Long-term ecotoxicological effects of ciprofloxacin in combination with caffeine on the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata

Vinicius Diniz; Gabriela Rath; Susanne Rath; Caio Rodrigues-Silva; José R. Guimarães; Davi G.F. Cunha

Toxicology Reports (Jan 2021)

Long-term ecotoxicological effects of ciprofloxacin in combination with caffeine on the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata

Vinicius Diniz,
Gabriela Rath,
Susanne Rath,
Caio Rodrigues-Silva,
José R. Guimarães,
Davi G.F. Cunha

Affiliations

Vinicius Diniz: Department of Infrastructure and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil; Corresponding authors at: Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil.
Gabriela Rath: Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Susanne Rath: Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Caio Rodrigues-Silva: Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
José R. Guimarães: Department of Infrastructure and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Davi G.F. Cunha: Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil; Corresponding authors at: Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8
pp. 429 – 435

Abstract

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Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is an antimicrobial “pseudo-persistent” in aquatic ecosystems. Once dispersed in the water compartments, it can also affect the microalgae. Thus, the evaluation of its long-term ecotoxicological effects is necessary. CIP interactions with other pharmaceuticals are not well known. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of CIP alone and combined with caffeine (CAF), using the modified Gompertz model parameters and the chlorophyll-a production of the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata as endpoints, throughout a 16-day exposure assay. The exposure to CIP alone led to significant reductions of the growth rate and the cell density of the microalgae compared to control groups. The combination with CAF lowered the adverse effects of CIP to R. subcapitata. However, as the toxicity is dynamic, our results indicated that the toxic effects in respect to the studied endpoints changed throughout the exposure period, reinforcing the need for longer-term ecotoxicity assessments.

Published in Toxicology Reports

ISSN: 2214-7500 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Ireland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine: Toxicology. Poisons
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/toxicology-reports/

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