Biomarker responses reveal that food quality affects cadmium exposure in the soil collembolan Folsomia candida

Food quality affects the food consumption rate, flux through the gut, and exposure to contaminants in animals. This study evaluated the effects of food quality on cadmium exposure in the soil collembolan Folsomia candida. Animals were exposed to constant concentrations of cadmium for 38 h via artificial food consisting of an agar medium with various concentrations of sugar (glucose), total nutrients (baker's yeast), or fungal odour (1-octen-3-ol). The expression of the gene encoding a deduced metallothionein-like motif containing protein was used as a biomarker of cadmium exposure. Glucose concentrations of 2% or higher reduced the expression levels of the biomarker. Within the range of 0.1–8% yeast, medium concentrations led to higher biomarker levels. At high concentrations of 1-octen-3-ol (2000 mg/l), feeding and the biomarker response were reduced. These results suggest that even at equivalent cadmium concentrations, food quality affects cadmium exposure by altering food consumption rates.

► Food quality affects the oral exposure to cadmium in Collembola. ► Increasing glucose in food decreases cadmium exposure. ► Medium concentration of total nutrition increases cadmium exposure. ► Strong fungal odour deters feeding and decreases cadmium exposure.