Evaluation of ketoprofen toxicity in two freshwater species: Effects on biochemical, physiological and population endpoints

Among the most used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ketoprofen (KTF) assumes an important position. Nevertheless, its ecotoxicological effects in non-target organisms are poorly characterized, despite its use and frequency of occurrence in aquatic matrices. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible toxicological effects of KTF contamination, in two freshwater species, Lemna minor and Daphnia magna, by measuring biochemical, physiological and population parameters. To attain this objective, both species were exposed to KTF at the same concentrations (0, 0.24, 1.2, 6 and 30 μg/L). L. minor plants were exposed during 4 d to these levels of KTF, and the enzymatic activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and carbonic anhydrase (CA)), and pigments content (chlorophylls a, b and total and carotenoids) were analyzed to evaluate the toxicity of this drug. D. magna was acutely and chronically exposed to KTF, and enzymatic activities (CAT, GSTs and cyclooxygenase (COX)), the feeding rates, and reproduction traits were assessed. In L. minor, KTF provoked alterations in all enzyme activities, however, it was not capable of causing any alteration in any pigment levels. On the other hand, KTF also provoked alterations in all enzymatic activities in D. magna, but did not affect feeding rates and life-history parameters. In conclusion, exposure to KTF, provoked biochemical alterations in both species. However, these alterations were not reflected into deleterious effects on physiological and populational traits of L. minor and D. magna.

Bruno Nunes is hired by “ECO-R-pharmplast - Ecotoxicity of realistic combinations of pharmaceutical drugs and microplastics in marine ecosystems”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, FCT (reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029203). Gilberto Dias de Alkimin thanks FCT for the PhD grant (PD/BD/127922/2016). This research was financially supported by CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020), by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), and by the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020.

Peer reviewed