Toxicological evaluation of surface water samples in sensitized cultured fish cells, and comparison with the Microtox method

摘要

The previously described neutral red uptake inhibition assay on cultured fathead minnow (FHM) fish cells revealed a good correlation as well with fish toxicity data for a series of 50 test chemicals [1] as with Daphnia magna toxicity data for inorganic metal compounds [2]. The total protein content could also be used as an endpoint [3]. The major drawback was the lower sensitivity of the cytotoxicity assay. Aiming at a higher sensitivity the assay was adapted by reducing the cell number, by a longer treatment period, and by simultaneous treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate and buthionine sulfoximine. The fluorimetrically measured protein content was chosen as the endpoint [4]. This assay revealed to be sensitive enough to measure the toxicity of environmental water samples [4]. The results for 93 surface water samples are reported here. They are compared with toxicity data obtained by the Microtox method using the bacteria Vibrio fischeri.