Application of methods for assessing the geno- and cytotoxicity of Triclosan to C. ehrenbergii

The toxic effects of Triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether) on morphology and sexual and asexual reproduction of C. ehrenbergii were examined. In addition, the genotoxic effects of Triclosan were evaluated on the same alga using the microgel electrophoresis test, also-called Comet assay. Increasing Triclosan concentrations in the range 0.125-5 mg L−1 did not affect size and shape of the cells but had relevant effects on both chloroplast morphology and dimension. Triclosan inhibited the vegetative growth of C. ehrenbergii at 0.5 mg L−1. The effects on sexual reproduction indicate that the number of C. ehrenbergii zygospores was significantly reduced by the application of 0.937 mg L−1. The Comet assay showed that Triclosan treatments led to a dose-dependent DNA damage of C. ehrenbergii; 0.25 mg L−1caused significant genotoxic effects and higher concentrations irreversibly altered the DNA strands. These results suggest that C. ehrenbergii could represent a useful organism to evaluate the whole toxicity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), giving valuable information for a risk assessment.