Acute toxicity, biochemical toxicity and genotoxicity caused by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in zebrafish (Danio rerio) livers

•Acute toxicity of the ILs [Bmim]Cl and [Bmim]BF4 on zebrafish were investigated.•The anions have litter influence on acute toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio).•Both of the investigated ILs can cause oxidative damage and DNA damage in zebrafish.

The present study examined the potential toxicity of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF4) in the liver cells of zebrafish (Danio rerio) with different doses (20-160 mg/L) on 7 and 14 days. The effects of [Bmim]Cl and [Bmim]BF4 on acute toxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA), and DNA damage degree in livers of zebrafish were determined. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) values after a 96-h exposure to [Bmim]Cl and [Bmim]BF4 were 632.8 ± 67.4 and 604.6 ± 56.2 mg/L, respectively, which indicated that the substances were practically harmless. The minor discrepancy may be caused by the different anions. The ROS levels were dose-dependent, which may cause the inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and the stimulation of detoxifying enzyme activity. The present study can also provide scientific support for the future selection and evaluation of ionic liquids (ILs).

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