Abstract
This study was a preliminary step to evaluate the acute toxicity of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride ([C8mim]Cl) on loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) by determining the effects on hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and by the comet assay. The results showed that [C8mim]Cl had acute toxicity at concentrations above 20 mg L−1, inducing oxidative stress and genotoxicity on fish liver cells. In respect to enzyme activities, [C8mim]Cl induced changes in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione content the livers of fish exposed at 20–80 mg L−1. [C8mim]Cl at the same exposure level caused a remarkable increase in malondialdehyde level. The comet assay indicated that [C8mim]Cl at 20–80 mg L−1 induced genotoxicity in liver cells. With increased exposure concentration and time, the two comet parameters trailing rate and tail moment were significantly increased, with significant differences (P < 0.05) observed between control group and each treatment group. The present study shows that ionic liquids can be a threat to the health of aquatic organism when accidentally released to aquatic ecosystems.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 30771666) and the Graduate Innovation Foundation of Henan Normal University (grant no. YL201313).