liu, Weiqiu, Nie, Xiangping, Guan, Chao, Yang, Yufeng, Wang, Zhaohui, Liao, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - toxicity; aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic Organisms - drug effects; Aquatic Organisms - growth & development; Aquatic Organisms - metabolism; Bacterial Proteins - biosynthesis; biosynthesis; chlorophyll; Chlorophyll - biosynthesis; Chlorophyta - drug effects; Chlorophyta - growth & development; Chlorophyta - metabolism; chloroplasts; Chloroplasts - drug effects; Chloroplasts - metabolism; ciprofloxacin; ciprofloxacin hydrochloride; erythromycin; erythromycin lactobionate; Kinetics; photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - drug effects; pigments; porphobilinogen; protoporphyrin; Risk; Selenastrum capricornutum; sulfamethoxazole; toxicity; Toxicity Tests; 光合速率; 叶绿素合成; 影响评估; 抗生素; 毒性; 环丙沙星; 生长反应; 羊角
• ISSN: 1001-0742; 1878-7320
• DOI: 10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60608-0

The effects of three types of antibiotics （erythromycin,ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole） on the photosynthesis of freshwater algae,Selenastrum capricornutum Printz,were investigated by determining the growth rate,chloroplast pigments content,seven main precursors （including δ-aminolevulinic acid,porphobilinogen,uroporphyrinogen III,coproporphyrinogen III,protoporphyrin IX,Mg-proporphyrin IX and protochlorophyllide）,and photosynthetic rate during chlorophyll biosynthesis.The antibiotics significantly decreased the growth rate,chlorophyll content,and photosynthetic rate.Erythromycin induced a decreasing effect at a concentration of 0.06 mg/L,while ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole achieved the same results at concentrations higher than 1.5 mg/L.Only erythromycin significantly inhibited chlorophyll biosynthesis,which indicated that it was considerably more toxic to S.capricornutum than ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole,and may pose a high potential risk to aquatic ecosystems.