The effects of high doses of the mycotoxin zearalenone on Tenebrio molitor L. larvae
Efekat visokih doza mikotoksina zearalenona na larve brašnenog crva Tenebrio molitor L.
2023
Document Type:
Conference object (Published version)
,
© 2023 by the Serbian Society of Toxicology
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Show full item recordAbstract:
Tenebrio molitor is considered a pest of stored grains and grain-based products, but also as an important
supplement in animal and human nutrition. It is important to point out that T. molitor larvae are sensitive
to the presence of mycotoxins in the environment, changing the behavior and some biochemical
parameters. Mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) was used to assess the effect on the induction of oxidative
stress and behavior in T. molitor larvae. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of high doses
of mycotoxin ZEA (10 and 20 mg/kg) in feed on the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD),
catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as on the parameters of locomotor activity:
travel distance, time in movement, and average speed while in motion in T. molitor larvae.
The results of this study showed that the presence of ZEA in feed at concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/kg
significantly increased the specific activity of SOD, CAT, and GST. It also affected the locomotor activity
of the larvae, i.e. travel distance and time in movement were significantly lower in larvae exposed to
10 and 20 mg/kg ZEA, while average speed did not change significantly. The presence of ZEA leads to
significant changes in the physiology and behavior of T. molitor larvae and can be useful in the early
detection of food contamination with this dangerous mycotoxin.
Keywords:
T. molitor; mycotoxin ZEA; antioxidantFunding / projects:
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200007 (University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković') (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200007)
In:
- Abstract Book: 13th International Congress of the Serbian Society of Toxicology and 1st toxSEE Regional Conference: Present and Future of toxicology: Challenges and opportunities; 2023 May 10-12; Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade: Serbian Society of Toxicology; 2023. p. 87-8.