Effects of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide on the anti-oxidant system of earthworm

The activity changes of anti-oxidant enzymes and the levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde were determined when Eisenia foetida were exposed to different concentrations of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide for 14 d. The results showed catalase activity in all treatment groups was elevated significantly after 1 d of exposure, and superoxide dismutase activity in higher-dosage groups (120 and 160 mg kg−1) was increased at 3 d post-exposure. On the 7th d, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the 20 and 40 mg kg−1 dosage groups was inhibited while increased in the 80 and 160 mg kg−1 groups compared with the control groups. During exposure, the level of intracellular glutathione in all treatment groups was much higher than that of the control groups. Changes in malondialdehyde indicate that [C8mim]Br may lead to cellular lipid peroxidation in earthworm. Our results suggest that exposure to [C8mim]Br induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in earthworms.