The toxic effects of ionic liquids on the activities of acetylcholinesterase and cellulase in earthworms

The earthworm Eisenia foetida was exposed to different concentrations of imidazolium ionic liquids with varying chain lengths according to the method of OECD [ OECD, 1984. (The Current Organization of Economic and Cooperative Development Acute Earthworm Toxicity Test) Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, No. 207. Earthworm Acute Toxicity Tests]. The acute and subchronic toxic effects of [C8mim]Br on the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cellulase in earthworms were determined under an artificial soil condition. Using filter paper contact tests, the 48 h-LC50 values of [C4mim]Br, [C6mim]Br, [C8mim]Br, [C10mim]Br and [C12mim]Br on the earthworm were 73.33, 28.25, 2.69, 0.37 and 0.02 μg cm−2, respectively. The 7 d-LC50 of [C8mim]Br was 206.8 mg kg−1 artificial soil (dry weight) and the 14 d-LC50 was 159.4 mg kg−1 artificial soil (dry weight), under the condition of artificial soil. After 1 d and 3 d of acute exposure, the activity of AChE was markedly inhibited when compared to the control, while it was increased at 7 d. The cellulase activity was elevated significantly in the treatment groups of 20–160 mg kg−1 after 3 and 7 d of acute exposure. The activity of cellulase was also promoted under the subchronic exposure condition in the 10 and 20 mg kg−1 groups. The experimental results suggest that [C8mim]Br may interfere with the nervous function of the earthworms and increase their cellulase activity. These results indicate that [C8mim]Br-exposure can affect the metabolized enzyme activity of earthworms at low concentrations and can even cause worm death at high doses, both of which have potential impacts on the soil environment.