Ecotoxicological studies of direct and indirect genotoxicity with Artemia: a integrative review

Abstract

Artemia is a brine shrimp genus adapted to extreme habitats like ranges salinity from 5-25 g/L and in temperatures from 9 to 35 °C. It is widely distributed and used as an environmental quality biomarker. Artemia franciscana and Artemia salina species are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies and genotoxicity assays due to their short life cycle, high fecundity rate, easy culture, and availability. Thus, considering the importance of these tests in ecotoxicological studies, the present study aimed to present Artemia genus as a biological model in genotoxicity research. To this end, we reviewed the literature, analyzing data published until July 2023 in the Web of Science, SCOPUS, Embase, and PubMed databases. After screening, we selected 34 studies in which the genotoxicity of Artemia for various substances. This review presents the variability of the experimental planning of assays and biomarkers in genotoxicity using Artemia genus as a biological model for ecotoxicological studies and show the possibility of monitoring biochemical alterations and genetic damage effects. Also highlight innovative technologies such as transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, as well as studies over successive generations to identify changes in DNA and consequently in gene expression.

Keywords: Brine shrimp; bioassays; ecotoxicology; enzymatic activity; gene expression.