Toxicological effects of different ionic liquids on growth, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress, and ultrastructure of Nostoc punctiforme and the combined toxicity with heavy metals

Ionic liquids (ILs1) are used widely because of their excellent properties. However, their ecotoxicity for environment has aroused great concern. Here we studied, the toxicity of three ILs with different numbers of methyl substituents and anions as well as the combined effect of heavy metals to edible algae Nostoc punctiforme. The results show that fresh weight and chlorophyll content decreased, indicating that the growth and photosynthesis were adversely affected. Polysaccharides and soluble protein contents decreased, resulting in a reduced nutritional value of Nostoc punctiforme. ILs can produce many reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. In order to remove excessive ROS, antioxidant enzymes activity is increased, but decreases under high IL concentration, because the structure and function of the enzymes became damaged. ILs cause stress to algae, as the cell ultrastructure is indicating by increased amounts of starch and osmiophilic globules. The combined action of heavy metals with ILs decreases the antioxidant enzymes activity and chlorophyll content, and increases the MDA content. The results show that the order of toxicity is [C8MIM]Cl >[C8MIM]Br > [C8DMIM]Br. The combination of heavy metals and ILs cause an increase of the toxicity to Nostoc punctiforme.

Automated summary

This study investigated the toxicity of ionic liquids (ILs) on the edible algae Nostoc punctiforme, showing that ILs adversely affect the growth and photosynthesis of the algae and reduce its nutritional value. ILs generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage enzyme structure and function, and also cause cell ultrastructure changes. The combined effect of heavy metals and ILs further increases the toxicity to Nostoc punctiforme.