Permethrin induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minutus

ABSTRACT

Biomonitoring has become a useful tool in environmental risk assessment of anthropogenic activities releasing disturbing pollutants. Permethrin, used worldwide to control a wide range of pest insects, can threaten aquatic biota, potentially useful as precocious bioindicators in ecotoxicology. This study seeks to assess the acute toxicity permethrin to the freshwater beetle, its availability in water, as well as, its uptake. The acute toxicity of permethrin to non-target species was studied under laboratory conditions to assess its effect, after the exposure 48 h, on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minitus considering changes in some enzymatic activities; a specific biomarker of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase) and a non-specific biomarker of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and catalase). The rates of permethrin in water and insects were determined using gas chromatography. The low measured concentration of the pesticide 0.0013 μg/L didńt modify the SOD and CAT activities in comparison with controls, only the high concentrations (0.023 and 0.18 μg/L) induced a significant increase in the enzyme activity. A similar profile was recorded for the H₂O₂ level. The permethrin treatment induced a drastic depletion of AChE activity. As outcomes, uptake at a low level (<6.8 ± 0.43 ng/g dry weight) showed to be the factor underlying the alterations in the beetles exposed to permethrin. Such findings provide information on the behaviour of permethrin within the environment and its biological target through its neurotoxicity and induction of oxidative stress in a freshwater beetle.

KEYWORDS:

• Pesticide
• permethrin
• beetle
• freshwater
• biomarkers
• neurotoxicity
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Ghofrane KHEDHER from the department of life sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte 7021 Jarzouna (Tunisia) for her help in the accomplishment of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Samir Touaylia is an Assistant Professor. He joined the faculty of Science of Bizerte, Carthage University, Tunisia, in 2013. He currently works at the Department of Life Sciences. His principal research interests are invertebrates and response of marine organism to several chemicals.

Mezni Ali is a permanent researcher in the environmental laboratory of biomonitoring, Tunisia. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Carthage, Tunisia, in the year 2016. His research focuses on biomarkers and biochemistry.

Khazri Abdelhafidh is a permanent researcher in the environmental laboratory of biomonitoring, Tunisia. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Carthage, Tunisia, in the year 2016. His principal research interests are biology and Ecotoxicology.

Mustapha Bejaoui is an Assistant Professor. He joined the faculty of Science of Bizerte, Carthage University, Tunisia. He currently works at the Department of Life Sciences. His principal research interests are invertebrates and response of marine organism to several chemicals.