title: Effect of erythromycin exposure on the growth, antioxidant system and photosynthesis of Microcystis flos-aquae.
abstract: Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is commonly used in human life. This compound and its derivatives have been detected in various aquatic compartments and may pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms. This study investigated the effects of erythromycin on the growth, antioxidant system and photosynthesis of Microcystis flos-aquae. The results showed that at 0.001-0.1 μg L(-1), erythromycin could stimulate the growth of M. flos-aquae and increase its photosynthetic activity; however, it did not significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) or the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, the growth of M. flos-aquae was significantly inhibited (p<0.01) at high levels of erythromycin, reaching an inhibition rate of 81.6% at 40 μg L(-1) erythromycin. At the same time, the activities of SOD and CAT along with MDA content also increased significantly (p<0.01), indicating that the high concentrations of erythromycin caused a severe oxidative stress on algae. However, the balance between oxidants and antioxidant enzymes were disrupted because ROS content simultaneously increased. In addition, the fluorescence parameters of M. flos-aquae decreased significantly with both exposure time and increasing concentration of erythromycin, indicating that photosynthesis was inhibited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China; Institute of Environmental and Resources Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.
authors.forename: Jinjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China; Institute of Environmental and Resources Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China. Electronic address: guopeiyong@sina.com.
authors.forename: Peiyong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China; Institute of Environmental and Resources Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China; Institute of Environmental and Resources Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China.
authors.forename: Keqi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D046931:Microcystis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D004917:Erythromycin; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Antioxidant enzyme activity; Erythromycin; Microcystis flos-aquae; Photosynthesis; Reactive oxygen species