engleski

Influence of Mg, Cr, Fe and Zn from food supplements on selected types of aquatic organisms.

Aim was to determine whether uncontrolled disposal of food supplements into the environment, which in its composition contain magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) can cause unwanted effects on selected species of aquatic organisms as indicators of potential toxic effects of such preparations on the environment. Aquatic organisms: the freshwater algae Scenedesmus subspicatus and Raphidocelis subcapitata, great water flea Daphnia maga and duckweed Lemna minor, were exposed to Mg, Cr, Fe and Zn from food supplements by standardized methods. A total of 30 samples were analyzed for each individual micronutrient. The results are expressed as effective concentration 50 (EC50), i.e. the concentration of Mg, Cr, Fe and Zn (mg / L), which inhibits growth or immobilizes 50% of the treated organisms. EC50 metals significantly differ (p <0.001) at all examined test organisms. At Scenedesmus subspicatus the sequnece of EC50 is: Fe(median 46, 9 mg/L)< Zn(59, 8 mg/L)<Mg(73, 0 mg/L)<Cr(88, 1mg/L)(KW-H/3 ; 120/=44, 0963). At Raphidocelis subcapitata the sequnece of EC50 is: Fe(median 44, 9 mg/L) <Zn(52, 6 mg/L) <Mg(62, 2 mg/L) <Cr(76, 8 mg/L)(KW-H/3 ; 120/44, 0936). At Daphnia magna the sequence of EC50 is: Zn(median 59, 4 mg/L) <Cr(79, 2 mg/L) <Fe(80, 8 mg/L) <Mg(82, 0 mg/L)(KW-H/3 ; 120/=39, 2637). At Lemna minor the sequence of EC50 is: Zn(median 131, 0 mg/L) <Fe(186, 8 mg/L) <Mg(192, 5 mg/L) <Cr(240, 4 mg/L)(KW-H/3 ; 120/=58, 6567). Conclusion. Although micronutrients Mg, Cr, Fe and Zn often appear as components of food supplements and belong to the group of essential elements, their uncontrolled disposal into the environment shows harmful effects on aquatic organisms. The use and disposal of supplements should be legally regulated.

food supplements ; Mg ; Cr ; Fe ; Zn ; Scenedesmus subspicatus ; Raphidocelis subcapitata ; Daphnia magna ; Lemna minor ; ecosystem ; toxicity ; Croatia

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.03.441