Author/Editor     Stanek, Katja; Gabrijelčič, Elizabeta; Drobne, Damjana; Trebše, Polonca
Title     Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber as a biomarker of organophosphorus compounds in food
Type     članek
Source     Arh Hig Rada Toksikol
Vol. and No.     Letnik 54, št. 3
Publication year     2003
Volume     str. 183-8
Language     eng
Abstract     This paper describes the toxicity of organophosphorus pesticide diazinon in juvenile and adult terrestrial isopods Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea). The woodlice were exposed to different concentrations of diazinon added to food (5, 10, 50, and 100 or 150 micro g/g dry food). Weight change and food assimilation efficiency were determined two and four weeks after the exposure. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in surviving animals was measured at the end of the experiment. The results show that woodlice exposed to diazinon do not significantly differ from controls in growth and feeding rate. The reduction of AChE activity was observed at the lowest diazinon exposure (5 and 10 micro g/g dry food). These results suggest that AChE activity might prove a useful biomarker, indicating low levels of organophosphates in food.
Descriptors     ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE
FOOD CONTAMINATION
DIAZINON
CRUSTACEA
ADULT
SURVIVAL ANALYSIS
BODY WEIGHT