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. 2024 Jun;31(30):42672-42685.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33955-x. Epub 2024 Jun 14.

Assessment of toxicity of pyriproxyfen, Bacillus thuringiensis, and malathion and their mixtures used for mosquito control on embryo-larval development and behavior of zebrafish

Renata Meireles Oliveira Padilha  1 , Samara da Silva Gomes  1 , Jadson Freitas da Silva  1 , Renatta Priscilla Ferreira Silva  1 , André Lucas Corrêa de Andrade  1 , Amanda Rodrigues Dos Santos Magnabosco  1 , Thamiris Pinheiro Santos  1 , Andressa Raphaely de Lima Silva  1 , Maria Leticia Santos Carnaúba da Silva  1 , Marilia Ribeiro Sales Cadena  2 , Pabyton Gonçalves Cadena  3   4
Affiliations

Assessment of toxicity of pyriproxyfen, Bacillus thuringiensis, and malathion and their mixtures used for mosquito control on embryo-larval development and behavior of zebrafish

Renata Meireles Oliveira Padilha et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Pyriproxyfen (PPF), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), and malathion (MLT) are widely used worldwide to control the population of mosquitos that transmit arboviruses. The current work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of these single pesticides and their binary mixtures of PPF + BTI, PPF + MLT, and MLT + BTI on the embryo-larval stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. Epiboly, mortality, apical endpoints, affected animals, heart rate, morphometric, thigmotaxis, touch sensitivity, and optomotor response tests were evaluated. PPF and MLT and all mixtures reduced the epiboly percentage. Mortality increased significantly in all exposed groups, except BTI, with MLT being the most toxic. The observed apical endpoints were pericardial and yolk sac edemas, and tail and spine deformation. Exposure to MLT showed a higher percentage of affected animals. A reduction in heart rate was also observed in MLT- and PPF + MLT-exposed groups. The PPF + MLT mixture decreased head measurements. Behavioral alterations were observed, with a decrease in thigmotaxis and touch sensitivity responses in PPF + MLT and MLT + BTI groups. Finally, optomotor responses were affected in all groups. The above data obtained suggest that the MLT + PFF mixture has the greatest toxicity effects. This mixture affected embryo-larval development and behavior and is close to the reality in several cities that use both pesticides for mosquito control rather than single pesticides, leading to a reevaluation of the strategy for mosquito control.

Keywords: Danio rerio; Behavior; Heart rate; Pesticides; Toxic effects.

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