Zeitschrift für Ökologie und Toxikologie

Abstrakt

A Relevant Tool for Microplastic Toxicity Evaluation Using Paramecium Bursaria

Klaus Lever

MPs, which are also referred to as microplastics, are typically tiny wastes of plastic with diameters ranging from one to five millimeters. This tiny plastic debris, which is common in aquatic systems, poses a serious threat to the aquatic biota. Even though metazoan animals are mostly used to test MPs' toxicology, there are times when their applications are limited due to their high cost, limited ecological niche, or ethical concerns. This indicates that monocellular eukaryotes, also known as protozoa, which are prevalent in nature and are also referred to as eukaryotes, can be utilized to evaluate the toxicity of MPs. Monocellular eukaryotes are also referred to as eukaryotes. These eukaryotic organisms are also known as eukaryotes. Monocellular eukaryotes are another name for eukaryotes. These eukaryotic organisms are also known as eukaryotes. We continued our investigation of the behavioral and molecular changes by employing P. bursaria as a protozoan model and MPs-exposed Paramecium bursaria (P. bursaria). Our findings indicate that P. bursaria underwent a number of modifications following the adoption of MPs. An increased level of oxidative stress, a slower speed, altered avoidance strategies, and the possibility of endosymbiotic disruption were among the changes. P. bursaria underwent significant and quantifiable changes in response to MP exposure. Overall, this study demonstrated that P. bursaria is a promising alternative for the toxicological evaluation of MPs and that it can be used to evaluate the toxicity of other environmental contaminants.