Evaluation of Acute Toxicity and Antioxidant Response of Earthworm Exposed to a Lignin-Modified Crosslinked Hydrogel
Humberto D. Jiménez,
Eulogio Orozco,
Saira L. Hernández,
Ana C. Ramírez,
José M. Velázquez,
Gilberto Velazquez,
Amelia del C. Minjarez,
Adalberto Zamudio,
Milagros M. Flores,
Sandra F. Velasco
Affiliations
Humberto D. Jiménez
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Eulogio Orozco
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Saira L. Hernández
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Ana C. Ramírez
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
José M. Velázquez
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Gilberto Velazquez
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Amelia del C. Minjarez
Institute of Educational Management for Health and Society, Pablo Quiroga 289, Constitución, Zapopan 45180, Jalisco, Mexico
Adalberto Zamudio
Department of Physics, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Milagros M. Flores
Medical Science, University of Colima, Avenida Universidad 333, Las Víboras, Colima 28040, Colima, Mexico
Sandra F. Velasco
Chemistry Department, School of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Jalisco, Mexico
Hydrogels are polymers of great importance due to their multiple applications, which have led to an exponential increase in their production. However, once they have fulfilled their function, they become waste and their ecotoxicological effects are unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute toxicity and total antioxidant capacity of the earthworm (Eisenia fetida) exposed to a terpolymeric hydrogel (acrylic acid, acrylamide, and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane-sulfonic acid) crosslinked with modified kraft lignin. Four different amounts of hydrogel per unit area were evaluated (0.0924, 0.1848, 0.9242, and 1.848 mg hydrogel/cm2) plus a control, and three replicates were performed for each group. Starting from the amount of 0.1848 mg hydrogel/cm2, the earthworms showed physiological and behavioral alterations; at higher amounts, 0.9242 and 1.848 mg hydrogel/cm2, more acute signs were observed with mortality rates of 51.7% and 100%, respectively. On the other hand, the antioxidant activity assay showed that the higher the hydrogel exposure amount, the higher the oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower antioxidant activity (67.09% inhibition of the ABTS●+ radical). Therefore, we concluded that the lignin-modified hydrogel generated oxidative stress and acute lethal toxic effects in Eisenia fetida.
