title: A rapid phenol toxicity test based on photosynthesis and movement of the freshwater flagellate, Euglena agilis Carter.
abstract: Phenol, a monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon with various commercial uses, is a major organic constituent in industrial wastewaters. The ecotoxic action of phenol for aquatic environment is well known. In this study, rapid phenol toxicity tests (1h) were developed based on chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence and the movement parameters of the freshwater flagellate, Euglena agilis Carter. Phenol significantly reduced the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of photosystem II (PS II) and the maximum photosynthetic electron transport rate (rETRmax) with median effective concentration (EC50) values of 8.94 and 4.67 mM, respectively. Phenol reduced the motility and triggered change in the swimming velocity of the test organism. Among the parameters tested, velocity was the most sensitive biomarker with an EC50 of 3.17 mM. The EC50 values for Fv/Fm, motility, and velocity appear to overlap the permitted levels of phenol. In conclusion, the photosynthesis and movement of E. agilis can be fast and sensitive risk assessment parameters for the evaluation of phenol toxicity in municipal and industrial effluents.
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sreejith
authors: S
authors: Kottuparambil
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea; Department of Marine Science, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea; Green-Pioneer (Ltd.), Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Youn-Jung
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hoon
authors: H
authors: Choi
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Mi-Sung
authors: MS
authors: Kim
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Areum
authors: A
authors: Park
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jihae
authors: J
authors: Park
authors: Department of Biology, Chungnam University, Daejeon 306 764, Republic of Korea.
authors: Woongghi
authors: W
authors: Shin
authors: Institute of Green Environmental Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea; Department of Marine Science, Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea; Green-Pioneer (Ltd.), Incheon National University, Incheon 406 840, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hanalgae@hanmail.net.
authors: Taejun
authors: T
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005055:Euglena / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D019800:Phenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019800:Phenol
keywords: Euglena agilis; F(v)/F(m); Motility; Phenol; Velocity; rETR(max)