TY - JOUR

T1 - Toxicity and risk of plant-produced alkaloids to Daphnia magna

AU - Griffiths, Megan R.

AU - Strobel, Bjarne W.

AU - Hama, Jawameer R.

AU - Cedergreen, Nina

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: Many plants contain phytotoxic alkaloids to deter herbivorous pests and grazing animals. Alkaloids include quinolizidine and indole alkaloids found in the lupin (Lupinus spp.), an ornamental flower and emerging protein crop, as well as pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), an invasive, weed-like flower. When lupins and ragworts are present in large densities in fields, there is a concern that alkaloids may leach into freshwater environments in amounts that may affect non-target organisms, such as Daphnia magna. This study aimed to investigate (i) the acute toxicity of alkaloids (gramine, heliotrine, lupanine, lupinine, monocrotaline, monocrotaline N-oxide, senecionine and sparteine) in D. magna, (ii) the contribution of these individual alkaloids to lupin plant extract toxicity, (iii) the longer term reproductive effects of a representative alkaloid, sparteine, and conclude with (iv) a tentative risk assessment for the sum of alkaloids measured in soil and surface waters. Results: The alkaloids exhibited toxicity, with 48 h EC50 values in the range of 5.6 to > 100 mg/L. The 48 h EC50 of the Lupinus angustifolius plant extract was 1.38 mg/L, which was far more toxic than the simulated extract where lethality was < 10% at 10 mg/L after 48 h. Hence, non-measured compounds may have contributed to the joint toxicity. Daphnid mothers exposed to > 2.5 mg/L sparteine produced significantly fewer and smaller offspring during the 21-day exposure, making chronic effects occur at concentrations approximately 10-fold lower than the 48 h EC50 for sparteine. The risk assessment of cumulated alkaloids measured in drain, running and pond waters showed a potential risk, particularly for stagnant pond water, where concentrations were severalfold higher than in the drain and running waters. Conclusions: The results highlight that natural toxins may contribute to poor chemical quality of natural waters, and that natural toxins from upcoming crops or invasive weeds should be considered in aquatic risk assessments.

AB - Background: Many plants contain phytotoxic alkaloids to deter herbivorous pests and grazing animals. Alkaloids include quinolizidine and indole alkaloids found in the lupin (Lupinus spp.), an ornamental flower and emerging protein crop, as well as pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), an invasive, weed-like flower. When lupins and ragworts are present in large densities in fields, there is a concern that alkaloids may leach into freshwater environments in amounts that may affect non-target organisms, such as Daphnia magna. This study aimed to investigate (i) the acute toxicity of alkaloids (gramine, heliotrine, lupanine, lupinine, monocrotaline, monocrotaline N-oxide, senecionine and sparteine) in D. magna, (ii) the contribution of these individual alkaloids to lupin plant extract toxicity, (iii) the longer term reproductive effects of a representative alkaloid, sparteine, and conclude with (iv) a tentative risk assessment for the sum of alkaloids measured in soil and surface waters. Results: The alkaloids exhibited toxicity, with 48 h EC50 values in the range of 5.6 to > 100 mg/L. The 48 h EC50 of the Lupinus angustifolius plant extract was 1.38 mg/L, which was far more toxic than the simulated extract where lethality was < 10% at 10 mg/L after 48 h. Hence, non-measured compounds may have contributed to the joint toxicity. Daphnid mothers exposed to > 2.5 mg/L sparteine produced significantly fewer and smaller offspring during the 21-day exposure, making chronic effects occur at concentrations approximately 10-fold lower than the 48 h EC50 for sparteine. The risk assessment of cumulated alkaloids measured in drain, running and pond waters showed a potential risk, particularly for stagnant pond water, where concentrations were severalfold higher than in the drain and running waters. Conclusions: The results highlight that natural toxins may contribute to poor chemical quality of natural waters, and that natural toxins from upcoming crops or invasive weeds should be considered in aquatic risk assessments.

KW - Alkaloid

KW - Aquatic risk assessment

KW - Daphnia magna

KW - Plant toxins

KW - Risk assessment

U2 - 10.1186/s12302-020-00452-0

DO - 10.1186/s12302-020-00452-0

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85099827740

VL - 33

JO - Environmental Sciences Europe

JF - Environmental Sciences Europe

SN - 2190-4707

IS - 1

M1 - 10

ER -